basicesp

BasicESP Hardware

Introduction

This repository houses the PCB design for the BasicESP project. The ESP8266 is a super-cheap chip that has:

• 802.11n WiFi
• An 80 MHz Tensilica Xtensa microcontroller
• 64+96k of I+D RAM
• An SDIO interface
• And a bunch of GPIO, PWM, and other SoCish goodness

It can be used either as a SDIO-attached device or as a standalone microcontroller and is available for about $2 via AliExpress on a module such as the ESP-12F, which is what this PCB design assumes. Assuming an ESP-12, this board adds:

• 2mm pads for the ESP wifi module (the board has overhang/clearance space for the module so that the antenna gets no interference from the board). This makes it very easy to mount the ESP to the board via 2mm header pins.
• Built-in 5V->3.3V regulator.
• A programming switch (to easily put the ESP into programming mode on boot).
• A serial header (to easily attach an FTDI cable).
• All the various resistors needed for mode setting and whatnot.

Revisions

Revison 1 was the first pass and was produced in a small batch at PCBWay in January 2017. It lacked some filter capacitors that caused issues with some sensors and had various other shortcomings (see the docs inside for details).

Revision 2 is being produced now at PCBWay. It includes filter caps on the power regulator, mounting holes, a power cutoff jumper, and more pins broken out.

Thanks

Many thanks to Niklas Wennerstrand for his excellent series of intro videos for kicad on Youtube. His notes on producing the output for the manufacturer were particularly useful.

Copying

(C) 2016-17 by BJ Black

This design is released under the WTFPL license and escapes unto an unsuspecting planet with NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, expressed or implied. Have fun, ya filthy animals ;-)