basanixA Westlake Systems lab

basanix / 01

Models read and draft. Scripts decide.

Basanix is a PCB reviewer and design companion, built at Westlake Systems.

3D render of the BMS C1 test board: a green PCB with power transistors on the left and control circuitry on the right.
The gates · each one script-checked
  • RequirementsPass
  • PartsPass
  • SchematicPass
  • SimulationPass
  • LayoutPass

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From requirements to release

It can carry a board end to end, or review an existing KiCad design at any stage. Every gate stops for an engineer to approve or reject.

USB inProtectionRegulatorSensorsDisplay linkMCU + radioMotor driverEncoderpower in clay · signals dashed
01 · Design

Requirements and architecture

It interviews you for intent, then checks that every block serves a requirement, with power budgets, interface levels and decision records.

Absolute Maximum Ratings
VCCPower Supply Voltage6.5 V
p.3 · quote kept · checked against the PDF text
02 · Parts

Datasheets, page by page

Every value keeps its page and quote, checked against the PDF's text. Lifecycle, stock, alternates and RoHS/REACH on every line.

AP2112K · Diodes Inc. datasheet p.3 · Absolute Maximum Ratings

  • Decoupling on every supply pin
  • Pull-ups on open-drain, I2C, enable and reset
  • Part ratings vs net voltages
  • TVS clamp vs protected abs max
  • Logic-level compatibility
  • Strap-pin modes
  • Test access on every rail
03 · Schematic

Schematic review

ERC plus the checks an experienced reviewer makes, and the design math: dividers, current limits, I2C rise times, ADC limits.

Simulation plot: a supply surge rises and settles, staying below the dashed absolute-maximum line.
04 · Simulation

Simulated, then judged by script

Surge through the protection, hot-plug cable ringing and reset timing, run in ngspice. The script decides pass or fail.

05 · Layout

Placement, routing and checks

DRC, schematic/board parity, copper capacity on every power path, differential pairs, stitching and plane integrity.

  • 3D model and enclosure fit
  • Part heights
  • DFM check
  • Strict BOM, every line with an MPN
  • Release package
06 · Release

Mechanical and release

Fit-checked in 3D and packaged for the fab and assembler.

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Test cases

A few of the boards it has designed or checked. Its schematic checks have also run against 170+ public designs. They're the test, not the point.

Top view of the BMS C1 test board after automatic placement, parts coloured by function.
Test case 01

BMS C1

Battery management · designed and checked

3D render of the Trial A test board, a small round motor-knob controller.
Test case 02

Trial A

Motor knob · designed and checked

Placement test on an RF board: parts coloured by circuit block, grouped inside translucent shield-can outlines, before routing.
Test case 03

RF board

Placement test · parts grouped into shield cans by circuit block

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A Westlake Systems lab

I'm Evan Hallam. I've spent 19 years building electronic products, from first sketch to production line, and I run Westlake Systems. Much of that work is design review: catching problems in the seams between disciplines before they get expensive.

Basanix is where I build the tooling for it. It does the reading and the checking. I make the engineering calls.

More about me at Westlake Systems →

Further reading at Westlake