How to Make Custom ESP32 Board in Altium Designer | Full Tutorial

In this tutorial you will learn how to draw schematic, do PCB layout, manufacture your board and programming.
Links:
- FEDEVEL Online courses about HW design: fedevel.com/
- Download the finished project here: github.com/FEDEVEL/esp32-with-usbc
00:00 What is this tutorial about
00:23 Starting a new project
03:29 Creating ESP32 symbol
18:23 100nF symbol
26:07 Connecting ESP32
32:08 1uF symbol
35:04 10k resistor
39:05 Creating and connecting buttons
49:12 27R resistor
54:09 USB-C connector
1:10:23 5k1 resistor
1:13:20 ESD protection
1:18:43 3 pin jumper header
1:22:36 Jumper cap
1:25:54 5V to 3V3 regulator
1:33:17 USB to UART
1:40:17 4u7 capacitor
1:44:05 0R resistor
1:50:19 4k7 resistor
1:59:22 Transistor
2:06:15 Connecting regulator
2:08:30 Headers
2:22:20 2 pin jumper header
2:25:51 Green LED
2:29:53 1k resistor
2:32:51 Red LED
2:35:19 Annotating schematic
2:38:28 Transistor footprint
2:42:19 FTDI footprint
2:43:47 Regulator footprint
2:45:09 USB-C footprint
2:46:31 Button footprint
2:49:59 Resistor footprint
2:55:11 Capacitor footprint
3:00:11 24 pin header footprint
3:07:37 3 pin jumper header footprint
3:13:50 2 pin jumper header footprint
3:17:43 ESD protection footprint
3:22:50 ESP32 footprint
3:26:57 Jumper cap footprint
3:27:45 Green LED footprint
3:34:16 Red LED footprint
3:36:44 Importing schematic to PCB
3:38:58 Drawing board outline
3:41:22 Big component placement
3:50:17 Updating footprint of a component on PCB
3:51:49 Creating layer sets
3:53:10 Placing small components
3:58:50 Customize toolbar
3:59:28 Set net color
4:13:58 Setting up rules
4:20:52 PCB Layout - ESP32
4:29:02 Setting up stackup
4:55:00 PCB Layout - FTDI
4:57:19 Room rule for smaller clearance
5:25:50 Impedance and Differential pairs rule
5:29:25 Routing USB
5:40:12 Changing rule priority
6:03:53 Run DRC
6:06:17 Checking and improving layout
6:07:04 Drawing polygons
6:27:27 Thermal relief rule for plane
6:38:46 Plane pullback distance
6:40:08 Tenting VIAs
6:41:22 Adding board shape/outline layer
6:42:37 Improving silkscreen / overlay layers
7:03:04 Fixing errors on overlay layer
7:10:14 Placing gold logo
7:11:40 Updating tracks to 50 OHMS - Custom filter
7:15:49 Generating outputs for manufacturing
7:16:14 Creating variants
7:18:31 Print board 1:1
7:22:06 Generating Gerber files and Drill files
7:31:02 Generating Pick & Place file
7:32:16 Generating Bill of Materials (BOM)
7:33:42 Ordering boards
7:42:33 Ordering missing components
7:46:56 Download project on FEDVEL github
7:47:22 Confirming and checking production
7:50:21 Manufacturing our board
7:51:52 Unpacking the boards and components
7:55:23 Soldering down missing components
8:02:07 Measuring and connecting to power
8:03:46 Programming our board
8:07:27 Wifi example
8:08:59 Testing second USB-C
8:10:02 Thank you

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you for watching. Here you can download the finished project: github.com/FEDEVEL/esp32-with-usbc

[@bobby9568]

When are you going to teach advanced pcb design techniques instead of this?

[@RobertFeranec]

@@bobby9568 have a look on my advanced courses here: fedevel.com/courses/advanced-pcb-layout-course

[@bobby9568]

@@RobertFeranec i did already

[@walysonsantos5523]

You were fantastic, because in addition to doing all this work recording step by step, you also made the final project available. It will definitely help many people learn more. Thank you, thank you very much

[@VidhyaVyas-f6b]

Thank you so much for all of your efforts that you’ve put together to create this tutorial and many others!!! You’ve been beacon of light on this hardware design journey, guiding so many of us. Your willingness to lend a hand and walk alongside us has been a life saver. I’m incredibly grateful for you mentorship and the impact you’ve had on countless careers. Thank you is not enough!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@sathiyanathan1318]

One of the best video showing how an experienced designer makes PCB and the ease of use of Altium.

