DEV LOG 01 (13/08/26)

Right guys, its finally time to start working on this project, been busy the past few days studying fundamentals of PCB design (AC return current, differential pairs for USB and components such as clock oscillators and MCU required connections, LDOs or Load switches and some basic theory like how energy is transferred in electricity (electromagnetic wave, electric wave + magnetic wave and such)

Plan:

• Design a basic USB-C hub get the basics down.
• Move onto advanced designs such as ethernet, HDMI and audio (will need to upgrade MCU to cortext M4)
• Create a fully custom USB-C hub with all the features that I can possibly add, such as a OLED screen or audio speakers or framework style swappable ports or literally plug in the framework ports (if i can design a board that can do that, I mean its just a USB-C right….? I hope….)

What did I do today?

Component selection… damn I really didnt expect it to be this annoying (FOR ME) since theres thousands to pick from so I ai to recommend some trust worthy well known brands to pick from and give me some requirements for the component.

I only selected a load switch today the TPS 2051B by Texas instruments since it offered:

• 3 pins for VBUS switching for the USB.
• Undervoltage lockout
• 500mA continuous current (Required for USBs)
• Soft start (limits inrush current to prevent large current surges)

Sidenote:

I think I went into too much on the little details on PCB design but I guess the physics stuff I learnt helps like how a capacitors works and stuff will help next year in my A-level studies ig. *tho i swear i kinda forgotten most of the stuff…. ig ill review it later ofc.