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Minimalist Microcontroller: Building a Bare-Bones Dev Board - In a thrilling DIY endeavour, I attempted to build the most minimalist ESP32 dev board possible. Diving deep into the schematic of the ESP32 S3 WROOM module, I chopped out the non-essentials and whittled our needs down to bare bones. The experiment saw me juggling USB data lines and voltage regulators, waving goodbye to an array of capacitors and connectors and boldly embracing the simplicity of direct connections. Despite a few hitches, the miniature Frankenboard came alive, proving that sometimes less is more...at least in the world of microcontrollers.

Vibing a PCB - surprisingly good - In my latest adventure, I challenged AI to design a working ESP32-S3 development board from scratch using Atopile and Claude. The idea was as simple as vibe-coding actual hardware without diving into the code. It was a chaotic yet fascinating journey, with some misses like unwired components and a forgotten capacitor. After a few prompts, the AI delivered a surprisingly functional board featuring USB-C, an AMS1117 regulator, and status LEDs. While not yet perfect, vibe-coding feels like a glimpse into the future of hardware design.

Look at my shiny crystal balls - Just upgraded my basic AliExpress crystal balls with some tech wizardry - I've thrown in an ESP32-S3-MINI, a mic, and made them battery powered. Thanks to WLED software, they're now smart and responsive! Shared the KiCAD project for fellow tinkerers. Check out my video to see these balls in action!

ESP32-S3: Which Pins Should I Use? - As an enthusiast of the ESP32-S3's versatility, I recognized the importance of understanding which pins are best to avoid. Inspired by the Random Nerds page for the classic ESP32, I've created a comprehensive pinout for the ESP32-S3 available on GitHub. The community's input is highly valued – suggestions and corrections are welcome to refine this resource into a dynamic guide for developers.

ESP32 TV Version 3 - In the latest board revision, I've successfully resolved some key issues, including a USB interface conflict between the USB2244 and the ESP32 and a risky battery charging mistake—no more direct USB 5V to the battery! Plus, I managed to wrap this up without any clumsy bodge wiring. I've even introduced a new feature: a microphone is now on board, setting the stage for some exciting future projects. Stay tuned for what's coming!

Related Videos

Minimalist Microcontroller: Building a Bare-Bones Dev Board - Dive into the fascinating process of building a minimal ESP32-based dev board, beginning with the ESP32-S3 Wroom module, and eliminating unnecessary components. Through soldering, wire connecting, and voltage testing, we reach a product that's compact, efficient and fully functional.

Super Easy ESP32-S3 Dev Board - Making an ESP32-S3 dev board is way easier than it looks. I simplify the datasheet reference: skip the external crystal, wire native USB D+/D− (pins 19/20) straight to a USB-C with 5.1k CC pulldowns, add a BOOT switch and an EN RC reset, and power it with an LD117 LDO that’s happy with ceramic caps. In KiCad I build the schematic with Espressif libraries, add LEDs for 5V, 3V3, and a blink GPIO, set up net classes, route a clean USB differential pair, stitch a solid ground plane, and label everything. It’s a bit wide—just gang breadboards together—and you end up with a neat, professional S3 dev board you can flash and debug over USB.

ESP32-S3 - Which Pins Are Safe To Use? - In this video, I've decided to dive deep into the ESP32-S3, a module ruling my lab recently due to its plug-in-and-play functionality, and the flexibility offered by its GPIO matrix. However, working with it requires vigilance, especially with regard to the strapping pins and USB data pins, among others. Discovering such quirks, I've encountered unexpected values, short glitches and the occasional code crash. To help you avoid these bumps, I've documented everything I've learned on my GitHub repo, where I'm inviting you, my fellow makers and engineers, to contribute your valuable experiences and findings. After a minor hiccup with my ESP32-TV, expect an updated PCB design, courtesy of PCBWay. Explore the ESP32-S3 with me, and let's unravel its secrets together, one pull request at a time.

Easy S3 PCB and Schematic - it’s really simple. - In this video, I explore the functions of my newly arrived little boards - essentially a PCB that an esp32 S3 room module can be connected to. I put the board's voltage regulator, battery charger, and a 3 watt class D amplifier to the test, and damn, they work perfectly! I even use breadboards, connecting them together to facilitate a wider workspace. I gave the pcbs a spin, conducting sanity checks to ensure full functionality. With a successful battery charge and impressive voltage measurements, my PCB's are up to the challenge. I also dabble in some circuit jargon, explaining schematics, amplifiers, battery chargers and a clever mosfet approach. To top it off, I solder on an ESP32 module and prove that yes, it actually works. Stay tuned for a following video where we'll work with a speaker and display!

We don't need a DAC - ESP32 PDM Audio - In this video, I've made some fascinating explorations with the ESP32 S3 chips and TinyS3 boards from Unexpected Maker. Intriguingly, even without a DAC converter, S3 chips can produce an audio waveform. I've played around with a basic RC filter to reconstruct the analogue audio signal from a PDM signal. The result was quite impressive for a board without a native DAC! I also discussed the possibility of creating a simple amplifier using just a MOSFET as a switch. Finally, I gave a peek into some of my new boards from PCBWay and looked at how Delta Sigma modulation can be played with to recover original data. It's all quite a fun foray into the world of circuitry and audio signals!