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you. I am very happy you like the video.

[@miguelangellopezdibenedett9783]

This is why I love this channel. 8 hour video? Ok , I want to watch it :)

[@umairshahzad4702]

😂🥲

[@physicians667]

Hey robert im 18 year old from egypt I wish i cand do one of these it feels exciting You and ben eater have alot respect and love from me ❤❤

[@antonykiranga3810]

Finished it. Fantastic, world class masterclass in Altium PCB design.

[@alvarodemontes3818]

Waoua...a video lasting more than 8 hours. I am very impressed. thank you for your sharing. I will do it.

[@ДаваажавБямбажав]

Last couple of days try to follow up the video. Content is fantastic.

[@FirozMahmud-n5w]

Thank You so much Robert! I finished 8 hours within 4 days😊

[@RobertFeranec]

:)

[@Gajasinghhe]

I have completed the PCB today. You are the best! sir

[@Hari-uy3rm]

Complete System Design Explained very well in this Tutorial 👌

[@glendavis3183]

Wow, 8hrs in a single video I’m excited to dig into this and learn. Curious why not break it into a multiple video series?

[@RobertFeranec]

It's a test. I wanted to try to compare: 1 long video vs. series of multiple videos. Let's see how it goes ... I am curious.

[@mdtusherkhan5936]

Professor, you just ruined my summer vacation 😢

[@RobertFeranec]

:D

[@sohelrana8376]

@@RobertFeranec how to make frootprint sir make a video on it

[@RobertFeranec]

@@sohelrana8376 it's in this video

[@wsmao1154]

OMG, that's what I need right now! I've taken your amazing hardware design course on Udemy before. And you are my hero whenever I need! Thank you!!!

[@npc8923]

Just finished this course today, thanks a lot, it's been really helpful! Liked, shared and subscribed!

[@AndrewKiethBoggs]

You are amazing. Thank you for taking the time to provide this amazing material.

[@RobertFeranec]

Andrew, thank you very much for your support

[@retronexusnet]

8 Hours!!!!! so good! my weekend is saved!

[@RobertFeranec]

:D

[@guillep2k]

Awesome video, Robert!! Incredibly detailed and useful content! You can be very proud of the work you've done. Congratulations!

[@SeanH-j3o]

Amazing! Thank you for taking the time to share this video.

[@imwhatim7259]

I mostly skip or increase ply speed but your videos no never sikp a single sec , watching 8hs full 😊

[@ronald1851]

This is gold! Thank you!

[@felipesantisteban]

Your work is priceless !! You are such a great content creator 🤩

[@SidKothari-l5k]

Just what I needed for my new job!

[@mike0979]

For everyone following the tutorial be aware to uncheck the Constraint Management at the start of a new project.

[@diwakarmr9124]

Excellent work. Very nice,, waiting for STM32 & renesas series

[@Mr1Spring]

Altium is too expensive for a hobbyist or a small company. What about Kicad next time?

[@russellsmith5278]

100%!

[@willthecat3861]

@@russellsmith5278 200%. He must get Altium for free.

[@Aryan-dq1ll]

He has a playlist on it already

[@rul1175]

Thank you for thanking the time. Your channel is awesome.

[@vencislavvankov4897]

Hello! Congratulations for the wonderful lesson! I have the following question. With every project, do you start by creating a library of components? Aren't you already using your own library of components?

[@skmer4704]

Could you create video with most ussefull settings, shortkey and good tips in Altium?

[@philorkill]

This is great! Just at the right part of my journey. Thank you for sharing!

[@publiobernardes5630]

Amazing video. I will Check your training on Fedevel Academy. Thank you

[@trevorhunt6083]

Absolutely brilliant as always.. Thanks Robert

[@random6306]

Minute 45:05 you connect 3V3 to the switch but they are using the filtered voltage that comes after the capacitor hence the different name. Theoretically, could have an impact by introducing noise into the CHIP_PU pin or does it not have that much of an impact (leaning towards the second option). Also you do have the 1uF cap so I guess does filter out even more noise depending on placement in PCB

[@RobertFeranec]

There will be no impact. When boards are designed properly, power will be clean. Also, in their case, there is no "filtered" voltage, they use 0R - so direct connection to the rest of the circuit.

