Espressif Systems ESP User Manual

Chapter 3. application solution
3.9.1 What is the one-to-one bit rate for ESP32 in ESP-NOW mode？
Test result:
• Test board: ESP32-DevKitC V4.
• Wi-Fi mode: station.
• PHY rate is 1 Mbps by default.
• Around 214 Kbps in opened environment.
• Around 555 Kbps in shielding box.
• If you require a higher rate, it’s feasible to con󰝘gure the rate through esp_wi󰝘_con󰝘g_espnow_rate.
3.9.2 What is ESP-NOW? What are its advantages and application scenarios?
• ESP-NOW is a connectionless communication protocol de󰝘ned by Espressif.
• In ESP-NOW, application data is encapsulated in action frames from di󰝗erent vendors and then transmitted
from one Wi-Fi device to another without a connection.
• ESP-NOW is ideal for smart lights, remote control devices, sensors, and other applications.
3.9.3 Can Wi-Fi be used with ESP-NOW at the same time?
• Yes, but it should be noted that the channel of ESP-NOW must be the same as that of the connected AP.
3.9.4 How do I set the rate at which ESP-NOW data is sent?
You may use the esp_wi󰝘_con󰝘g_espnow_rate() function to con󰝘gure the rate, such as
esp_wifi_config_espnow_rate(WIFI_IF_STA, WIFI_ PHY_RATE_MCS0_LGI).
3.9.5 ESP-NOW allows pairing with a maximum of 20 devices. Is there a way to control
more devices?
You can use broadcast packets and provide the destination addresses in the payload. The number of
addresses would then not be a󰝗ected by the limited number. You only need to con󰝘gure the correct
broadcast address.
3.9.6 What is the maximum number of devices that can be controlled by ESP-NOW?
This depends on the speci󰝘c communication method:
• If unicast packets are used, up to 20 devices can be paired and controlled at the same time.
• If ESP-NOW encrypted mode is used, up to 6 devices can be paired and controlled at the same
time.
• If broadcast packets are used, theoretically there is no limitation in the number of devices that
can be controlled. You only need to con󰝘gure the correct broadcast address and take care of the
interference issue when too many devices are paired.
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Espressif Systems ESP Specifications

General

Brand	Espressif Systems
Model	ESP
Category	Motherboard
Language	English