The accumulator's Base PCB serves as the central interface between the accumulator and the rest of the car’s HV and LV systems. Its primary function are routing signals from the Battery Management System (BMS) slave boards, isolating high-voltage domains, and coordinating communication via isoSPI and CAN bus.
The system role of the Base PCB was first defined by mapping how it fit into the accumulator’s high-voltage (HV) electronics hierarchy. The design focused on isoSPI (isolated Serial Peripheral Interface) communication with (BMS) slave boards and on low-voltage (LV) interfacing for Controller Area Network (CAN), Insulation Monitoring Device (IMD), and Shutdown Circuit (SDC) connections.
The board was routed in KiCad, with clear separation between HV and LV domains and conservative creepage and clearance distances (>5 mm) to meet Formula SAE safety requirements. Connector footprints supported both the HV DC input and the LV connector, which carried 12 V, CAN, IMD, isoSPI, and SDC signals. Mounting holes were aligned to fit within the accumulator enclosure.
Throughout the process, I participated in design reviews, checking connector orientations, harness routing, and packaging clearances against the accumulator enclosure CAD. These reviews helped confirm that the PCB would integrate smoothly with the accumulator’s wiring harness and maintain accessibility for assembly. They also ensured compliance with competition rules while reducing the likelihood of rework later in the build.
The finished Base PCB was integrated into the 2025 accumulator design as the central hub for BMS communication and LV interfacing. The layout supported two main connectors (HV and LV), carried isoSPI and CAN bus signaling, and maintained >5 mm isolation between HV and LV nets.
By consolidating these functions into a compact board footprint under 200 × 150 mm, the design simplified system integration and improved reliability by reducing potential failure points in the accumulator’s electronics.
