Author's Preface 5
Introduction 12

Introducing KiCad 15

1.1 What is KiCad? 17
1.2 Key Features and Uses of KiCad 18
1.3 Installation and Basic Setup 20
1.4 Understanding KiCad's Interface 29
1.4.1 Project Manager Window 29
1.4.2 Schematic Editor 30
1.4.3 PCB Editor 34
1.4.4 3D Viewer 37

Electronic Circuit Fundamentals 39

2.1 Basic Principles of Electronic Circuits 41
2.1.1 Ohm's Law 41
2.1.2 Kirchhoff's Laws 42
2.1.3 Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) 44
2.1.4 Classification of Electronic Circuits 44
2.1.5 Units used in electronic circuits 45
2.2 Introduction to Basic Electronic Components 46
2.2.1 Resistor 46
2.2.2 Capacitor 48
2.2.3 Diode 50
2.2.4 Transistor 50
2.2.5 Inductor 51
2.2.6 Switch 51
2.3 Understanding Circuit Diagrams 52
2.3.1 Conductor, Power 53
2.4 Electronic Circuit Fundamentals Theory Practice 55
2.4.1 Series Circuit Design 55
2.4.2 Parallel Circuit Design 56
2.4.3 Basic LED Circuit Design 57
2.4.4 Sensor Circuit Design 59

KiCad Schematic Editor 65

3.1 Introduction to the Schematic Editor and its Basic Interface 67
3.1.1 Symbol Editor 68
3.1.2 Symbol Library Browser 70
3.1.3 Footprint Editor 70
3.1.4 Annotate Schematic 71
3.1.5 Electrical Rules Checker 72
3.1.6 Simulator (Spice Simulator) 72
3.1.7 Assign Footprints 73
3.1.8 Edit Symbol Fields 73
3.1.9 Generate Bill of Materials 74
3.1.10 Switch to PCB Editor 74
3.1.11 Scripting Console 74
3.2 Drawing a circuit diagram (placement of components, connection, labeling) 75
3.2.1 Circuit Drawing Process 75
3.3 Circuit Diagram Drawing Practice 81
3.3.1 Basic LED Circuit 81

PCB Design Fundamentals 93

4.1 What is a PCB? 95
4.1.1 PCB Main Features 95
4.1.2 PCB Classification 96
4.1.3 PCB Manufacturing Process 96
4.2 PCB Components and Structure 101
4.3 Fundamentals of PCB Design 102
4.3.1 Component Placement Principles 102
4.3.2 Wiring (Layout) Principles 103
4.3.3 Power and Grounding Design 103
4.3.4 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Design 104
4.3.5 Thermal Management 104
4.3.6 Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Considerations 105
4.4 Common Problems and Solutions in PCB Design 105

KiCad PCB Editor 109

5.1 Introduction to the PCB Editor and Basic Interface 111
5.1.1 Update PCB from Schematic 112
5.1.2 Footprint Library Browser 113
5.1.3 Design Rules Checker 114
5.1.4 3D Viewer 114
5.2 PCB Design Based on Circuit Diagram 116
5.2.1 PCB Layout Process 116
5.3 PCB Layout Practice 145
5.3.1 Basic LED Circuit 145

Digital Clock Design Project 169

6.1 Project Overview 171
6.2 Circuit Design 172
6.2.1 Components used in design 172
6.2.2 Preparing Symbols 173
6.2.3 Creating an LED Footprint 175
6.2.4 Creating a Footprint for the Switch (ITS-1105) 176
6.2.5 Creating a Footprint for a 7-Segment Display (S-5462ASR2/C) 177
6.2.6 Arduino Shield Circuit 179
6.2.7 LED Circuit 180
6.2.8 BUZZER and SWITCH CIRCUIT 181
6.2.9 74HC595 Shift Register Circuit 181
6.2.10 Dot Matrix Circuit 182
6.2.11 Seven-Segment Circuit 183
6.2.12 Final Circuit Diagram Completed 184
6.2.13 Footprint Setup and ERC 185
6.2.14 PDF Generation 185
6.3 PCB Layout Design and Fabrication 186
6.3.1 PCB Layout 186
6.4 Parts Order 201
6.5 PCB Assembly 202

Digital Clock Programming 205

7.1 Setting up the Arduino development environment 207
7.2 Arduino Program Structure 208
7.3 Frequently used functions in Arduino 209
7.4 Object-Oriented Programming in Arduino 211
7.5 Blink 214 in Object-Oriented Style
7.5.1 Class Definition 214
7.5.2 Creating and Using Objects 215
7.6 Clock Class 216
7.6.1 Class Definition 216
7.6.2 Creating and Using Objects 219
7.7 Buzzer Class 220
7.7.1 Class Definition 220
7.7.2 Creating and Using Objects 221
7.8 Button Class 221
7.8.1 Class Definition 222
7.8.2 Creating and Using Objects 223
7.9 DynamicDisplay Class 223
7.9.1 Class Definition 224
7.9.2 Creating and Using Objects 227
7.10 Writing the entire program 228

Search 231

Electronic design is a field of engineering that requires both creative and logical thinking.
This book is designed to provide practical help to anyone who wants to build their own electronic devices.
In particular, we wanted to introduce the various advantages of this tool to those who are new to the free yet powerful KiCad, instead of paid electronic design programs that have a high barrier to entry.
Although KiCad is free, its performance rivals that of commercial software, and its active user community, characteristic of open source software, allows for a wider range of designs.

In writing this book, my primary concern was for readers to learn the theory through practical projects.
So each chapter is structured around practice and includes examples that readers can follow along with.
Through this, we hope you will experience that electronic circuit design is not just a theory, but a useful skill that can be directly applied in real life.

As I conclude this book, I would like to make two requests.

First, experience many mistakes during the learning process. PCB design is a precise task, but it's natural for beginners to experience trial and error.
The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and move towards better designs.

Second, maintain a posture of questioning and exploring yourself.
Electronic design and programming are fields with endless possibilities.
You'll learn more as you tackle new problems and explore creative solutions.