Batmobile

Batmobile

Now, let's check the chips and smaller components on the Batmobile's PCB.

1. ESP-WROOM-32

As mentioned previously, this microcontroller runs everything.

One of the key features of the ESP-32 is its integrated WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, which make it an ideal platform for building IoT devices.


2. Chip CH340C

Batmobile can communicate with your computer over USB, thanks to this little guy!

3. USB port

Used for connecting your Batmobile to the charging brick or PC. 

4. FPC connector for the camera

The FPC camera connector is a small-size camera module on the circuit board.

A method of connecting FPC is directly inserting it into the connector.

5. Flash memory

This is the most widely used data storage technology in consumer devices today.

Flash memory is non-volatile, meaning it doesn’t require power to store data.

Because of that feature, you are sure you won’t lose your data even if power is removed. 

6. RAM (full name: random-access memory)

This is short-term memory, where the data that the processor is currently using is stored.

It is used for immediate data storage and retrieval.

Your device can access RAM much faster than any other memory, and that’s why its capacity of it is so important. 

This memory gets wiped once you turn your computer off.

7. ESP32-S3

This chip is used as an additional processor that controls the camera on your Batmobile. 

8. Chip TC8002

This chip is here to serve as an audio amplifier.

9. Mosfet array

This is a kind of an on/off switch for regulating LEDs.

10. Switch

Just like on the controller, this button is used for turning the device on and off. 

11. Capacitor

A capacitor is a component that has the ability to store energy, much like a small rechargeable battery.

A capacitor can absorb energy from a circuit and store it temporarily.

Later on, this stored energy can be released back to the electronic circuit. 

We can measure the ability of a capacitor to store electrical energy.

We call this property - capacitance. The unit of capacitance is called Farad (we use the letter F as a short for Farads).

12. Motor drivers

These drivers are used to control the movement of the motors.