Shared by: Bholu, A B-Tech Student in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Original Design & Concept: Vishal Sharma (Proknow) (Full Credit)

Introduction

My name is Bholu, and I am a B-Tech student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). My main aim is to bring the latest innovations to the community, created by talented builders and creators, and share them here so that knowledge, ideas, and engineering excellence can grow together. Through community-driven sharing, I want to highlight meaningful and practical innovations that inspire students, hobbyists, and engineers to learn, experiment, and build better systems. As part of this goal, I am sharing an ESP32-based Drone PCB, a well-engineered design created entirely by Vishal Sharma (ProKnow). This post is meant to give him proper recognition while showcasing his work to a wider maker community.

Project Overview

This ESP32-based drone PCB is developed for compact, efficient, and high-performance DIY drone applications. By replacing traditional microcontroller-based flight controllers with the more powerful ESP32, the design enables faster processing, built-in wireless connectivity, and support for future-ready features. The PCB reflects a modern approach to drone electronics, with a strong focus on flight stability, system expandability, and smart connectivity, making it suitable for both learning and advanced experimentation.

Key Features of the PCB

ESP32 Microcontroller

At the core of the board is the ESP32, a dual-core microcontroller capable of handling real-time flight control tasks. Its integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow wireless communication, configuration, and future telemetry or control enhancements.

Drone-Optimized PCB Layout

The PCB layout is carefully designed with clean and balanced routing for motor control and signal lines. This helps minimize electrical noise, improving overall stability and reliability during flight operations.

ESC and Motor Control Support

The board supports standard brushless ESC connections, making it suitable for quadcopters and other experimental drone platforms. The layout ensures reliable signal delivery for precise motor control.

Sensor Integration Capability

Support for IMU sensors, including gyroscopes and accelerometers, allows accurate motion sensing and flight stabilization. Additional interfaces are provided to enable future sensor expansion as project requirements grow.

Reliable Power Distribution

The power section is designed to safely handle the electrical demands of drone systems. Proper grounding and filtering techniques are used to ensure stable operation and protect sensitive components.

Why ESP32 for Drone Applications?

Using the ESP32 in drone systems offers several advantages over traditional flight controllers. It delivers faster processing and improved response times, along with wireless tuning, debugging, and telemetry capabilities. Support for OTA updates and smart features makes the platform future-ready, while also allowing the possibility of integrating AI or edge-computing features later on. These advantages make the design especially valuable for students, researchers, and advanced DIY drone builders.

PCB Manufacturing with PCBWay

This PCB design is well suited for PCBWay’s professional manufacturing services. High fabrication accuracy ensures precise trace routing, while strong board durability supports vibration-heavy drone environments. Clean solder mask and silkscreen improve assembly and readability, and the overall build quality ensures reliable performance for both prototyping and small-scale production.

Credit & Acknowledgement

Complete Design & Engineering Credit: Vishal Sharma

Community Share By: Bholu

Purpose: Innovation showcase and educational reference

This project is shared for educational and community reference purposes. All technical design, planning, and implementation belong to Vishal Sharma. This article is intended to respectfully acknowledge and highlight his work within the PCBWay community.