Diverter PCB Review & Redesign
Budget: $30 – $250 AUD
I have already drafted the PCB for a combined first-flush and full-tank diverter, but it is only at the “first pass” stage. Before I commit to fabrication, I want a seasoned eye on every critical layer of the design and a clean set of manufacturing files.
The review needs to cover three fronts in detail: the schematic, the physical layout, and overall signal integrity. I am especially concerned about the microcontroller section—clock routing, decoupling, and any subtle errors that might surface once the board is populated. Everything else (sensors, power, etc.) looks reasonable at first glance, but feel free to flag issues if you spot them.
Beyond the board itself, I would like a lightweight firmware framework created from scratch. This can be just enough to power-on the MCU, bring up any peripherals used by the diverter logic, and provide a test routine that proves every pathway works in the most common operating scenarios (tank full, tank empty, flush active). A clean, well-commented codebase in C/C++ that compiles in the vendor’s toolchain is all I need for now.
Key deliverables:
• Annotated, error-free schematic (PDF + source)
• Optimized PCB layout with DRC/ERC cleared and improved signal integrity where needed
• Updated BOM and manufacturing outputs (Gerber, drill, pick-and-place)
• Source files in the same CAD package I provided (or migrated to KiCad/Altium if that speeds your workflow)
• Minimal, buildable firmware demonstrating basic diverter functions
Acceptance criteria:
1. Board passes manufacturer DFM checks without modification.
2. Microcontroller boots and executes the supplied test routine on first power-up.
3. All reviewed items closed out in a short, punch-list report.
If you have solid experience rescuing early-stage designs and enjoy squeezing reliability out of water-control electronics, I’d love to hear how you would approach this project.
The review needs to cover three fronts in detail: the schematic, the physical layout, and overall signal integrity. I am especially concerned about the microcontroller section—clock routing, decoupling, and any subtle errors that might surface once the board is populated. Everything else (sensors, power, etc.) looks reasonable at first glance, but feel free to flag issues if you spot them.
Beyond the board itself, I would like a lightweight firmware framework created from scratch. This can be just enough to power-on the MCU, bring up any peripherals used by the diverter logic, and provide a test routine that proves every pathway works in the most common operating scenarios (tank full, tank empty, flush active). A clean, well-commented codebase in C/C++ that compiles in the vendor’s toolchain is all I need for now.
Key deliverables:
• Annotated, error-free schematic (PDF + source)
• Optimized PCB layout with DRC/ERC cleared and improved signal integrity where needed
• Updated BOM and manufacturing outputs (Gerber, drill, pick-and-place)
• Source files in the same CAD package I provided (or migrated to KiCad/Altium if that speeds your workflow)
• Minimal, buildable firmware demonstrating basic diverter functions
Acceptance criteria:
1. Board passes manufacturer DFM checks without modification.
2. Microcontroller boots and executes the supplied test routine on first power-up.
3. All reviewed items closed out in a short, punch-list report.
If you have solid experience rescuing early-stage designs and enjoy squeezing reliability out of water-control electronics, I’d love to hear how you would approach this project.
Related categories:
Electronics
Electrical Engineering
PCB Layout
Debugging
Circuit Design
Embedded Systems
Signal Processing