ESP-Hosted simplifies adding WiFi connectivity to legacy Linux or MCU-based products

ESP-Hosted

Most of the ESP8266 and ESP32 projects and products we cover here use the Espressif microcontroller as the main chip, but ESP8266 started as a WiFi module meant to be controlled with AT commands from a host device. But there are still “legacy” products that may benefit from connecting to the cloud, and Espressif introduced the ESP-Hosted for that purpose in 2020, and recently released a next-generation ESP-Hosted solution (ESP-Hosted-NG) specifically for Linux hosts. The solution is available in two variants: ESP-Hosted-FG (First generation) exposing an Ethernet interface to the host and suitable for microcontrollers and Linux hosts, and the ESP-Hosted-NG presenting an 802.11 network interface and designed for Linux hosts only. Both solutions include ESP32 firmware and a host driver running on the legacy system. Espressif Systems recommends using ESP-Hosted-FG on an MCU host, and ESP-Hosted-NG on a Linux host in order to benefit from Linux user space applications/services […]

Telink energy harvesting wireless module to enable batteryless remote controls

Telink Energy Harvesting Multi protocol Wireless module TV remote control

Telink TLSR8273-M-EH is a multi-protocol wireless connectivity module with energy harvesting capabilities implemented through Nowi’s PMIC, and designed for batteryless devices (or ones with “forever batteries”) such as TV remote controls, but also wearables, and electronic shelf labels among others. The solution is based on a 48MHz RISC microcontroller that supports Bluetooth 5.1 LE, 802.15.4 (Zigbee/RF4CE/6LoWPAN/Thread), and 2.4GHz proprietary protocols. With a single module integrating all main components required for batteryless operation, Telink says its solutions reduce BOM and size, as well as supply chain complexity, and improves user-friendliness by removing the need for battery swaps. Telink TLSR8273-M-EH specifications: Core – 32-bit RISC microcontroller @ up to 48 MHz (CoreMark 1.25/MHz) Memory – 64 KB SRAM with 32 KB retention Storage – 512 KB flash RF Bluetooth 5.1 LE up to 2 Mbps, with AOA/AOD support, Bluetooth Mesh IEEE 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee, RF4CE, 6LoWPAN, Thread 2.4GHz proprietary protocols RX […]

$7 Lolin S3 ESP32-S3 board ships with MicroPython firmware

Lolin S3 ESP32-S3 board

Lolin S3 is the first ESP32-S3 board from the company, but instead of using the more compact D1 mini form factor, the board features a longer design with two rows of 20 pins offering up to 31 GPIOs. Based on ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module, the board features 16MB QSPI flash, 8MB SPRAM, two USB Type-C OTG and UART ports, a Lolin I2C port, an RGB LED, as well as Reset and user buttons. Lolin S3 specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module with: Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 @ up to 240 MHz with vector instructions for AI acceleration, 512KB RAM, 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE with support for long-range, up to 2Mbps data rate, mesh networking 16MB QSPI flash 8MB PSRAM PCB antenna USB – 2x USB Type-C ports, one OTG port, one UART port for programming and debugging Expansion 2x 20-pin headers with up to 31x GPIO, […]

WiCAN ESP32-C3 CAN Bus platform is available in USB-CAN and OBD-II form factors (Crowdfunding)

WiCAN ESP32 C3 USB OBD II CAN Bus

WiCAN is an ESP32-C3 CAN bus adapter that works over USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth LE, and designed for car hacking and general CAN bus development. The device is available in USB-CAN and OBD-II form factors and comes with firmware that works with RealDash to create nice-looking dashboards with the data. RealDash can be installed on Android, iOS, and Windows 10 operating systems. WiCAN specifications: Wireless module – ESP32-C3-MINI-1 with ESP32-C3 RISC-V microcontroller with 2.4GHz WiFI 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 4 MB flash, PCB antenna CAN 2.0 A/B interface up to 1 Mbps Host interface WiCAN-OBD – OBD-II connector WiCAN-USB – Mini USB port for USB-to-UART up to 6 Mbps Power Supply WiCAN-ODB – 7.5V to 16V (Vbat) WiCAN-USB – 7.5V to 36V via screw-terminal connector Power Consumption – <= 1 mA in battery-saving mode The CAN Bus adapter also supports firmware updates over WiFi, and can be used either […]

