Project Overview and Technical Analysis

flux

2:06

Project
BOM
PCB Layout
Review (ERC/DRC)

Using PCB Layout Tool.

Using Review (ERC/DRC) Tool.

Using BOM Tool.

This project is a vehicle display subsystem (from a Tesla Roadster open-source design) intended to show how to optimize cost and supply-chain risk in a real, fairly complex mixed-signal + power PCB.
Purpose (what it’s trying to do)
  • Provide a compute/control core for a display system using a microcontroller + external parallel memories.
  • Interface out to a display panel/cable harness and supporting vehicle I/O.
  • Generate multiple power rails from an automotive supply and drive peripherals like backlight and audio.
Core building blocks (what’s on the board) 1) Compute + memory subsystem
  • Main MCU: U1
  • Parallel NOR flash (boot/firmware storage): U4
  • External SRAM (frame buffers / scratch): U5, U6, U8, U9
How they interact:
  • The nets indicate a classic parallel memory bus (address lines, data lines, chip-enables, OE/WE, byte-lane controls) between U1 and the memories (e.g., U4, U5, U6, U8, U9).
  • A small logic decoder helps expand chip-selects: U7
2) Display / external connectivity
  • High-pin-count FFC/FPC to panel or subassembly: J3
  • Additional headers/connectors for harness/debug/peripherals:
How they interact:
  • The display-related net portals (LCD signals) imply U1 drives panel timing/data routed to J3.
  • Many test points exist for bring-up and measurement (e.g., TP1, TP12, TP23).
3) Power conversion + protection (automotive-facing)
Switch-mode regulators/drivers present:
  • Main buck regulator: U13
  • Additional buck: U16
  • Dual-rail/boost-sepic style supply generation: U17
  • LED driver (likely backlight-related): U18
Protection / input conditioning:
  • Resettable fuses: F1, F2
  • TVS for surge/ESD: D18
How they interact:
  • Power net portals show multiple rails (e.g., VDD/VCC/+12 variants) distributed to logic and peripherals. The DC/DC parts (U13, U16, U17) generate those rails; protection parts (F1, F2, D18) help survive vehicle transients.
4) Communications (vehicle network)
  • CAN transceiver: U11
  • CAN common-mode choke: L6
How they interact:
  • U1 provides CAN TX/RX to U11; L6 conditions CANH/CANL for EMI robustness before leaving the PCB.
5) Analog + audio + control “extras”
  • Audio power amp: U20
  • Quad op-amp: U19
  • Dual op-amp: U10
  • Digital potentiometers (calibration/trim/user controls): U2, U3
  • Reset supervisor: U14
  • User input button: S1
Implementation notes (design choices, trade-offs, optimizations) Parallel external memory architecture
  • Pros: High bandwidth, deterministic access (useful for display pipelines with big SRAM).
  • Trade-offs: Many address/data/control lines increase routing complexity, layer count pressure, and EMI sensitivity. It also increases connector/pin-count needs.
Automotive power approach
  • Multiple switchers (U13, U16, U17) suggest a “generate what you need” rail strategy, which is typical for mixed loads (digital + backlight + analog).
  • Optimization lever (cost/supply): Consolidating rails or selecting higher-integration PMICs can reduce BOM line items, but may worsen EMI/thermal or constrain sequencing.
Supply-chain red flags already visible in the BOM
  • Several key ICs show lifecycle risk (example: U4 is flagged obsolete at some distributors; U19 appears obsolete).
  • This aligns with the project’s “cost optimization” theme: you’d typically replace these with available, pin-compatible (or near) alternatives and re-verify.
Layout + manufacturability snapshot (from PCB)
  • Board size rule: 84.7 mm x 67.5 mm (from the Layout rules).
  • Current DRC/implementation state indicates it’s not “production ready” yet:
    • Airwires (unrouted nets): present (many)
    • Overlapping copper shorts: present
    • Floating copper: present
    • ERC flags include:
      • No-connect violation on U4 (NC pin connected)
      • Missing power driven on U1 (VDDA_PLL not driven)
These issues are consistent with an educational/example project or an in-progress PCB rather than a finished layout.
Potential challenges + performance considerations
  • Signal integrity / timing: Parallel memory + display timing signals can be sensitive to skew, ringing, and crosstalk; routing topology and return paths matter a lot.
  • EMI/EMC: Automotive supply + switching regulators + long connectors can create conducted/radiated EMI issues; CAN also has strict EMC expectations (helped by L6).
  • Thermals: Switchers (U13, U16, U17) and audio (U20) are typical hotspots.
  • Reliability / transients: Proper protection (already present via D18, F1, F2) must be validated against the real vehicle environment.
Real-world applications
  • Retrofit or OEM-like display controller modules
  • Instrument clusters / infotainment subassemblies
  • Any embedded HMI needing deterministic memory bandwidth and rugged power input
Areas for improvement / scalability / future enhancements
  1. Close out correctness first
  • Fix the ERC items (NC pin connection on U4, undriven rail on U1).
  • Resolve DRC shorts/airwires/floating copper before evaluating performance.
  1. Supply-chain hardening
  • Prioritize replacements for parts with “Obsolete/EOL/NRND” signals such as U4 and U19.
  • Replace “template no MPN” passives with sourced equivalents to eliminate the MPN review errors.
  1. Architecture scaling options
  • If you need more graphics throughput or want fewer high-speed parallel nets: migrate toward a more integrated SoC/display pipeline (trade-off: software complexity, different power/EMI profile).
  • If you need modularity: keep the compute+memory local and push panel-specific analog/backlight onto a separate mezzanine connected via J3.
If you want, tell me whether your focus is (A) making this manufacturable as-is or (B) doing a cost/supply-chain redesign, and I’ll outline the highest-impact next steps in that direction.
Show top layout issues
Explain memory subsystem
Check power rail sources
Find obsolete parts
3 days

