PD Stepper - NEMA 17 Stepper Driver and Controller
The PD Stepper from Things by Josh is an all-in-one NEMA 17 stepper controller that mounts directly to the back of the motor. It combines an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a silent TMC2209 stepper driver, and an AS5600 magnetic encoder for closed-loop control. Power comes from any USB-C PD charger delivering up to 50W, so there is no need for bulky 12V or 24V power supplies. With a Qwiic connector, auxiliary port, three control buttons, and sensorless homing support, it is a compact, single-cable solution for smart motion projects.
وحدة PD Stepper من Things by Josh هي متحكم ومشغّل متكامل لمحركات الخطوة NEMA 17 يُركّب مباشرة على ظهر المحرك. تجمع بين متحكم ESP32-S3 المزود بشبكة Wi-Fi وبلوتوث، ومشغّل المحركات الصامت TMC2209، وحساس الزاوية المغناطيسي AS5600 لتحقيق تحكم بحلقة مغلقة. تُغذّى من أي شاحن USB-C PD بقدرة تصل إلى 50 واط، دون الحاجة إلى مزودات طاقة كبيرة بجهد 12 أو 24 فولت. ومع منفذ Qwiic ومنفذ إضافي وثلاثة أزرار تحكم ودعم التصفير بدون حساسات، توفر حلاً مدمجاً بكابل واحد لمشاريع الحركة الذكية.
Stepper motors are ideal for precision projects, but setting them up usually means combining a microcontroller, a separate driver board, a bulky 12V or 24V power supply, and plenty of wiring. The PD Stepper from Things by Josh removes that complexity by packing the entire motion control stack into one compact board that mounts directly onto the back of a standard NEMA 17 motor.
High Power Without Power Bricks
The PD Stepper uses the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard to negotiate higher voltage from a standard USB-C PD charger, driving the motor with up to 50W. A single USB-C cable handles both power and programming, keeping your setup clean and portable. An onboard 3.3V buck converter (up to 1A) efficiently powers the logic and any connected accessories.
Wireless Control with ESP32-S3
At its core is the ESP32-S3, a powerful 32-bit microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This enables wireless motor control, IoT integration, and straightforward use with platforms such as ESPHome and ESP-NOW.
Silent and Efficient Driving
The Trinamic TMC2209 driver is known for its ultra-quiet stealthChop operation and high efficiency. It also supports sensorless homing, which eliminates the need for external limit switches in many applications.
Closed-Loop Precision
An AS5600 magnetic rotary encoder on the rear of the board provides absolute angle measurement of the motor shaft. This enables true closed-loop control, so the motor does not lose steps and always reaches its intended position.
Easy Expansion
A Qwiic / STEMMA QT connector gives solderless access to the SparkFun Qwiic ecosystem, so you can add sensors, displays, or relays in seconds. An AUX connector provides extra lines for I2C, serial, inputs, or outputs, and there is also an input for motor temperature measurement.
Compact and Complete
The board includes a JST PH 4-pin motor connector, three control buttons, and four LEDs (two programmable). It ships with a robust cooling solution of aluminium heatsinks and a polycarbonate protective cover. Whether you are building a camera slider, an automated feeder, or a smart window opener, the PD Stepper is one of the easiest ways to get started with stepper motion control.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Things by Josh |
| Microcontroller | ESP32-S3 (32-bit, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) |
| Stepper Driver | Trinamic TMC2209 (stealthChop, sensorless homing) |
| Position Sensor | AS5600 magnetic absolute rotary encoder (rear-mounted) |
| Power Input | USB-C Power Delivery (PD) |
| Maximum Power | Up to 50W |
| Logic Regulator | 3.3V buck converter, up to 1A |
| Motor Connector | JST PH, 4-pin |
| Expansion Connector | Qwiic / STEMMA QT (I2C) |
| Auxiliary Connector | AUX port (I2C, serial, input, output) |
| Additional Input | Motor temperature measurement |
| User Controls | 3 push buttons |
| Indicators | 4 LEDs (2 programmable) |
| Cooling | Aluminium heatsinks |
| Protection | Polycarbonate cover |
| Form Factor | NEMA 17 footprint, mounts to the back of a standard NEMA 17 motor |
| Compatible Motors | NEMA 17 stepper motors |
| Software Support | ESPHome, ESP-NOW, Arduino-compatible ESP32 development |
Applications
- Camera sliders and motorised pan/tilt systems
- Automated pet and fish feeders
- Smart window, blind, and curtain openers
- Home automation projects with ESPHome and Home Assistant
- Wireless IoT motion control systems
- Robotics and precise positioning mechanisms
- Laboratory automation such as syringe pumps and sample handlers
- CNC, 3D printing, and maker projects needing a single-axis controller
- Educational and STEM projects on motion control and closed-loop systems