2 layers31.5 × 31.5 mm
Sensors
TheFlocke/rc-buggy
Autonomous rover with BLE control and robotic arm, built for a DLR high school competition.
16 partsGPL-3.0
4 layers93.5 × 94.5 mm
RC Buggy
TheFlocke/rc-buggyAutonomous rover with BLE control and robotic arm, built for a DLR high school competition.
- Size
- 93.5 × 94.5 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 162
- Nets
- 169
- Pads
- 612
- Tracks, vias
- 1,420, 204
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 21 Apr 2025
- Updated
- 6 Nov 2025
Overview
RC Buggy is an open-source printed circuit board by TheFlocke, from the TheFlocke/rc-buggy repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is a 4-layer board of 93.5 × 94.5 mm with 162 parts on 169 nets, routed with 1,420 tracks and 204 vias.
It is built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8, TPS56637RPAR and TPS62933DRL, with the PCA9685BS, BME680 and TPD4E05U06DQAR among its other parts. Its parts include 56 capacitors, 56 resistors, 22 connectors, 10 ICs and 5 inductors. It belongs with the robots and motor control boards and the ESP32 boards of this library.
Main components
9
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8
SMD,25.5x18mm-40℃~+85℃ -98.2dBm 2.4GHz 20.5dBm 355mA 3V~3.6V 95mA Bluetooth5.0 ESP32-S3 Chip On-board PCB Antenna UART、SPI、I2C、I2S、USB SMD,25.5x18mm WiFi Modules ROHSEspressif SystemsWiFi Modules
TPS56637RPAR
VQFN-10-HR(3x3)-40℃~+150℃@(TJ) 1 140uA 4.5V~28V 500kHz 600mV~13V 6A Adjustable Buck Buck Built-in Yes VQFN-10-HR(3x3) DC-DC Converters ROHSTexas InstrumentsDC-DC Converters
TPS62933DRL
SOT-583-40℃~+150℃@(TJ) 1 12uA 2.2MHz 3.8V~30V 3A 800mV~22V Adjustable Buck Buck Built-in Yes SOT-583 DC-DC Converters ROHSTexas InstrumentsDC-DC Converters
PCA9685BS
QFN-28-EP(6x6)QFN-28-EP(6x6) LED Drivers ROHSNXP SemiconductorsLED Drivers
BME680
LGA-8-40℃~+85℃ 0.12hpa 0.6hpa 1.3pa/K 1.71V~3.6V 150nA 30Kpa~1.1bar I2C、SPI Temperature Sensor LGA-8 Pressure Sensors ROHSBosch SensortecPressure Sensors
TPD4E05U06DQAR
USON-10-40℃~+125℃ 0.5pF 10nA 14V 2.5A@8/20us 40W@8/20us 5.5V 6.5V ESD Four channels IEC 61000-4-2、IEC 61000-4-5、IEC 61000-4-4 Unidirectional USON-10(1x2.5) ESD and Surge Protection (TVS/ESD) ROHSTexas InstrumentsESD Protection Devices
TXS0108EPW
TSSOP-20-40℃~+85℃ 1 1.4V~3.6V 1.65V~5.5V 60Mbps 8 Automatic direction detection、Output enable high-impedance、Integrated pull-up resistor Bidirectional Level translator Push-Pull、Open-drain TSSOP-20 Translators, Level Shifters ROHSTexas InstrumentsTranslators, Level Shifters
AON7262E
DFN-8(3x3)-55℃~+150℃ 1 N-channel 1.652nF 10mΩ@10V 2.2V 34A 43W 45nC@10V 520pF 52pF 60V N-Channel DFN-8(3x3) MOSFETs ROHSAlpha & Omega SemiconductorMOSFETs
TYPE-C-31-M-12
SMD-30℃~+80℃ 1 10,000 cycles 16P 20V 5A 7.35mm Female Surface Mount, Right Angle Type-C SMD USB Connectors ROHSHRO ElectronicsUSB Connectors
README
README.mdRC Rover 🌋 (WIP)
This project was developed as part of a high school competition organized by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The challenge: design and build a rover capable of:
- 📊 Collecting sensor data
- 🧭 Navigating autonomously
- 🦾 Using a robotic arm to gather rock samples
To enable wireless control from any BLE-capable device, I developed:
- 💻 Custom microcontroller software
- 🌐 Dedicated web app
- 🖥️ Bespoke PCB design (unfortunately, the PCB was never manufactured due to supply issues)
The foundation for the code was a project from my teacher, which I significantly modified and expanded. While I focused on electronics/software ⚡️, my teammates handled mechanical engineering ⚙️.
Project Screenshots 📸
Installation ⚙️
🔌 Flash mcu-sw onto the ESP32
1. 📋 Install Prerequisites
You’ll need VS Code or CLion with the PlatformIO extension.
See the Links section below for tutorials.
