2 layers42 × 42 mm
2 layers43 × 23 mm
Ambilight
Laxen/ambilightAmbilight driver based on ESP32
- Size
- 43 × 23 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 33
- Nets
- 45
- Pads
- 150
- Tracks, vias
- 189, 43
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 22 May 2025
- Updated
- 2 Jun 2025
Overview
Ambilight is an open-source printed circuit board by Laxen, from the Laxen/ambilight repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 43 × 23 mm with 33 parts on 45 nets, routed with 189 tracks and 43 vias.
It is built around the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-H4, MCP1416-E/OT and AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1, with the USBLC6-2SC6 and TYPE-C-31-M-12 among its other parts. Its parts include 9 capacitors, 8 resistors, 4 ICs, 3 connectors and 2 switches. It belongs with the ESP32 and RISC-V boards of this library.
Main components
5
ESP32-C3-MINI-1-H4
SMD,16.6x13.2mm-40℃~+105℃ -96dBm 2.4GHz 20.5dBm 3.3V On-board PCB Antenna SPI SMD,16.6x13.2mm WiFi Modules ROHSEspressif SystemsWiFi Modules
MCP1416-E/OT
SOT-23-5-40℃~+150℃ 1 1.5A 1.5A 20ns 20ns 4.5V~18V 41ns 48ns 650uA Interleaved conduction protection Low Side MOSFET SOT-23-5 Gate Drivers ROHSMicrochip TechnologyGate Drivers
AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1
SOT-223-20℃~+125℃@(Tj) 0.003%Vout 1 1.2V@(800mA) 1.35A 10V 3.3V 4mA 70dB@(120Hz) Fixed Over Current Protection、Over Temperature Protection Positive SOT-223 Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators ROHSDiodes IncorporatedVoltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators
USBLC6-2SC6
SOT-23-60.35pF、0.8pF 100nA 150W@8/20us 15V 2 5V 6A@8/20us 6V ESD SOT-23-6 ESD and Surge Protection (TVS/ESD) ROHSUMWESD And Surge Protection (TVS/ESD)
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.mdESP32
- The ESP32-C3-MINI boards expose USB and have really good documentation
- ESP32 is generally cheaper and better than ESP8266 (faster CPU, BLE, more RAM/flash), and ESP8266 is not recommended for new designs
- The ESP32-WROOM boards don't expose the USB interface of the ESP32, which would then require an additional USB-to-UART component adding cost
- TODO: In the datasheet it says "USB Serial/JTAG Controller can also force the chip into Joint Download Boot mode from SPI Boot mode, as well as force the chip into SPI Boot mode from Joint Download Boot mode. For detailed information, please refer to Chapter 30 USB Serial/JTAG Controller (USB_SERIAL_JTAG).", can this be used to avoid buttons entirely? It would cut costs and make the device easier to use.
USB-C Connector
- TYPE-C-31-M-12, provides USB 2.0 data lines in an easy-to-manufacture package
ESD Protection
- USBLC6-2, common component specifically designed for USB 2.0
- Layout optimized to be close to USB-C connector, and have short traces for data and VBUS/GND
- 100nF between VBUS and GND was missed, but there's one not far away for the LDO which should be sufficient
Level Shifter
- MCP1416, common component in a small package, enough current output for longer LED strip data lines
SN74LVC1T45DBVR, only has 24mA output current, might not be enough for longer LED strip data lines
LDO
- AZ1117-3.3, common component, low enough dropout for 5V -> 3.3V, high enough current for ESP32, modern design that is compatible with low ESR ceramic caps
AMS1117-3.3, common component, low enough dropout for 5V -> 3.3V, high enough current for ESP32, however it requires a tantalum cap on the output which is annoying
Parts
33| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R4, R5, R6 |
| 3 | ~ | Custom_PCBWay:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm_SilkscreenFix | TP1, TP2, TP3 |
| 2 | 0.1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C4, C8 |
| 2 | 0R | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R7, R8 |
| 2 | 10uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C1, C5 |
| 2 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C3, C9 |
| 2 | 5.1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R1, R2 |
| 2 | TBD | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C6, C7 |
| 1 | 22uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C2 |
| 1 | 330R | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R3 |
| 1 | AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-223-3_TabPin2 | U1 |
| 1 | BOOT | Button_Switch_additional:TS-1088-AR02016 | SW2 |
| 1 | ESP32-C3-MINI-1-H4 | PCM_Espressif:ESP32-C3-MINI-1 | U3 |
| 1 | LED | LED_SMD:LED_0805_2012Metric | D1 |
| 1 | MCP1416 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-5 | U4 |
| 1 | Power Connector | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | RESET | Button_Switch_additional:TS-1088-AR02016 | SW1 |
| 1 | RGB Connector | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | TYPE-C-31-M-12 | Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_HRO_TYPE-C-31-M-12 | J1 |
| 1 | USBLC6-2SC6 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23-6 | U2 |
The 30 most common of 33 parts.
Questions
How big is the Ambilight PCB?
It measures 43 × 23 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Ambilight use?
33 parts, built around the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-H4, MCP1416-E/OT, AZ1117CH-3.3TRG1 and USBLC6-2SC6. 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 Ambilight KiCad files?
From the Laxen/ambilight repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is ambilight.kicad_pcb and its schematic ambilight.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Ambilight design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask Laxen before reusing the design.
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