📘Project: Bullberry_cpp Board – Open Hardware for IoT
This project presents the Bullberry_cpp Board, an educational printed circuit board (PCB) developed with an exclusive focus on hardware applications for the Internet of Things (IoT). The board combines two essential technologies: Wi-Fi and LoRa, serving as a robust educational platform for teaching, experimentation, and prototyping — ideal for both beginners and advanced users.
The Bullberry_cpp Board design uses two layers, optimizing layout and functionality for various IoT applications. In addition, the choice of slightly larger components was intentional, aiming to facilitate manual soldering of all parts, making the assembly process more accessible and educational.
🎯 Objectives
Facilitate learning about wireless connectivity, with a special focus on IoT applications.
Provide a unified hardware platform that supports Wi-Fi (ESP8266F) and LoRa (Ra-02).
Serve as a basis for tutorials, workshops, and field tests, allowing the creation of practical projects.
Ensure compliance with good hardware design practices, using EasyEDA Pro v2.2.39 for the development of the schematic and PCB layout
The bridge between Arduino and low voltage systems
For developers who are migrating from Arduino platforms (Uno, Mega, Nano, etc.) that operate at 5V to low voltage systems, my proposal is to offer a ready-to-use solution.
This project stands out for its integrated power supply, which incorporates two common and easy-to-implement voltage regulators: 5V and 3.3V. This feature aims to simplify the transition, ensuring compatibility and stability for your new projects.
Logic Level Converter, EasyEDA Pro screenshot.
Logic Level Converter with Integrated Protection
My proposal is to develop a logic level converter that offers safety directly coupled to the design. It will provide protection to devices that operate at 5V, especially those that use SPI and I2C protocols, such as 7-segment displays.
TTL - USB-C, EasyEDA Pro screenshot.
Transferring Your Programs Reliably: USB-C for Your Projects
With my proposal, we will transfer your programs to your projects using a reliable and robust technology: USB Type-C. This solution guarantees a safe and efficient connection for data transfer.
Pin Description
Bullberry_cpp-top, author's repository.
Pin Description, author's repository.
GPIO 17 of the ESP8266F is connected to the reset pin of the LoRa Module, allowing the module to be reset directly by the microcontroller.
🎨Colors in layers
Colorful pathways, EasyEDA Pro screenshot.
My motivation for using colored layers and tracks in my design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s a functional decision to make the circuit easier to see and understand. By differentiating the voltages and connections between pins using different colors, I get a clear and immediate representation of the power and data flow.
⚖️ License
My choice of the CERN Open Hardware License v2 – Strongly Reciprocal for this project was not by chance. This license reflects my commitment to open hardware principles and promotes a collaborative and fair approach to technology development!
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