Bentoboard

bentoboard

as many ready-to-use electronics as i could fit on a 4"x4" PCB.

Use at your own risk

These design files are currently unproven. Additionally, some of the LCSC parts used in this project (notably, USBC connectors) have known issues. I've got this project on the back burner right now, but until I fix it, use the source files at your own risk.

essential hardware

the stuff you need to get making.

• controllers. interfaces. wireless.
• sensors. adcs. io expanders.
• motor drivers. blinky lights. speaker amps.

modular design

bentoboard is designed to be expanded on to many electrical disciplines!

• 4"x4" "sessions" include a smörgåsbord of breakout boards, each the heart of a new idea.
• I2C via stemma qt/qwiic/jst-sh plugs.
• 0.1" pin spacing – 100% breadboard compatible.

common components

no weird proprietary connectors or manufacturing methods.

• 0.1" cutouts & mousebites
• M3 mounting holes where possible
• smallest component size: 0402 (1005 metric)
• optimized for pcbway design rules

open source

bentoboard project © 2025 by Sam Kothe (torbers) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 bentoboard art © 2025 by Sam Kothe (torbers) & Miles Gehrman (teppin) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

(this means that you can use my designs in your own projects, and you can create & sell your own bentoboards for others to enjoy in accordance with open source standards! but you must include attribution to me in the final product or source code, and your work must use the same license. also, you may not use my art commercially.)

many schematics and layouts in this project were adapted from excellent open-source designs and tutorials by Adafruit and others. Please support their businesses!

• Adafruit

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bb00 survey session

these are the things people need most often in my electronics lab, and the things i reach for when i need to solve a problem. it's the stuff that will take you the farthest with the least kerfuffle. a practical survey of what's possible.

2 controllers

• bc00 RP2040 feather
• bc01 ESP32-S3 feather

10 devices

• bd00 CAP1188 capacitive touch pad ruler
• bd01 MCP23008 16x digital IO expander
• bd02 AW9523 16x constant-current LED driver
• bd03 soil moisture sensor
• bd04 LIS3DH accelerometer motion sensor
• bd05 APDS9960 light/color/motion/gesture sensor
• bd06 MCP3008 SPI analog-to-digital converter
• bd07 I2C 4x dc/2x stepper motor driver
• bd08 MAX98357 I2S mono audio dac & amp
• bd09 8x WS2812 neopixel stick

1 power supply

• be00 lipo charger & 5V 3A boost converter