Smart Espresso Scale

I’ll define the scale architecture and requirements, check for reusable reference blocks, and propose a concrete build plan before creating the schematic.
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Project Specification

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Status: Review A compact, phone-connected espresso scale for measuring dose and shot flow in real time. The unit runs from a single-cell LiP...

Functional Block Plan

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Purpose: Main control, filtering, UI, BLE phone link, and firmware updates. Interfaces/nets: 3V3, GND, USB_D+/D-, I2C, SPI, buttons, ADC_DRD...
I defined the architecture, power budget, interfaces, and functional blocks in the Project Specification and Functional Block Plan. The design uses ESP32-S3 BLE, a NAU7802 load-cell ADC, OLED segment-style UI, SPI NOR logging, USB-C/LiPo power-path charging, and a 3.3 V system rail; suitable reference blocks were identified for the MCU, measurement, and charging sections.
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Project Specification
Project Overview
Status: Review
A compact, phone-connected espresso scale for measuring dose and shot flow in real time. The unit runs from a single-cell LiPo, charges and operates through USB-C, shows weight/time/status on an integrated display, and stores shot records locally for later BLE synchronization.
Intended Use
  • Countertop espresso preparation in a splash-prone environment.
  • Target capacity: 2 kg; target displayed resolution: 0.1 g.
  • Prototype-to-production-intent, assembled SMT PCB in a sealed enclosure beneath a mechanically isolated weighing platform.
What the Device Should Do
  • Measure weight continuously and calculate flow rate.
  • Auto-tare and detect shot start/stop.
  • Display weight, elapsed time, flow rate, battery, and connection status.
  • Connect to iOS/Android over Bluetooth Low Energy.
  • Log timestamped shot samples locally and sync them to the phone.
  • Operate while charging and protect the LiPo from unsafe charge/discharge conditions.
Main Features
  • 2 kg single-point load cell interface with 24-bit ADC.
  • BLE 5 phone connectivity using an ESP32-S3 module.
  • 1.3-inch high-contrast I2C OLED with segment-style UI graphics.
  • External SPI NOR flash for durable onboard logging; internal MCU flash reserved primarily for firmware/configuration.
  • USB-C 5 V sink, LiPo charger with power-path management, battery fuel/status measurement.
  • Three sealed user buttons: power/tare, timer, and mode.
  • USB firmware update/debug plus boot/reset controls.
System Architecture

Diagram


USB-C node_5V LiPo charger and power path 1-cell LiPo 3.3V regulator ESP32-S3 BLE MCU 24-bit load-cell ADC I2C OLED SPI NOR log storage 2kg load cell Phone app over BLE
Hardware Subsystems
  • Compute/wireless: ESP32-S3 module with integrated antenna, native USB, BLE, adequate RAM/flash, and low-power modes.
  • Weight measurement: NAU7802-class 24-bit bridge ADC, ratiometric load-cell excitation, input filtering, and DRDY interrupt.
  • Display/UI: 128x64 OLED over I2C; three buttons and optional vibration/buzzer footprint not populated by default.
  • Storage: 8–16 MB SPI NOR flash with wear-leveled circular logging.
  • Power: USB-C sink protection, single-cell charger with system power path and battery temperature input, efficient 3.3 V regulation, power switch/load gating where useful.
  • Battery monitoring: charger status plus ADC/fuel-gauge measurement sufficient for battery percentage and low-battery shutdown.
  • Debug: USB D+/D-, boot/reset buttons, UART/JTAG-accessible pads.
Interfaces and Connections
  • USB-C: 5 V sink, USB 2.0 data, CC pull-downs, ESD protection.
  • I2C: load-cell ADC, OLED, optional battery gauge.
  • SPI: external log flash.
  • GPIO: three buttons, ADC DRDY, charger status/interrupt, display reset if required.
  • Load cell: 4-wire bridge connector (E+, E-, A+, A-), with optional shield connection.
  • Battery: keyed 2-pin connector plus 10 kΩ NTC input where supported.
Power and Runtime Expectations
  • Assumed battery: protected 1000 mAh single-cell LiPo, 3.0–4.2 V.
  • Target active runtime: at least 12 hours of intermittent café use.
  • Target deep-sleep current: below 300 µA at battery level.
  • Device may operate during charging; charge current target 500 mA unless the selected cell requires less.
Power Tree and Power Budget

