PCB layout Guide for ESP32-­WROVER-­E

[djoshi]

Hi

We aim to use the ESP32-­WROVER-­E module . Is there any PCB layout document we can follow?

Is it necessary to have the additional capacitors shown in the datasheet even thought modules has all components internally?

[ESP_Sprite]

I imagine you already checked the datasheet and the hardware design guidelines? Especially the latter gives some good advise on module placement positions.

Note there's no adviced PCB layout for when you use a module instead of a bare chip, as generally it doesn't matter much: the entire idea of a module is that all the critical layout is inside the module, leaving you free to route the module pins however you need to. (With the exception mentioned in the design guidelines that the antenna has a keep-out area as well as a preferred location you should observe.)

I'd certainly add the external capacitors. The ESP32 can be a very spikey load and if you don't have capacitors close to the power pads of the Wrover, you're relying on the inductance of the traces and the specs of your LDO to not cause a brownout during intensive WiFi operations.

[djoshi]

Hi

Yes, I have read both.

Ok I will keep the capacitors close by.

What is the difference between position (4 and 5 ) or (1 and 3) on page 12 of the hardware guide?

I also intended to use the version with external antenna on certain boards, if I am correct there is no restriction in the position?

Can the module also be used on 2 layer PCB? we have some simple design, which might not need 4Layerrs.

[ESP_LJH]

The difference is whether the feedpoint of the antenna is close to the board or not.
No restriction for external antenna means that you could adjust antenna even the module is fixed, not means that you could put the antenna in randomly.
2 layer is ok for design on module, we generally require at least 4 layers for design on chip.

[djoshi]

Hi

What I was referring to was that with an external antenna , the module can be placed inside the PCB boundary and does not the 15mm clearance.

[ESP_Sprite]

Yes, the requirements for placement are because of the antenna. If your antenna is external, the placement of that antenna matters, and you can place the module wherever you want.

[djoshi]

Can 2 layer PCB ok to use?

[ESP_Sprite]

Given that you use a module, the amount of layers of your main PCB does not matter: 1-layer, 2-layer, 4-layer, 36-layer, it's all fine.

[djoshi]

great.

Thanks