Project Specification
Design Summary
Status: Approved
Manufacturing target: Prototype
Software / firmware: ESP-IDF based firmware for ESP32-S3 display, touch, storage, and audio bring-up
Scope
Purpose
This board is an ESP32-S3 development platform standardized around an ILI9341 TFT in portrait orientation by default, while preserving USB programming, touch, microSD storage, audio output, and expansion I/O. This revision freezes the layout-driving requirements for the next design pass, including control-button assignments, user-facing placement zones, and board-resizing intent.
In scope
- USB-C 5 V input, 3.3 V buck conversion, and backlight power stage
- ESP32-S3 module core power, boot, programming, and debug support
- Touch connector wiring, I2C pull-ups, and touch interrupt/reset signals
- microSD SPI wiring and audio DAC support circuitry
- ILI9341 portrait display selection rule unless a larger superior option is backed by a datasheet
- Explicit assignment of the five existing tact switches as BOOT, RESET, and three user buttons
- Board resizing and component placement constraints for a user-facing edge layout
Out of scope
- Final large-panel connector remapping if a non-ILI9341 display is later chosen
- Panel-specific power sequencing and any module-only control signals not yet documented by a future alternate display vendor
System context
The board serves as a development and integration platform for an ESP32-S3 based HMI system with a portrait TFT display, capacitive touch, removable storage, optional audio output, and developer-facing physical controls.
Requirements
Functional
- The board shall accept USB-C 5 V power as a sink device.
- The board shall generate a 3.3 V rail for the ESP32-S3 and digital peripherals.
- The board shall support USB-UART programming and console access.
- The board shall support an external capacitive touch interface over I2C.
- The board shall support a microSD card in SPI mode.
- The board shall expose audio output from the PCM5102A DAC.
- The board shall default to an ILI9341 TFT used in portrait orientation unless a superior larger display option is provided with its datasheet.
- The board shall provide BOOT, RESET, and three user buttons using the five existing tact switches.
- The board shall assign the existing tact switches as KEY1 = BOOT, KEY2 = RESET, KEY3 = USER1, KEY4 = USER2, and KEY5 = USER3.
- The board shall place all user-facing controls and display-related connectors along the user-facing edge in the next layout pass.
Electrical
- Input power: USB-C 5 V sink.
- Key rails: 5 V input, 3.3 V logic rail, LCD backlight boost output.
- Critical interfaces: USB 2.0, UART0 programming, I2C touch, SPI microSD, I2S audio, SPI TFT display, backlight power, and expansion GPIO.
- The 3.3 V rail shall be generated by the AP63203 buck regulator with a datasheet-backed feedback and bootstrap network.
- The PCM5102A shall be wired in hardware-controlled I2S mode using datasheet-backed strap and support capacitor connections.
- The BOOT function shall pull GPIO0 low only when pressed and otherwise leave normal boot behavior intact.
- The RESET function shall pull EN low only when pressed while preserving the existing pull-up and auto-reset path.
Mechanical / environmental
- The layout shall be resized from the current oversized low-density board to a portrait-oriented outline better matched to the component envelope while retaining routing margin.
- The original aggregate component envelope of approximately 85.13 mm x 116.48 mm shall be treated as the minimum occupied area for resizing decisions.
- Final connector orientation must be validated against the exact display and touch module documentation before fabrication.
Key constraints
- Default to ILI9341 portrait display support unless an alternate larger display is justified by a datasheet.
- Do not guess unresolved alternate-display pin assignments.
- Keep the ESP32-S3 antenna area clear in the future layout.
- Use the existing tact switches rather than adding extra button hardware unless a later mechanical revision requires it.
- Maintain a clear separation between completed subsystems and display-pinout-dependent wiring.
- Align UI elements, including the display connector area, touch connector, and BOOT/RESET/USER buttons, along the user-facing edge in the layout.
Dependencies and risks
Dependencies
- Exact ILI9341 module pin mapping for the chosen connector implementation, or a superior alternate-display datasheet if the display choice changes
- Confirmation of touch-panel cable orientation and pin numbering
Key risks
- Incorrect display connector mapping if fabricated before the selected display module pinout is obtained
- Remaining boot/reset handshake cleanup and backlight compensation cleanup could affect bring-up if left unresolved
- Poor usability if UI parts are not kept on the user-facing edge during placement
Validation
Success criteria
- All retained and new board features are documented in the requirements.
- The display selection rule and button assignments are explicitly defined.
- PCB resizing intent and user-facing placement zones are documented for the next layout pass.
- Required external information for finalizing the display connector is listed clearly.
Planned checks
- ERC review for floating and power-related pins
- Datasheet cross-check of power and audio support networks
- Placement review after the board is resized and UI zones are applied
Release-facing notes
Expected deliverables
- Updated schematic and preserved button-control plan
- Design notes documenting assumptions, blockers, and placement zones
- Approved specification with display rule, button assignments, and layout-driving constraints called out
Special release notes
- Do not release for fabrication until the selected display connector pinout is confirmed.
- Treat the current touch connector mapping as provisional until the final module documentation is available.
- Treat the current board size as provisional until the logical placement pass completes.
Change notes / open questions
Changes in this revision
- Standardized the design intent around an ILI9341 portrait default path.
- Assigned the five existing tact switches to BOOT, RESET, and three user buttons.
- Added placement-zone and board-resizing requirements for the next physical design pass.
Open questions
- What is the exact ILI9341 module or alternate-display part number that will be used?
- What is the complete selected display connector pin mapping, including power, SPI or alternate interface signals, and backlight pins?
- Does the final touch implementation use the current separate 6-pin touch FFC assumption?