Ready.

Sign up to send
D11
A13
D7
A12
A4
A3
CS#2_2
D10
D14
A11
A9
A16
BLE1#
A17
A2
D4
D1
A18
A6
D0
D12
D7
WE#
CS#2_1
D3
D11
D5
CS#2_0
D14
BLE0#
D2
BLE1#
D13
D9
D0
A5
D5
A10
D10
A7
D8
A14
D8
CS#2_0
D15
D13
OE#
D6
D9
D4
A8
D12
D6
BLE0#
A1
A15
D3
D2
D1
D15
C104
Capacitance
1000p F
C102
Capacitance
1000p F
VDD
VDD
C103
Capacitance
1000p F
VDD
C51
Capacitance
1000p F
VDD
C19
Capacitance
0.1u F
VDD
C13
Capacitance
0.1u F
C12
Capacitance
0.1u F
TP7
TP9
TP1
TP11
U5
Manufacturer Part Number
CY7C1041CV33-10ZSXA
U6
Manufacturer Part Number
CY7C1041CV33-10ZSXA
TP10
  • Ground
    Ground
    A common return path for electric current. Commonly known as ground.
    jharwinbarrozo
    20.5M
  • Net Portal
    Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects nets on schematic. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect net portals, give them same designator. #portal
    jharwinbarrozo
    43.0M
  • Power Net Portal
    Power Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects power nets on schematic. Identical to the net portal, but with a power symbol. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect power net portals, give them the same designator. #portal #power
    jharwinbarrozo
    11.4M
  • Generic Resistor
    Generic Resistor
    A generic fixed resistor for rapid developing circuit topology. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard resistor values: 1.0Ω 10Ω 100Ω 1.0kΩ 10kΩ 100kΩ 1.0MΩ 1.1Ω 11Ω 110Ω 1.1kΩ 11kΩ 110kΩ 1.1MΩ 1.2Ω 12Ω 120Ω 1.2kΩ 12kΩ 120kΩ 1.2MΩ 1.3Ω 13Ω 130Ω 1.3kΩ 13kΩ 130kΩ 1.3MΩ 1.5Ω 15Ω 150Ω 1.5kΩ 15kΩ 150kΩ 1.5MΩ 1.6Ω 16Ω 160Ω 1.6kΩ 16kΩ 160kΩ 1.6MΩ 1.8Ω 18Ω 180Ω 1.8KΩ 18kΩ 180kΩ 1.8MΩ 2.0Ω 20Ω 200Ω 2.0kΩ 20kΩ 200kΩ 2.0MΩ 2.2Ω 22Ω 220Ω 2.2kΩ 22kΩ 220kΩ 2.2MΩ 2.4Ω 24Ω 240Ω 2.4kΩ 24kΩ 240kΩ 2.4MΩ 2.7Ω 27Ω 270Ω 2.7kΩ 27kΩ 270kΩ 2.7MΩ 3.0Ω 30Ω 300Ω 3.0KΩ 30KΩ 300KΩ 3.0MΩ 3.3Ω 33Ω 330Ω 3.3kΩ 33kΩ 330kΩ 3.3MΩ 3.6Ω 36Ω 360Ω 3.6kΩ 36kΩ 360kΩ 3.6MΩ 3.9Ω 39Ω 390Ω 3.9kΩ 39kΩ 390kΩ 3.9MΩ 4.3Ω 43Ω 430Ω 4.3kΩ 43KΩ 430KΩ 4.3MΩ 4.7Ω 47Ω 470Ω 4.7kΩ 47kΩ 470kΩ 4.7MΩ 5.1Ω 51Ω 510Ω 5.1kΩ 51kΩ 510kΩ 5.1MΩ 5.6Ω 56Ω 560Ω 5.6kΩ 56kΩ 560kΩ 5.6MΩ 6.2Ω 62Ω 620Ω 6.2kΩ 62KΩ 620KΩ 6.2MΩ 6.8Ω 68Ω 680Ω 6.8kΩ 68kΩ 680kΩ 6.8MΩ 7.5Ω 75Ω 750Ω 7.5kΩ 75kΩ 750kΩ 7.5MΩ 8.2Ω 82Ω 820Ω 8.2kΩ 82kΩ 820kΩ 8.2MΩ 9.1Ω 91Ω 910Ω 9.1kΩ 91kΩ 910kΩ 9.1MΩ #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
    jharwinbarrozo
    1.5M
  • Generic Capacitor
    Generic Capacitor
