KiCad

Overview Most smartwatches are designed to maximise engagement. Crux is designed to minimise it — giving you the essentials without the noise. My role Hardware Design + Firmware + Product Design MCU ESP32 Status Ongoing GitHub candorgander/CruxSmartWatch Features Current Timekeeping with a clean, minimal UI built using LVGL ESP32-based — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable Planned Call notifications via Bluetooth Turn-by-turn navigation feedback using onboard RGB LEDs Hardware Highlights Built on the ESP32 for wireless connectivity without needing an external radio module. Planning to migrate to nRF series for improved energy efficiency LVGL-based UI running directly on the microcontroller — no external display driver SoC required Designed for low BOM cost and open-source replicability Firmware UI built with LVGL (Light and Versatile Graphics Library) — a lightweight, embedded-first graphics framework Running on ESP32 with custom display driver integration Images ...

Overview A compact wearable device designed to monitor elderly patients’ vitals and provide a two-way communication channel between patients and care providers. The design prioritised a small form factor without compromising sensor coverage or communication capability. Date September 2025 My role Hardware Design + Firmware (partial) PCB 4-Layer, KiCad GitHub hardware-portfolio/ElderlyHealthTracker Features Fall Detection — IMU-based detection to alert care providers automatically Vitals Monitoring — Pulse oximetry (SpO₂) and body temperature sensors Two-Way Audio — Speaker amplifier with speaker, and dual PDM MEMS microphones processed through a DSP chip for clear remote communication SOS Button — Dedicated emergency button for immediate alert dispatch SD Card Storage — Logging vitals and audio recordings locally Hardware Highlights 4-layer PCB — Required to meet strict size constraints while routing high-speed PDM lines, analog sensor signals, and power cleanly without interference between domains. Layer stack optimised for signal integrity: signal / ground / power / signal. ...

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. ...

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 ...