# Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board

> A compact universal e-ink driver board based on ESP32-S3FN8 with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, 24-pin FFC interface compatible with most e-ink displays, USB-C and LiPo battery support, and Arduino development environment.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Heltec Automation
- **Price:** ~$9.9
- **CPU:** Xtensa LX7 dual-core @ 240MHz, FPU, vector instructions
- **CPU Architecture:** Xtensa LX7
- **CPU Cores:** 2
- **RAM:** 512KB SRAM
- **Flash:** 8MB (QSPI)
- **USB:** USB-C (via CP2102 UART bridge)
- **Power:** 5V via USB-C,3.7V LiPo battery (SH1.25-2)
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V
- **Operating Temp:** -10°C to +55°C
- **Dimensions:** 49 × 25mm
- **Weight:** 6.1g
- **Battery:** External LiPo (SH1.25-2 connector)
- **Antenna:** Built-in PCB antenna
- **SD Card:** No

## Connectivity

- **Wifi:** 802.11 b/g/n
- **Bluetooth:** BLE 5.0, Bluetooth Mesh

## Use Cases

- e-ink-development
- electronic-shelf-labels
- digital-signage
- smart-display
- e-paper-display

## Components

- **ESP32-S3FN8** (mcu): Xtensa LX7 dual-core processor at 240MHz with 8MB flash, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 5 (BLE + Mesh). Provides the main processing, wireless connectivity, and SPI bus for e-ink display control. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espressif.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocumentation%2Fesp32-s3_datasheet_en.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- **CP2102** (usb-uart): Silicon Labs USB 2.0 full-speed to UART bridge IC providing serial programming and debug interface via USB-C connector. Includes DTR/RTS auto-reset circuit for one-click flashing. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silabs.com%2Fdocuments%2Fpublic%2Fdata-sheets%2FCP2102-9.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- **TP4054** (battery-charger): Standalone linear Li-Ion/LiPo battery charger with constant current/constant voltage algorithm, thermal regulation, and charge status indicator. Programmed for charging via the 2K resistor on PROG pin. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.digikey.com%2Fpdf%2FData%2520Sheets%2FUTD%2520Semi%2520PDFs%2FTP4054.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- **CE6260B33M** (voltage-regulator): Low-dropout CMOS voltage regulator from Chipower providing stable 3.3V output with high PSRR (Power Supply Rejection Ratio) to power the ESP32-S3 and peripherals. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alldatasheet.com%2Fdatasheet-pdf%2Fpdf%2F2132598%2FCHIPOWER%2FCE6260B33M.html&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **SPI** (E-Ink SPI): CLK: GPIO3, MOSI: GPIO2, CS: GPIO5, DC: GPIO4, RST: GPIO6, BUSY: GPIO7
- **UART** (UART0): TX: GPIO43, RX: GPIO44
- **FFC** (E-Ink FFC): 24-pin FFC connector: Directly wired to SPI + power rails

## GPIO Map

| Pin | Name | Type | Functions |
|-----|------|------|-----------|
| GPIO0 | Boot / User Button (BTN-0) | Boot | digital-input, digital-output, strapping |
| GPIO2 | E-Ink SDI (MOSI) | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm, adc, touch |
| GPIO3 | E-Ink CLK (SCK) | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm, adc, touch |
| GPIO4 | E-Ink D/C (Data/Command) | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm, adc, touch |
| GPIO5 | E-Ink CS (Chip Select) | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm, adc, touch |
| GPIO6 | E-Ink RST (Reset) | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm |
| GPIO7 | E-Ink BUSY | SPI | digital-input, digital-output, pwm |
| GPIO8 | General Purpose IO | GPIO | digital-input, digital-output, pwm |
| GPIO43 | UART0 TX | UART | digital-input, digital-output, pwm |
| GPIO44 | UART0 RX | UART | digital-input, digital-output, pwm |

## Description

## Overview

The Heltec HT-DE01 is a universal e-ink driver board designed to work with most 24-pin FFC interface e-ink displays. Built around the ESP32-S3FN8 microcontroller, it provides WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 5 (BLE + Mesh) connectivity, enabling wireless display updates over the air or via web interface. The board integrates a CP2102 USB-to-UART bridge for easy Arduino-based development and flashing.

Despite its compact 49mm x 25mm footprint, the HT-DE01 packs a complete power management system with a TP4054 LiPo battery charger, SH1.25-2 battery connector, and automatic USB/battery power switching. The CE6260B33M LDO regulator provides a stable 3.3V rail, while diode protection and a 500mA fuse safeguard the board. This makes it ideal for battery-powered e-ink signage and portable display projects.

The board drives e-ink panels through a dedicated SPI bus (GPIO2-7) connected to the 24-pin FFC connector, which carries all necessary signals including PREVGH/PREVGL gate driver voltages and GDR output. The Vext power rail is controllable via GPIO to completely shut down the e-ink display for ultra-low power sleep modes. Heltec provides a complete Arduino SDK with sample code and an E-Ink library supporting 1.54", 2.13", and 2.9" panels.

## Where to Buy

- [Heltec Official Store](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fheltec.org%2Fproject%2Fe-ink-driveboard%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export) — 9.90

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fheltec.org%2Fproject%2Fe-ink-driveboard%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2FHelTecAutomation%2FHeltec_ESP32&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- [wiki](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.heltec.org%2Fen%2Fnode%2Fesp32%2Fht_de01%2Findex.html&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- [datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fresource.heltec.cn%2Fdownload%2FHT-DE01%2FUniversal%2520E-Ink%2520Driver.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)
- [schematics](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fresource.heltec.cn%2Fdownload%2FHT-DE01%2FHTDE01_sch.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=heltec-ht-de01&source=md-export)

## Tags

`e-ink`, `e-paper`, `ESP32-S3`, `display-driver`, `wireless`, `battery-powered`, `arduino`, `heltec`

## Images

![Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-ht-de01/4b7d7fca9a5f.png)
![Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-ht-de01/6c0a58594cbd.png)
![Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-ht-de01/b597897b9241.png)
![Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-ht-de01/9621ba52a187.png)
![Heltec HT-DE01 Multi Size E-Ink Drive Board](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/heltec-ht-de01/e6b253f0d86c.png)

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