LED Chessboard Test

Programmable ESP32-S3 LED chessboard test project with KiCad schematic and PCB files.

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Components0
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LED Chessboard

Programmable 8x8 LED chessboard hardware with an onboard ESP32-S3-WROOM-1,
64 WS2812B LEDs, 64 digital Hall sensors, and USB-C power/programming.

Hardware summary

  • Controller: ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module on the PCB.
  • LEDs: 64x WS2812B, data daisy-chained through a 74AHCT125 level shifter and a
    330 ohm series resistor.
  • Sensors: 64x AH1806-W-style omnipolar Hall switches with 10 k pull-ups.
  • Readout: 8x SN74HC165DR shift registers.
  • Power: dedicated USB-C 5 V LED/system input plus separate USB-C data/programming
    connector with current-limited logic-power path.
  • PCB: 4 layers, routed KiCad layout under pcb/boards/led_chessboard/layout/.

Current PCB status

  • Zener board source builds successfully.
  • Native KiCad DRC latest review: 0 unconnected items, 0 errors.
  • Remaining DRC items are warnings only: silkscreen/text and footprint-library
    mismatch warnings.
  • Inner-layer GND copper zones have been added with an ESP32 antenna/module
    keepout notch.
  • Backup before copper-zone changes:
    pcb/boards/led_chessboard/layout/layout.pre-copper-zone-backup.kicad_pcb.

Validate PCB

embedr pcb build
embedr pcb layout --check

For final fab review with KiCad installed, run native KiCad DRC and confirm
Found 0 unconnected items.

Fabrication checklist

  1. Visually inspect Gerbers, especially USB-C connectors, board outline, mounting
    holes, ESP32 antenna keepout, and LED/Hall grid alignment.
  2. Confirm 5 V supply and firmware brightness/current limit for WS2812B load.
  3. Confirm Hall sensor package orientation and magnet distance/strength.
  4. Decide whether to clean silkscreen/text warnings before ordering.
  5. Export Gerbers, drill files, BOM, and pick-and-place files.

Author

E
Embedr
Published Jul 7, 2026