This week, I focused on moving our custom PCB designs closer to fabrication and preparing for the initial hardware verification process. With the breakout-board designs largely completed last week, I continued reviewing the schematics and layouts to ensure that the selected components could be reliably connected to our development hardware. In particular, I paid attention to power distribution, component footprints, signal routing, and the connections required to interface the audio codec with the STM32. The immediate objective is to fabricate and assemble these breakout boards so that we can begin testing individual components rather than relying entirely on datasheets and simulations.
I also continued investigating how our eventual custom PCB will accommodate programming and debugging without requiring large permanent connectors. Following our teardown of a commercial headphone, I explored the use of small exposed programming pads or temporary wire connections for the STM32 SWD interface. This would allow us to flash and debug the processor during development while keeping the final PCB compact enough to fit inside the wearable. I also considered how the board layout could minimize rigid areas and simplify connections between the microphones, speakers, battery, and processing circuitry.
Another area of focus was establishing a hardware bring-up procedure for the breakout boards once they arrive. This includes checking continuity, verifying power rails, confirming clock signals, and testing communication with individual components before connecting the full system. My work is progressing toward physical fabrication and assembly, although the functionality of the boards cannot be fully confirmed until they are manufactured and tested. Next week, I plan to continue fabrication and begin assembling and validating the first boards as soon as they become available.