Table


3.3 V loadSleepTypical activePeak
ESP32-S3 BLE module20 µA35 mA250 mA
OLED display0 µA off25 mA45 mA
NAU7802 + bridge1 µA off8 mA12 mA
SPI NOR flash2 µA5 mA25 mA
Battery gauge / misc.10 µA1 mA3 mA
LEDs/buttons/regulator overhead40 µA3 mA10 mA
Estimated total~73 µA plus charger/regulator IQ~77 mA~345 mA transient
  • Size the 3.3 V rail for at least 500 mA continuous/peak capability with transient margin.
  • At 77 mA average active load, a 1000 mAh cell provides roughly 10–12 hours after regulator losses and reserve; duty-cycled use should exceed this.
  • USB input limit and charging current must be set conservatively for default USB power; no USB-PD is required.
Manufacturing and Assembly Expectations
  • 4-layer PCB preferred for RF, low-noise load-cell measurement, and compact routing.
  • Mostly 0402/0603 passives; no BGA parts.
  • Standard SMT assembly with hand-accessible battery/load-cell connectors.
  • Add test pads for 5 V, battery, system rail, 3.3 V, GND, I2C, SPI, ADC DRDY, USB, boot, and reset.
Firmware-Relevant Hardware Requirements
  • BLE GATT service for live weight/flow and shot-history sync.
  • 80–100 Hz raw load-cell sampling, digitally filtered to stable 0.1 g output.
  • Circular local log with timestamp, weight, flow, event flags, calibration version, and CRC.
  • USB and BLE firmware-update path.
  • Wake from buttons and optional weight-change interrupt strategy.
Physical Design Expectations
  • PCB target envelope approximately 80 mm x 45 mm, subject to enclosure/mechanics.
  • USB-C accessible on a side edge; display and buttons accessible from the top/front.
  • Radio antenna at a board edge with strict copper/component keepout and away from the load cell metalwork.
  • Analog load-cell section separated from USB, display switching currents, and antenna region.
  • Conformal-coating-compatible layout; enclosure must provide splash protection.
Important Design Decisions
  • ESP32-S3 chosen for broad phone BLE support, native USB, development ecosystem, and sufficient processing for filtering/logging.
  • NAU7802-class ADC chosen over HX711 for I2C control, higher integration, and flexible sampling.
  • OLED chosen instead of a fixed numeric segment module so the UI can still look segment-based while showing menus, graphs, and icons.
  • Dedicated SPI NOR chosen instead of removable microSD for compactness, lower idle power, and better splash resistance.
  • Charger must include power-path operation; a charge-only topology is not acceptable because the scale should work predictably while plugged in.
Assumptions
  • BLE, not Wi-Fi, is the primary phone connection.
  • 2 kg capacity and 0.1 g user resolution are acceptable; final accuracy depends heavily on load-cell mechanics and calibration.
  • The battery pack includes protection, but board-level charger safety and NTC monitoring remain required.
  • The phone provides absolute time during sync; the first revision does not require a standalone RTC.
Change Notes
  • Initial architecture and requirements derived from the user request; ready for review before schematic implementation.
  • Project Overview

  • Intended Use

  • What the Device Should Do

  • Main Features

  • System Architecture

  • Hardware Subsystems

  • Interfaces and Connections

  • Power and Runtime Expectations

  • Power Tree and Power Budget

  • Manufacturing and Assembly Expectations

  • Firmware-Relevant Hardware Requirements

  • Physical Design Expectations

  • Important Design Decisions

  • Assumptions

  • Change Notes

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Smart Espresso Scale

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Bluetooth-connected espresso scale with load-cell measurement, local data logging, a segment-style display, USB-C charging, and single-cell LiPo power.

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