SSD Blinky

A simple LED blinker project designed for the Solid State Depot (SSD) KiCAD workshop series. This project introduces PCB design fundamentals including schematic capture, component placement, PCB layout, and manufacturing considerations.

Overview

This is an educational PCB design project built around the ATtiny85 microcontroller. The board demonstrates fundamental PCB design concepts including:

• Component selection and placement
• PCB layer stackup (copper, solder mask, paste, silkscreen)
• Manufacturing techniques (etching, milling, assembly)
• Power management and signal integrity basics
• Design for hobby hand assembly

Hardware

• Microcontroller: ATtiny85 (8-bit AVR)
• LED: RGB or single-color LED with current limiting
• Power: Battery or USB power input
• Programming: ISP header for AVR programming

Repository Structure

ssd_blinky/
├── design-source/        # Native design files
│   ├── eagle/           # Eagle CAD schematic and board files
│   │   ├── ssd_blinky_eagle.sch
│   │   ├── ssd_blinky_eagle.brd
│   │   ├── ssd_blinky_eagle_panel.brd
│   │   └── ssd_blinky_eagle_panel.ps
│   └── kicad/           # KiCad schematic and board files
│       ├── ssd_blinky.sch
│       ├── ssd_blinky.pro
│       ├── ssd_blinky-cache.lib
│       └── ssd_blinky.bak
├── hardware/            # Manufacturing files and documentation
│   └── blinky/         # Component calculations and BOM
│       └── component_value_calcs.ods
├── doc/                # Datasheets and documentation
│   ├── attiny85-datasheet.pdf
│   ├── attiny85-datasheet-summary.pdf
│   ├── AV02-2589EN+DS+ASMT-YTC2-0AA02+13Apr2011,0.pdf
│   └── workshop2_outline.odt
├── ref/                # Reference designs
│   ├── nomis-memory-game-v01-sch1.jpg
│   ├── orblink_brd.pdf
│   └── orblink_sch.pdf
├── media/              # Photos and images
├── LICENSE             # MIT License
└── README.md           # This file

Design Files

Eagle CAD Files

Eagle schematic and board files are located in design-source/eagle/. The panelized board layout (ssd_blinky_eagle_panel.brd) is optimized for cost-effective manufacturing of multiple hand-assembled boards.

KiCad Files

KiCad schematic and board files are located in design-source/kicad/.

License

This project is released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.

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Part of the Solid State Depot KiCAD Workshop Series