4 layers60 × 84.3 mm
4 layers67.9 × 52 mm
Downlink RF
ethandb74/Downlink_RF14-layer PCB LoRa Puck
- Size
- 67.9 × 52 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 56
- Nets
- 74
- Pads
- 236
- Tracks, vias
- 485, 210
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 2 May 2026
- Updated
- 5 Jun 2026
Overview
Downlink RF is an open-source printed circuit board by ethandb74, from the ethandb74/Downlink_RF repository on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board of 67.9 × 52 mm with 56 parts on 74 nets, routed with 485 tracks and 210 vias.
It is built around the RP2040, PE4259-63 and SX1262IMLTRT, with the W25Q128JVSIQ, AP2112K-3.3 and 0900FM15D0039001E among its other parts. Its parts include 25 capacitors, 10 resistors, 5 ICs, 3 inductors and 2 connectors. It belongs with the radio and wireless boards and the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
6
RP2040
LQFN-56(7x7)12bit 133MHz 30 LQFN-56(7x7) Microcontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC) ROHSRaspberry PiMicrocontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC)
PE4259-63
SC-70-6-40℃~+85℃ 0.35dB 1.8V~3.3V 10MHz~3GHz 30dB 33.5dBm Integrated control logic SPDT SC-70-6 RF Switches ROHSpSemiRF Switches
SX1262IMLTRT
QFN-24-EP(4x4)-148dBm -40℃~+85℃ 1.8V~3.7V 150MHz~960MHz 22dBm 300Kbps 32mA 4.2mA ISM SPI Supports software reset、Power-on reset function、Supports RSSI function transceiver QFN-24-EP(4x4) RF Transceiver ICs ROHSSEMTECHRF Transceiver ICs
W25Q128JVSIQ
SOIC-8-208mil-40℃~+85℃ 100,000 cycles 120ms@(32KB) 128Mbit 133MHz 1uA 2.7V~3.6V 20 Years 3ms Power-on reset、Hardware write protection、Software write protection、Write enable latch、Absolute write protection SPI SOIC-8-208mil NOR FLASH ROHSWinbondNOR FLASH
AP2112K-3.3
SOT253.3V 600mA CMOS Low Dropout Linear Regulator with EnableDiodes IncorporatedUncategorised
0900FM15D0039001E
SMD-10P,2x1.2mm0.8dB 50Ω 902MHz~928MHz 915Hz、866MHz SMD-10P,2x1.2mm Ceramic Filters ROHSJohanson DielectricsCeramic Filters
README
README.mdDownlink_RF
4-layer PCB LoRa Puck:
This is a usb powereed LoRA Transmitter made for long range comnmunication with a programmable OLED display. This project was built around the SX1262 Radio chip and the RP2040 microcontroller. This project is inteded to be used as an alternative to using esp32 wireless communcation protocol (ESPNOW). this provides longer range and a seperate module making it a workaround to (in my experience) an often unrealiable communcation protocol. I learned the basics of RF pcb desing with the ultimiate goal of understanding all the systems of a cubeSat. This Satlite subsystem focus inspired the name Downlink.
This Trasmitter is a 4 layer PCB
:
-
text Fcu - singal -
text In1.cu - GND plane (Earth) -
text In3.cu- +3V3 power plane -
text Bcu- secondary signal
Main power for the module is delived via USB-C
RF: traces are routed at 0.1756mm width for 50ohm impedance and IPD handels most of the Frontend with the exception of a pi circuit
Frequency and Band
This Puck transmits at 915Mhz or the ISM band This band is license free and causes no issue with the FCC
Schematic
orginized into sections with power/ memeory/ RF/ Microcontoller/
PCB
4-layer traces are routed at 0.1756mm width for 50ohm impedance no right angles tight via fencing around the RF section
Kepp in mind the photo above is before some final iterations This is a 3d model of the Finished PCB:
BOM: Attached is a link to the BOM with the individual Componants for the PCB Bom Link
Bill of Materials (BOM) in a clean, easy-to-read table format.
