A buck converter is a high-efficiency power conversion circuit that steps a higher input voltage down to a lower output voltage for a load. Instead of burning off the difference as heat the way a resistor divider would, it uses switching MOSFETs and an LC filter to regulate the output efficiently, typically above 90 percent.
This project covers the full hardware design cycle: schematic capture, PCB layout, Gerber generation for fabrication, hand assembly of the manufactured board, and bench testing.
Author: Devansh Joshi
- End-to-end hardware build, from schematic to a working soldered board
- Switching-regulator topology targeting greater than 90 percent efficiency
- Custom two-layer PCB laid out in KiCad with fabrication-ready Gerber files
- Verified on the bench with an oscilloscope, function generator, and digital multimeter
- Schematic capture - Designed the converter in KiCad, choosing the switching stage, inductor, and output filtering for step-down regulation.
- PCB layout - Placed and routed a custom two-layer board, keeping the switching loop tight to limit noise.
- Fabrication - Exported Gerber and drill files and had the board manufactured.
- Assembly - Soldered the components onto the manufactured board by hand.
- Testing - Characterized the board with an oscilloscope, function generator, and digital multimeter to confirm step-down operation.
BuckConverterLab/ KiCad project (schematic and PCB layout)
BuckConverter_GerberFiles/ Fabrication-ready Gerber and drill files
Images/ Photos of the assembled board and test results
- Analog and power electronics design
- Schematic capture and PCB layout in KiCad
- Design for manufacturing: Gerber export and fabrication handoff
- Board assembly and soldering
- Bench characterization and debugging with lab instruments