ESP32 Drone

A DIY quadcopter drone built around the ESP32 microcontroller, controlled via smartphone over Wi-Fi — targeting a total build cost under $15.

Project Status: 🔬 Research & Planning phase — currently gathering references, schematics, and component lists before starting the build.

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Goal

Design and build a lightweight, low-cost quadcopter drone using an ESP32-WROOM-32 as the flight controller and an MPU6050 IMU for stabilization, with smartphone-based control over Wi-Fi.

Key Features (Planned)

• ESP32-WROOM-32 as the main flight controller (Wi-Fi connectivity built-in)
• MPU6050 6-axis IMU (accelerometer + gyroscope) for real-time stabilization
• MOSFET-driven brushed motors (no ESC required) to reduce cost and weight
• Smartphone control via a dedicated app over Wi-Fi
• Custom PCB acting as both the circuit board and the drone frame
• TP4056-based Li-Po battery charging circuit
• PID control loop for flight stability

Components

Component	Qty	Purpose
ESP32-WROOM-32	1	Main MCU — control & Wi-Fi communication
MPU6050 IMU	1	Orientation & stabilization data
720 Coreless Brushed Motors	4	Thrust / propulsion
SI2302DS N-Channel MOSFET	4	Motor driver (replaces ESCs)
55mm Propellers (2 CW + 2 CCW)	4	Lift generation
3.7V 25C+ Li-Po Battery	1	Power source
MIC5219-3.3V Voltage Regulator	1	3.3V rail for ESP32 & MPU6050
CH340C USB-to-Serial	1	Programming & debugging interface
TP4056 Charging IC	1	Battery charge management
1N4148 Diodes	4	Flyback protection for MOSFETs
Custom Drone PCB	1	Circuit board + structural frame

Architecture Overview

┌─────────────┐       I2C        ┌───────────┐
│  ESP32-WROOM │◄────────────────►│  MPU6050  │
│  (Flight     │                  │  (IMU)    │
│   Controller)│                  └───────────┘
└──────┬───────┘
       │ GPIO (PWM)
       ├──► MOSFET T1 ──► Motor 1 (CW)
       ├──► MOSFET T2 ──► Motor 2 (CCW)
       ├──► MOSFET T3 ──► Motor 3 (CW)
       └──► MOSFET T4 ──► Motor 4 (CCW)

       │ Wi-Fi
       ▼
  ┌──────────┐
  │Smartphone│
  │  (App)   │
  └──────────┘

Pin Mapping

ESP32 GPIO	Connected To
GPIO21 (SDA)	MPU6050 SDA
GPIO22 (SCL)	MPU6050 SCL
GPIO (PWM) x4	SI2302DS MOSFETs (motors)
TXD / RXD	CH340C USB-Serial
EN	Reset button / CH340C RTS
GPIO0	Boot button

Power System

• USB 5V input → Schottky diode (SS34) → MIC5219 → 3.3V rail (ESP32, MPU6050)
• USB 5V input → TP4056 → 3.7V Li-Po battery charging
• Li-Po battery → Direct power to motors via MOSFETs

References & Resources

These are the main references being studied for this project:

• 📺 YouTube Tutorial: ESP32 Drone Build
• 📝 Written Guide: How to Make a Cheap ESP32 Drone Under $15 — ESC Labs
• 🔧 Circuit Diagram & BOM: EDISON-SCIENCE-CORNER/ESP32-DRONE (GitHub)
• 🚀 ESP-Drone Firmware (Espressif): espressif/esp-drone
• ⚡ ESP Launchpad (Firmware Flasher): espressif.github.io/esp-launchpad
• 🖥️ PCB Design Tool: EasyEDA Pro

Roadmap

• Research drone architecture and components
• Finalize component list and order parts
• Design / obtain custom PCB (Gerber files)
• Assemble PCB and solder components
• Flash ESP32 firmware
• Calibrate MPU6050 and PID parameters
• First test flight
• Tune PID gains for stable hover
• (Future) Add altitude hold
• (Future) Add FPV camera support

Tools Required

• Soldering iron
• Hot plate / reflow station (for SMD components)
• Solder paste (63/37 Sn/Pb, 183°C melting point)
• Wires
• USB cable for programming

License

TBD