The copper fills are actually for providing ground paths with the lowest possible impedance to prevent interferences due to ground lifts. That is a voltage, that builds up along the ground trace because of a current peak, occurring especially in digital circuits, while thousands of (IC) transistors change their state simultaneously. Ground is a delicate thing. Since in modern microcontrollers, most things are on chip, it is less critical. But in former times, when memories (RAM, ROM) where elsewhere on the board, it was an issue and most decent micro computer designs were four layer PCBs (unlike Commodore did). Also, it helps keeping electromagnetic interferences inside the board.
It was so much fun, watching you work. I guess, in a previous life, I have been the construction worker with the shovel under the chin, watching the others work.
18:06 my routing algorithm is quite bad, that is a bug I need to fix 18:45 tip: you can use plugin to move diodes after switches has been arranged: 1) move first diode to desired location 2) run plugin 3) leave layout file empty, deselect all options 4) check `allow autoplacement` for diodes and select position option to `relative`. 5) click ok. All diodes will be placed as first one. Bonus: if you route first diode-switch pair and enable `route with switches` option as well then all diodes will automatically duplicate that routing
Really interesting video and a lovely project. Where did you learn to use KiCad? I've been wanting to do some really basic PCB's for the Agon Light 2 neo-retro computer, but I've got zero experience with KiCad and was totally overwhelmed when I tried to do even the basic things...
I had previously tried KiCAD several times and always found it daunting compared to something like EasyEDA. A long time ago I followed a course on Udemy by Peter Dalmaris - KiCAD like a Pro - and that really helped. Since then I’ve done a few projects using KiCAD and each one helped to reenforce what I’d learnt. If you interested I’ve done a few other small design using KiCAD on my channel. A games cartridge for the Commodore 64 and a USB miner (really just a simplified Arduino). For the cartridge videos , I go into a lot more detail, but it is an older version of KiCAD.
The copper fills are actually for providing ground paths with the lowest possible impedance to prevent interferences due to ground lifts. That is a voltage, that builds up along the ground trace because of a current peak, occurring especially in digital circuits, while thousands of (IC) transistors change their state simultaneously. Ground is a delicate thing. Since in modern microcontrollers, most things are on chip, it is less critical. But in former times, when memories (RAM, ROM) where elsewhere on the board, it was an issue and most decent micro computer designs were four layer PCBs (unlike Commodore did).
Also, it helps keeping electromagnetic interferences inside the board.
really nice video. keep it up
Thanks! I've got almost all the footage for Part 2, I just need to sit down and edit it. easier said than done though.
It was so much fun, watching you work. I guess, in a previous life, I have been the construction worker with the shovel under the chin, watching the others work.
18:06 my routing algorithm is quite bad, that is a bug I need to fix
18:45 tip: you can use plugin to move diodes after switches has been arranged: 1) move first diode to desired location 2) run plugin 3) leave layout file empty, deselect all options 4) check `allow autoplacement` for diodes and select position option to `relative`. 5) click ok. All diodes will be placed as first one. Bonus: if you route first diode-switch pair and enable `route with switches` option as well then all diodes will automatically duplicate that routing
Really interesting video and a lovely project.
Where did you learn to use KiCad? I've been wanting to do some really basic PCB's for the Agon Light 2 neo-retro computer, but I've got zero experience with KiCad and was totally overwhelmed when I tried to do even the basic things...
I had previously tried KiCAD several times and always found it daunting compared to something like EasyEDA. A long time ago I followed a course on Udemy by Peter Dalmaris - KiCAD like a Pro - and that really helped. Since then I’ve done a few projects using KiCAD and each one helped to reenforce what I’d learnt. If you interested I’ve done a few other small design using KiCAD on my channel. A games cartridge for the Commodore 64 and a USB miner (really just a simplified Arduino). For the cartridge videos , I go into a lot more detail, but it is an older version of KiCAD.
@@iNimbleSloth excellent! I'll take a look for that Udemy course. I've got a subscription through work. Thank you!
👍