ESP-32S Espressif WiFi & BLE IoT Wireless Module Chip u.Fl for External Antenna

Specifications

• Microcontroller: Dual-core Tensilica LX6 microprocessor
• Clock Speed: Up to 240 MHz
• Wireless Protocols: 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR & BLEAntenna Interface: Built-in u.FL (IPEX) connector for external 2.4GHz antennas
• Operating Voltage: 3.0V to 3.6V (3.3V Recommended)
• Operating Current: Average 80mA (Peaks up to 500mA during TX)
• Flash Memory: 4MB SPI Flash
• Interfaces: SD card, UART, SPI, SDIO, I2C, LED PWM, Motor PWM, I2S, IR, pulse counter, GPIO, capacitive touch sensor, ADC, DAC
• Mounting Type: Surface Mount (SMD / Castellated Holes)

Applications

• Industrial IoT & Telemetry: Deploy sensor nodes in factories where metal machinery blocks standard PCB antennas.
• Smart Agriculture: Monitor soil moisture and weather conditions across large outdoor areas requiring long-range WiFi.
• Smart Home Gateways: Mount the ESP-32S inside a metal electrical junction box while running a pigtail cable to an external antenna outside the box.
• Mesh Networking: Build robust ESP-MESH networks with superior node-to-node connectivity.

Unlock New Capabilities

• Past Projects: If you've mastered basic IoT projects using an ESP8266 or a standard ESP32 Dev Board but find yourself limited by WiFi range or metal enclosures blocking your signal.
• Feature Upgrade: This bare ESP-32S module unlocks high-penetration wireless communication and custom PCB integration. By shifting from development boards to surface-mount chipsets, you can miniaturize your projects and drastically increase their range.
• Effort Level: Advanced. This is a bare surface-mount module. It requires soldering to a custom PCB or a breakout board, a dedicated 3.3V power regulation circuit, and an external USB-to-TTL programmer to upload code.

Package Includes

• 1 x ESP-32S Wifi Bluetooth Combo Module

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the difference between standard ESP32 and this ESP-32S?
  This specific ESP-32S variant replaces the onboard PCB trace antenna with a u.FL (IPEX) connector, allowing you to attach an external high-gain antenna for significantly better range.
• Does this module have a built-in antenna?
  No, it requires an external 2.4GHz antenna connected via the u.FL port to transmit or receive WiFi and Bluetooth signals.
• What type of external antenna connector is on the ESP-32S?
  It features a standard u.FL (also known as IPEX or IPX) micro coaxial connector.
• What is the operating voltage of the ESP-32S module?
  The operating voltage is strictly 3.0V to 3.6V. A stable 3.3V supply is highly recommended.
• Can I power the ESP-32S directly with 5V?
  No. Applying 5V to the VCC pin will permanently damage the microcontroller. You must use a 3.3V step-down regulator.
• Are the GPIO pins on the ESP-32S 5V tolerant?
  No, the logic level is 3.3V. Using 5V logic signals requires a logic level converter.
• How much flash memory does the ESP-32S have?
  This module typically comes with 4MB (32Mbit) of SPI flash memory.
• What protocol does the ESP-32S use for WiFi?
  It supports 802.11 b/g/n protocols on the 2.4GHz band.
• Does the ESP-32S support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)?
  Yes, it supports both Classic Bluetooth (v4.2 BR/EDR) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
• How do I program the ESP-32S module?
  You need a USB-to-TTL serial converter connected to the TX/RX pins. You must also pull GPIO0 to GND while resetting the EN pin to enter programming mode.
• Can I use the Arduino IDE with the ESP-32S?
  Yes, by installing the ESP32 board manager core, you can program it exactly like an Arduino.
• What is the maximum range with an external antenna?
  Range depends on the attached antenna and environment. With a standard 3dBi antenna, line-of-sight ranges can exceed 200-300 meters, far surpassing PCB antennas.
• Do I need a breakout board to use the ESP-32S?
  Yes, unless you are soldering it directly to your own custom printed circuit board. The castellated holes are not breadboard friendly.