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== Step 1: Pick the Parts ==
== Step 1: Pick the Parts ==
This is the most arduous process of all. All components must have suitable ratings and must all communicate/interact with each other.
Some websites useful for finding parts and specifications of parts:
# [https://www.mouser.com/ Mouser Electronics]
# [https://www.digikey.com DigiKey]
Manufacturer sites for even tighter specifications and datasheets:
# [https://www.analog.com/en/index.html Analog Electronics]
# [https://www.ti.com/ Texas Instruments]
# [https://www.st.com/content/st com/en.html ST Microelectronics]
When picking parts, also make sure to look for evaluation boards, which are breakout boards for microcontrollers to test that their components work. [[/www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmicroelectronics/STM32F411E-DISCO/5131480|Example]]
== Step 2: Napkin Sketch ==
== Step 2: Napkin Sketch ==
== Step 3: Schematics ==
== Step 3: Schematics ==
See [[Altium Schematics and Footprints Guidelines]]
Schematic Design is the process of specifying the symbolic representation of your circuit in a format that both the computer and a human can understand.
Schematic Design is the process of specifying the symbolic representation of your circuit in a format that both the computer and a human can understand.
* You should make your schematic clean enough that another human can read it. If no one else can read it, they won't be able to catch your mistakes
* You should make your schematic clean enough that another human can read it. If no one else can read it, they won't be able to catch your mistakes
* You should make heavy use of existing schematics for past SSI projects, especially those you understand and have flight heritage
* You should make heavy use of existing schematics for past SSI projects, especially those you understand and have flight heritage
** If the schematic you are looking for is not available in Altium, they need to be imported or created. You can find the schematics of most components on product pages of the websites listed in Step 1.
* You should use a strict hierarchical schematic sheet tree, with sheets nested within other sheets to reduce complexity
* You should use a strict hierarchical schematic sheet tree, with sheets nested within other sheets to reduce complexity
== Step 4: Footprints ==
== Step 4: Footprints ==
See [[Making Parts for PCB Libraries]]
See [[Making Parts for PCB Libraries]]
See [[Altium Schematics and Footprints Guidelines]]
* If possible, design your circuit to use parts that have heritage, and have footprints in the library
* If possible, design your circuit to use parts that have heritage, and have footprints in the library
* Take the time to track down 3D models for components, it will help prevent dumb ME issues later on
* Take the time to track down 3D models for components, it will help prevent dumb ME issues later on