Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects from Coursera

This is course 4 of this specialization (although it can be taken out of order) and focuses on applying experience and knowledge gained in the first three courses to build physical electronics hardware. Specifically, this course focuses on four areas: circuit simulation, schematic entry, PCB layout, and 3D CAD modeling. There are many excellent commercial applications available in these areas, however to give everyone access we'll be using all free and open-source software.

By the end of this course you should feel comfortable using free and open-source software to design your own printed circuit board and any bracketry or case to hold it, customized for your application.

Module 1 covers circuit simulation using several open-source projects and simulation methods for simulating transient response of circuits as well as frequency-domain response of filters. Additionally, we'll use open-source filter synthesis tools to help you quickly design and simulation filters.

Module 2 is all about creating professional looking electrical schematics. This is both an art and a skill and we'll cover the technical elements of using schematic entry software as well as broad concepts that are portable to any commercial application.

Module 3 takes our schematic and turns it into a physical PCB design. Understanding this process of how the schematic and the PCB layout work together is critical. We'll be demonstrating this with open-source software, but again, the concepts apply to any commercial software you may have access to.

Module 4 demonstrates the powerful idea of co-designing your electrical and mechanical systems together. We'll create a 3D model of our electrical PCB and bring it into 3D CAD software to design mechanical parts around it. Tying together these two applications opens another dimension in customizing your projects.

What's inside

Syllabus

Circuit Simulation

When you are building your projects and need a circuit (maybe to interface to a sensor, motor, or something else in the physical world) wouldn't it be nice to have a high confidence that the circuit will work, before you invest in physically constructing it? That's where circuit simulation comes in. In this first module, we will discuss several free and open source circuit simulator applications, the underlying computational engines they use, and how to simulate circuits for your projects.

Drafting Schematics

Producing professional looking schematic drawings serves two purposes. First, they are a document for you, the designer, to communicate how the circuit works and how to use and troubleshoot the circuit. Second, they are necessary step in the process to create a printed circuit board (PCB). This module will get you up and running using the open source project Kicad to create professional level schematics. And keep in mind that this is a stepping stone to Module 3, where we will convert the schematic into a physical PCB design.

Designing Printed Circuit Boards

Designing printed circuit boards (PCBs) is both an art and a skill. There is a game-like challenge of optimizing the layout and sometimes solving the puzzle of how to correctly route all traces in a confined space. This module will cover the conceptual stages of layout out your PCB and we'll demonstrate every step from importing the schematic data to having a board fabricated by a commercial board manufacturer.

Co-Designing PCBs and Mechanical Parts

Now that we're confident in designing printed circuit boards, let's turn our attention to 3D modeling custom parts such as brackets and cases for our PCB. We'll use the open source project Freecad to import our PCB design and draw 3D models around it. Co-designing parts together is a powerful skill for creating truly custom projects.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores advanced design methods such as circuit simulation, schematic entry, PCB layout, and 3D CAD modeling, used in real-world hardware development

Emphasizes hands-on learning through the use of free and open-source software, making it accessible to a wider audience

Provides a comprehensive approach to hardware design, covering both electrical and mechanical aspects

Students are advised to have prior knowledge in circuit design to fully benefit from the course

Requires access to specific software and hardware, which may pose financial or logistical barriers to some learners

Taught by instructors with extensive experience in hardware design, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects with these activities:

Review "Practical Electronics for Inventors, Fourth Edition" by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk

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Gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts and practical applications of electronics by reviewing this comprehensive textbook.

View Practical Electronics for Inventors, Fourth... on Amazon

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Read the book from cover to cover, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Use the book as a reference guide when working on electronics projects.

PCB layout skills refresher

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Refresh your PCB layout skills to prepare for this course and get a head start on the third module.

Browse courses on PCB Layout

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Review the basics of PCB layout using online tutorials or videos.
Practice creating simple PCB layouts using free software like KiCad or Eagle.

Solve practice problems on circuit analysis

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Strengthen your circuit analysis skills by solving a variety of practice problems.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Solve the problems step-by-step, using the principles of circuit analysis.
Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with an instructor or tutor if needed.

Nine other activities

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Guided Tutorials: Circuit Simulation Tools

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Become familiar with the features and capabilities of the circuit simulation software to enhance your understanding of circuit simulation.

Browse courses on Circuit Simulation

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Explore the interface and menus of the circuit simulation software.
Create and simulate simple circuits to understand the basics of circuit simulation.

Learn about filter design using online tutorials

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Enhance your understanding of filter design by following online tutorials and applying the concepts to your own projects.

Browse courses on Filter Design

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Search for online tutorials on filter design using keywords like "filter design tutorial" or "filter synthesis tutorial".
Choose a tutorial that aligns with your skill level and interests.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, taking notes and asking questions in online forums if needed.

