Controls Peripheral SOM Unified v. Multiboard Design

Standardization

Using a single board design will simplify the production and manufacturing of the boards, much like how we standardized the leader and peripheral boards and created the SOM system of PCB design

Overdesign

By creating a single board with 2 different functions, we could end up increasing the complexity and include components that are only relevant for one purpose. This could lead to inefficient use of space and we could increase power consumption for no reason.

Manufacturing

Since the same board will be manufactured and produced for both of the peripheral packages, we can approach this design like how we approached the SOM, order higher quantities and always have backups.

Increased room for error

With increased complexity and less modularity, if a board comes up to be problematic it causes every use of the board to need revising, in other words, if we find a problem in the design while debugging or revising, we would basically disable every problematic component across every board and nailing down where the problem is in a complex board would be harder as well

Testing

We would only have to revise and test one board design as opposed to many board designs

Software

Logic would need to be used in order to differentiate between the different uses of the board, so when its used with the pedals and when its used with the lights. Again, this increases complexity.

Easier updates/Iterations

If we do need to update the board architecture after a revision or different design have been made, it would be easier to update 1 board rather than 2

Wasted Resources

If the pedals and lights have different functional requirements (more on that later) we could end up adding unnecessary components on the board that are only relevant to one use of it, this adds value and again complexity for the sake of easier manufacturing.

Cheap

Again, ordering bigger batches of would turn out to be cheaper for us rather than ordering multiple boards with different designs, we just order a bunch of boards with this 1 design.

Size

The daughter board has now been updated to also include the power and CAN which would mean we would design a board with power, CAN, and relevant components for 2 different functions. This will more than likely cause for the board to be a bigger size.

Design Work/Ownership

Multiple people working on this board would force them to coordinate working together during the week as well as during workdays. Communication can vary from person to person, issues could arise

Tailored Design

Each board would be tailored to include the components and perform the functions needed by the lights and pedals.

Testing

We would end up testing and reviewing 2 different board designs, instead of just 1.

Reduced Complexity

Since each board would be focused on including the circuitry that is needed for that specific function then the board themselves would be less complex than a board with circuitry for 2 distinct functions.

Iteration cycles

while it would beneficial to review less board designs (unified board design) we have to consider reviewing/testing 1 big, complex board vs 2 distinct, smaller board. Which do we think is more beneficial to us in the long run? Iteration cycles are more of a neutral point.

Modularity

This allow us to separate the different functions, once we have a preliminary design done, it is easier to build upon it, if a problem were to arise, we would be able to localize the issue quickly as we can debug/test each module individually. A problem in 1 board wouldn’t disable the other.

Smaller size

Tailored design would allow us to manufacture boards that are more compact in components and therefore more compact in size. This would save space and money with creating boards where some components would not be used.

Revisions

Separating each board would allow us to pinpoint revisions when we have to make changes. The inputs on the pedals board don’t work? We simply revise and replace that board instead of having to replace every single daughter board (unified design).

Design Work/Ownership

Separate, simpler boards allow us to divide the work better between different team members, allowing a member to have “ownership” of a board and become an expert in it. We can still work together, but being responsible for your own board forces you to actively be involved and do work yourself.