| ID | Designation | Quantity | Designator | Footprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1uF | 2 | C12, C13 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 2 | 100nF | 12 | C14, C10, C18, C11, C23, C20, C19, C16, C2, C15, C1, C17 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 3 | 47nH | 1 | L2 | L_0402_1005Metric |
| 4 | Antenna | 1 | AE1 | PinSocket_1x01_P2.54mm_Vertical |
| 5 | 15uH | 1 | L1 | L_0402_1005Metric |
| 6 | 5.1K | 2 | R8, R7 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 7 | 0900FM15D0039001E | 1 | FL1 | Balun_Johanson_0900FM15K0039 |
| 8 | 1K | 2 | R2, R3 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 9 | 1nF | 1 | C6 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 10 | 47nF | 1 | C4 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 11 | AP2112K-3.3 | 1 | U5 | SOT-23-5 |
| 12 | SX1262IMLTRT | 1 | U1 | QFN-24-1EP_4x4mm_P0.5mm_EP2.6x2.6mm |
| 13 | 4.7K | 2 | R9, R10 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 14 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0_16P | 1 | J1 | USB_C_Receptacle_GCT_USB4105-xx-A_16P_TopMnt_Horizontal |
| 15 | 9.1nH | 1 | L3 | L_0402_1005Metric |
| 16 | 470nF | 1 | C3 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 17 | 47pF | 1 | C5 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 18 | 10uF | 2 | C24, C25 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 19 | 100 | 1 | R1 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 20 | 32MHz | 1 | Y1 | Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm |
| 21 | 15pF | 2 | C21, C22 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 22 | SW_Push | 1 | BOOTSEL | SW_Tactile_SPST_NO_Straight_CK_PTS636Sx25SMTRLFS |
| 23 | Conn_01x04_Socket | 1 | J3 | PinSocket_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical |
| 24 | 27.4 | 2 | R5, R6 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 25 | 39pF | 1 | C7 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 26 | PE4259 | 1 | U3 | SOT-363_SC-70-6 |
| 27 | 10K | 1 | R4 | R_0402_1005Metric |
| 28 | BLM15AX102SN1D | 1 | FB1 | L_0402_1005Metric |
| 29 | RESET | 1 | RESET | SW_Tactile_SPST_NO_Straight_CK_PTS636Sx25SMTRLFS |
| 30 | W25Q128JVS | 1 | U4 | SOIC-8_5.3x5.3mm_P1.27mm |
| 31 | 3.3pF | 2 | C9, C8 | C_0402_1005Metric |
| 32 | 12MHz | 1 | Y2 | Crystal_SMD_Abracon_ABM8G-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm |
| 33 | RP2040 | 1 | U2 | QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm |
Parts
56| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 100nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C1, C2, C10, C11, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C23 |
| 2 | 10uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C24, C25 |
| 2 | 15pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C21, C22 |
| 2 | 1K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R2, R3 |
| 2 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C12, C13 |
| 2 | 27.4 | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R5, R6 |
| 2 | 3.3pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C8, C9 |
| 2 | 4.7K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R9, R10 |
| 2 | 5.1K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R7, R8 |
| 1 | 0900FM15D0039001E | RF_Converter:Balun_Johanson_0900FM15K0039 | FL1 |
| 1 | 100 | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R1 |
| 1 | 10K | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R4 |
| 1 | 12MHz | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_Abracon_ABM8G-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm | Y2 |
| 1 | 15uH | Inductor_SMD:L_0402_1005Metric | L1 |
| 1 | 1nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C6 |
| 1 | 32MHz | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm | Y1 |
| 1 | 39pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C7 |
| 1 | 470nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C3 |
| 1 | 47nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C4 |
| 1 | 47nH | Inductor_SMD:L_0402_1005Metric | L2 |
| 1 | 47pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C5 |
| 1 | 9.1nH | Inductor_SMD:L_0402_1005Metric | L3 |
| 1 | AP2112K-3.3 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-5 | U5 |
| 1 | Antenna | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x01_P2.54mm_Vertical | AE1 |
| 1 | BLM15AX102SN1D | Inductor_SMD:L_0402_1005Metric | FB1 |
| 1 | Conn_01x04_Socket | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | LOGO | PSI:symbol3 | G*** |
| 1 | LOGO | PSI:satlogo2 | G** |
| 1 | LOGO | PSI:Nasa_logo | G*** |
| 1 | LOGO | PSI:RFlogo1 | G*** |
| 1 | PE4259 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-363_SC-70-6 | U3 |
| 1 | RESET | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_Tactile_SPST_NO_Straight_CK_PTS636Sx25SMTRLFS | SW2 |
| 1 | RP2040 | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm | U2 |
| 1 | SW_Push | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_Tactile_SPST_NO_Straight_CK_PTS636Sx25SMTRLFS | SW1 |
| 1 | SX1262IMLTRT | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-24-1EP_4x4mm_P0.5mm_EP2.6x2.6mm | U1 |
| 1 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0_16P | Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_GCT_USB4105-xx-A_16P_TopMnt_Horizontal | J1 |
| 1 | W25Q128JVS | Package_SO:SOIC-8_5.3x5.3mm_P1.27mm | U4 |
Questions
How big is the Downlink RF PCB?
It measures 67.9 × 52 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Downlink RF use?
56 parts, built around the RP2040, PE4259-63, SX1262IMLTRT and W25Q128JVSIQ. 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 Downlink RF KiCad files?
From the ethandb74/Downlink_RF repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB/Downlink_RF.kicad_pcb and its schematic Schematic/Downlink_RF.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Downlink RF design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask ethandb74 before reusing the design.
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