XC01 - MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3)
X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) based around the wireless connectivity module ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 from Espressif Systems®, featuring Bluetooth/BLE and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, with two operating modes to use it as an X-NODE (Peripheral) or as an X-BOARD (Controller). It is compatible with USB 2.0 OTG, I2C, UART, and SPI protocols. It includes multiple power modes and dynamic power scaling, contributing to an optimal balance between communication range, data rate, and energy consumption. It is ideal for low-power applications, mobile applications, wearables, and the Internet of Things (IoT), such as interacting with a sensor, actuator, or even a home automation system, with monitoring and control from a computer or cloud service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. How does it work?
The X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) features a USB Type-C connector that allows for easy communication and programming. It enables Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless communication for projects, connecting to a mobile device or cloud service. The compatibility of this device with our XIDE framework makes it suitable to integrate it with any system based on a microcontroller, microprocessor, or industrial equipment.
The X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) is compatible with the mikroBUS™ standard by Mikroe® for easy of use within a wide hardware development ecosystem. It also has JST connectors compatible with the Qwiic® standard by SparkFun® for quick and simple I2C communication between modules and development boards.
II. Hardware description
JST connectors compatible with Qwiic®
USB Type-C connector for communication and power
Push-button BOOT to enter bootloader mode and RESET button
UART <> I2C communication ports
X-NODE model
X-NODE type
Auxiliary programming port (UART)
External debugging port (JTAG)
Jumpers for mode selection: X-NODE (Peripheral) <> X-BOARD (Controller)
mikroBUS™ standard connectors
Jumpers to provide 3.3V and 5V to mikroBUS™ pins
Hardware version: R5
Part number of the main component on the X-NODE
III. Specifications
Type
BLE + WiFi
Applications
Ideal for low-power applications, mobile applications, wearables, IoT applications, smart home, advanced robotics, and more.
Module
Manufacturer
Espressif Systems®
Features
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) 802.11 b/g/n/e/i (802.11n up to 150 Mbps), Bluetooth: v4.2 BR/EDR and BLE, IEEE 802.11 WFA security, WPA/WPA2 and WAPI, AES encryption, SHA-2, RSA, ECC, and RNG.
Interface
UART, I2C, SPI, GPIO, USB 2.0 OTG
Size
65.17 x 25.4 x 20.5 mm
Voltage
3.3 V
IV. Pinout
The following table shows the pinout of the X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) with respect to the mikroBUS™ standard (located in the center two columns).
Auxiliary Programming Port
The X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) can be programmed and debugged through the USB Type-C interface. However, in applications where the USB protocol of the microcontroller is used, the auxiliary programming port can be used for UART communication, and the JTAG port for debugging*.
Warning! The VCC pin on the auxiliary programming port is 3.3V. If the microcontroller is powered through the USB port or the mikroBUS interface (5V) DO NOT connect anything to the VCC pin. IO0, RST, TX0, and RX0 pins operate at 3.3V, use the correct voltage levels or you might damage the device.
V. Setup and Usage
This X-NODE utilizes the ESP32-S3 module directly, making it possible to interact with its native pins and provide wireless connectivity to other X-NODEs or development boards through various communication protocols such as UART or I2C, you can program it using your preferred development environment.
Connect your X-NODE MCU WIFI BLE (ESP32-S3) to your computer via a USB Type-C cable and configure it depending on your operating system. The following examples use Windows.
If the module is NOT recognized, press the following sequence: Press Press BOOT button -> Press and Release RST button -> Release BOOT. After programming your device using this method, press the RST button to run the program.
Remember to enable CDC emulation on BOOT in your development environment to allow automatic programming and serial communication.
Setup for PlatformIO in VS Code with Arduino framework
Download and install Visual Studio Code:
https://code.visualstudio.com/
Launch VS Code, go to the Extensions section, search for PlatformIO IDE, and install it. You may need to restart VS Code after installation.
Download and unzip the XC01-R5 template for PlatformIO.
In VS Code, open the project via File -> Open Folder. Select the folder where the template was saved and click Select Folder.
When the folder opens, PlatformIO will download the necessary tools for the ESP32 module. This may take some time the first time.
Finally, the following structure will appear in VS Code and the project will be ready to use.
Setup for Arduino® IDE
Download and install Arduino® IDE:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Launch Arduino® IDE and go to File->Preferences.
Paste the following URL into the "Additional Board URLs" field:
https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json
Then go to Tools->Board->Board Manager.
In the board manager, search for "ESP32" and install the package.
Click on Tools->Board->ESP32 Arduino and select ESP32S3 Dev Module.
Next, configure the board as shown in the image, select the port assigned to the module, and it's ready for use.
Download and unzip the XC01-R5 template for Arduino IDE.
Open the template in Arduino IDE and select "Save As...", give your project a new name. This template demonstrates peripheral configuration (UART, I2C, SPI) with mikroBUS pins.
VI. Downloads
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