xl97:
Nice suggestions..Let me ask a few questions.. and add a few comments..
- Series resistors for DI lines.. (good idea, I'll add them)
- Some 100nF decoupling caps..at all pads & terminals (will do)
- Beef up the width on 5v traces. - (How much bigger should the be? they are .5 width currently I believe!)
I like these to be big, 50mil is okay, 75mil is better.- how about some mounting holes? - (another good idea!, I need to find out where/how these are to be mounted)
** difficult to tell if the GND is going where it should. - I'm sure what you mean here? (I also provided the .brd file if needed)
I don't use Eagle.** vias bigger. - (why?.. I am compliant with the fab house design rules.. no errors. Is there another angle to understand here?)
Bigger vias bigger holes, 50mils is reasonable 60 is better IMO.
Bigger holes, more copper from one side to the other.** thermo vias under regulator... (can you expand on this? I have never added a 'thermo via' before? Where does one find this part? In Eagle?)
Same as a regular via ~60mil but you place a matrix under a component (ex TO220) to carry the heat from one side to the other side for heat dissipation.
Make these 'Tented' so you can fill with solder.
- Nano pads could be bigger - (bigger than the default Nano EAGLE part?.. why?).. and should these be changed out the female header components I have there?
If no trace are going between the pads, make the pads large for easier soldering. 80mil would be great, but what's reasonable** maybe diode in the Vin line for reverse protection... I actually had one in there (you can still see the two conjunctions in the wires by the regulator).. but I removed it, because of the voltage drop. I am trying to allowed a wider range or battery sources to be used.. (roughly +6v - +7.4v packs).. if I add a diode.. +6 packs wont be an option any more....right? (I struggle with this.. as I always like to have reverse polarity protection)
The diode could be a Schottky, .2V.
Maybe put the option for having it there.The over all size of the board is only (roughly) 1.5in. x 3in.... do you still think all the decoupling is needed?
Always always always use decoupling, if things are tight, use 1206 SMD .1uF.
Oh, I should have said ALWAYS.I'll still be adding the cap to the Neopixel terminals as well as the resistor too.
Thanks for the time & eyes LarryD (appreciate it)
