HardLabs

Nlink lite

nspired-Hackers·nternet-Link·v4/hardware/kicad/nlink-lite/nlink-lite.kicad_pcb

Nlink lite PCB layout, top view — open source ESP32 board by nspired-Hackers

About the Nlink lite PCB

Nlink lite is an open source ESP32 PCB design by nspired-Hackers, published on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board measuring 40 × 15 mm, with 26 components from 20 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4, from the ESP32 family. Other key parts include the CP2102N-A02-GQFN24, TLV62569DBV and USBLC6-2SC6. By type, the board carries 10 resistors, 7 capacitors, 4 ICs, 2 connectors, 1 switch and 1 diode.

It belongs with the iot & wireless and usb & debug tools designs in this gallery.

From the project

Wi-Fi, AI chat, and camera module for TI-Nspire calculators. Custom ESP32 PCBs + firmware. (Yes, 'nternet' is intentional, Nspire community naming.)

Turn a TI-Nspire graphing calculator into a networked handheld terminal. It adds Wi-Fi, an AI chat/tutor, a camera that reads and solves problems, and a microSD card, all through a tiny plug-in device. No calculator modification.

V4 is a ground-up rewrite of the firmware, the calculator software, the communication protocol, and the hardware, with two board designs: a full camera stick and a tiny chat-only "stealth" version.

Nlink lite, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the Nlink lite

ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4CP2102N-A02-GQFN24TLV62569DBVUSBLC6-2SC6

Nlink lite bill of materials (BOM)

26 components, 20 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4
U1
1
CP2102N-A02-GQFN24
U3
1
TLV62569DBV
U4
1
USBLC6-2SC6
U5
1
mini-B male plug — see PCB-DESIGN.md options
USB_MiniB_PLUG_to_calc
J1
1
PROG_PADS_2x3_POGO
J4
1
PWR_SW
SW1
1
LED_STATUS
D1
1
2.2UH
2.2uH
L1
3
100N
100n
C1, C5, C6
1
4.7U
4.7u
C2
2
10U
10u
C3, C7
1
22U
22u
C4
1
1k
R1
1
22.1K
22.1k
R2
1
47.5K
47.5k
R3
1
453K
453k
R4
1
100K
100k
R5
4
10K
10k
R6, R7, R9, R10
1
470
R8

Nlink lite design files

The KiCad project lives in the nspired-Hackers/nternet-Link repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Nlink lite: common questions

What microcontroller does the Nlink lite use?

The Nlink lite is built around the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4, from the ESP32 family.

How big is the Nlink lite PCB?

The Nlink lite measures 40 × 15 mm, has 4 copper layers and is 1 mm thick.

How many components are on the Nlink lite?

26 components, from 20 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 Nlink lite design files?

From the nspired-Hackers/nternet-Link 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 Nlink lite design in my own project?

The repository has no license, so all rights stay with nspired-Hackers. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.

Can I test firmware for the Nlink lite 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.

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