KiCad footprint for a castellated module?

Layout Footprints
1

There are lots of discussions in the forum on creating a board with castellated “pins” on its edges using KiCad, but I can’t find any discussion of the footprint for mounting such a board. Are there are any examples in the KiCad library to look at? Discussions in the forum I’ve missed? A website listing best practices?

I’m considering using a module from a vendor that is supplied with castellated “pins” (connections) on a 1.27mm (50 mil) grid. I could guess that I should treat this module as an oversized QFN and place SMD pads in the footprint. But I’d prefer to learn from others’ mistakes rather than make them myself.

2

Most modules have a recommend footprint, but because the pitch is so large, the pad size is not very critical. I like to make the pads stick out from the sides of the module more than the recommend distance, to make them easier to solder by hand.

1 Like
3

KiCad has a RF_Module library, and it has plenty of examples for footprints for such modules.

2 Likes