Project Logs

Collapse

• Encoder Node PCB V1 - Bench Prototyping

  Peter Wallhead • a day ago • 0 comments

  While designing the schematic for this PCB I dug out an old ESP32 programming dev board to ensure that each GPIO I had selected could be used as required.

  I found a couple of GPIOs that either had dedicated functions for this dev board or needed to be in a particular pull-up or pull-down state at boot so these couldn't be used for other purposes.

  Prototyping in this way also helped me to validate the Encoder Publisher code that will run on the ESP32-WROOM-32.

  The PCB is currently on its way from a new sponsor of this project, PCBWay!

• Encoder Node PCB V1 - Component Fitment

  Peter Wallhead • 05/09/2025 at 05:01 • 0 comments

  Designing a dedicated board to count encoder ticks and publish them using micro-ROS.

  This board is only 50mm by 50mm, and the 4 corner mounting holes will align with the hole pattern in the platform level plates. 

  Using Paper Aided Design (PAD) to validate the component footprints and discover any accidental intersections. 

  The JST connector footprint I selected is too small, so I'll need to swap these out and move some other components around to fit them.

• Hardware Test Fitting Begins

  Peter Wallhead • 04/20/2025 at 07:19 • 0 comments

  Testing different component layouts with an Arduino Mega as the motor driver and a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B for a controller. 

  The RPLidar unit will likely sit in the centre of the upper level to provide the clearest view of the robot's surroundings.

View all 3 project logs