Custom ESP32-C6 + TI IWR6843AOP mmWave PCB
Budget: €250 – €750 EUR
Project Title
ESP32-C6 + TI IWR6843AOP mmWave Radar Custom PCB Design
⸻
Project Description
We are looking for an experienced hardware / PCB design engineer to design a custom integrated PCB combining:
• Texas Instruments IWR6843AOP mmWave radar SoC (antennas-on-package)
• ESP32-C6 (8MB flash) (Wi-Fi / BLE / main controller)
The goal is to create a production-oriented but developer-friendly board for a mmWave-based presence / vital signs monitoring device (breathing, heart rate, presence detection).
This is not a copy of an EVM, but a reduced, optimized custom board following TI reference design guidelines.
⸻
Scope of Work
Core Requirements
Radar (IWR6843AOP):
• External QSPI flash (standalone boot)
• UART output for radar data and logs
• UART flashing support (boot mode via SOP pins)
• Reset pin exposed
• Power rails implemented exactly per TI hardware guidelines
• RF layout compliant with TI recommendations (AOP antenna keep-out respected)
ESP32-C6:
• Acts as main MCU and communication controller
• UART connection to radar
• OTA firmware update support
• USB or UART-based programming interface
• Boot and reset circuitry correctly implemented
• Wi-Fi / BLE antenna with proper keep-out
GPIO Expansion:
• All unused ESP32-C6 GPIOs must be broken out to solderable through-hole pads or headers
• GPIOs must be clearly labeled on silkscreen
• Exclude pins reserved for flash, USB, boot strapping, or internal peripherals
⸻
Power & Interfaces
• USB-C preferred for 5V input (data optional)
• Stable 3.3V rail for ESP32 and IO
• Radar power rails per TI reference design
• Proper decoupling, ferrite beads, and EMI best practices
• Test points for power, reset, UART, and boot signals
⸻
Deliverables
• Complete schematic
• PCB layout (RF-safe, mmWave-compliant)
• BOM with sourceable components
• Gerber files
• Pick & place / assembly files
• Brief documentation explaining:
• Boot modes
• Programming/flashing procedure
• Key design decisions
⸻
Nice to Have
• Prior experience with TI mmWave (IWR / AWR series)
• Experience with ESP32-C6 or ESP32 family
• RF / high-frequency PCB layout experience
• Design-for-manufacturing (DFM) mindset
⸻
What This Is NOT
• Not firmware development
• Not enclosure design
• Not antenna tuning (AOP antenna is used as-is)
• Not a full EVM replacement
⸻
Project Stage & Future Work
This is Phase 1 of a multi-stage product:
1. Integrated prototype board
2. Iteration for manufacturability
3. Final consumer product
Successful collaboration may lead to follow-up work.
⸻
To Apply, Please Include
• Brief summary of relevant PCB/RF experience
• Example projects (mmWave, ESP32, RF, or similar)
• Preferred EDA tool (KiCad, Altium, etc.)
• Estimated timeline and availability
ESP32-C6 + TI IWR6843AOP mmWave Radar Custom PCB Design
⸻
Project Description
We are looking for an experienced hardware / PCB design engineer to design a custom integrated PCB combining:
• Texas Instruments IWR6843AOP mmWave radar SoC (antennas-on-package)
• ESP32-C6 (8MB flash) (Wi-Fi / BLE / main controller)
The goal is to create a production-oriented but developer-friendly board for a mmWave-based presence / vital signs monitoring device (breathing, heart rate, presence detection).
This is not a copy of an EVM, but a reduced, optimized custom board following TI reference design guidelines.
⸻
Scope of Work
Core Requirements
Radar (IWR6843AOP):
• External QSPI flash (standalone boot)
• UART output for radar data and logs
• UART flashing support (boot mode via SOP pins)
• Reset pin exposed
• Power rails implemented exactly per TI hardware guidelines
• RF layout compliant with TI recommendations (AOP antenna keep-out respected)
ESP32-C6:
• Acts as main MCU and communication controller
• UART connection to radar
• OTA firmware update support
• USB or UART-based programming interface
• Boot and reset circuitry correctly implemented
• Wi-Fi / BLE antenna with proper keep-out
GPIO Expansion:
• All unused ESP32-C6 GPIOs must be broken out to solderable through-hole pads or headers
• GPIOs must be clearly labeled on silkscreen
• Exclude pins reserved for flash, USB, boot strapping, or internal peripherals
⸻
Power & Interfaces
• USB-C preferred for 5V input (data optional)
• Stable 3.3V rail for ESP32 and IO
• Radar power rails per TI reference design
• Proper decoupling, ferrite beads, and EMI best practices
• Test points for power, reset, UART, and boot signals
⸻
Deliverables
• Complete schematic
• PCB layout (RF-safe, mmWave-compliant)
• BOM with sourceable components
• Gerber files
• Pick & place / assembly files
• Brief documentation explaining:
• Boot modes
• Programming/flashing procedure
• Key design decisions
⸻
Nice to Have
• Prior experience with TI mmWave (IWR / AWR series)
• Experience with ESP32-C6 or ESP32 family
• RF / high-frequency PCB layout experience
• Design-for-manufacturing (DFM) mindset
⸻
What This Is NOT
• Not firmware development
• Not enclosure design
• Not antenna tuning (AOP antenna is used as-is)
• Not a full EVM replacement
⸻
Project Stage & Future Work
This is Phase 1 of a multi-stage product:
1. Integrated prototype board
2. Iteration for manufacturability
3. Final consumer product
Successful collaboration may lead to follow-up work.
⸻
To Apply, Please Include
• Brief summary of relevant PCB/RF experience
• Example projects (mmWave, ESP32, RF, or similar)
• Preferred EDA tool (KiCad, Altium, etc.)
• Estimated timeline and availability