1. What is the DRSSTC Control Panel about?

The DRSSTC Control Panel is an advanced, open-source handheld command deck designed for operating Dual Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils (DRSSTC).

Traditionally, Tesla coils are controlled by crude boxes with analog potentiometers, switches, or basic 8-bit microcontrollers with character LCDs. This project replaces them with a modern, safe, and intuitive controller. It features a high-fidelity 3.5-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen running a rich GUI, all powered by the next-generation Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller.

The controller allows the user to set pulse widths, frequencies, and operating modes, translating these settings into highly precise, hardware-isolated optical signals to drive the Tesla coil's power stage.

2. Why did I decide to make it?

This project represents a personal journey. As a young high-voltage hobbyist, I spent countless hours experimenting with Tesla coils. I started this project in late January 2026 with a simple ATmega328P, an LCD1602, and a physical encoder. However, I quickly realized the limitations of older 8-bit platforms when operating in harsh electromagnetic environments.

Tesla coils generate massive electromagnetic interference (EMI). If a standard microcontroller experiences an EMI-induced glitch or freeze while driving the coil, it can leave the primary power switches (IGBTs) turned on. In a DRSSTC, this leads to an instant, catastrophic explosion of expensive power transistors.

I decided to design a "bulletproof", safe, and modern controller from scratch because I wanted to:

Ensure absolute safety: Isolate the user completely from high-voltage hazards using fiber optics.

Achieve hardware-level reliability: Prevent software hangs from causing catastrophic power stage failures.

Modernize the user experience: Build a beautiful, responsive IPS touchscreen interface with real-time feedback, moving away from archaic analog knobs.

3. How does it work?

The controller acts as the safe interface between the operator and the lethal voltages of the Tesla coil. Here is how the engineering behind it works:

The PIO Pulse Engine: Rather than generating timing-critical pulses using the main CPU cores (which could be delayed by rendering the GUI), the project utilizes the RP2350’s PIO (Programmable I/O) state machines. The PIO acts like a built-in mini-FPGA, executing the pulse generation completely independently. Even if the main ARM cores lock up, the PIO guarantees glitch-free, safe pulse timings.

Fiber-Optic Isolation: The control pulses are converted to light and transmitted via fiber-optic cables to the remote H-bridge (which switches up to +420V using high-power IGBTs like the FGH40N60SMD). Because light does not conduct electricity, high-voltage feedback and EMI are physically incapable of reaching the hand-held controller.

Industrial-Grade Power Supply: The handheld panel is powered by two 18650 batteries in a 2S configuration on IP2326. To ensure stable power amidst extreme EMI, it uses a TLV62130 buck converter (salvaged from industrial Antminer S9 control boards) operating at a high switching frequency of 2.5 MHz. This high frequency minimizes ripple and removes the need for bulky filtering capacitors.