An open-source ESP32-C6 based solution designed to integrate legacy RS232 serial devices into Home Assistant via ESPHome.
- Bidirectional Communication: Unlike IR, receive real-time status feedback (Power, Lamp Hours, Input Source) from your hardware.
- Modern Platform: Powered by the ESP32-C6, ensuring low power consumption and future-proofing for modern protocols.
- Native ESPHome: "Plug & Play" integration with Home Assistant using simple YAML configurations.
- Dedicated Hardware: Integrated MAX3232 transceiver with power filtering and ESD protection for reliable industrial-grade signals.
The board is designed to be compact and modular, leveraging the Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem.
- MCU: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6.
- Serial Interface: True RS232 via MAX3232.
- Expandability: Dedicated I2C header for external sensors and a debug UART header.
- Form Factor: Ultra-compact design, perfect for mounting behind projectors or inside AV racks.
Example of the Home Assistant dashboard showing real-time commands and status mapping for the projector via RS232:
While Infrared (IR) is common, its one-way nature lacks reliability. By using the serial protocol, you gain:
- True Status: Confirm if a command was actually executed.
- Advanced Metrics: Monitor lamp hours, internal temperature, and error logs.
- Rock-Solid Reliability: No line-of-sight dependencies or interference from ambient lighting.
- Smart Automation: Create triggers based on actual device states (e.g., "Dim lights only when projector confirms Power On").
| Folder | Description |
|---|---|
Hardware/ |
KiCad files, schematics, and PCB layouts. |
Firmware/ |
ESPHome YAML configurations and automation logic. |
Docs/ |
Development notes and device-specific protocols. |
PROMO/ |
Visual assets and project renderings. |
Warning
Experimental: Firmware and entity mapping are currently under active development.
- Current Target Device: Dell 1609WX Projector.
- PCB Status: Functional and validated (V1.0).
- Next Steps: Implement protocol parsing for AV receivers (Denon/Onkyo) and refine state synchronization.
This is an open-source project for the community. If you want to add support for new hardware or optimize the ESPHome logic, your contributions are welcome!
This project is distributed as open-source hardware and software for hobbyist and educational use in home automation.