Product Announcement LP870
Nanosecond 870nm LED Source
Tag: Tools
Antmicro Kmake
A KiCad build tool with some surprising features
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EDA Tools
Electronics Design Automation (EDA) Build Tools
Electromagnetic Simulators List
List of primarily FDTD simulators with some resources and notes.
Managing Openscad Projects
How to structure OpenSCAD projects for reuse and scalability, using OPENSCADPATH, Makefiles, and modular design to manage complexity.
Installing OpenEMS on Linux
Guide to installing and using OpenEMS FDTD simulator on Ubuntu with Docker
System Diagrams / Schematics
Comparison of tools for generating descriptive timing diagrams
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KiCad Testpoints Plugin
The KiCad Testpoints PCM plugin generates test point reports directly from KiCad — filling a gap that most EDA tools handle poorly or not at all.
KiCad Custom DRC Rules
How to write a custom KiCad DRC rule to enforce JLCPCB’s minimum trace spacing requirement for boards with low copper coverage.
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Spreadsheet Wrangler
spreadsheet-wrangler is a command-line Python tool for merging, filtering, and transforming spreadsheet data — useful for BOM management and flat data processing.
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Rectangle Packaging Problem / Efficient 2D Packing
Solving the 2D rectangle packing problem in Python using the rectpack library, with OpenSCAD for visualizing layouts and generating CNC tool paths.
pyetest: Electronics Testing Tool & Method
pyetest is a Python library for pass/fail electronics test scripting, using spreadsheets as test definitions to reduce custom code and simplify automated test setups.
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Scripting FreeCAD from an AppImage
How to use FreeCAD’s Python scripting interface from an AppImage installation, including setting up the environment to call FreeCAD functions from outside the GUI.
KiCad Board Outlines
Improved mechanical workflow
KiCad 7 Build Environment
Writing a KiCad Makefile
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Semantic Versioning for Hardware
Applying semantic versioning principles to hardware design to communicate revision scope, signal compatibility changes, and manage manufacturing releases.
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Fixed Point Python Libraries
Evaluating the best library for fixed point algorithm development & testing
Reusing PCB Design Elements
How to accelerate new hardware revisions by treating PCB designs as modular, reusing layout sections, schematics, and form factors across product generations.
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Building an Automated Test Jig: Hardware
Part 2 of a series on automated test jig design, covering fixtures, probe hardware, and sourcing off-the-shelf components for electronics testing.
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Building an Automated Test Jig: Requirements & References
Requirements, design goals, and resource guide for building standardized automated electronics test jigs for low-to-medium production volumes.
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kicad-parts-placer
kicad-parts-placer automates exact batch placement of components in KiCad layouts using centroid files — ideal for test fixture pogo pins and mounting holes.
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Timing Diagrams
An Exploration of Timing Diagram Tools
Tool: object-symbols-parser
object-symbols-parser is a CLI tool for analysing ELF symbol tables, helping identify what’s causing section size overruns in embedded firmware builds.
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Sigrok + $10 Logic Analyzer
Getting useful I2C and SPI debug capability from a $10 FX2 logic analyzer using Sigrok — a portable option when away from the lab.
KiCad PCBNew Scripting: Basic scripting beyond the built in terminal
How to use the KiCad PCBNew scripting API outside the built-in terminal, loading boards with LoadBoard and enabling proper unit tests for PCB plugins.
KiCad PCBNew Scripting: Removing Ref Des From Silk Screen
When to move reference designators off the silkscreen onto the fabrication layer in tight KiCad designs, with a Python script to automate the cleanup.
Jupyter Notebooks & Photon Budgets
Why Jupyter notebooks are the right tool for photon budgets and optical feasibility analyses, with a practical silicon thermopile measurement example.
Jupyter Notebook Tools & Setup
Generating Beautiful Jupyter Notebook Reports
ISP Programming
In-System Programming Library for NXP M0s