A custom ATmega328P-based microcontroller development board designed using Autodesk Eagle. This project covers the complete hardware design workflow, including schematic capture, PCB layout, Gerber file generation, PCB fabrication, and component assembly.
The objective of this project was to gain practical experience in embedded hardware design by designing a custom development board around the ATmega328P microcontroller.
This project demonstrates the complete PCB development cycle:
- Circuit schematic design
- PCB layout using Autodesk Eagle
- Design Rule Check (DRC)
- Gerber file generation
- PCB fabrication
- Component sourcing
- PCB assembly and soldering
The PCB was fabricated by PCB Power and assembled using both SMT and through-hole components.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P |
| PCB Design Software | Autodesk Eagle |
| PCB Manufacturer | PCB Power |
| Clock Source | 16 MHz Crystal Oscillator |
| Programming Interface | ISP Header |
| Power Supply | DC Power Jack |
| Voltage Regulation | On-board Voltage Regulator |
Custom-Microcontroller-pcb/
│
├── README.md
├── Schematics/
├── Eagle_Files/
├── Gerber_Files/
├── BOM/
├── Images/
└── LICENSE
- Designed the complete circuit schematic in Autodesk Eagle.
- Created the PCB layout and placed all electronic components.
- Routed PCB traces while following design rules.
- Generated manufacturing-ready Gerber files.
- Sent the design for PCB fabrication.
- Procured and soldered all electronic components onto the PCB.
- Eagle schematic (.sch)
- Eagle board layout (.brd)
- Gerber files
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- PCB images
- Schematic PDF
- PCB Design
- Autodesk Eagle
- Embedded Systems
- Schematic Capture
- PCB Layout
- Gerber Generation
- Electronic Component Selection
- PCB Fabrication
- Soldering
- Hardware Documentation
The PCB was successfully designed, fabricated, and assembled.
Final hardware validation could not be completed because the selected SMT DC power jack footprint used during the PCB design phase was unavailable from local suppliers after fabrication. Consequently, the board could not be powered for functional testing.
This project provided valuable practical experience in the complete PCB development workflow. It also highlighted the importance of:
- Verifying component availability before finalizing PCB footprints.
- Performing design reviews before fabrication.
- Understanding manufacturing constraints.
- Following a structured hardware development process.
- Replace the unavailable power connector with a commonly available footprint.
- Perform power-on validation.
- Test all microcontroller peripherals.
- Program and verify the ATmega328P.
- Revise the PCB if necessary based on testing results.
This project was completed as part of an embedded systems learning initiative to gain practical experience in PCB design and hardware development.