Core
About the Core PCB
Core is an open source ESP8266 PCB design by plantbot, published on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 50 × 50 mm, with 54 components from 24 distinct parts.
Its main chip is the ESP-12, from the ESP8266 family. Other key parts include the LED_x2, ZXCL5213, MCP4017 100K, XRA1220(P) and FC6946010R. By type, the board carries 14 connectors, 12 resistors, 11 ICs, 11 capacitors, 3 diodes and 2 transistors.
It belongs with the sensors and iot & wireless designs in this gallery.
From the project
A WiFi powered environmental sensor board for your house plants & hydroponic systems
Because growing plants is hard work and nobody ain't got no time for that anymore. This project was started after I managed to kill a plant my mother got me for my birthday last year because it was "unkillable". Ha.
This project aims to build an open source tool that provides environmental sensors for regular house plants as well as hydroponic systems.
Monitoring can either be done locally or via a "cloud" or not at all with add-on ports for pumps and future expansions (or your own?).
Main components on the Core
Core bill of materials (BOM)
54 components, 24 distinct parts.
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP-12 | ESP-12 | U1 |
| 1 | LED_x2 | SML-521 | U2 |
| 1 | ZXCL5213 | SOT-23-5 | U3 |
| 1 | MCP4017 100K | SC-70-6_Handsoldering | U4 |
| 1 | XRA1220(P) | TSSOP-16_4.4x5mm_Pitch0.65mm | U5 |
| 2 | FC6946010R | sot666 | U6, U7 |
| 1 | MCP6001 | SOT-23-5 | U8 |
| 1 | PSSI2021SAY | SOT-353 | U9 |
| 1 | BMP280 | BME280 | U10 |
| 1 | 74HC(T)4051 | TSSOP-16_4.4x5mm_Pitch0.65mm | U11 |
| 2 | BS170 | SOT-23_Handsoldering | Q1, Q2 |
| 1 | CONN_02X09 | Socket_Strip_Straight_2x09 | P1 |
| 4 | CONN_01X01 | 1pin | P2, P3, P4, P5 |
| 3 | CONN_01X04 | Socket_Strip_Straight_1x04 | P6, P12, P13 |
| 4 | CONN_01X02 | Socket_Strip_Straight_1x02 | P7, P8, P9, P10 |
| 2 | CONN_01X01 | 1pin-SMD | P11, P14 |
| 1 | SWITCH_INV | SSAJ120100 | SW1 |
| 3 | LED | knightbright_3216 | D1, D2, D3 |
| 2 | 4.7µF | c_elec_4x4.5 | C1, C3 |
| 9 | 0.1µF | C_0805 | C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10 +1 |
Show 4 more
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 10K | R_0603 | R1, R2, R8, R10 |
| 5 | 220 | R_0603 | R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 |
| 2 | 100K | R_0603 | R9, R12 |
| 1 | R | R_0603 | R11 |
Core design files
The KiCad project lives in the plantbot/core_pcb repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.
Core: common questions
What microcontroller does the Core use?
The Core is built around the ESP-12, from the ESP8266 family.
How big is the Core PCB?
The Core measures 50 × 50 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.
How many components are on the Core?
54 components, from 24 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.
Where can I download the Core design files?
From the plantbot/core_pcb repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout; the links under Design files point to each one.
Can I use the Core design in my own project?
Yes, under the terms of its AGPL-3.0 license, which plantbot chose for the repository.
Can I test firmware for the Core without the hardware?
Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug ESP8266 firmware against it before you order a PCB.
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