2. 💾 Download the Project
Clone or download this repository and open it in your chosen IDE.
3. 🆔 Generate New UUIDs
- Open
ESP32ble.h - Visit uuidgenerator.net
- Generate new UUIDs and replace existing ones
4. ⚡ Flash the ESP32
Upload the code to your ESP32 device.
5. 📶 Test BLE Communication
Use nRF Connect or similar BLE apps to verify data transmission.
Acknowledgements 🙏
Authors 👥
- @TheFlocke 👤
- @xNiicki 👤
Parts
162| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 10k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R1, R2, R3, R10, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22, R31 +14 |
| 16 | 100nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C5, C7, C13, C15, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C33, C34 |
| 14 | 10uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C2, C6, C9, C14, C27, C28, C29, C30, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44 |
| 10 | 22uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C35, C36, C37, C38, C51, C52, C53, C54, C55, C56 |
| 8 | 0u1F | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C1, C3, C4, C10, C11, C45, C46, C47 |
| 8 | 220 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R23, R24, R25, R26, R27, R28, R29, R30 |
| 4 | 5k1 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R6, R7, R8, R9 |
| 4 | MountingHole_Pad | MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3_DIN965_Pad_TopBottom | H1, H2, H3, H4 |
| 3 | 100pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C48, C49, C50 |
| 3 | 20k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R45, R46, R47 |
| 3 | 3u3H | Inductor_SMD:L_APV_APH0850 | L2, L3, L4 |
| 3 | 49k9 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R48, R51, R54 |
| 3 | LED | Diode_SMD:D_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.15x1.40mm_HandSolder | D1, D2, D4 |
| 3 | TPS56637RPAR | Footprints:CONV_TPS56637RPAR | U8, U9, U10 |
| 2 | 100uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C12, C16 |
| 2 | 33nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C31, C32 |
| 2 | 73k2 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R49, R52 |
| 2 | AON7262E | Footprints:AON7262E | Q1, Q2 |
| 2 | PW_IO_bak | TerminalBlock:TerminalBlock_MaiXu_MX126-5.0-02P_1x02_P5.00mm | J13, J14 |
| 2 | SW_Push | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_SPST_PTS810 | SW1, SW2 |
| 2 | TMC2209_Socket | custom:TMC2209_Socket | P1, P2 |
| 2 | TPS62933 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-583-8 | U6, U7 |
| 1 | 100V | Diode_SMD:D_SMA | D3 |
| 1 | 100k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R55 |
| 1 | 10m | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R11 |
| 1 | 15 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R33 |
| 1 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R5 |
| 1 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C8 |
| 1 | 2u4H | Inductor_SMD:L_APV_ANR3015 | L1 |
| 1 | 31k6 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R41 |
| 1 | 4u3H | Inductor_SMD:L_APV_APH0650 | L5 |
| 1 | 52k3 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R43 |
| 1 | BME680 | Connector_JST:JST_EH_B7B-EH-A_1x07_P2.50mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 | RF_Module:ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 | U1 |
| 1 | GPIO | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x05_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | I2C | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J10 |
| 1 | Micro_SD_Card_Det_Hirose_DM3AT | Connector_Card:microSD_HC_Hirose_DM3D-SF | J6 |
| 1 | NTC-10k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | TH1 |
| 1 | PCA9685BS | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-28-1EP_6x6mm_P0.65mm_EP4.25x4.25mm | U5 |
| 1 | PW_3V3 | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J5 |
| 1 | PW_5V | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
| 1 | SPI | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J9 |
| 1 | Servo 0 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J11 |
| 1 | Servo 1 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J12 |
| 1 | Servo 2 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J17 |
| 1 | Servo 3 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J18 |
| 1 | Servo 4 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J15 |
| 1 | Servo 5 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J16 |
| 1 | Servo 6 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J19 |
| 1 | Servo 7 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J20 |
| 1 | Stepper_1 | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B4B-XH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_Vertical | J7 |
| 1 | Stepper_2 | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B4B-XH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_Vertical | J8 |
| 1 | TPD4E05U06DQA | Package_SON:USON-10_2.5x1.0mm_P0.5mm | U3 |
| 1 | TXS0108EPW | Package_SO:TSSOP-20_4.4x6.5mm_P0.65mm | U4 |
| 1 | TYPE-C-31-M-12 | Footprints:HRO_TYPE-C-31-M-12 | J1 |
| 1 | ~ | custom:AP33772 | U2 |
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Questions
How big is the RC Buggy PCB?
It measures 93.5 × 94.5 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the RC Buggy use?
162 parts, built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8, TPS56637RPAR, TPS62933DRL and PCA9685BS. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the RC Buggy KiCad files?
From the TheFlocke/rc-buggy repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB/Mainboard/RC_Buggy.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB/Mainboard/Connections.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the RC Buggy design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the GPL-3.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).