This project GM-Study-Max only succeeded because I progressed through earlier prototypes GM-Proto-E1 and GM-Study-E1, before committing to the final and complex SMD design of GM-Study-Max.
![GM-PROTO-E1 finished built GM-PROTO-E1 finished built](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/4493721681988975313.jpg)
In the 1st milestone GM-Proto-E1 project, I built a much simpler daughter board, purely in through-hole technology. It achieved three goals:
- Validate the connector measurements and PCB production is sufficiently precise.
- Check if I am able to solder the 276 pins at fine 1.27mm pitch reliably.
- Get a prototype board that exposes pins in standard 2.54mm pitch for easy testing.
![GM-PROTO-E1 dimensions GM-PROTO-E1 dimensions](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/6551681989813773.png)
Because the PCB design is only using THT, a failure would not be costly since PCB manufacturing without SMD assembly has fast turnaround and is very reasonable priced. Being able to prototype with general-purpose IO THT components gives confidence for the final design before switching to surface-mount components. SMD parts are hard to test, specs are easily misread, and SMD production re-runs for mistakes increase cost and time.
![GM-PROTO-E1 assembly GM-PROTO-E1 assembly](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/3930091681989496794.jpg)
The board layout has been created in KiCAD, which is ideal for such tasks.
![GM-PROTO-E1 in KiCad GM-PROTO-E1 in KiCad](https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/2957621681989968547.png)
Finally, Verilog code verifies the basic set of onboard components: 4 LEDs, 2 buttons, 4 switches, and 2 7-Segment display modules. A demo video is available here:
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