    A generic fixed capacitor ideal for rapid circuit topology development. You can choose between polarized and non-polarized types, its symbol and the footprint will automatically adapt based on your selection. Supported options include standard SMD sizes for ceramic capacitors (e.g., 0402, 0603, 0805), SMD sizes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors, and through-hole footprints for polarized capacitors. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard capacitor values: 1.0pF 10pF 100pF 1000pF 0.01uF 0.1uF 1.0uF 10uF 100uF 1000uF 10,000uF 1.1pF 11pF 110pF 1100pF 1.2pF 12pF 120pF 1200pF 1.3pF 13pF 130pF 1300pF 1.5pF 15pF 150pF 1500pF 0.015uF 0.15uF 1.5uF 15uF 150uF 1500uF 1.6pF 16pF 160pF 1600pF 1.8pF 18pF 180pF 1800pF 2.0pF 20pF 200pF 2000pF 2.2pF 22pF 20pF 2200pF 0.022uF 0.22uF 2.2uF 22uF 220uF 2200uF 2.4pF 24pF 240pF 2400pF 2.7pF 27pF 270pF 2700pF 3.0pF 30pF 300pF 3000pF 3.3pF 33pF 330pF 3300pF 0.033uF 0.33uF 3.3uF 33uF 330uF 3300uF 3.6pF 36pF 360pF 3600pF 3.9pF 39pF 390pF 3900pF 4.3pF 43pF 430pF 4300pF 4.7pF 47pF 470pF 4700pF 0.047uF 0.47uF 4.7uF 47uF 470uF 4700uF 5.1pF 51pF 510pF 5100pF 5.6pF 56pF 560pF 5600pF 6.2pF 62pF 620pF 6200pF 6.8pF 68pF 680pF 6800pF 0.068uF 0.68uF 6.8uF 68uF 680uF 6800uF 7.5pF 75pF 750pF 7500pF 8.2pF 82pF 820pF 8200pF 9.1pF 91pF 910pF 9100pF #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
    jharwinbarrozo
    1.5M
  • Generic Inductor
    Generic Inductor
    A generic fixed inductor for rapid developing circuit topology. *You can now change the footprint and 3D model at the top level anytime you want. This is the power of #generics
    jharwinbarrozo
    15.4k
  • Terminal
    Terminal
    An electrical connector acting as reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected.
    natarius
  • RMCF0805JT47K0
    RMCF0805JT47K0
    47 kOhms ±5% 0.125W, 1/8W Chip Resistor 0805 (2012 Metric) Automotive AEC-Q200 Thick Film #forLedBlink
    jharwinbarrozo
    1.2M
  • 875105359001
    875105359001
    10uF Capacitor Aluminum Polymer 20% 16V SMD 5x5.3mm #forLedBlink #commonpartslibrary #capacitor #aluminumpolymer #radialcan
    jharwinbarrozo
    1.2M
  • CTL1206FYW1T
    CTL1206FYW1T
    Yellow 595nm LED Indication - Discrete 1.7V 1206 (3216 Metric) #forLedBlink
    jharwinbarrozo
    1.1M

Inspect

Tesla Vehicle Display System | AI Cost Optimization Tutorial [Example]

Tesla Vehicle Display System | AI Cost Optimization Tutorial [Example]
Description

Created
Last updated by tu2one
1 Contributor(s)
tu2one

Controls

Properties

Availability & Pricing

DistributorQty 1
Arrow$19.03–$29.52
Digi-Key$37.80–$40.36
LCSC$33.64–$33.82
Mouser$40.82–$41.15
TME$14.32
Verical$9.12–$34.04

Assets