ESPuino/PCBs/Wemos Lolin32

ESPuino-PCB based on Wemos' Lolin32

Introduction

After I've been asked many times to provide a PCB, I finally did so :-) It makes use of Wemos' Lolin32 which is the predecessor of Lolin D32. D32's advantage over Lolin32 is especially, that a voltage-divider for measuring battery's voltage is already integrated (fixed-wired to GPIO 35). However, as I wasn't aware of that when buying Lolin32 and because of now, that multiple Lolin32 are here on my desk, my reasonable intention was to use them. So things would have been a bit easier with D32 but in the end it works the same way with Lolin32. As per rev2 of the PCB, I added a 10 uF-capacitor to smoothen the battery-measurement. Ii's optional but be advised values measured are a bit more volatile without capacitor-stabilization.

Features

• Fits Wemos Lolin32 (not Lolin D32, Lolin D32 pro or Lolin 32 lite!)
• Outer diameter: 56 x 93mm
• JST-PH 2.0-connectors for buttons, rotary encoder, Neopixel, RFID, reset and battery (not 2.54mm pitch!)
• 2.54mm-connectors for MAX98357a and µSD-card-reader. In contrast to my pictures: better solder them directly onto the PCB without having a female-connector (as socket) in between. In turned out that especially plugging MAX98357a into a female connector can lead to connectivity-issues!
• Mosfet-circuit that switches off MAX98357a, Neopixel, headphone-pcb, RFID-reader and µSD-card-reader automatically when deepsleep is active.
• All peripherals are solely driven at 3.3V! Keep this especially in mind when choosing µSD-reader. If in doubts use one without voltage-regulator (link below).
• If headphone-pcb is used, MAX98357a is automatically muted when there's a headphone plugged in and vice versa.
• If HEADPHONE_ADJUST_ENABLE is enabled and a headphone is plugged in, an alternative maximum volume is activated. I added this feature because headphone-pcb makes use of an amp that (probably) "allows" children to damage ears. This maximum volume can be set and re-adjusted via webgui.
• rev2: Reset-pinheader added. Can be used to connect e.g. a micro switch to it, so you can reset ESPuino even in battery-mode from the outside of the enclosure. Micro switch can be placed somewhat hidden at the enclosure.

Prerequisites

• If no headphone-pcb is connected, make sure HEADPHONE_ADJUST_ENABLE is disabled.
• I used 130/130 kOhms-resistors as voltage-divider for MEASURE_BATTERY_VOLTAGE. However, make sure to use a multimeter to determine their exact values in order to achieve a better battery-measurement (was 129 kOhms in my case). They can be configured in settings-lolin32.h as rdiv1 and rdiv2. Initially, I used 390/130k because I thought it's a good idea to have a greater signal to measure. But as it turned out analogRead() with a greater voltage than 3 V is a bad idea because of the flattened curve. So better use a voltage-divider with 50%/50% potential drop.
• In my tests, measured values were around 0.1 V too low. If you encounter such a difference you can adjust the offsetVoltage accordingly. But make sure to measure in battery-mode (disconnect USB!).
• referenceVoltage is the voltage between 3.3 V and GND on the develboard in battery-mode
• Make sure to edit settings.h (HAL=1) and settings-lolin32.h according your needs (see table below).
• Disable SD_MMC_1BIT_MODE and SINGLE_SPI_ENABLE as these are not supported by this PCB.
• Enable RFID_READER_TYPE_MFRC522_SPI as other RFID-reader-types are not supported by this PCB.
• Enable USEROTARY_ENABLE.
• Enable buttons for previous, next, pause/play.

PCB-Wiring (2 SPI-instances: RC522 + SD + 3 buttons + rotary encoder)

Uses two SPI-instances. The first one for the RFID-reader and the second for SD-card-reader. Please refer Schematics for reference.

