M5Stack StickS3 is a miniature ESP32-S3 WiFi and BLE IoT development kit/controller powered by an Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-PICO-1-N8R8 system-in-package with 8MB flash and 8MB PSRAM, and equipped with a 1.14-inch display, built-in microphone and speaker, as well as an integrated IR receiver and transmitter.
It’s an update to the ESP32-PICO-V3 based StickC-Plus2 with a more powerful ESP32-S3 module, a USB Type-C OTG port, improved audio integrating an ES8311 mono audio codec, a slightly larger 250 mAh battery, as well as a 4-pin Grove connector and a 16-pin female GPIO header for expansion.
M5Stack StickS3 specifications:
- SiP – Espressif ESP32-S3-PICO-1-N8R8 as found on the M5Stack ATOMS3R and ATOMS3R Cam IoT controllers
- SoC – ESP32-S3
- CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz
- Memory – 512KB SRAM, 16 KB RTC SRAM
- Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5 LE + Mesh
- Memory – 8MB QSPI PSRAM
- Storage – 8MB QSPI flash
- SoC – ESP32-S3
- Display – 1.14-inch color IPS screen with 240×135 resolution; ST7789P3 driver
- Audio
- ES8311 I2S audio codec with 24-bit resolution
- MEMS microphone, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 65 dB
- 8Ω/1W 2011 enclosure speaker and AW8737 power amplifier
- USB – USB-C port for power and programming
- Sensor – 6-axis BMI270 motion sensor
- Expansion
- 16-pin HAT2 port (2.54mm pitch)
- 4-pin Grove connector (5V no load, max: 4.88V @ 0.38A)
- Misc
- Button for bootloader mode (hold), power on (press), and power off (double press)
- Integrated IR transmitter + IR receiver
- Magnetic back design
- Power Supply
- 5V via USB-C port, Grove connector, or HAT2 port
- 250mAh battery
- Power Consumption
- Power off: 4.2V @ 14.02uA
- L1 state: 4.2V @ 52.47uA
- L2 state: 4.2V @ 102.40uA
- L3A state: 4.2V @ 36.69mA
- Full load: 4.2V @ 519.02mA
- Dimensions – 48 x 24 x 15mm
- Weight – 20 grams
- Temperature Range – 0 ~ 40°C
Some notable warnings about the kit:
- The Grove interface at the bottom of the device can be configured in 5V output or input mode. The interface defaults to input mode, in which 5V power can be supplied via the Grove interface, the EXT_5V on the top Hat2-Bus, or the 5VIN interface. When configured in output mode, input is only allowed via USB or the 5V IN on the top Hat2-Bus. Do not supply power from other output interfaces due to a short circuit risk
- When using the IR receiving function, the speaker power amplifier must be turned off
- When powered by battery (USB not connected), it is recommended to keep the speaker volume below 75% to avoid unexpected device reboot caused by excessive power consumption.
M5Stack provides support for Arduino, UiFlow2 web-based visual programming IDE, the ESP-IDF framework, and PlatformIO, and you’ll also find a tutorial explaining how to use the StickS3 with Xiaozhi voice assistant firmware. You’ll find resources to get started, schematics, and other resources on the documentation website.
M5Stack sells the StickS3, also called the M5StickS3, for $21.50 on AliExpress and the company’s 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.
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