SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32-S3

The SparkFun ESP32-S3 Thing Plus adds a powerful and versatile IoT development platform to the Thing Plus product line. It features the ESP32 WROOM-S3 MINI wireless module from espressif^™. The ESP32 WROOM-S3 is built around an Xtensa^® 32-bit LX7 processor with massive processing power that operates up to 240 MHz. It supports 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth^® 5 (LE) with a built-in PCB antenna. This version of the ESP32-S3 has 4MB Flash memory and 2MB of dynamic/PSRAM, and the board also has a microSD card slot for those who need more storage space.

The module has many peripherals, including UART, I²C, SPI, LCD control, SDIO host, TWAI^® controller (compatible with ISO 11898-1, i.e., CAN Specification 2), and more. The module allows for customizing which GPIO pins these peripherals operate on though some are limited to specific pins. The ESP32-S3 can run two USB ports simultaneously and can even act as a USB host host device.

The Thing Plus footprint breaks out 21 of the ESP32-S3's GPIO pins along with the ESP32's Reset and Enable signals to a pair of 0.1in.-spaced plated through hole (PTH) headers. The available GPIO pins include twelve unassigned GPIO with six analog-capable pins as well as GPIO assigned to UART, I²C, and SPI interfaces. Refer to the pin labels on the board or the schematic for complete details on the pin functions.

The board also has a USB-C connector for primary power and programming, a 2-pin JST connector for a LiPo battery (not included), a microSD card slot for expanded storage, and a Qwiic connector to integrate it into SparkFun's Qwiic ecosystem. It also includes a charging circuit and fuel gauge for charging and monitoring an attached LiPo battery.

The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I2C sensors, actuators, shields and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector. This reduces the amount of required PCB space, and polarized connections mean you can’t hook it up wrong.

Features:

• ESP32-S3 Mini Module
  • Dual-Core Xtensa^® 32-bit LX7 Processor
  • 45 Programmable GPIO (21 pins broken out on Thing Plus, 17 analog input capable)
  • Up to 3 UART Channels
  • 1 Full-Speed USB OTG
  • 1 USB Serial/JTAG Controller
  • Up to 4 SPI
  • Up to 2 I²C
  • Up to 2 I²S
  • 1 LCD Interface
  • Up to 8 LED PWM Controller Channels
  • 1 TWAI^® Controller (Compatible with ISO 11898-1 CAN Spec. 2.0)
  • 4 MB Flash
  • 2 MB PSRAM
  • 2.4 GHz WiFi 6
  • Bluetooth^® 5 LE
  • PCB Antenna
• Thing Plus Form-Factor:
  • Dimensions: 2.55" x 0.9"
  • Two Mounting Holes
  • 28 PTH pins
  • USB-C Connector
  • 2-pin JST Connector for LiPo Battery (not included)
  • 4-pin Qwiic Connector
  • µSD Card Slot
  • MCP73831 Battery Charger
    • Charge Rate: 213mA@3.3V
  • MAX17048 Fuel Gauge
    • I²C Address: 0x36
• LEDs:
  • PWR - Red Power LED
  • CHG - Yellow Battery Charging Indicator
  • STAT - Blue LED
• Buttons:
  • BOOT
  • RESET

Documents:

• Schematic
• KiCad Files
• Board Dimensions
• Hookup Guide
• Datasheet (ESP32-S3 MINI-1)
• Thing Plus Info Page
• Qwiic Info Page
• GitHub Hardware Repo