b4l-project-template/docs/design-notes

/docs/design-notes

Design decisions and technical documentation for your KiCad project.

Purpose

This directory contains technical documentation that explains the design decisions, trade-offs, and engineering rationale behind your KiCad project.

Document Types

• Design Requirements: Project specifications and constraints
• Architecture Overview: High-level system design
• Circuit Analysis: Detailed circuit explanations
• Component Selection: Why specific components were chosen
• Design Trade-offs: Alternative approaches considered
• Simulation Results: SPICE analysis and verification
• Design Reviews: Peer review notes and feedback

Recommended Files

design-notes/
├── requirements.md              # Project requirements and specifications
├── architecture.md              # System architecture overview
├── power-design.md              # Power supply design notes
├── signal-integrity.md          # High-speed design considerations
├── component-selection.md       # Component choice rationale
├── thermal-analysis.md          # Thermal design considerations
├── emc-considerations.md        # EMC/EMI design notes
├── design-reviews/              # Review meeting notes
│   ├── review-001-schematic.md
│   ├── review-002-layout.md
│   └── review-003-final.md
└── simulations/                 # Simulation results and analysis
    ├── power-analysis.md
    ├── signal-timing.md
    └── thermal-simulation.md

Design Requirements Template

Document your project requirements:

• Functional Requirements: What the system must do
• Performance Requirements: Speed, accuracy, efficiency
• Environmental Requirements: Temperature, humidity, vibration
• Regulatory Requirements: Safety, EMC, certifications
• Cost Constraints: Target BOM cost and volumes
• Size Constraints: Physical dimensions and weight
• Interface Requirements: Connectors, protocols, voltages

Architecture Documentation

Describe your system architecture:

• Block Diagram: High-level system overview
• Signal Flow: How data/signals move through system
• Power Distribution: Power supply architecture
• Interface Definitions: External connections
• Key Components: Major ICs and their roles
• Design Partitioning: How functionality is divided

Component Selection Notes

Document why components were chosen:

• Requirements: What the component needs to do
• Alternatives Considered: Other options evaluated
• Selection Criteria: Performance, cost, availability
• Trade-offs: Compromises made
• Supplier Information: Primary and alternate sources
• Lifecycle Considerations: Obsolescence risk

Design Review Process

Document design reviews:

• Review Objectives: What was being reviewed
• Participants: Who attended the review
• Findings: Issues and concerns identified
• Action Items: Required changes and improvements
• Sign-off: Approval status and next steps

Simulation and Analysis

Document analysis work:

• Simulation Setup: Tools and models used
• Test Conditions: Operating conditions simulated
• Results: Key findings and measurements
• Interpretation: What the results mean
• Design Impact: How results influenced design
• Verification: How simulation was validated

Best Practices

• Write for future maintainers (including yourself)
• Include diagrams and schematics where helpful
• Reference specific component datasheets
• Document assumptions and limitations
• Update notes when design changes
• Use consistent formatting and terminology
• Include revision history for major changes