6 or 12 Node Cluster Wardriving Container V2 for Seeed Studio XIAO

The V2 container features several improvements over V1, including a new smaller 6-node variant, ventilation for improved cooling, smaller size, and support for dedicated battery controllers.

These containers hold 6 or 12 Seeed Studio XIAO microcontrollers, each with its own external antenna, as well as a battery controller. I use them with XIAO ESP32-C5s for dual-band cluster wardriving.

The containers' outer dimensions are 140 x 66 x 45 mm (6-node) and 181.5 x 104 x 45 mm (12-node).

The base and lid assemble using six M3x6 screws, which thread into six M3x5 heat-set inserts mounted at the top of the base. The battery controller mounts to the inside of the base using four additional screws and inserts.

My containers were printed in transparent PETG on a Prusa MK4S. Transparent filament allows the indicator LEDs to be seen from the outside. PLA is not recommended due to its potential for warping when outside in the sun or in a hot car - use PETG or another filament with higher heat resistance.

The base should be printed with the bottom down, and the lid with the top down. I recommend using some small supports for the screw holes on the lid, which can be easily removed after printing by poking a screw through the holes. No other supports should be necessary.

The XIAOs are mounted along the alignment ridges on the underside of the lid with VHB tape, and are each connected to an external Wi-Fi antenna terminal using U.FL to SMA adapters. Make sure to use the correct antenna adapters - antennas may be SMA (pin on antenna) or RP-SMA (pin on terminal), and each requires its own type of terminal.

The XIAOs are staggered and spaced to allow USB-C connectors with up to an 11mm housing. While it is possible to power all the XIAOs with a single USB cable by wiring their power pins together, I prefer to power each XIAO with its own USB connector so that assembly and MCU replacement are easier.

These containers are designed to use DIYMORE 5V/3A 18650 battery shields. The 6-node container has mounts positioned for the two-battery model, and the 12-node container has mounts positioned for the four-battery model. Clicking the power button once will power the unit on, and clicking it twice will power it off. The batteries can be charged via the included USB-C port.

I use a single 1x USB-A to 6x USB-C splitter cable for the 6 unit container, and two 1-to-6 splitters with an additional 1-to-2 USB-A splitter for the 12 unit container.

Designed with Onshape.