ESP8266 Community Forum

- Thu May 26, 2016 12:35 pm #48069 I'm laying out a project board to accept the WROOM-02 and have several questions.

In the WROOM-02 documentation, it shows the bottom of the WROOM's PCB. It appears to be a square patch of open copper. Should this area also be soldered to the projects PCB?

The WROOM-02 documentation shows the pad positions on your PCB but does NOT locate the open copper area. Can you supply the size and position of that area? -- I don't want to route any traces within that area.

Do you recommend positioning the WROOM such that the antenna area of the WROOM is positioned to hang OFF the project PCB or positioned over the project's PCB.

If the WROOM is positioned OVER the project's PCB, do you recommend the project's PCB provide a GND pour UNDER the WROOM's antenna area or should ALL copper be removed from that area?

I posted these questions on the Espressif site but they don't answer. I'm trying to finish up my board's layout and would like any information/comments you might have.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

- Thu May 26, 2016 12:46 pm #48070 I think this square pad is only for heat dissipation.
If your own PCB design has some green enamel coating or whatever color, there is no risk of having some traces at this location.

- Thu May 26, 2016 3:25 pm #48079 Thanks. I know it's for heat sinking -- I was wondering if they also wanted it soldered to the project board to add additional heat sinking.

Any information on the antenna positioning and grounding plane underneath it?

Thanks again.

- Thu May 26, 2016 4:06 pm #48081 You should avoid any thing nearby the antenna.
Look at this board to inspired yourself
https://international.switch-science.com/catalog/2500/