Port sprite

PORT_SPRITE

Compact USB-C to UART debug/programming interface for embedded hardware projects.

PORT_SPRITE is a reusable bench tool for custom PCB bring-up. It provides USB-C serial access, 3.3V UART logic, selectable target power output, activity LEDs, reset/boot controls, and labeled test points so new boards can be programmed, tested, and debugged without rebuilding the same support circuit every time.

USB in. UART out. Tiny port familiar doing serial errands.

Project Status

System Role

Computer / USB-C
        ↓ USB 2.0
PORT_SPRITE / CP2102N
        ↓ UART / reset / boot / VOUT
Target microcontroller board

PORT_SPRITE is not the target application board. It is a reusable debug/programming helper for other embedded projects.

Main Features

• USB-C device input
• CP2102N USB-to-UART bridge
• 3.3V UART logic
• Selectable target power output
  • 3.3V from onboard AP2112K regulator
  • 5V from fused USB VBUS
• Target debug header with GND, VOUT, TXD, RXD, CTS, RTS, RESET, and BOOT_LOW
• Manual RESET button for target board
• Manual BOOT_LOW button for ESP-style boot/GPIO0 workflows
• TX/RX activity LEDs
• Power LED
• USB data ESD protection
• VBUS sense divider for CP2102N
• Exposed test points for key nets

What This Board Is For

PORT_SPRITE is meant to live on the bench and plug into future embedded projects.

Use it for:

• UART serial logging
• Firmware flashing workflows
• Testing custom target boards
• Bringing up new microcontroller projects
• Probing TX/RX/RTS/CTS/VOUT rails
• Powering small target boards from USB
• ESP-style BOOT/RESET programming workflows

Key Specs

Important Electrical Behavior

UART Logic Level

The UART signal pins use 3.3V logic.

The VOUT selector can provide either 3.3V or 5V power to the target, but the UART logic does not become 5V logic.

UART TX/RX/CTS/RTS logic level = 3.3V
VOUT selectable rail            = 3.3V or 5V

Do not connect PORT_SPRITE UART pins directly to a target that drives 5V logic unless level shifting or 5V tolerance is confirmed.

VOUT Selector

The slide switch selects what voltage appears on the VOUT pin.

VOUT is intended for small target boards only. Do not use it as a high-current supply.

BOOT_LOW

BOOT_LOW is a pull-low boot control intended for ESP-style boot/GPIO0 workflows.

For STM32-style BOOT0, confirm the target board requirements before use. STM32 BOOT0 often expects pull-high behavior instead.

Target Header Pinout

Typical Target Wiring

UART wiring crosses TX and RX:

PORT_SPRITE TXD_TO_TARGET_RX  → target RX
PORT_SPRITE RXD_FROM_TARGET_TX ← target TX
PORT_SPRITE GND               ↔ target GND
PORT_SPRITE VOUT              → optional target power input

RESET and BOOT_LOW are optional and depend on the target board design.

Test Points

Main Components

Power Architecture

USB-C VBUS
      ↓
fuse / protection
      ↓
VBUS_5V rail
      ↓
AP2112K-3.3 regulator → +3V3
      ↓
VOUT selector chooses +3V3 or VBUS_5V
      ↓
target VOUT pin

Bring-Up Checklist

Before plugging into a computer:

• Inspect USB-C connector solder joints.
• Inspect CP2102N orientation.
• Confirm no solder bridges on QFN pins.
• Check continuity between all GND points.
• Confirm VBUS_5V is not shorted to GND.
• Confirm +3V3 is not shorted to GND.
• Confirm VOUT is not shorted to GND.
• Confirm USB D+ and D- are not shorted together.
• Confirm USB D+ and D- are not shorted to GND or VBUS.

Power checks:

• Plug into a current-limited USB source or USB power meter first.
• Measure VBUS_5V.
• Measure +3V3.
• Toggle VOUT selector and measure VOUT in both positions.
• Confirm PWR LED behavior.

USB checks:

• Confirm the board enumerates as a CP210x USB-to-UART device.
• Confirm TX/RX LEDs behave during serial activity.
• Perform loopback test between TXD and RXD.

Loopback Test

Connect:

TXD_TO_TARGET_RX ↔ RXD_FROM_TARGET_TX

Open a serial terminal. Any typed characters should echo back.

Suggested settings:

Baud: 115200
Data: 8
Parity: none
Stop: 1
Flow control: none

Design Notes

• Label TX/RX from PORT_SPRITE's point of view.
• UART wiring crosses TX to RX and RX to TX.
• Always share GND with the target board.
• Keep USB D+ and D- short and clean.
• Keep connector labels readable for fast bench use.
• Do not assume every target board is 5V tolerant.
• Treat VOUT as a convenience rail, not a high-current bench supply.

Notes For Future Revision

Potential V2 ideas:

• Add true auto-reset/auto-boot support with DTR/RTS using a USB-UART bridge/package that exposes DTR.
• Add 1.8V logic support.
• Add target voltage sensing.
• Add USB isolation.
• Add current limiting or current measurement on VOUT.
• Add alternate pinout adapter cables.

Repository Output Images

Expected image paths for GitHub README rendering:

Outputs/
  IMG/
    3D-T.png
    3D-B.png
    SCHEMATIC.png
    L1-SIG.png
    L2-GND.png

Safety / Design Note

PORT_SPRITE is a low-voltage debug/helper PCB. Verify UART voltage levels, shared ground, selected VOUT voltage, and target pin direction before connecting it to another project.

Designed & engineered by Brandon Shelly