[@random6306]

@@RobertFeranec Awesome video Robert, took me a while to get through it all. Curious quesiton what are your thoughts on silkscreen on via? I know there is a change of though saying avoid it but what do you think?

[@rage42]

Fantastic work ! Awesome ! Is there (will there be) the same video for rp2040 ? Altium + 8h tutorial ?

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you. For RP2040 tutorial I created a custom keyboard in EasyEDA, but I have not decided yet if to record it or not. It is a much more complex project than what I initially expected (especially a lot of work around the keyboard case and keycaps).

[@Sinox79]

Thank you so much sir. You have helped me a lot.❤

[@paugasolina5048]

thank your feranec. now i know why im watcing your channel

[@vencislavvankov4897]

Dear Robert, I have the following specific question. Why do you manually insert VIAs and not use auto insert when transitioning to another layer?

[@ahbushnell1]

Good video. 8 hours? How about 6 video's? or 8. Another suggestion. Can you user higher resolution video's. It would make it easier to see the screen. Keep up the good work!!

[@RobertFeranec]

Thank you. One single 8 hour video: it's a test. Resolution: I recommend to force youtube to play in 1080p, that should help.

[@ahbushnell1]

@@RobertFeranec I'm using 1080P... Thanks

[@mesadd]

Hi Robert Feranec, Thank you very much for this tutorial. I need your help on one issue. I would be very happy if you could help me 🙂. I also want to add a few sensors and SD card modules to this project. Can you help integrate an SD Card module into the existing ESP32 project? I'm not sure which pins of the processor I should use?

[@TheTechUnwrapper]

in my four years of degree i have only two teachers robert and phils thank you so much 😇

[@EFoundations]

Thank you so much for this great video!!

[@elielsantos1276]

Does Altium have a free version? Though I want to say: Impressive video and thank you for the download of the project.

[@Qbit_labs]

this video really is a gold mine

[@parvezkamaly7127]

This is amazing ❤thank you sir 🖤

[@pareshpai5672]

Brilliant work! Thank you so much ❤

[@zakarialatreche1383]

@RobertFeranec Thanks for this great video! I have a question: why are you using a 1K resistor with the LEDs when you have a forward voltage of 2V and a forward current of 20mA?

[@adamborkowski3175]

Great tutorial. I'm wondering why there are so many ESP32S3 eval boards with external UART converter. This module can be easily programmed using ESPs USB port .

[@RobertFeranec]

sometimes in your system, your board can be connected through USB to a different device to transfer some data. then it is useful to have second USB for debugging (e.g. debug messages) and programming. Also, the USB to UART bridge can be useful in some cases when you are using UART for communication between two boards or chips, and you would like to see what is happening there - you can use the USB to UART as a kind of "sniffer" to see what is happening on your UART (there would be limitations but still useful).

[@adamborkowski3175]

@@RobertFeranec valid points, thanks!

[@jeanfernandeseng]

Amazing Video.

[@DGNG-dd3to]

YES!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@Rafi-ho9yr]

thx for all ur hardworks sir and a question if we keep polygon pure on all board surface at the end then why you draw polygon pure on some places like 5v and 3v separately ? pls answer

[@miguelsanz836]

Thanks for the video. How did you manage to do the PCB turning scene from the beginning of the video? Please tell us the secret 🤯🤯

[@RobertFeranec]

it's spinning on a wire which I removed in postproduction. I spent a half of day creating that 6 second clip. thanks for noticing it :)

[@miguelsanz836]

Thank you for the feedback and congratulations on the results 🎉

[@ldandco]

Please please do this but with kicad instead

[@Dash_me000]

This is amazing video❤

[@thomaseichstetter6777]

Very nice! I love it.

[@TriodeTetrode]

Hey Robert. Really nice video! What's this PCB holder in the end? Is it from aliexpress?

[@RobertFeranec]

PCBite. Saleae sent them to me for free together with their logic analyzer and with probes. The probes are WOW! You just place them on PCB and they will stay there - no need to hold them! I think it was this kit: www.saleae.com/products/pcbite-kit-with-4x-sq10-probes-and-test-wires

[@TriodeTetrode]

@@RobertFeranec Nice. I have Saleae as well. I have seen that kit, seemed a bit expensive for me, but i'm sure it's very good. Love Saleae logic analyzers though, excellent software. Solved so many problems.

