WiFi Water Flow Meter Design

Complete: I created and wired the full schematic for the USB-C powered ESP32-S3 WiFi water flow meter, including 3.3 V buck regulation, 12 V boost sensor power, MAX3485 RS485 interface, USB-C protection/CC resistors, reset/boot circuitry, UART header, and status LEDs. Review returned no ERROR/WARNING/OPEN ERC issues.
I also created Design Notes with the architecture, power budget, assumptions, and pin map, plus Firmware Starter with PlatformIO/Arduino Modbus RS485 starter code. The main remaining assumption is the exact ultrasonic sensor’s Modbus register map; update the firmware once the sensor datasheet is chosen.
Schematic is ready for layout. Want me to proceed with board sizing and component placement?
Size the board and perform placement
I’ll size the PCB first, set an appropriate stackup, then place components by functional block with the ESP32 antenna at an edge, USB and sensor connectors on board edges, and decoupling/power passives near their ICs. After placement I’ll run a DRC review and adjust if needed.
Done. I resized the PCB to 100 × 80 mm with rounded corners and a 4-layer stackup, then placed all components by functional block.
Placement is clean: ESP32 is at the top edge with antenna overhang, USB-C is on the left edge, the sensor terminal is on the right edge, power stages are grouped, and user-facing LEDs/buttons/header are accessible. The only review errors now are expected unrouted connections because routing has not been performed yet.
Ready for routing when you are.
Yes route board
Set routing rules
Check antenna keepout
Review placement details
Add mounting holes

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Project Specification
Design Summary
Status: Draft / Review / Approved
Manufacturing target: Prototype / EVT / DVT / PVT / Production
Software / firmware: repository link

Scope
Purpose
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Out of scope

System context

Requirements
Functional
Electrical
Mechanical / environmental

Key constraints

Dependencies and risks
Dependencies
Key risks

Validation
Success criteria
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Release-facing notes
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Special release notes

Change notes / open questions
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  • Design Summary

  • Scope

  • System context

  • Requirements

  • Functional

  • Electrical

  • Mechanical / environmental

  • Key constraints

  • Dependencies and risks

  • Validation

  • Release-facing notes

  • Change notes / open questions

Documents

  • Project Specification

  • Design Notes — ESP32 WiFi Water Flow Meter

  • Firmware Starter — ESP32-S3 WiFi Water Flow Meter

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ESP32 WiFi Water Flow Meter

ESP32 WiFi Water Flow Meter thumbnail
USB-C powered ESP32 WiFi water flow meter for a 3/4 inch PVC pipe using an external 12V RS485 ultrasonic flow sensor, protected power input, 3.3V logic, status LEDs, and programming/reset support.

Properties

Properties describe core aspects of the project.

Pricing & Availability

Distributor

Qty 1

Arrow

$6.78–$9.00

Digi-Key

$13.75–$15.54

HQonline

$1.39–$1.43

LCSC

$12.63–$12.73

Mouser

$20.76–$20.96

TME

$1.18–$1.31

Verical

$7.56–$10.20

Controls