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2 layers65 × 70 mmEmbedded, the printed circuit board in 3D

This project creates a flat cylindrical DNA model with: - Magnetic DNA bases with color-coded NeoPixel LEDs and unique resistor values for identification - Interactive base pairing game that validates correct DNA base…

Size
65 × 70 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
93
Nets
115
Pads
377
Tracks, vias
891, 179
Pours
1
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
Created
14 Aug 2026
Updated
22 Sep 2026

Overview

Embedded is an open-source printed circuit board by borisg912, from the borisg912/3DNA repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 65 × 70 mm with 93 parts on 115 nets, routed with 891 tracks and 179 vias.

It is built around the SN74AHCT125N, ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N8 and DW01A, with the BQ25895RTW, FSUSB30MUX and MP8715DN among its other parts. Its parts include 22 resistors, 18 capacitors, 11 connectors, 10 ICs and 9 transistors. It belongs with the ESP32 and RISC-V boards of this library.

Main components

10

README

README.md

3DNA - Interactive DNA Learning Model

3DNA is an educational 3D-printed DNA model that combines physical structure with interactive electronics to help students understand DNA base pairing through hands-on learning.

Website: Project showcase and app downloads

🧬 Project Overview

This project creates a flat cylindrical DNA model with:

  • Magnetic DNA bases with color-coded NeoPixel LEDs and unique resistor values for identification
  • Interactive base pairing game that validates correct DNA base connections
  • Smart home integration with multiple connectivity options
  • Companion applications for Android and Windows

📦 Components

Hardware

  • ESP32-C6 microcontroller on custom PCB (3-3.3V logic)
  • 13 DNA bases (12 helix positions + 1 foundation) with NeoPixels and resistors
  • 2x CD74HC4067 multiplexers: one at 3.3V for resistor voltage divider, one at 5V for NeoPixel control
  • SN74AHCT125N buffer gate for driving 5V signals from ESP32's 3V
  • TEMT6000 ambient light sensor for dynamic brightness control
  • MPU-6500 gyroscope/inclinometer for spatial orientation
  • DFPlayer Mini for audio feedback
  • BQ25895 power management IC with USB/USB-C quick charging (up to 9V, 25W@3A)
  • MP8715 voltage regulator (5-9V to 5V)
  • 4x 18650 Li-ion batteries (user-replaceable) with per-cell protection: PPTC fuses + AO3401A + DW01 + FS8205A
  • FQP30N06L MOSFET for fan control
  • BAT54C Schottky diode
  • NeoPixel strips for visual effects (5V)
  • Touch button for user interaction
  • Backboard button for system functions

Software

  • ESP-IDF firmware for ESP32-C6
  • Android application for mobile control
  • Windows UWP application for desktop

🎯 Features

Interactive Learning Mode

  • Base Identification: Each base has a unique resistor value read via voltage divider
  • Color Coding: NeoPixels light up in base-specific colors (A, T, C, G)
  • Pair Validation: Check correct base pairing (A-T, C-G) with visual feedback
  • Error Highlighting: Wrong bases light up in red for easy identification

Smart Home Mode

  • Multi-protocol connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, Zigbee, Thread
  • Remote control: Control NeoPixels via companion apps
  • Motion sensing: Gyroscope triggers commands on movement
  • Ambient lighting: Dynamic brightness based on environment

Power Management

  • Battery operation: 2-4 cell configuration
  • USB charging: With power delivery management
  • Sleep modes: Low-power states for battery conservation
  • Thermal management: Fan control based on temperature

🛠️ Development Status

  • Hardware: PCB design in KiCad (v4.1 final)
  • Firmware: ESP-IDF framework with modular components
  • Mobile: Android app foundation
  • Desktop: Windows UWP app starter

📁 Project Structure

text
3DNA/
├── Embedded/          KiCad PCB files
├── EmbeddedCode/      ESP32-C6 firmware (ESP-IDF)
├── AppAndroid/        Android mobile app
├── AppWindows/        Windows UWP desktop app
├── Website/           Project showcase website
└── Assets/            Graphics and media

📄 Documentation

🤝 Contributing

This is a school project developed for educational purposes. Contributions and feedback are welcome for improving the learning experience and technical implementation.

