Custom FC V5 is here: I have made a LOT of changes like last time.
Changes:
I redesigned the case so that I cna connect both sides and because it would not fit in my printer. On the image it basically looks the same. I deleted some of the switches because they made it laggier
Basically finished the macropad. I completed the firmware(the old one didnt work) and soldered everything. Then, I put everything together in the case and here’s the final result:
The FC should be done maybe this time?? I said it was done but I realized that I made the capacitor sizes wrong. I did everything at the 0402 size, which is actually too small for some components like the 22uF capacitors. So now, my 22uf capacitors are at 0805 and my 1uf capacitors are 0605. I also changed my led’s to be smaller(0402) because it was going to get squished by the TPU mounts for the FC. Finally, I added 3d models to all of the components and I modified the board edge so that the USBC port would stick out, and so that the board would not be as big.
I have made edits to my FC again because I realized how hard soldering everything would be. I would need a hot plate and heat gun to solder and that might not be enough. Before, all of the electronic components were on the bottom, and the MCU and GYRO(and their respective electronics) were on the top. If I actually wanted to do it this way, I would need to spend like 500$ for a reflow oven or something. Now, everything is on the top level and I made the Schotty diode further from the MCU bu pushing the USB-C cable further away. Oh yeah, I left the 8 pin JST connecter on the bottom so it can connect to the ESC.
I have finished the FC!. The shape is a bit weird, mainly the top right corner. That is because the 3d frame that I will be using cuts really close to there so im not taking any risks! Compared to my last design, this one has way less capacitors and resisters which make it cheaper and easier to solder. I have like 10 pads for different functions like boot, future GPS extensions and VTX and ESC connectivity. For the VTX and ESC, I added backup pads just in case the JST connecters dont work or pin order is different. I have also worked on the firmware/software for it.
Instead of using a AIO FC and ESC, Im using a 20x20 stack. This is because I realized that if I designed it myself, the components would be way to close together and cause problems. Next up is designing the PCB
I have created phase A,B, and C for MOTOR_1. these are the 3 mosfets and FD6288Q IC. I need to repeat this 4 times in total. Im currently looking for a better alternative for the MCU because I would need to have 4 of them so I need a 48 pin MCU that is compatible and its really hard to find
I was going through my schematic and I realized that I made some major mistakes that could cause the FC to not work. I let AI scan it and a bunch of my resistor and capacitor calculations were wrong, and my pin wiring was messed up so I had to redo the entire thing again. Im planning on also making it an AIO instead so I get the ESC and FC on the same board.
I finished tracing all of the lines for the FC. I also put it into JLCPCB its crazy expensive like $130 usd without shipping
Fixed a problem with the hotswap sockets
Made a LOT of progress today. I have finished the schematic(updated for 3s batteries) and finished organizing the PCB layout. im trying to make it as small as possible and as good looking, but currently isnt looking too good because the gyro cannot be too close to high voltage components so I need to isolate them and it just doesnt look too good(3d viewer)
I just finished configuring everything in the schematics editor in kicad. Right now, im designing a custom FC for my drone because im not allowed to use a prebuilt one. Next up is designing it in the PCB editor
finished a very basic case for my keyboard:
Unfortunately I realized it too late, and as I was designing the 3d case, I saw that the LED’s were on the wrong side of the pcb. It took like 3 hours to wire those so I decided to just completely get rid of the LED’s, then just re trace everything. It looks like 10x better now:
Finished checking the DRC and adding 3d models to the 3d viewer to export.
I official finished creating all of the traces on the PCB. It looks really messy and its because I didn’t really pay attention to how it looked, instead I just focused on finishing it and just working. there was around 350 traces so it would take way too long if I wanted it to look good.
I have put all of the schematics into kicad PCB, then positioned them into their designated spots. Finally, I assigned 3d models to all of them(except OLED and rotary encoders)
I finished working on the keyboard schematic with 74 keys, 2 rotary encoders, a 0.91 inch oled and led’s.
I have officially finished everything for my macropad here it is: This macropad is for controlling volume and brightness and has 3 customizable switches and an oled screen.
