stepSENSE – Modular ESP32 Sensor Platform
Overview
stepSENSE is a modular sensor platform built on ESP32, designed for the space between hobby maker boards and full industrial hardware. The physical format is matched to Hammond plastic enclosures for clean wall or ceiling mounting. The software ecosystem covers ESPHome, Arduino, and PlatformIO — every supported sensor ships with a ready-to-use YAML config and a C++ library.
Two form factors cover different scopes:
- stepSENSE32 — compact single-board carrier, 60x60 mm, ESP32-C3 or C6
- stepSENSE132 — smart room sensor hub, 80x80 mm, ESP32-S3
Both boards share the same 2.54mm sensor module connector — all sensor modules are cross-compatible across the entire platform.
stepSENSE is suitable for:
- Rapid prototyping and firmware development
- Sensor manufacturer evaluation on ESP32
- Home automation and smart building deployment
- Light industrial monitoring (RS485, CAN, Modbus)
- Room intelligence (presence, voice, IR, LED control)
Platform Architecture
Two Deployment Variants per Board
Each stepSENSE board ships in two variants targeting different stages of a project:
EVAL
Designed for development, prototyping, and sensor evaluation.
- CH341 USB-C → UART serial converter — plug in, flash, debug
- Ideal for firmware development, lab use, and sensor manufacturer evaluation
- No tools required to get started
PRO
Designed for permanent installation and production deployment.
- Native USB-C directly to ESP32 — no converter overhead
- JST service connector — emergency serial access for recovery flashing
- Screw terminal block for field cable connections
- Input voltage 6–28V DC with wide-range DC/DC converter
- CE certification available
Board Comparison
| stepSENSE32 | stepSENSE132 | |
|---|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-C3 / ESP32-C6 | ESP32-S3 |
| Enclosure | Hammond 1551V3 | Hammond 1551V4 |
| Sensor connector | 2.54mm (I²C + SPI + 4× GPIO) | 2.54mm (I²C + SPI + 4× GPIO) |
| USB | USB-C serial | USB-C native |
| Ethernet | — | Built-in |
| Microphone | — | Digital MEMS |
| Radar sensor | — | Presence + motion |
| WLED output | — | Built-in |
| IrDA | — | Transceiver |
| Power input | 5V USB / 6–28V DC | 6–28V DC |
| Mount | Wall / ceiling | Wall / ceiling |
| Target use | Single sensor / eval | Room intelligence hub |
Communication Variants
Both boards are available with different communication interfaces. All variants include Wi-Fi as the base layer:
| Suffix | Interface | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
-W | Wi-Fi + BLE | Home automation, maker, lab |
-E | Wi-Fi + Ethernet | Wired LAN, reliable uptime |
-C | Wi-Fi + CAN bus | Machinery, automotive |
-R | Wi-Fi + RS485 / Modbus RTU | SCADA, BMS, industrial |
-L | Wi-Fi + Relay | Standard thermostat, industrial |
-X | All interfaces | Gateway, flagship |
Sensor Modules
Sensor modules are small PCBs connecting to the carrier board via a standard 2.54mm pin header. The connector provides I²C, SPI, and 4× GPIO — covering virtually all digital sensor interfaces.
