Microbadge

Do you find Minibadges too big? Do you want to go even smaller? Try out the Microbadge! A minibadge can hold 6 of them!

The Microbadge is a 6mm x 6mm badge that uses 1.00mm pin headers to connect to a carrier board.

Version 2! Do not use V1 anymore!

The Microbadge has been updated to V2 to support I2C, 1.00mm pins, and an additional 2x PROG pins for programming. The microbadge has shrunk from 6.9mm to 6mm, and is small enough that you can fit 6 on a minibadge.

Pictures

There are two Microbadge types - Simple and Full. Simple exposes +VBATT, CLK, 3x GND, and 2x +3v. The Full Microbadge adds two programming pins, and I2C SDA and SCL.

Importing into Kicad

1. From the Project Viewer, Symbol Editor or the Schematic Editor, select Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries...

2. Under Global Libraries, click Add Existing Library to Table, Select the Microbadge V2.kicad-sym file. I personally put it in Documents\KiCad\{version}\symbols on Windows, there's an equivalent folder on Mac and Linux as well.
3. From the Project Viewer, Footprint Editor, or PCB Editor, select Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries...

4. Under Global Libraries, click Add Existing, Select the Microbadge V2.pretty folder. I personally put it in Documents\KiCad\{version}\footprints on Windows, there's an equivalent folder on Mac and Linux as well.

Creating a Microbadge carrier board (Minibadge)

This assumes you already have the SAINTCON Minibadge footprints and symbols added to your libraries.

1. Open the Schematic Editor, and import a Minibadge symbol and at least one Microbadge symbol.
2. Atatch Power Symbols and Global Labels to the Minibadge symbol. If you want blinking, don't forget to connect CLK.

3. Atatch the same Symbols to each Microbadge symbol you created. Each symbol will be a microbadge socket.

4. Select Assign Footprints > Assign a Minibadge Footprint (Minibadge_Simple, Minibadge_Full) to the Minibadge (not a slot), and assign a Microbadge socket footprint to the Microbadges.

5. Do your schematic and PCB work. Add LEDs, resistors, and other components.

Creating a Microbadge

1. Open the Schematic editor, and import a Microbadge symbol.
2. Atatch Power Symbols and Global Labels to the microbadge. If you want blinking, don't forget to connect CLK.

3. Wire up your LEDs, resistors, and other components you want to use.
4. Select Assign Footprints > Assign a Microbadge footprint (Square or Round, not a Socket!) to the Microbadge
5. Assign 0603 or 0201 sized components to your LEDs and resistors. You have very little space to work with, so the smaller, the better.
6. Do your PCB routing, silkscreening, etc.