WiFi Water Flow Meter Design

flux

6:35

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Read schematic.

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6/7 Create firmware starter project file with real ESP32 RS485/Modbus code

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7/7 Run review, fix violations, and document remaining assumptions

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Completed design checks — found 108 issues.

Read schematic.

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7/7 tasks completed.

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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?
ryanf

ryanf

Size the board and perform placement

flux

0:25

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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.

flux

7:48

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1/4 Inspect current PCB layout state and dimensions

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Completed 3 design checks — found 108 issues.

Read schematic.

Read layout.

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2/4 Set board size and stackup before placement

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Editing board size.

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3/4 Place components with ESP32 antenna and connector constraints

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4/4 Run post-placement DRC and fix placement issues

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Completed design checks — found 95 issues.

Read layout.

Thought for 5 sec

4/4 tasks completed.

Thought for a moment

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

Waiting for input

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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
In scope
Out of scope
System context
Requirements
Functional
Electrical
Mechanical / environmental
Key constraints
Dependencies and risks
Dependencies
Key risks
Validation
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Planned checks
Release-facing notes
Expected deliverables
Special release notes
Change notes / open questions
Changes in this revision
Open questions

    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

Assets

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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