Drone Power Distribution Board

Drone Power Distribution Board

Overview Rather than using off-the-shelf PDB modules, this board was designed from scratch to meet the specific voltage and current requirements of the drone’s subsystems. The result is a tightly integrated power solution with three independently regulated rails. Date April 2026 My role Hardware Design PCB 2-Layer, KiCad Input LiPo/Li-ion via XT90 connector GitHub hardware-portfolio/DronePDB Features 3 Independent Buck Converters — Each designed to supply a specific voltage rail for the drone’s subsystems LiPo/Li-ion Input — Accepts direct battery input via XT90 connector Designed for the size and weight constraints typical of drone platforms Voltage Rails Rail Purpose Rail 1 Flight controller / compute Rail 2 Peripheral subsystems Rail 3 Sensors / low-power logic Hardware Highlights All three buck converter circuits designed from scratch — inductor sizing, feedback network, compensation network, and PCB layout — rather than using pre-built modules. Full control over efficiency, switching frequency, and output ripple. ...

April 1, 2026 · 1 min · Abishek Shankar
Ethernet Fan Controller

Ethernet-Enabled PWM Fan Controller

Overview Server racks typically rely on manual fan control or basic thermal curves with no remote visibility. This board brings network-enabled control to standard PWM fans — allowing fan speed to be monitored and adjusted remotely, and enabling automation rules that reduce power consumption during off-peak hours. Date March 2026 My role Hardware Design MCU ESP32-ETH PCB 2-Layer, KiCad GitHub hardware-portfolio/EthernetFanController Features PWM Fan Control — Precise speed control via PWM output for standard 4-pin fans Wired Ethernet — Based on the ESP32-ETH for reliable wired network integration, suitable for rack environments where WiFi is unreliable or disallowed Remote Control — Fan speed adjustable over the network Power Saving Automation — Supports scheduled or sensor-triggered fan speed profiles to reduce energy consumption during off-peak hours Hardware Highlights ESP32-ETH chosen as the compute core — onboard Ethernet MAC and proven reliability in industrial and networking applications, avoids the unreliability of WiFi in dense rack environments Designed specifically for server rack form factor and operating conditions PWM output stage sized for standard 4-pin PWM fans with proper current handling Layout optimised for EMI — switching PWM signals kept away from the Ethernet magnetics Images ...

March 1, 2026 · 1 min · Abishek Shankar