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Need help?Do you have a question about the Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 and is the answer not in the manual?
Details the key components of the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 board, including MCU module, LEDs, and ports.
Covers necessary hardware and software setup steps to begin development.
Illustrates the interconnections between the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 components and power flow.
Details the three methods available for providing power to the development board.
Provides names and functions of pins on both sides of the board for easy interfacing.
The ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is an entry-level development board designed to facilitate the development of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE applications. It is equipped with either an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 or ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U module, which are general-purpose Wi-Fi + Bluetooth LE MCU modules. These modules integrate complete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE functions, making the board suitable for a wide range of applications requiring wireless connectivity. The board's design emphasizes ease of use, with most of the I/O pins broken out to pin headers on both sides, allowing for straightforward interfacing with peripherals.
The core function of the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is to serve as a versatile platform for application development using the ESP32-S3 series of microcontrollers. The integrated ESP32-S3-WROOM modules are powerful, generic Wi-Fi + Bluetooth LE MCU modules that boast a rich set of peripherals. These modules are specifically designed to provide acceleration for neural network computing and signal processing workloads, making the board ideal for AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) applications, smart home devices, industrial automation, and other embedded systems that require advanced processing capabilities and wireless communication.
The board supports various communication interfaces, including a USB-to-UART bridge for serial communication with the ESP32-S3 chip, and a dedicated ESP32-S3 full-speed USB OTG interface compliant with the USB 1.1 specification. This dual USB functionality allows for both power supply and data transfer, simplifying the development process. An addressable RGB LED, driven by GPIO48, is also included, providing visual feedback and debugging possibilities.
Power management is handled by a 5 V to 3.3 V LDO (Low-Dropout Regulator), which converts the incoming 5 V supply into a stable 3.3 V output required by the ESP32-S3 module and other components. A 3.3 V Power On LED indicates when the USB power is connected, offering a quick visual check of the board's power status.
The ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is designed for flexible usage, catering to both beginners and experienced developers. The breakout of most I/O pins to pin headers allows developers to connect various peripherals using jumper wires, enabling rapid prototyping without the need for custom PCBs. Alternatively, the board can be mounted on a breadboard, providing a stable platform for circuit assembly and experimentation.
For firmware development, the board features a "Boot" button and a "Reset" button. Holding down the Boot button while pressing Reset initiates Firmware Download mode, allowing developers to flash new firmware onto the ESP32-S3 chip via the serial port. The Reset button simply restarts the system, which is useful during debugging and testing.
The USB-to-UART Port, a Micro-USB port, serves a dual purpose: it supplies power to the board and facilitates communication with the ESP32-S3 chip through the on-board USB-to-UART bridge. This bridge chip supports transfer rates up to 3 Mbps, ensuring efficient data exchange during development and debugging. The ESP32-S3 USB Port provides the full-speed USB OTG interface, which can be used for more advanced USB functionalities.
The board offers multiple power supply options to suit different development scenarios. The USB-to-UART Port is the recommended power supply method, providing both power and communication. Additionally, the board can be powered via the 5 V and 3V3 pins on the pin headers, offering flexibility for integration into larger systems or custom power solutions.
The comprehensive pinout, detailed in the documentation, provides clear information on the Name, Type, and Function of each pin on both sides of the board (J1 and J3). This detailed mapping is crucial for developers to correctly interface with external components and utilize the full capabilities of the ESP32-S3 module. The pin names are consistent with the Board Schematic (PDF), ensuring accuracy in design and implementation.
While the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is primarily a development tool, its robust design contributes to its ease of maintenance. Before powering up the board, it is recommended to ensure it is in good condition with no obvious signs of damage, which is a standard practice for any electronic device.
The use of a standard USB 2.0 cable (Standard-A to Micro-B) for power and communication is a key maintenance feature. It is important to use an appropriate USB cable that provides the necessary data lines, as some cables are designed for charging only and will not work for programming the boards. This simple precaution helps prevent connectivity issues and ensures reliable firmware flashing.
The modular nature of the ESP32-S3-WROOM modules means that if a module were to be damaged, it could potentially be replaced, although this would typically require specialized soldering skills. For most users, the board is treated as a single unit.
The availability of detailed documentation, including a user guide, hardware reference, and block diagram, serves as a crucial maintenance and troubleshooting resource. These resources provide in-depth information about the board's hardware, components, and interconnections, enabling developers to understand its functionality and diagnose potential issues. The documentation also includes a "Hardware Revision Details" section, which would typically cover revision history, known issues, and links to user guides for previous versions, although for this specific version, no previous versions are available.
For retail orders, the boards come in individual antistatic bags or other suitable packaging, depending on the retailer, which helps protect them from electrostatic discharge and physical damage during transit and storage. For wholesale orders, boards are supplied in large cardboard boxes, ensuring safe delivery in bulk. These packaging considerations contribute to the longevity and reliability of the device by protecting it from environmental factors.
Overall, the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is designed to be a user-friendly and reliable development platform, with features that simplify both initial setup and ongoing application development and debugging.
General| Microcontroller | ESP32-S3 |
|---|---|
| Clock Speed | Up to 240 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 8 MB |
| PSRAM | Up to 8 MB |
| RAM | 512 KB |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n |
| GPIO Pins | 45 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0V - 3.6V |
| Antenna | PCB antenna |
| DAC | 2 × 8-bit DAC |
| CPU | Xtensa® dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5 (LE) |
| Onboard Components | USB-UART bridge |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC |
| SPI | 4 × SPI |
| I2C | 2 × I2C |
| I2S | 2 × I2S |
| UART | 3 × UART |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