[@dfgaJK]

49:07 Why did you use a 27ohm instead of a 0ohm as a selector? How does it improve the signal?

[@RobertFeranec]

this signal may be routed also on a different board through the header so I wanted to minimize reflections. This video may help to explain: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXWtn2Bparxrqck

[@FuzzFPV]

What keyboard do you use? The sound of your keys are amazing 👏

[@RobertFeranec]

Keychron K2. I bought it for next tutorial - custom keyboard design. www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQJT99JP/ref=pe_27091401_487024491_TE_item

[@FuzzFPV]

I knew it was mechanical 🎉 What switches and keycaps are you using? Did you lube them?

[@RobertFeranec]

@@FuzzFPV it's original as I bought it, no modifications, no lube

[@ruben.w]

Is the impressive animation of the board at the very start a render or actual footage? If so, what software/setup did you use to get such detail?

[@RobertFeranec]

recorded - spinning on a wire and the wire removed in postproduction.

[@ruben.w]

@@RobertFeranec Thanks, appreciate such kind of details! Could not tell from the video, so great job!

[@callmechungg]

Excuse me, professor, why did you change the value of capacitor

[@EFoundations]

Hello Robert, When you add the LCSC part number to Altium and specify that you want the manufacturer to buy it from LCSC instead of Digi-Key, is it because of the price difference?

[@RobertFeranec]

when I am ordering my boards, JLCPCB can directly assemble the boards with LCSC components (JLCPCB and LCSC are the same company)

[@EFoundations]

@@RobertFeranec Thank you so much for this information!

[@rafaelbarajas650]

Thank you very much Robert for sharing. You are great. Gracias Robert por compartir, eres grande.

[@MehwishAbro-n5r]

Thanks for this amazing video again. I am big fan of you and watched most of your video. I want to learn how to design circuit analysis circuit and simulate that circuit. Can you refer me some good videos where I can learn circuit designing and analysis circuit. I am interested to design toys circuit but now idea how can I do this. Your guide will help me to achieve my passion. Thanks in advance

[@EFoundations]

Hello Robert, Please tell me the purpose of capacitors that are not connected (NF) in the schema. why we didn't connect them? Many thanks for considering my request.

[@RobertFeranec]

they are used mostly for testing or only in special situations/applications e.g. if you don't use exactly the circuit we designed, but you modify it or you connect something special to the board, it may require component tweaking and it is better to have the footprint there rather then re-spinning the board.

[@EFoundations]

@@RobertFeranec Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question!

[@amirmoein9752]

can you please how to design fpga module for military application? thank you.

[@samchandara4869]

The best video ^^ thank you

[@anilsuha5301]

Wowwwwww Robert, Thanks a lot

[@doronlola1763]

Hi Robert, at 4 :00:05 when I press F5 the ground pins instead of going blue are now checkered with red and blue so its toggling but there is still visible red bits like a checkered shirt. Do you know why? Thankyou for your videos Doron

[@gean7917]

Amazing!

[@Hari-uy3rm]

Is there any reason behind using YAGEO resistor and samsung capacitor🤔⁉

[@RobertFeranec]

they have them on LCSC, no other reason

[@abdulkadirabakay4149]

you are perfect. thank you.

[@realisticartist9212]

Hii, as we have to give the track width and track spacing it requires the current. I want to know how to calculate the current the whole design will consume. Can some one comment on how to do that.

[@harshithramsundararaman6943]

this is soo amazing

[@engtamer3692]

i love you man

[@nurbolatamanbayev9617]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@Gundersen81]

Hi, I need help to understand the differential impedance, I am a bit confused. As shown in the video, the JLCPCB impedance calculator give a track width of 6 mil; but isn't the calculator then assuming that both inner layers L2 and L3 are ground planes? In the stackup only L3 is used as a GND plane. The distance from L4 to L3 is 0,0994 mm, as used in the calculator. But distance from L1 to L3 is higher; core+L2 copper layer+prepreg = 1,265 + 0,0152 + 0,0994 mm = 1.3796 mm. The dielectric constant will also be different. I have tried to put the numbers into Saturn PCB design calculator. The differential impedance for L4 is OK, very close to the 90 ohm. But the differential impedance for L1 is much higher than 90 ohms with the 6 mil trace width when I use 1.3796 mm height from trace to plane. Is my logic totally off or is it correct that the differential impedance will be much higher than 90 ohm for traces at L1 with the trace width used in the design in the video?

