Automotive-Grade STM32H7 Controller PCB – Multi-CAN FD, ESP32, Sensor Inputs, ABS, IMU, Logging
Budget: €750 – €1,500 EUR
I need an experienced hardware engineer to design a robust, automotive-grade PCB built around an STM32H7 microcontroller. This board will function as a drivetrain/traction-control module and must meet high reliability, EMI, and durability standards for use inside a vehicle environment.
The enclosure and connector/header layout are already defined and must be followed for mechanical fit. No schematics exist yet — this is a complete design from scratch.
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Required Features
Core MCU
STM32H7 series with 2× native CAN FD
Support for 3rd CAN FD bus via external SPI CAN FD controller
Analog switch to optionally bridge the two native CAN FD buses (programmable link/isolated mode)
Connectivity
ESP32 module for wireless support
STM32 ↔ ESP32 communication (UART/SPI)
USB port for DFU firmware flashing
Sensors & Inputs
Two or more ABS / VR / Hall speed sensor inputs
Voltage protection
Proper signal conditioning for automotive wheel-speed sensors
VSS speed sensor input
Throttle position signal input
Analog potentiometer input
Multiple 12 V input lines with selectable pull-up / pull-down (digital and analog)
Motion / IMU
Automotive-grade 6-axis or 9-axis IMU
Memory / Storage
EEPROM or FRAM for settings
External data logging memory IC (SPI NOR/NAND/FRAM or similar)
Indicators
Multiple status LEDs (power, error, CAN activity, ESP32 link, etc.)
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CAN FD Requirements
2× native FDCAN (STM32)
1× external CAN FD controller (SPI)
Integrated CAN transceivers (AEC-Q qualified preferred)
Programmable CAN termination resistor on each bus
Analog switch to join CAN FD Bus 1 + Bus 2 when required
Controlled-impedance routing, proper EMC filtering
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Power & Protection Requirements
Must be suitable for an automotive environment:
Reverse-polarity protection
Load-dump protection
Transient suppression (TVS)
12V → 5V / 3.3V high-efficiency DC-DC converters
EMI/EMC countermeasures per automotive guidelines
Brownout/undervoltage protection
Grounding strategy appropriate for mixed-signal design
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PCB Layout Requirements
Multilayer PCB
Must follow enclosure outline + connector/pinout provided
Separation of analog/digital/high-current domains
Controlled impedance for CAN FD traces
Proper RF layout for ESP32 (antenna keepout zones, ground tuning)
Vibration-resistant component choices
Automotive temperature-rated parts (AEC-Q where possible)
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Deliverables
Full Altium Designer project
Schematic diagrams (PDF + source)
PCB layout files, Gerbers, drill files
Pick-and-place output
Fully annotated BOM with manufacturer part numbers
Basic validation firmware (Arduino, CubeIDE) to show:
CAN FD communication working
ESP32 link confirmed
Sensor inputs sampling correctly
External memory read/write working
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Required Skills
Strong STM32H7 hardware design experience
CAN FD bus design (multi-bus, termination, bridging)
Automotive power protection (load dump, reverse polarity, EMI)
ESP32 RF placement and layout
ABS/VR sensor conditioning circuit design
High-speed PCB routing and mixed-signal grounding
Altium Designer expertise
---
Additional Notes
I will provide:
The enclosure CAD / mechanical drawing
Required PCB outline
Required connector/header footprint and pinout
Example signal definitions for each input/output
The enclosure and connector/header layout are already defined and must be followed for mechanical fit. No schematics exist yet — this is a complete design from scratch.
---
Required Features
Core MCU
STM32H7 series with 2× native CAN FD
Support for 3rd CAN FD bus via external SPI CAN FD controller
Analog switch to optionally bridge the two native CAN FD buses (programmable link/isolated mode)
Connectivity
ESP32 module for wireless support
STM32 ↔ ESP32 communication (UART/SPI)
USB port for DFU firmware flashing
Sensors & Inputs
Two or more ABS / VR / Hall speed sensor inputs
Voltage protection
Proper signal conditioning for automotive wheel-speed sensors
VSS speed sensor input
Throttle position signal input
Analog potentiometer input
Multiple 12 V input lines with selectable pull-up / pull-down (digital and analog)
Motion / IMU
Automotive-grade 6-axis or 9-axis IMU
Memory / Storage
EEPROM or FRAM for settings
External data logging memory IC (SPI NOR/NAND/FRAM or similar)
Indicators
Multiple status LEDs (power, error, CAN activity, ESP32 link, etc.)
---
CAN FD Requirements
2× native FDCAN (STM32)
1× external CAN FD controller (SPI)
Integrated CAN transceivers (AEC-Q qualified preferred)
Programmable CAN termination resistor on each bus
Analog switch to join CAN FD Bus 1 + Bus 2 when required
Controlled-impedance routing, proper EMC filtering
---
Power & Protection Requirements
Must be suitable for an automotive environment:
Reverse-polarity protection
Load-dump protection
Transient suppression (TVS)
12V → 5V / 3.3V high-efficiency DC-DC converters
EMI/EMC countermeasures per automotive guidelines
Brownout/undervoltage protection
Grounding strategy appropriate for mixed-signal design
---
PCB Layout Requirements
Multilayer PCB
Must follow enclosure outline + connector/pinout provided
Separation of analog/digital/high-current domains
Controlled impedance for CAN FD traces
Proper RF layout for ESP32 (antenna keepout zones, ground tuning)
Vibration-resistant component choices
Automotive temperature-rated parts (AEC-Q where possible)
---
Deliverables
Full Altium Designer project
Schematic diagrams (PDF + source)
PCB layout files, Gerbers, drill files
Pick-and-place output
Fully annotated BOM with manufacturer part numbers
Basic validation firmware (Arduino, CubeIDE) to show:
CAN FD communication working
ESP32 link confirmed
Sensor inputs sampling correctly
External memory read/write working
---
Required Skills
Strong STM32H7 hardware design experience
CAN FD bus design (multi-bus, termination, bridging)
Automotive power protection (load dump, reverse polarity, EMI)
ESP32 RF placement and layout
ABS/VR sensor conditioning circuit design
High-speed PCB routing and mixed-signal grounding
Altium Designer expertise
---
Additional Notes
I will provide:
The enclosure CAD / mechanical drawing
Required PCB outline
Required connector/header footprint and pinout
Example signal definitions for each input/output