2 layers65 × 30 mm
2 layers56.1 × 66.3 mm
Thesensor
makrcat/EN.FOthing that uses BME680 for sensing altitude/weather for the outdoors
- Size
- 56.1 × 66.3 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 17
- Nets
- 21
- Pads
- 57
- Tracks, vias
- 126, 5
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 18 Aug 2026
- Updated
- 24 Oct 2026
Overview
Thesensor is an open-source printed circuit board by makrcat, from the makrcat/EN.FO repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 56.1 × 66.3 mm with 17 parts on 21 nets, routed with 126 tracks and 5 vias.
It is built around the BME680. Its parts include 4 connectors, 2 resistors, 1 IC, 1 diode and 1 switch. It belongs with the ESP32 and RISC-V boards of this library.
Main components
1README
README.mdoutdoorsy-gadget
The EN.FO is a personal project for tracking the environment when outdoors. It measures altitude (pressure), temperature, humidity, and air quality through the BME680 chip. And it also has games now :3c
Around the end stages submitted to hack club stardance.
Why I made this
I found a BME680 in a store, and I'd seen people making these home weather station setups and using temperature sensors for their first projects. I thought it would be cool to be able to track the weather while outside too, like while hiking or going somewhere without wifi!
It would be pretty neat to get momentary values from a sensor for the surrounding area instead of looking online.
CAD models
Flashing to ESP32
Materials:
- You want an esp32 with at least 512kb of RAM, or else it can't run the heavy graphics of circuitpython.
- You need a similar ST7789-driven screen, a microcontroller as specified above, and a bme680.
- Also, having a fuse would probably be good (just in case you short out components).
Install circuitpython! Then,
I use vscode to program, but I used Thonny to handle the flashing.
- Programs that go into the microcontroller are
src,graphics,settings.json,logger.json, andfontsPCF, side by side on root/. - You also have to install the libraries separately on Thonny, but it only takes a bit.
In case you want to actually make one
Check if you are soldering the ESP-32 so that it's "bottom side up", or label-side up. The USB-C should be on the bottom. Same goes with the UPS module, make sure the USB-C is on the bottom. Or else you have to edit the CAD to match.
Testing the program locally
I wanted to test the UI quickly, so the computer simulation is for that. The data is simulated in mockIC.py.
⚠️ Important note!! Open the firmware folder by itself! Otherwise, vscode will read the file paths incorrectly.
Other images
This project originally started with a BMP & an e-ink, but gradually didn't work for the use case. I have a cool e-ink now, though.
Parts
17| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | MountingHole | MountingHole:MountingHole_2.2mm_M2_Pad | H1, H2, H3, H4 |
| 2 | LOGO | LOGO | G***, G*** |
| 2 | SW_Push | Button_Switch_THT:SW_PUSH_6mm | NEXT1, SELECT1 |
| 1 | 100K | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R1 |
| 1 | 1N4004 | Diode_THT:D_DO-41_SOD81_P10.16mm_Horizontal | D1 |
| 1 | 33K | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R2 |
| 1 | BME680 | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | Battery | Connector_JST:JST_PH_S2B-PH-K_1x02_P2.00mm_Horizontal | J5 |
| 1 | ST7789 | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | SW_SPDT | Button_Switch_THT:SW_Slide_SPDT_Angled_CK_OS102011MA1Q | SW1 |
| 1 | UPS | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J6 |
| 1 | XIAO-ESP32-C6-DIP | Seeed_Studio_XIAO_Series:XIAO-ESP32-C6-DIP | U1 |
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Questions
How big is the Thesensor PCB?
It measures 56.1 × 66.3 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Thesensor use?
17 parts, built around the BME680. 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 Thesensor KiCad files?
From the makrcat/EN.FO repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/thesensor.kicad_pcb and its schematic pcb/thesensor.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Thesensor design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask makrcat before reusing the design.