[@RobertFeranec]

by the end you will see, most of the L2 is also GND

[@Gundersen81]

@@RobertFeranec Thank you for your answer. Yes, I see it now.

[@brycasiles5594]

Thank you!

[@Qbit_labs]

waiting for this video after watched this dev board in the instagram

[@RobertFeranec]

:)

[@shashankj3539]

Hey, I'm getting no errors when I validate the project; but when I update schematics to PCB, I'm getting only add components and add pins to nets (which you didn't get) in the ECO tab. Where could I have gone wrong?

[@RobertFeranec]

For questions, the best is to use our discord: discord.gg/8a8dUcHmrx I am currently travelling, someone else may help

[@shashankj3539]

@@RobertFeranec Thank you sm

[@rb5759]

I am having the same issue, were you able to fix it?

[@abdulrahmanashraf6291]

thank you so much

[@maximus6884]

Please please please, can you do the same things for KiCAD? Please, did I say please?

[@samuelmara9721]

Its already there!!

[@lucian5246]

6K per year for Altium when I can do the same thing with Kicad for free....

[@RobertFeranec]

Kicad is on my list too :)

[@IBasilisvirus]

KiCad for da win!!

[@anttitoivonen7339]

As an Altium Designer user at work, I like Circuitmaker for my personal projects. Lots of similarity and intuitive user interface. Don't really know why it's not more popular.

[@lucian5246]

​@@anttitoivonen7339Because is very limited, like 16 signals and limited number of projects. 15 years ago I have started with Target3001 then I've migrated to Eagle, Fusion 360 and now I'm using Kicad. Kicad is open source, everything runs locally, has powerful scripting features, gets updated very often, etc.

[@josephcorleto1853]

Every job I've had wants Altium, not KiCAD. Every hobbyist I know wants KiCAD or EasyEDA, not Altium. Both have their place. I appreciate the work Robert does for us working engineers. He's making the EE community a better place for both the hobbyist and professional. Both hobbyists and professionals should be grateful for his work.

[@adrianstoica17]

Where can i find that test support fixture for the PCB that you use?

[@RobertFeranec]

I use PCBite sensepeek.com/

[@adrianstoica17]

@@RobertFeranec Thank you

[@Motive896]

Why the manufacturer part search is not working in crack version??

[@likewisepro]

Compared to the already sold ESP32 boards, this one seems too expensive. How do you suggest we improve our competitiveness as DIY makers?

[@RobertFeranec]

the goal of this video is to learn how to design a custom ESP32 board, so people can design their own products which they can sell with some profit. The price for building these, is price for learning, not really for HW. To build a profitable product, it may need to be HW + SW, competing just on HW price could be very difficult.

[@likewisepro]

I full appreciate and enjoy every single video of yours. The current difficult that I am facing is that when deploying my solution to the market, I buy an already made one. Otherwise I lose money.

[@Hari-uy3rm]

You are not going to get any certificate after completing this course, But 💯 you are going to get knowledge.

[@damny0utoobe]

Wonderbar

[@issyvarsano5622]

ok. I will not coment it , as its ok for entusiastic design , but here is one simple sugestyion . Allweys use trutype arial blck /bolt font for the labels.

[@sab_tech]

8 hours? seemed short... until you follow along... It's been 6 hours and i'm just 18 mins in the video haha

[@fahadqalbi748]

❤😊

[@kyleolson8977]

Only 8 hours? I'm so tired of these short videos :)

[@RobertFeranec]

:D

[@frederick0367]

4:15

[@kiju2784]

46:44

[@perceptron9834]

Please kicad

[@geato8999]

Common Robert ... We know you are subsidised by Altium but the reality of it is Altium has changed it's licensing model which puts it far out of the reach of any hobbyist, single entity or even small startups. Larger companies are not interested in amateur ESP32 projects so who is your audience here? Do your audience a favor and re-spin the content around KiCad or whatever. I have been using Altium from the days of Tango before most of your audience was born but I refuse to be held captive by them anymore. I moved to Kicad, yes, it is not Altium, but I am donating my annual licence fee to further product development. Personally I think Altium is reached market saturation and they are scrambling for revenue and investor ROI. Unless Renesas Changes the business model, I think they are in a death spiral. Altium can see Kicad in their rear view mirror. Listen to your audience Robert.

[@powray]

8 hours 😂

[@sergiobeltrao]

Thank you very much!