PCB HW Design Practice: Mixed-signal Board Design Project Using STM32

When I first encountered PCB design through self-study, I thought it was just a matter of connecting lines. However, through this lecture, I was able to perfectly establish the organic relationship between schematic design and artwork (layout). In particular, the biggest takeaway was learning how to perform "reasoned design"—such as analyzing the block diagrams and power systems in STM32 datasheets to understand why crystals and decoupling capacitors are essential, and why checking ESD tables is necessary. It was incredibly beneficial because it didn't just teach me how to use the tools; it allowed me to experience the actual professional workflow, from strategic pin mapping using CubeMX to setting up a JTAG debugging environment. Now, I have the confidence to design my own circuits without being intimidated by complex datasheets. Thank you for teaching me so thoroughly!

I took classes on circuits and PCBs in school, but after taking this course, I realized that what is learned in the field is definitely different. It was great for understanding the workflow because it followed the exact methods used in actual companies, from technical meetings and component selection to datasheet analysis. The explanations are easy to understand even for those who are new to HW design.

This course contains all the information related to STM32-based HW design. Since it was my first time designing hardware, I personally drafted a requirement sheet suited to my level and solidified the documentation through feedback from Coach Sam. Based on this, I was able to proceed with component selection, datasheet interpretation, schematic design, and even PCB artwork. I believe this is a course I will continue to refer back to even when working on more advanced designs in the future!

While studying analog circuit design, I felt that finding a job with only an undergraduate degree might be difficult. During that time, I received a recommendation for Coach Sam's HW design lecture and started taking it. Even as someone who knew nothing about HW design, the course was great for a first-timer, and the detailed explanations made it easy to understand!

I think this is a great course for building hardware design job competencies. It was very beneficial to learn about selecting necessary chips for a system—such as MCUs, ADCs, and DACs—how to interpret data sheets, and the actual process of schematic design and PCB artwork. The detailed summaries of considerations for each design section also helped me gain a deeper understanding of hardware. I hope this course leads to a successful career in a related field.

This is the perfect course for those interested in circuit design. It goes beyond the theoretical perspective taught in school, providing a detailed understanding of the numerous considerations involved in designing a system from a practical and collaborative standpoint. It was a valuable course that helped me develop an eye for selecting components for a system, considering factors for a better design, and interpreting component datasheets. You learn a lot by putting effort into the assignments, and I believe one of the biggest strengths of this course is the practical feedback Coach Sam provides on the assignments you've worked through yourself. The course covers the reasons and rationale behind selecting mixed-signal components in great detail. Additionally, supplementary explanations are provided extensively in Google Docs. Practicing component selection for a hypothetical system using these resources will be of great help in a real-world professional environment. If you are interested in circuit design or are an electronics engineering major, you definitely won't regret taking this course! :)

I work in the digital circuit industry. However, I felt that knowledge of digital circuits alone was insufficient to understand the entire system, so I took this course to get help. In particular, knowledge of ADC/DAC, PHY, ESD, etc. was directly helpful.

The entire design flow—from interpreting requirements at the board level and selecting components, to establishing power/signal flow and connecting it through schematics and layout—was organized so naturally that my practical sense really improved. Working with a mixed-signal configuration that included STM32 with Ethernet PHY, motor drivers, and ADC/DAC, the course consistently emphasized easily overlooked points like EMI/ESD countermeasures, ground separation, and power budget, which gave me a solid basis for making design decisions. The assignments and materials were substantial, so following along produced tangible results that worked well as portfolio stories for job applications.