The Flipper Zero is an open-source hardware device that functions as a versatile platform for penetration testing and digital forensics. One of its key components is the ESP8266 chip, which acts as the device's Wi-Fi module. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of soldering the ESP8266 chip onto a PCB to build your own Flipper Zero device.
Before we get started, let's take a look at the tools and components you'll need:
- ESP8266 chip
- Double Sided PCB Board Universal Printed Circuit Proto Board
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Tweezers
- Flux (optional)
Step 1: Clean the PCB
Before you start soldering, it's essential to clean the PCB to ensure a strong connection between the chip and the board. Use a dry cloth or a cleaning agent to remove any dust or debris from the PCB.
Step 2: Apply flux (optional)
Using a brush or a dropper, apply a small amount of flux to the pads on the PCB where the ESP8266 chip will be soldered. The flux helps the solder flow and adhere better to the metal pads.
Step 3: Place the ESP8266 chip
Using tweezers, carefully place the ESP8266 chip on the PCB, making sure the pins line up with the pads. It's important to be gentle when handling the chip to avoid damaging it.
Step 4: Heat up the soldering iron
Turn on your soldering iron and wait for it to heat up. The temperature should be around 365°C to 380°C for most types of solder.
Step 5: Solder the ESP8266 chip
Using the tip of the soldering iron, apply a small amount of solder to each of the pins on the ESP8266 chip, making sure the solder adheres to both the pin and the pad. Use just enough solder to make a strong connection, but not so much that it creates a big blob.
ESP8266 Pinout to Flipper Zero
ESP8266: 1 (TX0) -> FZ: 14 or 16 (these are RX pins)
ESP8266: 3 (RX0) -> FZ: 13 or 15 (these are TX pins)
ESP8266: 5 -> FZ: 7
ESP8266: 6 -> FZ: 6
ESP8266: 7 -> FZ: 5
ESP8266: 8 -> FZ: 4
ESP8266: VIN -> FZ: 1 – This will provide the power necessary to run the chip.
ESP8266: GND -> FZ: 8 or 11 (GND)
FZ: 16 -> FZ: 18 (yes, FZ to FZ)
Switch between UART Pins 13/14 and 15/16 setting in FlipperZero
(GPIO -> USB-UART Bridge -> LEFT -> UART Pins)
A visual pinout can be seen in this PDF, too.
Step 6: Check for defects
After you've finished soldering the ESP8266 chip, inspect the connections for any defects, such as lifted pads or short circuits. If you find any issues, you can use a soldering iron and solder wick to remove the excess solder and fix the problem.
Step 7: Test the connections
Finally, power on the Flipper Zero device and check the connections to make sure everything is working correctly. If you plug in the device with the Flipper Zero turned on, you should reboot before attempting to open the Wifi Scanner or similar program. If everything looks good, you're all set!
Conclusion
In this article, we've covered the steps for soldering an ESP8266 chip onto a PCB for the Flipper Zero. With the right tools and a little bit of patience, anyone can do this at home. Good luck, and have fun building your own addon boards for your Flipper Zero device!