📜 License

This project is licensed under GNU GPL v3 - see LICENSE for details.


Built with passion for education and technology

Parts

93
QtyValueFootprintReferences
910kResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR3, R5, R6, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14
8100Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22
7MountingHole_2.5mmMountingHole:MountingHole_2.5mmM2.5, M2.5, M2.5, M2.5, M2.5, M2.5, M2.5
6100nFCapacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric_Pad0.74x0.62mm_HandSolderC1, C11, C12, C13, C14, C17
410uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric_Pad1.08x0.95mm_HandSolderC5, C6, C7, C8
4AO3401APackage_TO_SOT_SMD:TSOT-23_HandSolderingQ3, Q5, Q7, Q9
4Battery_CellConnector_JST:JST_PH_B2B-PH-K_1x02_P2.00mm_VerticalBT1, BT2, BT3, BT4
4DW01APackage_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-6U4, U6, U9, U10
4FS8205APackage_SO:MSOP-8_3x3mm_P0.65mmQ2, Q4, Q6, Q8
4PolyfuseFuse:Fuse_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.42x1.75mm_HandSolderF1, F2, F3, F4
310uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolderC2, C3, C4
21N5819Diode_THT:D_DO-41_SOD81_P10.16mm_HorizontalD1, D2
222uFCapacitor_SMD:C_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.33x1.80mm_HandSolderC15, C16
25.1kResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR1, R2
2BackboardSwButton_Switch_THT:SW_PUSH_6mm_H5mmSW1, SW2
2Conn_01x08Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x08_P2.54mm_VerticalJ6, J7
2SN74AHCT125Nall:DIP794W45P254L1930H508Q14U7, U8
11.0uHInductor_SMD:L_Ferrocore_DLG-0403L1
1100kResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR7
1130Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR4
11uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric_Pad1.08x0.95mm_HandSolderC18
14.7uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608Metric_Pad1.08x0.95mm_HandSolderC9
14.7uHInductor_SMD:L_Ferrocore_DLG-0403L2
147nFCapacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric_Pad0.74x0.62mm_HandSolderC10
152.3kResistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_HorizontalR8
1BAT54CPackage_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23D3
1BQ25895RTWPackage_DFN_QFN:Texas_RTW_WQFN-24-1EP_4x4mm_P0.5mm_EP2.7x2.7mm_ThermalViasU2
1BaseNeoMUXConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x08_P2.54mm_VerticalJ3
1BaseResMUXConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x08_P2.54mm_VerticalJ2
1ESP32-C6-WROOM-1PCM_Espressif:ESP32-C6-WROOM-1U1
1FQP27P06Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-220-3_Horizontal_TabDownQ1
1FSUSB30MUXPackage_SO:MSOP-10_3x3mm_P0.5mmU3
1FanConnectorConnector_JST:JST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_VerticalJ5
1GyroBreakoutConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x10_P2.54mm_VerticalJ1
1HelixNeoConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_HorizontalJ4
1LightSensorConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_HorizontalJ9
1MP8715all:SOIC8_MP8001A_MNPU5
1SpeakerConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_HorizontalJ8
1TouchButtonConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_HorizontalJ10
1USB-C BreakoutConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x06_P2.54mm_HorizontalJ11

The 92 most common of 93 parts.

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Questions

How big is the Embedded PCB?

It measures 65 × 70 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Embedded use?

93 parts, built around the SN74AHCT125N, ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N8, DW01A and BQ25895RTW. 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 Embedded KiCad files?

From the borisg912/3DNA repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Embedded/Embedded.kicad_pcb and its schematic Embedded/Embedded.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Embedded 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).