Overview

This project started as a WiFi and Bluetooth controller that could drive any type of LED strip. LED strip controllers are everywhere, but I wanted a controller that I could customize without using a breadboard. As the project progressed, I wanted this board to be able to drive motors as well. I added a microSD card for file storage, and a USB-UART for debug. The board is delivered fully assembled and programmed with MicroPython.

Main features

• ESP32 based using MicroPython
• MicroSD card slot, (MicroSD card not included)
• Drives Any type of LED strip - RGB, RGBW, WS2812, APA102, Neopixel, etc
• Wide input power range: 4.5V to 30V DC.
• Input power via Barrel Jack 2.10mm ID (0.083"), 5.50mm OD or Terminal Block.
• Reverse polarity input power protection.
• Drives 1 stepper motor in full H-bridge configuration.
• Drives 2 bipolar DC motors in half H-bridge configuration.
• Drives 4 unipolar DC Motors.
• Additional outputs for servo motors available.
• Current sense and protection for motor/LED drivers.
• Outputs on terminal blocks

The board ships with MicroPython installed. I'll also include several sample python files for driving all types of LED's and motors! I've been using MicroPython because of it's ease of use, but the board can be reprogrammed for any ESP32 development environment.

Sample projects

• Artwork
• WiFi controlled and synchronized light shows
• POV (persistence of vision) displays
• Multi-axis antenna controller
• Animated displays
• Benevolent bling bots

Advantages over cheaper dev boards

• No breadboard required. No messy wiring.
• 0.1" terminal blocks on the outputs make it possible to directly plug most LED strips.
• Mounting holes allow easy integration into an enclosure. Plastic standoffs are included for easy bench top testing.
• Extremely wide power supply range.
• USB-UART makes debug easy.
• MicroSD (card not included) allows for large file storage and logging. This overcomes a common ESP32 shortcoming.
• The load drivers are protected making it difficult to damage the device.
• The input power is protected from reverse polarity. If you plug it in backwards, you won't break anything.
• ESP32 reset circuit allows reprogramming directly from the ESPtool, without the need to set boot option pins or manual resets.

Software In Development: A web based LED pattern generator that can drive LED strips and displays. The software will let you draw your own patterns or play GIF images directly to the LED's

Power: 4.5V-30V DC power can be applied either through the barrel jack or the terminal block (not both). An on-board regulator is used to create the 3.3V necessary for the ESP32, MicroUSB, and USB-UART. The power input on J6 and J5 is equal to the power output on J7. Use a power supply that is designed to drive what is connected on the output. For example, if driving a 12V RGB LED strip, use a 12V power supply.

To use the board, connect whatever you're controlling (LED, motor, etc) to the terminal blocks (J3, J4, J7), then apply power to J5 or J6. The 'connection notes' section provides more in depth instruction by device.

Pinouts

J6 Barrel Jack Input Power

• Pin: +Vin 4.5V to 30V
• Shield: Ground

J5 Input Power Terminal Block

• 1: +Vin 4.5V to 30V
• 2: +Vin 4.5V to 30V
• 3: Ground
• 4: Ground

J7 Output Power Terminal Block

• 1: +Vout
• 2: +Vout
• 3: Ground
• 4: Ground

J3, J4, J8 High Current Motor and RGB, RGBW LED Drive Terminal Block

• J3-1: Power Out
• J3-8: Drive1Out1
• J4-1: Drive1Out2
• J4-2: Drive2Out1
• J8-1: Drive2Out2
• J8-2: Ground

J9 and J10: SPI, and PWM Drive Signals for Servo Motor, individually addressable LED's Terminal Block

• J9-1: GPIO_2 (ESP32 IO2)
• J9-2: GPIO_5 (ESP32 IO5)
• J10-1: LED_DATA (ESP IO19)
• J10-2: LED_CLK (ESP IO18)

Test Point Header Pins

• TP1: TDI_SD_MISO - Primarily used to SD card, but can be used for JTAG
• TP2: TDO_SD_CD - Primarily used to SD card, but can be used for JTAG
• TP3: TMS_SD_CLK - Primarily used to SD card, but can be used for JTAG
• TP4: TCK_SD_MOSI - Primarily used to SD card, but can be used for JTAG
• TP5: ESP32 Enable
• TP7: IO17
• TP8: GPIO_0 - ESP32 IO0
• TP9: ESP32 IO35
• TP10: ESP32 SENSOR_VP
• TP11: ESP32 SENSOR_VN
• TP12: +Vout
• TP13: +Vout
• TP14: +Vout
• TP17: GND
• TP18: GND
• TP19: GND
• USBPWR_TP: USB Power

Note: TP2, TP7, TP8 are arranged on the PCB with TP12-TP14, and TP17-TP19 to be compatible with servo motor connections.

Connection Notes: Overview of connections for various devices

Individually addressable LED's - WS2812, NeoPixel, etc.

• J7-1: LED Power
• J7-4: LED Ground
• J9-1: LED Data

Individually Addressable LED's - APA102, SK9822, DotStar, etc.

• J7-1: LED Power
• J7-4: LED Ground
• J10-1: LED Data
• J10-2: LED Clock

J10-1, and J10-2 are connected to the ESP32 SPI bus. This provides the highest speed possible. Additional LED strips can be connected using lower speed GPIO pins.

Low speed GPIO connection example:

• J7-2: LED Power
• J7-3: LED Ground
• J9-1: LED Data
• J9-2: LED Clock

RGB Strips

• J7-1: LED Power
• J3-1: R
• J3-2: G
• J3-3: B

RGBW Strips

• J3-1: LED Power
• J3-2: R
• J4-1: G
• J4-2: B
• J8-1: W

Bipolar DC Stepper Motor

• J3-2: Coil1+
• J4-1: Coil1-
• J4-2: Coil2+
• J8-1: Coil2-

Unipolar DC Stepper Motor 5 Wire

• J3-2: Coil 1
• J4-1: Coil 2
• J4-2: Coil 3
• J8-1: Coil 4
• J7-3: Ground

Unipolar DC Stepper Motor 6 Wire

• J3-2: Coil 1
• J4-1: Coil 2
• J4-2: Coil 3
• J8-1: Coil 4
• J7-3: Ground
• J7-4: Ground

DC Motor Unidirectional : Connect up to 4

• Use J3-2 or J4-1 or J4-2 or J8-1 for (+) wire
• Use J7-3 or J7-4 for (-) wire

DC Bidirectional Motor : Connect up to 2

• J3-2: Motor 1 (+)
• J4-1: Motor 1 (-)
• J4-2: Motor 2 (+)
• J8-1: Motor 2 (-)

Servo Motors

• J7-1 Servo 1 Power +
• J7-3 Servo 1 Power -

• J9-1 Servo 1 Control

• J7-2 Servo 2 Power +

• J7-4 Servo 2 Power -
• J9-2 Servo 2 Control

Additional Servos can be connected on the header pins.