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4 layers50 × 50 mmMagnetic encoder node, the printed circuit board in 3D

Magnetic encoder node

pavan1713/Magnetic_encoder_node

This repository contains the hardware design and proposed firmware architecture for a compact, robust industrial encoder node intended for robotic and automation systems.

Size
50 × 50 mm
Copper layers
4
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
36
Nets
71
Pads
199
Tracks, vias
272, 27
Pours
5
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 9.0 (file 20241129)
Created
19 Jun 2026
Updated
19 Jun 2026

Overview

Magnetic encoder node is an open-source printed circuit board by pavan1713, from the pavan1713/Magnetic_encoder_node repository on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board of 50 × 50 mm with 36 parts on 71 nets, routed with 272 tracks and 27 vias.

It is built around the AP63203WU, AS5048A and SP3485EN-Y, with the SS34 among its other parts. Its parts include 15 capacitors, 9 resistors, 4 ICs, 4 diodes and 2 connectors.

Main components

4

README

README.md

Industrial Magnetic Encoder Node

Project Type: Hardware Design & Firmware Architecture (Stage 2 Task)
Target Date: 19-06-2026

Project Overview

This repository contains the hardware design and proposed firmware architecture for a compact, robust industrial encoder node intended for robotic and automation systems. The node is designed to read continuous angular position data from a magnetic rotary encoder and reliably transmit it to a host controller over an RS485 multidrop network.

The system is optimized for deployment in electrically noisy industrial environments, specifically in close proximity to BLDC motors and switching power electronics. It leverages high-resolution 14-bit sensing capable of 0.0219° precision.

Key Technical Highlights

1. Hardware Architecture

  • Microcontroller: STM32G0B1CBTx (Arm Cortex-M0+, 64 MHz) chosen for its 144KB RAM and extensive DMA support.
  • Sensing: AS5048A 14-bit magnetic position sensor communicating via high-speed SPI (up to 10MHz).
  • Power Management: Integrated AP63203WU 2A buck converter for stable 3.3V supply from 12V industrial rails.
  • Form Factor: 4-layer stackup constrained strictly within a 50 mm × 50 mm footprint.
  • RS485 Transeiver: Selected SP3485EN for cost cutting it has 2kw ESD protection but increased it by adding TVS diode array.

2. Firmware & Communication

  • RTOS-Driven: Architecture designed around Free RTOS (or equivalent prioritized tasking).
  • DMA Optimization: Zero-CPU-load telemetry using dedicated DMA channels for SPI1 (RX) and UART3 (TX/RX).
  • Industrial Bus: RS485 half-duplex communication via the SP3485EN transceiver, supporting data rates up to 10 Mbps.

3. Reliability & Protection

  • Transient Protection: SM712 TVS diode array for asymmetrical RS485 line protection (+12V/-7V).
  • Reverse Polarity: SS34 Schottky diodes to prevent damage during dual-power (12V and USB-C) connection.
  • EMI Mitigation: Comprehensive decoupling network (C1-C15) and Ferrite Bead (FB1) for analog supply isolation.

Repository Structure & Deliverables

Hardware (/hardware)

Native KiCad V9.0 project files and manufacturing outputs.

DeliverableLocationDescription
Native Project/hardwareKiCad V9.0 project (.kicad_pro), schematic, and PCB.
Gerber Files/hardware/gerbersProduction-ready Gerber and drill files (X2 format).
SVG Exports/hardware/gerbers_svgVisual plots of the board layers.
BOM/hardware/BOM/Detailed Bill of Materials for assembly.

Documentation (/docs)

Comprehensive design justifications and operational procedures.

DocumentLinkDescription
Design DocumentDesign DocumentComponent selection, power justification, and EMI strategy.
Firmware SpecFirmware ArchitectureRTOS task scheduling, DMA allocation, and data flow.
Protocol SpecProtocol SpecificationRS485 packet format, CRC-16, and SPI timing.
Risk AnalysisReliability ReportFMEA, dual-power analysis, and failure mitigation.
AssumptionsDesign Trade-offsOpen questions for production and mechanical constraints.

Operational Notes

  • Power: The node supports dual-power entry. For bench testing, USB-C provides 5V; for deployment, use the 12V industrial terminal.
  • Termination: The RS485 bus includes provision for a 120 Ω termination resistor, to be populated if the node is at the bus terminus.
  • Validation: For first-time assembly, refer to the Hardware Bring-Up & Validation Protocol located in the /docs directory.

Parts

36
QtyValueFootprintReferences
5100nDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC1, C2, C6, C7, C15
322ufDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC9, C12, C13
20.1ufDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC11, C14
210RResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR4, R5
21uDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC3, C5
24K7Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR7, R8
2SS34Diode_SMD:D_SMA_HandsolderingD2, D3
1100pfDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC10
110KResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR3
110nDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC4
110ufDiode_SMD:D_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderC8
11kResistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR6
15K1Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR2
15k1Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR1
16.8uhInductor_SMD:L_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderL1
1AP63203WUPackage_TO_SOT_SMD:TSOT-23-6U3
1AS5048APackage_SO:TSSOP-14_4.4x5mm_P0.65mmU2
1Conn_01x04_PinConnector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x04_P2.54mm_VerticalJ2
1FerriteBeadInductor_SMD:L_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderFB1
1GreenLED_SMD:LED_0201_0603Metric_Pad0.64x0.40mm_HandSolderD4
1J3Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_GCT_USB4105-xx-A_16P_TopMnt_HorizontalJ3
1R9Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608MetricR9
1SM712_SOT23Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23D1
1SP3485ENPackage_SO:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mmU4
1U1Package_QFP:LQFP-48_7x7mm_P0.5mmU1

Questions

How big is the Magnetic encoder node PCB?

It measures 50 × 50 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Magnetic encoder node use?

36 parts, built around the AP63203WU, AS5048A, SP3485EN-Y and SS34. 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 Magnetic encoder node KiCad files?

From the pavan1713/Magnetic_encoder_node repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is hardware/magnetic_encoder_node.kicad_pcb and its schematic hardware/magnetic_encoder_node.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Magnetic encoder node design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask pavan1713 before reusing the design.

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