Archive | March 2013

PCB design

I am trying to figure out how to connect PCBs to each other. I have posted the following question in the sparkfun forum on PCB design.

“Hi,

I am fairly new to electronics and very new to PCB design. I am trying to create a row of LEDs that are RGB controlled in small segments using a TLC5940 to either make downlighting or for lighting artwork for different effects. I will be daisy chaining up to 10 together, but I want to design my PCB to have both the LEDs and the TLC5940 on one PCB and then be able to connect to additional copies of the PCB. So all these PCBs need to lay flat in the same plane. How can I best connect PCBs to each other for this? Right now I have thrown in a shrouded 10 pin header which i could connect via ribbon wire (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8506). but this seems like it is unnecessary and large. I need 8 pins at least. What other options are there?”

Below is my schematic that I have right now. Hopefully I can get some answers on this.

LED Schematic

Schematic for my LED PCB

PCBs

Started looking into making a PCB for the LEDs with the TLC incorporated in it. I am looking at using batchpcb.com because they are pretty cheap but have a long lead time. I have found that design spark is a good pcb design software (eagle had a maximum pcb size of 100×80 mm and I need at least 150 mm for all the LEDs)

Just starting

I am deciding to start this blog to chronicle my ventures into beer making and arduino projects