PCB News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

KiCad 9 released with support for embedded files, tables in schematics, custom ERC/DRC errors, mouse scroll wheel actions, and more

KiCad 9 open-source EDA software has just been released with a range of new features such as support for embedded files (fonts, 3D files, PDF), tables in schematics, custom ERC/DRC errors, warnings, and exclusion comments, mouse scroll wheel actions, multiple track drag, and much more. The latest KiCad 9.0.0 release includes 4,870 unique commits from hundreds of developers and translators, and the KiCad library has further gained 1500 new symbols, 750 new footprints, and 132 new 3D models. There are way too many changes to list them all here, so I’ll mention some highlights here: Jobsets (predefined output jobs) – Feature that provides predefined sets of ‘jobs’— plotting, exporting, and running DRC—on schematics and PCBs. Independent jobset files are reusable as users may want to create output pipelines that they can apply across their projects for consistency. Jobsets can be run from the command line or the KiCad GUI. Embedded […]

February 19, 2025February 17, 2025 by Sponsored Post - 1 Comment

Check out this 24-layer HDI PCB made with PCBWay’s high-layer, high-order interposer PCB manufacturing services (Sponsored)

Connections between chips have become increasingly complex, and applications with higher frequency and speed requirements may not make use of traditional PCB technology. That’s where the interposer PCB, a new type of PCB comes into play. PCBWay has the capability to manufacture high-layer, high-order PCBs, and even successfully developed a 24-layer, 6-order arbitrary interconnection HDI PCB. The interposer PCB is a highly precise, high-density interconnect (HDI) PCB that allows for a higher wiring density per unit area compared to traditional PCBs. HDI PCBs are characterized by features such as micro vias, finer lines and spaces, higher connection pad density, and the use of blind and buried vias. These features enable the miniaturization of electronic devices by allowing more functionality to be packed into a smaller space. The design characteristics of this PCB include inner layers connected to the outer layers through laser microvias and dense routing, resulting in a multi-structure […]

February 4, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Compulab RoboDesigner – Design and order a custom SBC within one hour from your web browser

RoboDesigner SBC designer program 3D view

Compulab RoboDesigner is a new web-based tool and service that allows you to design and or a custom SBC using one of Compulab’s system-on-module within about one hour instead of going through the more lengthy process of designing a carrier board by yourself. I’ve given it a try, and it’s really easy to use even if you don’t have any engineering skills. It’s very similar to Gumstix Geppetoo introduced in 2013 for Overo SoMs, and now called Upverter with support for a wider range of modules including Raspberry Pi Compute Modules. The first step is to go to https://robo-designer.com/ and click on Select Functions. Right now, the selection of SoMs is rather limited because there’s only one: CMiMX8M C-Lab CORE with an NXP i.MX 8M Mini processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 16GB eMMC flash. You can then select the I/O modules you want from the list with the remaining […]

January 20, 2025January 23, 2025 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

NextPCB offers free PCBA prototypes for RP2350/RP2040 designs, RP2040 MCU as low as 30 cents (Sponsored)

NextPCB Free PCBA with Raspberry Pi RP2040 RP2350 MCU

NextPCB Accelerator is an initiative from the PCB and PCBA manufacturer to empower innovators and creators to bring their ideas to life, and the ongoing campaign features the Raspberry Pi RP2350 and RP2040 microcontrollers. Specifically, NextPCB offers two free PCBA prototypes for any original design based on either the RP2350 Cortex-M33/RISC-V microcontroller or RP2040 Arm Cortex-M0+ MCU from Raspberry Pi. The company also offers subsidized bulk pricing for the Raspberry Pi RP2040 for any company or maker mass-producing their design with NextPCB. Besides PCB manufacturing, NextPCB will offer professional assembly of the RP2040 or RP2350 chips using their precision pick-and-place machines, advanced automated inspection equipment, and carefully controlled manufacturing practices. NextPCB’s IC programming and firmware burning services will free up time for customers, and functional testing services will make sure all prototypes are tested for functionality before leaving the production line. The conditions of the offer are pretty straightforward. NextPCB […]

December 16, 2024December 19, 2024 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

Save up to 50% on PCB orders with PCBWay Christmas 2024 Big Sales event (Sponsored)

PCBWay has a special treat for Christmas 2024 with the Big Sales event for up to 50% on PCB manufacturing and assembly services. But that’s not all, as the PCB manufacturer also offers free coupons, free PCB prototypes for Christmas, and a game to win free modules. Let’s have a closer look at each offer and conditions. Nine coupons are offered including several valid for all services, and two specific to the company’s CNC and 3D printing services: $5 discount for $30 or more orders $10 discount for $59 or more orders $15 discount for $109 or more orders $30 discount for $279 or more orders $50 discount for $699 or more orders $100 discount for $1299 or more orders $200 discount for $2999 or more orders CNC and 3D printing coupons: $5 discount for $29+ orders, and $20 off for $199+ orders You’ll be asked to log in to […]

November 23, 2024November 29, 2024 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

Bittele Electronics: Your Turn-key PCB Assembly Provider (Sponsored)

Founded in 2003, Bittele Electronics is a PCB manufacturer with factories in China and Canada that specializes in turn-key PCB assembly for prototype and low-to-mid volume PCB fabrication and assembly services. The facility in Toronto, Canada incorporates the company’s head office, sales office, parts procurement team, and a state-of-the-art PCB assembly line that allows the company to offer low-cost, one-stop PCB assembly services, including PCB fabrication, parts procurement, and PCB Assembly to their customers mostly based in the United States and Canada. The company also offers expertise in DFM (Design for Manufacturing) & DFT (Design For Test) checking for each order. They verify all details of your files, including BOM (Bill of Materials) and Gerber files, to allow you to correct your PCB design before starting production saving significant time and cost, and avoiding unnecessary repeats of the prototyping assembly process. Bittele Electronics provides an instant online quote for printed […]

November 20, 2024November 23, 2024 by Sponsored Post - No Comments

PCBWay: Your One-Stop Shop for Electronics Manufacturing from Design to Production (Sponsored)

PCBWay, founded in 2013, is a global electronics manufacturing services company driven by customer value. With 5 factories in Shenzhen China (2 offering PCB services, 2 offering PCBA services, and 1 offering CNC machining, sheet metal, and injection molding services), we are able to leverage advanced electronics technology, component resources, experienced technicians, and more. We also work with a number of manufacturers in Shenzhen and other cities to support products beyond our own capabilities. PCBWay has a long history of providing manufacturing support and design advice based on our customers’ products, and we continue to provide our customers with printed circuit boards, components, PCB assembly, molding services, electronic assemblies, contract manufacturing, etc. from design to mass production. Today, multiple technology trends are driving PCB adoption. The Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with the development of 5G systems, have opened up a whole new level of connectivity […]

November 3, 2024December 28, 2024 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Murata unveils stretchable PCB technology for medical and bio-sensing applications

Many PCB vendors now provide flexible PCB manufacturing services, but Murata goes further with stretchable PCB technology that’s not only bendable but can be twisted and stretched to better fit on the body for bio-sensing and medical applications even on parts such as an elbow. Traditional bio-monitoring sensors have some limitations. For example, they can become unstuck when the body moves, damage the delicate skin of infants and the elderly, data may be distorted due to body movement, and Murata explains “there is a risk of a decline in insulation and the occurrence of ion migration when using a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), known as a stretchable base material, in a high humidity environment”. The company’s stretchable printed circuits ((SPC) are supposed to solve or at least mitigate all those issues. The technology is under development, but Murata still shared some highlights of the technology: Stretchable electrode printing in compliance […]