HardLabs

Signal compass

kaizenapps·signal-compass·hardware/kicad/rf_compass_badge.kicad_pcb

Signal compass PCB layout, top view — open source ESP32 board by kaizenapps
Simulate this board

About the Signal compass PCB

Signal compass is an open source ESP32 PCB design by kaizenapps, published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. It is a 4-layer board measuring 65 × 65 mm, with 8 components from 8 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N4, from the ESP32 family. Other key parts include the AD8317ACPZ-REEL7, TP4056, ME6211C33M5G-N and MT3608. By type, the board carries 5 ICs, 1 connector, 1 battery holder and 1 switch.

It belongs with the wearables, displays & leds and iot & wireless designs in this gallery.

From the project

RF Hunter modded into a compass

Circular PCB RF direction-finder badge for DEF CON Singapore 2026

A wearable RF signal detector in a compass form factor. Detects hidden cameras, wireless bugs, and other RF-emitting devices. Walk toward the signal — the LED compass ring points the way.

Based on RFHunter V4 by Matthew Rogers. Redesigned as a 65mm circular PCB badge with compass-ring LEDs, ESP32-S3 native USB, and rechargeable coin cell.

Main components on the Signal compass

ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N4AD8317ACPZ-REEL7TP4056ME6211C33M5G-NMT3608

Signal compass bill of materials (BOM)

8 components, 8 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N4
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1
U1
1
AD8317ACPZ-REEL7
AD8317ACPZ
U2
1
TP4056
U4
1
ME6211C33M5G-N
ME6211C33 3.3V
U5
1
MT3608
MT3608 Boost 9V
U6
1
TYPE-C-31-M-12
USB-C Mid-Mount
J1
1
LIR2450 3.7V 120mAh
BT1
1
JS102011SAQN
Slide Switch
SW1

Signal compass design files

The KiCad project lives in the kaizenapps/signal-compass repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Signal compass: common questions

What microcontroller does the Signal compass use?

The Signal compass is built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N4, from the ESP32 family.

How big is the Signal compass PCB?

The Signal compass measures 65 × 65 mm, has 4 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Signal compass?

8 components, from 8 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Signal compass design files?

From the kaizenapps/signal-compass repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Signal compass design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its GPL-3.0 license, which kaizenapps chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Signal compass without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug ESP32 firmware against it before you order a PCB.

Similar boards