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ESP32 Squash Court Scoreboard

ESP32WS2812BATtiny85433 MHz RFEmbedded SystemsOnshape

Overview

This project started from a simple real-world problem: during a squash match, players should be focused on the game, not on remembering the score. I designed a dedicated electronic scoreboard that lets players increment points remotely and see the current score and set count instantly on a bright LED display.

The system combines embedded programming, wireless communication, power-conscious hardware design, and physical product design. I handled the design end to end, from concept and electronics choices to enclosure/CAD work and the overall system architecture.

Repository: github.com/usereri/scoreboard
CAD: Onshape design

System Architecture

  • ESP32 as the main controller for score logic, LED driving, and wireless input handling
  • WS2812B addressable LEDs used to build the score and set display for both players
  • 433 MHz STX882/SRX882 radio modules for remote point input without running wires across the court
  • ATtiny85 in the button unit to handle low-power input logic
  • Solar-powered button design with an amorphous panel and 1.5 F supercapacitor, avoiding a battery and enabling low-maintenance use

What I Worked On

  • Designed the scoreboard as a complete product rather than only a firmware exercise
  • Implemented the game logic for tracking points and sets per player
  • Integrated wireless score input through remote radio-connected buttons
  • Designed the LED segment layout and signal routing for both player displays
  • Made hardware decisions around low-power behavior, simplicity, and usability in a sports environment
  • Created the physical design and CAD model for the system

Key Design Decisions

  • Chose addressable LEDs to simplify wiring and allow flexible per-segment control
  • Used 433 MHz one-way RF as a practical, low-cost solution for reliable remote input
  • Used a supercapacitor instead of a battery in the button unit to reduce maintenance and avoid battery aging
  • Selected an amorphous solar panel for better performance in lower and more diffuse light conditions
  • Offloaded button handling to an ATtiny85 so the remote input unit could stay simple and power-efficient

Why It Matters

I like projects that solve a real problem with a complete system, not just an isolated technical demo. This scoreboard combines embedded software, hardware architecture, wireless communication, power management, CAD, and user-focused design in one build.

It is also a good example of the kind of engineering I want to keep doing: practical systems where software directly shapes the behavior of a physical product, and where reliability, usability, and design tradeoffs all matter at the same time.