ESP32 (GPIO)	Hardware	Pin	Comment
MFET 3.3V	SD-reader	3.3V
GND	SD-reader	GND
15	SD-reader	CS
13	SD-reader	MOSI
16	SD-reader	MISO
14	SD-reader	SCK
MFET 3.3V	RFID-reader	3.3V
GND	RFID-reader	GND
21	RFID-reader	CS/SDA
23	RFID-reader	MOSI
19	RFID-reader	MISO
18	RFID-reader	SCK
MFET 3.3V	MAX98357	VIN
GND	MAX98357	GND
25	MAX98357	DIN
27	MAX98357	BCLK
26	MAX98357	LRC
---	MAX98357	SD	Info: if pulled down to GND amp will turn off
---	MAX98357	GAIN	Pullup with 100k to 3.3V to reduce gain
34	Rotary encoder	CLK	Change CLK with DT if you want to change the direction of RE
35	Rotary encoder	DT	Change CLK with DT if you want to change the direction of RE
32	Rotary encoder	BUTTON
3.3 V	Rotary encoder	+
GND	Rotary encoder	GND
4	Button (next)
GND	Button (next)
2	Button (previous)
GND	Button (previous)
5	Button (pause/play)
GND	Button (pause/play)
MFET 3.3V	Neopixel	V
GND	Neopixel	G
12	Neopixel	DI
17	N-channel Mosfet	Gate
33	Voltage-divider / BAT		Optional: voltage-divider to monitor battery-voltage
22	Headphone jack		Optional: if pulled to ground, headphone-volume is set

Things to mention

• RFID: In order to avoid buying a 6pin-JST-PH-connector I used 2x3pin instead. This is because I already had ten of them (see link below).
• In contrast to Lolin D32, Lolin32 doesn't feature an integrated voltage-divider. That's why on the lower left there's a JST-PH2.0-connector to connect the LiPo-battery. Make sure to connect (+) to the left und GND to the right. From there you need to solder two short wires (5cm or so) onto the pcb with a JST-PH2.0-connector attached on the other side. This one needs to be plugged into Lolin32 (see pictures-folder). Please note: Lolin's JST-PH2.0-connector needs (+) left side and GND right side. Don't be confused if black/red-colouring of the JST-wires used seems "weird" because is reversed (black => (+); red => GND).
• Better don't solder Lolin32 directly to the PCB. I recommend to make use of female connectors (as socket) instead (link below).
• When ordering a LiPo-battery, make sure to use one with deep discharge protection! This is really really really important!!!
• Doesn't (currently) support SD-MMC and RFID-reader PN5180. Another OCB will be released that provides these features. Stay tuned!

Hardware-setup

The heart of my project is an ESP32 on a Wemos Lolin32 development-board. Make sure to install the drivers for the USB/Serial-chip (CP2102 e.g.).

• MAX98357A (like Adafruit's)
• µSD-card-reader 3.3V only
• RFID-reader
• RFID-tags
• Neopixel-ring
• Rotary Encoder
• Buttons
• Speaker
• µSD-card: doesn't have to be a super-fast one; uC is limiting the throughput. Tested 32GB without any problems.
• JSP PH-2.0-connectors
• Female connector
• (optional) IDC-connector female 6pin for headphone-pcb
• (optional) IDC-connector male 6pin for headphone-pcb
• (optional) Mikro switch
• LiPo-battery (2500 mAh) with connector JST PH 2.0mm

Parts

• 1x IRL3103 (N-channel MOSFET)
• 1x NDP6020P (P-channel MOSFET)
• 1x 1k resistor
• 1x 10k resistor
• 2x 100k resistor
• 2x 130k resistor (can be replaced by 100k + 100k)
• 5x JST-PH2.0-connector (2 Pins)
• 3x JST-PH2.0-connector (3 Pins)
• 1x JST-PH2.0-connector (5 Pins)
• Female connector as socket for Lolin32
• (optional for headphone-PCB) 1x IDC-connecor female (6pin)
• (optional for headphone-PCB) 1x IDC-connecor male (6pin)
• rev2: (optional) 1x 10 uF capacitor (2.0mm-pitch)

Where to order?

I ordered my PCBs at jlcpcb. You have to order at least 5 pcs, which is only at 2$ + shipping. It took two weeks to arrive. If you want to have a look at the PCBs first (without having KiCad installed), visit Gerberlook and upload gerber.zip from the Gerberfiles-folder.

Do I need to install KiCad?

Unless you don't want to change anything: no! All you need to provide are the gerberfiles (gerber.zip) to your manufactur (e.g. jlcpcb). However, all Kicad-files used are provided as well.