Hardware design
Inkplate 5V2 is an open-source product, and we are happy to share an overview of its hardware design. On the following pages, you'll find schematics, KiCad design files, and other technical details related to the hardware. Whether you're looking to modify, troubleshoot, or simply understand the inner workings of Inkplate, this section has everything you need.
Basic overview
The Inkplate 5V2 features a 5.17″ e-paper display, USB-C connectivity for both power and programming, abundant GPIO pins with I2C, SPI, and Qwiic header, on‑board ESP32–driven Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, CH340C USB‑to‑UART bridging, microSD expansion, and TI-based power management (battery charging and temperature sensing) — all in a form factor primed for custom enclosures.
Components
Here is an overview of on‑board components with their locations:
E-paper panel
The ED052TC4 is a 5.17-inch e-paper display panel from E Ink Holdings Inc. This model is without a frontlight or touchscreen, making it ideal for low-power, high-contrast applications such as e-book readers.
It features a 720 × 1280 resolution, a reflective matte treatment, and supports 3-bit grayscale. The display operates in a 0°C to 50°C temperature range and can be stored in temperatures as low as -25°C.
See the table below for detailed specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | E Ink |
| Model Number | ED052TC4 |
| Diagonal Size | 5.17 inches |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels |
| Pixel Format | Rectangle |
| Active Area | 64.44 (H)×114.56 (V)mm |
| Outline Dimensions | 69.14 (W) × 124.59 (H) × 0.68 (D) |
| Touchscreen | No (this version has no touchscreen) |
| Backlight | No backlight, no driver |
| Interface | Parallel |
| Voltage Supply | 3.3V (Typ.) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C |
| Storage Temperature | -25°C to 70°C |