It was only last month that M5Stack launched the M5Stamp Pico module based on an ESP32-PICO-D4 SiP and heat-resistant plastic shell, but M5Stamp C3 board is already out with most of the same specifications and features but an ESP32-C3 RISC-V SoC replaces the ESP32 dual-core Xtensa processor.
M5Stamp C3 offers WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 with high bitrate and long-range connectivity and comes with the same heat-resistant plastic shell, but the company also highlights the RSA-3072-based secure boot and the AES-128-XTS-based flash encryption as a more secure way to address Bluetooth security concerns.
- WiSoC – ESP32-C3FH4 32-bit single-core RISC-V processor @ up to 160 MHz, with 384KB ROM, 400KB SRAM, 8KB RTC SRAM, 4MB embedded flash, WiFI and Bluetooth
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz WiFi 4, 20 MHz and 40 MHz bandwidth, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n protocol, up to 150 Mbps
- Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh, with supports for 125 Kbps, 500 Kbps, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps bitrate, long-range
- 2.4G 3D Antenna
- USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming via CH9102 USB to TTL chip
- Expansion – 2.54mm pitch headers with ADC, 13x GPIO, SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, PWM, RMT, DMA, USB Serial, TWAI
- Misc – 1x user button, 1x reset button, user RGB LED
- Input voltage – 5V @ 500mA via USB-C port
- Dimensions – 34 x 20 x 4.5mm
- Weight – 3.8 grams
The board is sold in single units as part of the M5Stamp C3 Mate kit that also comes with headers, grove connectors, and a hex/Allen key. Alternatively, it is also sold as part of a pack of 5 with the board and heat-resistant plastic shell only. M5Stamp C3 Mate is sold for $6, while the bundle with 5 pieces of M5Stamp C3 goes for $28.90. You’ll find both on the M5Stack store.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
I just got hold of some of M5 Stamp Pico’s, used 1, with a Meshtastic DIY prototype, so these appear to be a good deal, since they have added USB-to-serial and more GPIO’s, but single core
@Mark Birss said: “I just got hold of some of M5 Stamp Pico’s…these appear to be a good deal, since they have added USB-to-serial and more GPIO’s, but single core.”
Incorrect, the M5 Stamp Pico uses the ESP32-PICO-D4 which contains two (2) cores. Check out the ESP32-PICO-D4 datasheet v1.9 pg.-3 “3.1 CPU and Internal Memory”.[1] M5’s STAMP-PICO product page [2] says: “STAMP-PICO features an ultra-compact design with two low-power Xtensa® 32-bit LX6 microprocessors…”
I think you misunderstood Mark’s comments. I think he meant he purchased the M5 Stamp Pico, but the new model (M5Stamp C3) looks to be a good deal with USB-C and extra GPIOs.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc said: “I think you misunderstood Mark’s comments. I think he meant he purchased the M5 Stamp Pico, but the new model (M5Stamp C3) looks to be a good deal with USB-C and extra GPIOs.”
Yup, I dropped some mescaline and read Mark’s post forwards and backwards a few times. I see it now. I probably did misunderstand Mark’s comment. Thanks!
3D antenna… ROFL! That’s just a bog standard folded metal PIFA antenna.
yes and like (almost) always $6 plus $29.66 shipping (Germany). Great deal!
That is the fast shipping. The slow shipping: Post Air Mail( 14-28days ) $5.98
It supports microPython. How does that work? Do you generate bytecode on your development system, and then transfer bytecode to the microcontroller?
The MicroPyhon firmware usually provides a REPL interface where you can type Python commands in the terminal, or you can copy .py files directly to the board.
I tested it on ESP32 a while ago:
https://www.cnx-software.com/2017/10/16/esp32-micropython-tutorials/#led-blink-sample-with-micropython
But now everything is a bit easier and should work in basically the same way as for Raspberry Pi Pico @ https://www.cnx-software.com/2021/01/24/getting-started-with-raspberry-pi-pico-using-micropython-and-c/#micropython-on-raspberry-pi-pico.
The main differences should be the way to flash the firmware (RPI Pico: UF2, ESP32: esptool), and the API used depends on the supported features e.g. WiFi.
Thank you, Jean-Luc.