I searched on Google and a few online shops for a prototype board for ESP32 WROOM module. Yes, there are bunch of them, but all of them are meaned to be soldered with ESP32 module. I need one which i could attach module on it and remove it if there is a need.
To cut story short, there are boards like this:
-pinboard
-prototype
I would like to find something with option to remove ESP32 like this:
-downloader
This downloader has pins like springs so module fits fine and in this case you can remove it after flashing. If there is some kind of a PCB board with spring pins like this would be fine.
who_took_my_nick:
I searched on Google and a few online shops for a prototype board for ESP32 WROOM module. Yes, there are bunch of them, but all of them are meant to be soldered with ESP32 module. I need one which I could attach module on it and remove it if there is a need.
Mmmm, I don't think so.
The third one is a programming and testing jig, for use when you need to do this in quantity, and if you are a serious manufacturer in bulk, that is just what you might use though these modules facilitate programming in-situ if you design things correctly.
The first one - but would you need ten of them? - makes the module pluggable. That seems to be what you actually want; you can use that with pin sockets to swap modules.
The second is exactly what it says, a board on which to build a prototype - or indeed, simple single, custom - system. If you want another prototype, just buy another ESP32; sure they are more expensive than the $2 ESP8266s at the moment, but if you are serious about it, that will not be a problem.
The point is, it is rather difficult to imagine why you would ever have a need to swap these modules around.
There are many types out there and you have Arduino IDE usb socket and most of the pinouts.
I have quite a few in various forms and they make project construction s easy using them.
Everybody wants there final product in a minimalist form, when the form of these dev boards is great for most jobs.
Its already assembled and ready to go, just put header sockets on your PCB and you have a SERVICEABLE project.
I built my own ESP32 plug in board. It can be used stand alone on a breadboard, you can fit a regulator switches and other components needed for programming. Deep sleep current is 8uA.
In the picture its being used to add an ESP32 to another project, so the plug in boards regulator and other bits are not needed. All ESP32 pins taken out the the edges.
Hi; Very nice.
When I prototype the wider style dev boards, I use solder protoboard and use double width header sockets, so I can plug jumpers down the outside exposed row.
Paul__B:
The first one - but would you need ten of them? - makes the module pluggable. That seems to be what you actually want; you can use that with pin sockets to swap modules.
The point is, it is rather difficult to imagine why you would ever have a need to swap these modules around.
Maybe i will need 10, maybe even more. But, ESP32 must be soldered on it. So it could not be pulled out anytime.
There is a project that will be expanded in time. Yes, i could do it as all you suggest but much more easier it would be if i pull it out, reprogram it on 3rd board i mention and put it back. I do agree that it could be done with some dev kit or so. If i don't came up with some other solution, maybe i will go with dev kit.
The picture I previously posted was for a portable receiver, mainly intended for use with LoRa. This is it assembled;
You may have noticed a cheap RTC board (£1) on the first picture, this is used as a wakeup device for the receiver, it can be put to sleep from a few seconds or up to a month. Battery current in sleep mode is then less than 1nA.
who_took_my_nick:
Yes, but soldering is what i want to avoid.
If you want a reliable connection you may have to, as I said the simple solution is to buy a developed board and get your project working.
Then see what you can setup for final production.
There are many different development boards.
Tom...
Firstly, there should be local network pass and ssid changes from time to time. Second, there should be changes in work of a project. ESP32 will be on a place where is no easy way to just put a new sketch in it. The easiest way is to pull it up, reprogram it and put it back.
who_took_my_nick:
ESP32 will be on a place where is no easy way to just put a new sketch in it. The easiest way is to pull it up, reprogram it and put it back.
Or, maybe i should do it with OTA.
That would be the obvious - easier - answer to that situation, which is why I could not see why you need to remove it.
A pin-out to the serial interface - perhaps four or six pins, or pads for pogo pins - would be a simple alternative.
A programming interface for an ESP32 would need access to;
TXD
RXD
Enable\Reset
GPIO0
VCC (possibly)
GND
However, I also cannot see a compelling need to remove the ESP32 in the first place.
There are PCB\ZIF type sockets available for TQFP ICs at relativly low prices, yet I dont recall ever seeing one being used so the the device can be removed from a project instead of simply re-programming it.
And if you really wanted to remove the ESP32 its easy enough to make up a very low cost board that has 0.1" headers, similar to that shown in post #3.
