Day 1: Introduction to PCB Design and KiCad Basics

• Overview of the PCB design process and its importance.

• Introduction to KiCad: Setup and Interface.

• Overview of KiCad's main modules: Eeschema, Pcbnew, etc.

• Understanding ESP32 Development Board

• ✓ Hands-On Practice: Basic LED interfacing in PCB design software.

Day 2: Symbol and Footprint Creation, Component Import

• Introduction to Symbol Creation.

• Symbol Creation and Footprint Creation

• Component Import from Third-Party Sites

• ✓ Hands-on Practice: creating custom symbols for components not found in libraries.

Day 3: ESP32 Board Schematic Completion and Netlist Generation

• Completing ESP32 Board Schematic

• Understanding how to read and interpret component datasheets.

• Methodologies for selecting appropriate components based on project  requirements.

• Advanced Schematic Techniques and Annotation.

• Netlist Generation and Review.

• ✓ Hands-on Practice: examining datasheets for key components used in the ESP32 board.

Day 4: Component Placement and Getting Started with Routing

• Component Placement Best Practices

• Introduction to routing rules: trace width, clearance, and via size.

• ✓ Hands-on Practice: starting the routing process for the ESP32 board project.

Day 5: Routing Completion, Optimization, and Redesign with 4-Layer PCB

• Completing Routing and Optimization

• Addressing any routing challenges and optimizing trace paths for signal integrity.

• Introduction to 4-layer PCB design and its advantages.

• Redesigning the ESP32 board using a 4-layer PCB for improved performance and routing efficiency.

• Comprehensive Review.

• ✓ Hands-on Practice: Routing Optimization.

Day 6: Design Validation and Manufacturing Preparation

• Silkscreen and Design Finalization.

• Design Rule Checks (DRC) and Error Resolution.

• Generating Gerber Files.

• Recap of key learnings and achievements.

• Project allocation & Discussion.