LILYGO T-Dongle C5 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 USB Development Board with 0.96" LCD

Specifications

• Microcontroller: ESP32-C5 (Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 capability)

• Flash Memory: 16MB

• PSRAM: 8MB

• Wireless: 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) & Bluetooth 5.0

• Display Size: 0.96 inches diagonal

• Display Driver: ST7735

• Resolution: 80 x 160 pixels

• Host Interface: Male USB Type-A

• Storage: Integrated TF/MicroSD Card Slot

• Enclosure: Transparent protective casing with removable USB cap

• Dimensions: 58.6mm (L) x 17.9mm (W) x 8.7mm (H)

Key Applications and Projects

• Advanced Wardriving & Network Mapping: Utilizing the 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 capabilities to scan for modern routers and logging the SSID data directly to the onboard MicroSD card while displaying targets on the screen.

• Dual-Band Captive Portals: Deploying local web servers for cybersecurity training or field diagnostics that can be accessed by both 2.4GHz and 5GHz client devices.

• Portable Hardware Authenticators: Programming the ESP32-C5 to act as a custom, high-speed two-factor authentication (2FA) device plugged directly into your laptop.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The 5GHz Network Analyzer Pocket Lab: Turn this innocent-looking USB stick into a powerful cybersecurity and network diagnostic tool! With the ESP32-C5's ability to monitor 5GHz bands, you can write a script that scans for modern high-speed Wi-Fi 6 networks, measures their signal strength (RSSI), and identifies channel crowding across spectrums that older ESP32 boards couldn't even see. Display the network statistics visually on the 0.96-inch LCD, and log the detailed packet data directly to the onboard MicroSD card. Just plug it into a standard USB power bank, and you have a highly portable, completely self-contained dual-band network auditing device!

PACKAGE INCLUDED

• 1 x LILYGO T-Dongle C5 Board (with 0.96" LCD)

• 1 x Transparent Protective Casing (Pre-installed)

• 1 x Removable USB Cap

Downloads & Links

• LILYGO T-Dongle C5 Github Link

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between the T-Dongle S3 and the T-Dongle C5? While they look physically identical on the outside, the internal brain is different. The S3 uses the ESP32-S3 (restricted to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi), whereas the C5 uses the newer ESP32-C5 chip, which supports dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

2. Can I connect to my 5GHz home router with this board? Yes! Thanks to the ESP32-C5, this board can see and connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks natively.

3. What microcontroller drives this board? It is powered by the Espressif ESP32-C5 microprocessor.

4. How much Flash memory does it have? It features a massive 16MB of onboard Flash memory and 8MB of PSRAM.

5. What are the specifications of the onboard screen? The screen is a 0.96-inch diagonal IPS LCD. It has a resolution of 80x160 pixels and is driven by the ST7735 display controller.

6. Does the screen have touch capabilities? No, the 0.96-inch LCD is a standard non-touch display.

7. How do I power the T-Dongle C5? You simply plug it into any standard USB Type-A port, such as a laptop, desktop PC, USB wall charger, or portable power bank.

8. Does it have a battery inside? No. Because of its compact USB stick form factor, there is no internal battery. It relies entirely on external USB power.

9. How do I program this board? You plug it directly into your computer's USB port. It utilizes native USB routing and can be programmed using the Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, or MicroPython.

10. Can I log data locally? Yes! The board features a TF (MicroSD) card slot integrated into the side of the PCB.

11. What type of antenna does it use? It utilizes an onboard, highly sensitive ceramic antenna designed to support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.

12. What is the physical button on the back for? The tactile button located on the rear of the PCB is the "Boot" button. It can be used to manually enter flashing mode or programmed as a user input button in your code.

13. What material is the casing made from? The board is enclosed in a durable, transparent acrylic/plastic casing that protects the electronics while allowing you to view the PCB and screen.

14. What are the exact dimensions of the dongle? With the cap on, the dongle measures 58.6mm in length, 17.9mm in width, and 8.7mm in height.

15. Can I run "DIY Biscuit" firmware on this? Yes, the T-Dongle series is highly popular for DIY wardriving and penetration testing firmware frameworks like "Biscuit", provided you flash the specific build compiled for the C5's architecture.

16. Are the GPIO pins accessible? Due to the fully enclosed nature of the USB stick, standard GPIO pins are not broken out for external sensor wiring. This device is meant to function as an all-in-one standalone unit.

17. What logic voltage does the ESP32-C5 use? Like all ESP32 chips, the internal logic operates strictly on 3.3V. The board regulates the 5V from the USB port down to 3.3V safely.