Library Conventions | KiCad EDA

Version 3.0.67

Library maintainer rules & guidelines

S4.1 General pin requirements

  1. Using a 100mil (2.54mm) grid, pin origin must lie on a grid node (IEC-60617)

  2. Pins should have a length of at least 100mil (2.54mm)

    • Pin length can be increased in steps of 50mil (1.27mm)

    • The number of characters in the pin number determine a pin’s length. When there are two characters in the pin number then 100mil (2.54mm) long pins should be used, when three characters then 150mil (3.81mm) long pins should be used, etc.

    • Pin length must not exceed 300mil (7.62mm)

    • Shorter pins are allowed on simple symbols for discrete devices such as resistors, capacitors, etc.

    • All pins on a symbol must have the same length

  3. Pin numbers must be unique (no two pins may have the same number)

  4. Pin names should match the pin names as specified in datasheet

  5. Pins that have multiple functions (e.g. muxable microcontroller pins) should make use of the alternate-pin-function feature

    • Pins can use the slash-notation like IO20/RXD for frequently used (UART, JTAG, USB, …​) functions. There should not be more than two functions to keep it readable.

    • Alternate functions that are critical to the operation of the part should be in the primary pin name. This includes so-called 'strapping pins' - pins used to configure the chip during reset. Example: LED1/SPEED on a ethernet PHY where SPEED is the strapping function and LED1 the main function.


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