Every sensor module ships with:
- ESPHome
.yamlconfiguration file - Arduino library (
stepSENSE_[sensor]) - PlatformIO project example
- Schematic and pinout diagram
Module Categories
Environmental
| Module | Sensor | Measures | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE-ENV | SHT41, SGP41,LPS22DF | T + H + VOC + NOx + Bar | SENSIRION, ST |
| stepSENSE-SCD40 | SCD40 | CO₂ + T + RH (NDIR) | SENSIRION |
| stepSENSE-SCD41 | SCD41 | CO₂ + T + RH (NDIR) | SENSIRION |
| stepSENSE-SGP40 | SGP40 | VOC | SENSIRION |
| stepSENSE-SGP41 | SGP41 | VOC + NOx index | SENSIRION |
| stepSENSE-SHT41 | SHT41 | T + H | SENSIRION |
| stepSENSE-BMP180 | BMP180 | T + Bar | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-BMP280 | BMP280 | T + Bar | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-BME280 | BME280 | T + H + Bar | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-BME280 | BME280 | T + H + Bar | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-BME680 | BME680 | T + H + Bar + VOC | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-BMP390 | BMP390 | Barometric pressure + T | Bosch Sensortec |
| stepSENSE-CCS811 | CCS811 | VOC + eCO2 | AMS |
*Sensor types are continuously being added
Industrial Inputs
| Module | Interface | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE-420 | Analog | 4–20 mA current loop |
| stepSENSE-010 | Analog | 0–10V analog input |
| stepSENSE-RTD | SPI (MAX31865) | PT100 / PT1000 RTD |
| stepSENSE-TC | SPI (MAX31856) | K-type thermocouple |
| stepSENSE-CNT | GPIO pulse | Energy meter / flow meter pulse |
| stepSENSE-1W | 1-Wire | DS18B20 sensor networks |
Electrical Measurement
| Module | Sensor | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE-PWR | INA226 | Current + power + voltage (I²C) |
| stepSENSE-PWR-AC | ATM90E26 | AC energy metering |
| stepSENSE-ACS | ACS712 | AC/DC current clamp |
Liquid & Gas
| Module | Interface | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE-FLOW | GPIO pulse | Liquid flow (pulse meter) |
| stepSENSE-LVL | Ultrasonic / capacitive | Tank level |
| stepSENSE-GAS | MEMS | Combustible gas |
Software Ecosystem
Every sensor in the stepSENSE catalog is supported across three environments. The same sensor module works identically on stepSENSE32 and stepSENSE132.
ESPHome — standard for every sensor
Each sensor module ships with a ready-to-use .yaml file. Drop in Wi-Fi credentials, flash, and the sensor appears in Home Assistant.
# stepSENSE-CO2 — SCD40 example
sensor:
- platform: scd4x
co2:
name: "CO2"
temperature:
name: "Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Humidity"
update_interval: 30s
Arduino
Each sensor has a dedicated Arduino library with a unified API:
#include <stepSENSE_CO2.h>
stepSENSE_CO2 air;
void setup() {
air.begin();
}
void loop() {
Serial.println(air.co2());
Serial.println(air.temperature());
delay(30000);
}
Install via Arduino Library Manager or from github.com/inovaea.
PlatformIO
Add to platformio.ini:
[env:stepsense32-c6]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32-c6-devkitc-1
framework = arduino
lib_deps =
inovaea/stepSENSE-core
inovaea/stepSENSE-CO2
Full board manifests and tested project examples available in the inovaea GitHub repository.
Enclosures
Both form factors are matched to Hammond Manufacturing ABS plastic enclosures with integrated wall and ceiling mounting plates.
| Board | Enclosure | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE32 | Hammond 1551V3 | 60 × 60 × 20 mm |
| stepSENSE132 | Hammond 1551V4 | 80 × 80 × 20 mm |
PCB dimensions are designed to fit the enclosure exactly. Mounting hardware included.
Use Cases
- →USB-C in, ESPHome YAML, done
- →Swap sensor modules without soldering
- →Arduino and PlatformIO examples included
- →Open firmware, open schematics
- →Ready-made ESP32 carrier for your sensor
- →I²C, SPI, GPIO exposed on standard 2.54mm
- →USB-C programming, no adapter needed
- →Full Wi-Fi + BLE for wireless data logging
- →6–28V DC, screw terminals, Hammond enclosure
- →RS485 / Modbus RTU integration
- →4–20 mA and PT100 sensor modules
- →CE certification on volume orders
- →Presence detection, voice, IR, LED — one device
- →Environmental sensor module on the same board
- →Ethernet for wired reliability
- →Full ESPHome + Home Assistant integration
Products
- stepSENSE32 — compact modular sensor platform, Hammond 1551V3
- stepSENSE132 — room intelligence hub, Hammond 1551V4
Downloads
- Sensor module connector pinout diagram (coming soon)
- Sensor module design template — KiCad (coming soon)
- ESPHome YAML library (coming soon)
- Arduino library bundle (coming soon)