# Process
Generally speaking the review process happens twice, once the schematics are finished, before the design starts and then once the actual PCB-design is done. 
## Schematics Review


1. Component selection: do all components fulfill their requirements? 
## Board Layout Review
This review happens after the placement of the components is finalized and before routing. The step file of the pcb including all component 3D models should be integrated into the CAD of the device. Also include cables in the mechanical review.

This review should happen between the mechanical team, the assembly team and the electronics team.

1. Is the general shape correct
2. Does the mounting system work?
	1. including accessibiliy to connectors or other interfaces when mounted?
	2. including stack height when cables are connected
3. are the major subsystems at the correct location on the pcb?
	1. Are connectors at the correct location to minimize cable length
4. Revisit component selection: does the component size make sense? Do connector sizes make sense?

Once this review passes make sure that all components are ordered and available.
## Design Review
This review happens after the PCB got routed and is ready for production.
1. Create a PCB Design Review Google Sheet from [this template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-4jNAzJX_8TotVCinnkB4rk5VresIWIjQV7i3lEITDk/edit).
2. Open the 3D view in Kicad (alt + 3) and review the mechanical properties
	1. mounting holes? Stacking height of connectors? Does it fit at the place where it is intended to fit?
	2. overlapping components?
	3. Does the Silkscreen look right? Is it clear what pad is what? and what connector is what? Polarity?
3. check main ICs first:
	1. split PCB into several sections, one section per main IC.
	2. double check datasheets and their design recommendations for every IC. and check if the recommendations are applied as accurate as possible
4. Then follow generic checklist for the rest of the pcb review (see google sheets linked below.)


### Production Files Review
Finally the gerber files, drill files and any files that are shared with the manufacturer should be exported and reviewed as well.

# Tools
## Gitlab
We use gitlab, git and Kicad for the design process. This allows us to have a versioning history of the PCBs and collaborate easily across the globe. Gitlab is also a great way to track open features that we need to implement, possible issues we come across or future ideas that might want to be added to a certain board. Within the gitlab issues we can have conversations about a certain decision and they are always in one place to understand the reasoning for a decision even later on. Slack can be used to discuss issues and we can link discussions between the two tools.
Every gitlab project should have a README.md which is the main landing page if someone wants to work with that specific PCB in more depth. (Could we sync the readme with a Confluence article? - [seems possible](https://github.com/zonkyio/confluence-sync/blob/master/README.md) - this would allow non-technical users to have documentation).
## Diff Tool
Since KiCad is open source there are people that build tools to improve the development process. The tool for version comparison that we use is [KiRi (Kicad Revision Inspector)](https://github.com/leoheck/kiri) and we're using it for reviews of later versions to see what has changed since the last iteration. 
![[Pasted image 20240129105628.png]]
## Test Tracking Tool
## Google Sheets