So I am making a PCB that can have an arduino Pro mini and ESP8266 mount to it, the PCB provides power to both the arduino and WiFi module as well as breaks out 3 pins for a 5V LED strip (that being 5V, GND and a digital Pin). This is my first PCB design and wanted some guidance.
Here is a link to it (Its messy but I think it will get the job done): PCB
As you can see, all the board really is, is a more compact and cleaned up version of a breadboard. I have both a 5V and 3.3V regulator, the 3.3V regulator is for just the ESP8266 and the 5V is for just the LED strip. I am connecting the arduino's built in regulator. I plan on using the 3.3V version pro mini.
In regards to the power, any suggestions on capacitors or anything of that sort that may save the components from my lack of knowledge? My plan for this is to be able to control the LED strip from an iPhone app that I made, the name of the game is small for this board and I think a 4cm by 3cm board achieves that.
You need capacitors on the input and output of the regulators (See datasheet for specifications on these - some regulators are picky about the type of caps.
How long is the LED strip you're using? Are you sure you can use it with an LDO regulator? Those cap out at a couple of amps, and that doesn't get you very many WS2812B's (it's 60mA per LED).
If you're wedded to 9-12v power input, use a buck converter (search ebay for 'dc-dc step down converter' - I've seen lots of people leave outlines for these modules on their boards, since it's cheaper and easier than making your own buck converter).
If you're buying your power supply, buy an appropriately sized 5v supply (these are dirt cheap and abundant on ebay and amazon), and just have a 3.3v LDO regulator (make sure it will give 3.3v out with 5v in) to supply the arduino.
Either way, I'd put a cap on the supply to the LEDs, a few hundred to a thousand uF (may not be necessary, but is sometimes recommended) for extra power supply filtering.
Also, put extra filter caps on the ESP8266 - I've had reliability problems with ESP8266 if I don't give it an extra 10uF cap between it's power and ground.
You used wrong outline for the power connector I think - usually the tabs they have are too big for such little holes. The adafruit library has an outline that has much larger holes that will fit most power connectors.
Isn't OSHPark cheaper than that? For that price, you could get 10 of them from dirtypcbs, shipping included... (and you'd have 2x5 cm of dead space that you could fill with unrelated stuff, since they let you panelize )
And it's still in the wrong forum section! This would be general electronics stuff, imo...
MisterMimoBot:
So I am making a PCB that can have an arduino Pro mini and ESP8266 mount to it, the PCB provides power to both the arduino and WiFi module as well as breaks out 3 pins for a 5V LED strip (that being 5V, GND and a digital Pin). This is my first PCB design and wanted some guidance.
Here is a link to it (Its messy but I think it will get the job done): PCB
As mentioned you need those regulator caps.
Power traces should be wide, so they can both carry the current and are low inductance. Use a ground plane
unless you have a reason not to (you don't)
)