Wireless M-Bus & LTE Cat 1 sensor board also supports Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave, Bluetooth LE 5.0, LoRa…

Geniatech SBC32IM

Geniatech SCB32IM is a sensor board based on Silicon Labs EFR32FG14 Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller with a sub-GHz radio enabling wireless M-Bus (Wireless Meter Bus) designed for remote reading of smart meters, and also equipped with a Quectel EC200S “IoT/M2M-optimized” LTE Cat 1 module. The sensor module does not actually come with any sensor on board, but provides a terminal block to connect any sensor you may need for your product. It’s also possible to extend wireless connectivity options with Zigbee 3.0, Z-Wave, Bluetooth LE 5.0, LoRa, and more through the GT-IoT interface with UART, SPI, and one GPIO. Geniatech SBC32IM specifications: Microcontroller – Silicon Labs EFR32FG14 Aem Cortex-M4 MCU @ 40MHz with up to 256 KB flash, 32 KB RAM, and proprietary 2.4GHz and sub-GHz radios Wireless connectivity Wireless M-Bus S Mode: 868 MHz band T Mode: 868 MHz band C Mode: 868 MHz band N Mode: 169 MHz band […]

SONOFF NSPanel Pro Android control panel doubles as WiFi & Zigbee Smart Home gateway

SONOFF NSPanel Pro

ITEAD has introduced the SONOFF NSPanel Pro Smart Home control panel running Android 8.1 on a Rockchip PX30 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor and acting as a Smart Home gateway thanks to an 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee 3.0, and 2.4 GHz 802.11b WiFi for connectivity. The NSPanel Pro follows the ESP32-powered SONOFF NSPanel introduced just last year but offers much more flexibility with Android, 2GB RAM, 8GB eMMC flash, and also offers a slightly larger 3.95-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 480×480 resolution. SONOFF NSPanel Pro specifications: SoC – Rockchip PX30 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor with Arm Mali-G31 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB eMMC 5.1 flash Display – 3.95-inch capacitive touchscreen color TFT display with 480×480 resolution Audio – 1W speaker, digital microphone for two-way communication (intercom) Connectivity 802.15.4 radio with Zigbee 3.0 support. Matter and BLE Mesh scheduled for 2023 2.4 GHz 802.11b WiFi Sensor – Light sensor for […]

ESP-WIFI-CSI detects humans with WiFi signals only, no sensor needed

ESP-WiFi-CSI

Espressif ESP-WIFI-CSI software relies on the disturbance in the force WiFi signals between one or more ESP32 boards and a router to detect whether humans are present in a room, or even indoor positioning, providing a cost-effective solution since no sensors are needed. Channel state information (CSI) leverages carrier signal strength, amplitude, phase, and signal delay indicators to reveal the signal scattering, reflection, and power attenuation phenomena that occur with the carrier as the transmission distance changes. This is typically used to measure the channel status of the wireless network in Wi-Fi communication, but it’s also possible to analyze and study the changes in CSI to detect movements such as walking and running of people or animals, and Espressif claims it can also capture subtle movements caused by small movements such as breathing and chewing of people or animals in a static environment. ESP-WIFI-CSI implementation works with all ESP32 series […]

TTGO T4 ESP32 board features 2.4-inch color display, IP5306 battery charging IC

2.4-inch display ESP32 board battery charging

LilyGO has launched yet another ESP32 board with an integrated color display. The TTGO T4 offers a 2.2-inch or 2.4-inch color display, LiPo battery support, but in contrast to many other boards from the company, features a battery charging circuitry based on Injonic IP5306 “fully-integrated power bank system-on-chip with 2.1A charger, 2.4A discharger”. The WiFi and Bluetooth IoT board is also equipped with 4MB flash, a MicroSD card socket, 8MB PSRAM, a 20-pin GPIO header and a 5-pin I2C connector for expansion, and a few buttons for programming and user control. TTGO T4 v1.3 specifications: Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32 dual-core Tensilica LX6 microcontroller @ up to 240 MHz with 520 KB SRAM, wireless connectivity RAM – 8MB SPRAM (ISSI PN18S32) Storage – 4MB SPI NOR flash, MicroSD card slot Connectivity (ESP32) 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi 4 Bluetooth 4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth LE 3D antenna and u.FL connector […]