Practice Drills: Schematic Drafting

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Reinforce your understanding of the principles and conventions of schematic drafting through practice exercises.

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Draw schematics for simple circuits, following industry standards and best practices.
Use schematic drafting software to create professional-looking schematics.

Join an online study group or forum

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Connect with other learners to discuss concepts, share resources, and get support throughout the course.

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Search for online study groups or forums dedicated to electronics design.
Join the group or forum and introduce yourself.
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own knowledge.

Hands-on Project: PCB Layout and Fabrication

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Apply your knowledge of PCB design and layout to a practical project, enhancing your understanding of the entire process.

Browse courses on PCB Layout

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Design a PCB layout for a simple circuit using PCB layout software.
Order the PCB fabrication.
Assemble the PCB and test the circuit.

Attend a workshop on PCB design and fabrication

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Learn the practical skills of PCB design and fabrication through hands-on workshops and expert guidance.

Browse courses on PCB Design

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Search for workshops on PCB design and fabrication in your area.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your skill level and interests.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.

Presentation: Electrical and Mechanical Co-Design

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Demonstrate your understanding of how electrical and mechanical systems can be co-designed by creating a presentation on a real-world project.

Browse courses on Co-Design

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Choose a project that requires both electrical and mechanical components.
Design the electrical and mechanical systems in a coordinated manner.
Develop a presentation that outlines the design process and highlights the benefits of co-design.

Create a project to demonstrate your skills

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Apply your knowledge and skills to create a physical electronics hardware project that can be used to solve a real-world problem.

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Identify a problem or need that can be addressed with an electronics solution.
Design and build the hardware using the concepts and techniques learned in this course.
Test and evaluate your project to ensure it meets the desired specifications.

Contribute to open-source projects related to electronics design

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Contribute to the electronics design community by participating in open-source projects and making your own contributions.

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Find open-source projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Identify areas where you can make meaningful contributions, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Engineer

Engineers design, build, and maintain machines and structures. You may work in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. This course may be useful to an aspiring Engineer because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers combine mechanical and electrical engineering principles to design and build complex electromechanical systems. You may work on projects that involve robotics, automation, or medical devices. This course should be helpful to an aspiring Mechatronics Engineer because it covers the basics of electrical circuits and PCB design, which are required skills for this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Electronic Engineer

Electronic Engineers develop and test electrical circuits and devices. You may design and develop new electronic components, or you may work on the testing and production of electronic systems. This course is focused on a particular type of device, the printed circuit board (PCB), and should be helpful to an aspiring Electronics Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design and implement processes for the production of goods. You may work in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics. This course should be helpful to an aspiring Manufacturing Engineer because it covers some of the basic principles of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Manufacturing Engineers.

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Product Designer

Product Designers use their understanding of human behavior, engineering, and aesthetics to design and develop new products. This course should be helpful to an aspiring Product Designer because it covers some of the basic principles and practices of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Product Designers.

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Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers combine art and engineering to design and develop products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course could be helpful to an aspiring Industrial Designer because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important aspects of product design.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and test robots and robotic systems. You may work on robots that are used for manufacturing, healthcare, or space exploration. This course is not specific to robotics, but it covers some of the fundamental concepts of electronics and mechanical design, so may be useful to an aspiring Robotics Engineer.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. You may teach a variety of subjects, including engineering, science, and business. This course may be useful to an aspiring Professor because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Professors.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. You may write user manuals, training materials, or marketing materials. This course may be useful to an aspiring Technical Writer because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Technical Writers.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields, including science, engineering, and medicine. You may work in a laboratory or in the field, and you may collaborate with other researchers from around the world. This course may be useful to an aspiring Researcher because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Researchers.

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Physicist

Physicists study the fundamental laws of nature. You may work in a variety of fields, including particle physics, astrophysics, and condensed matter physics. This course may be useful to an aspiring Physicist because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Physicists.

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Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science courses at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level. You may teach a variety of science subjects, including physics, chemistry, and biology. This course may be useful to an aspiring Science Teacher because it provides a basic understanding of electrical engineering and mechanical design, which are important areas of knowledge for Science Teachers.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers use physics to design, build, and test electrical devices and systems, from small components to complex machinery. As an Electrical Engineer, you might work with power systems, control systems, telecommunications systems, or other specialty areas. This course may be useful in providing an understanding of simple circuit theory and simulation and could help an aspiring Electrical Engineer get started with the fundamental elements of the field.

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Architect

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. You may work on projects ranging from residential homes to commercial buildings to public spaces. This course is not specific to architecture, but it does cover some of the basic principles of mechanical design and 3D modeling, which are important skills for Architects.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the planning, construction, and completion of construction projects. You may work on projects ranging from residential homes to commercial buildings to infrastructure projects. This course is not specific to construction management, but it does cover some of the basic principles of mechanical design and 3D modeling, which are important skills for Construction Managers.

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