ESP32-C5 Product Overview

The ESP32-C5 is an ultra-low-power SoC with a 32-bit RISC-V processor, supporting dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 LE, Zigbee, and Thread for IoT, smart home, and industrial applications.

Ultra-Low-Power SoC and RISC-V Processor

The ESP32-C5 is engineered as an ultra-low-power System-on-Chip (SoC), featuring a powerful 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor operating up to 240 MHz. This architecture ensures highly efficient processing, compact code execution, and significantly low power consumption. Its ultra-low-power design, including capabilities for Deep-sleep mode where most power domains are deactivated, enables extremely low-power operation, ideal for battery-powered IoT devices. The chip’s design emphasizes both energy efficiency and high performance, critical for prolonged operational life and cost-effectiveness in diverse applications. Memory configuration includes 128 KB of ROM and 520 KB of SRAM, carefully balancing processing demands with memory management for IoT applications. The RISC-V instruction set further enhances scalability and broad flexibility, making it perfectly suited for embedded systems and real-time tasks while supporting modern development frameworks. The SoC’s optimized power usage extends to wireless communication scenarios, ensuring reliable performance in energy-constrained environments. This makes the ESP32-C5 an excellent foundation for future-proof, performance-critical IoT devices requiring robust and efficient computation.

Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 and Multi-Protocol Support

The ESP32-C5 provides robust dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, operating across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (2412-2484 MHz, 5180-5885 MHz). Wi-Fi 6 enhances speed, efficiency, and capacity, making it ideal for performance-critical IoT devices. Features such as Uplink and Downlink OFDMA optimize connectivity and performance in congested environments, ensuring high-throughput communication. This 1T1R configuration delivers next-generation wireless capabilities for various applications, establishing the C5 as a future-proof solution;

Additionally, the ESP32-C5 integrates extensive multi-protocol support. It includes Bluetooth 5 (Low Energy) for efficient, extended-range, and high-data-rate wireless communication with minimal power consumption, essential for wearables and smart home devices. Furthermore, it supports Zigbee and Thread protocols, both adhering to the 802.15.4 standard. These enable low-power, low-data-rate mesh networking, perfect for smart home, industrial, and IoT applications. These protocols provide reliable, energy-efficient connectivity for large-scale networks with robust security features, positioning the ESP32-C5 as a versatile and integrated solution for diverse IoT connectivity demands.

Core Architecture and Performance

The ESP32-C5 features a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor operating up to 240 MHz. This architecture ensures efficient processing, robust performance, and low power consumption for embedded and real-time IoT tasks. It balances performance with memory, making it ideal for demanding applications.

32-bit RISC-V Single-Core CPU (up to 240 MHz)

The ESP32-C5 is powered by a 32-bit RISC-V single-core microprocessor, operating at an impressive clock speed of up to 240 MHz. This architecture offers highly efficient processing capabilities, crucial for demanding embedded and IoT applications. The RISC-V core ensures swift execution of instructions, making it exceptionally suitable for real-time processing tasks and responsive IoT operations. Its high operating frequency enables quick task handling and complex computations, providing robust performance across various scenarios.

The design of this processor prioritizes both performance and energy efficiency. While delivering powerful processing, the ESP32-C5 maintains low power consumption through optimized core operations and support for various low power modes, extending battery life in connected devices. The RISC-V instruction set ensures scalability and flexibility, enhancing its adaptability for diverse embedded systems and supporting compatibility with modern development tools and frameworks. This balance of speed, efficiency, and architectural flexibility makes the ESP32-C5’s CPU a strong foundation for innovative and reliable IoT solutions.

Memory Configuration (ROM, SRAM, Flash, PSRAM)

The ESP32-C5 features a robust and versatile memory configuration designed to support efficient data processing and storage for diverse IoT applications. Central to its architecture is 128 KB of integrated ROM (Read-Only Memory), which typically stores boot-up code and core system functions, ensuring quick and reliable initialization. Complementing this is 520 KB of SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory), crucial for executing application code and handling real-time data. This low-power SRAM is optimized to maintain responsiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption, a key factor for battery-powered devices.

For persistent data storage and larger application binaries, the ESP32-C5 supports up to 16 MB of external Flash memory. This substantial capacity allows for complex firmware, extensive data logging, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Furthermore, the chip integrates support for up to 8 MB of PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM), providing additional high-speed external memory. This comprehensive memory hierarchy, including ROM, SRAM, Flash, and PSRAM, is meticulously optimized for low-power operation, ensuring smooth performance and efficient resource management across all functionalities, making it ideal for advanced embedded systems.

Wireless Connectivity Specifications

The ESP32-C5 offers robust wireless connectivity with dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) on 2.4/5 GHz, alongside Bluetooth 5 (LE), Zigbee, and Thread (802.15.4) protocols. This multi-protocol support ensures seamless, low-power wireless connectivity, ideal for diverse IoT applications requiring reliable communication and integration.

Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Features

The ESP32-C5 provides robust wireless connectivity through its advanced dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) capabilities, supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. This compliance with IEEE 802.11ax significantly enhances wireless performance, bringing improvements in speed, efficiency, and network capacity, which is crucial for modern connected devices. The operating frequencies span 2412 to 2484 MHz and 5180 to 5885 MHz, accommodating diverse regional requirements.

A core feature of its Wi-Fi 6 implementation is Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). This technology, supporting both uplink and downlink, plays a vital role in optimizing connectivity and performance, especially in congested network environments. OFDMA enables more efficient handling of multiple connections and bandwidth-intensive applications by effectively managing channel resources. Additionally, the ESP32-C5 supports a 20 MHz-only non-AP mode, showcasing its versatility. These next-generation wireless features ensure high data rates and reliable communication, making it ideal for future-proof IoT and smart home applications.

Bluetooth 5 (LE), Zigbee, and Thread Protocols

The ESP32-C5 integrates robust multi-protocol support, featuring Bluetooth 5 (Low Energy), Zigbee, and Thread. Its Bluetooth 5 (LE) functionality enables highly efficient wireless communication with minimal power consumption. This advanced version supports higher data rates and extended range compared to previous iterations, making it exceptionally well-suited for various Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It ensures reliable connectivity for devices such as wearables, smart home gadgets, and industrial sensors, while minimizing energy usage to significantly prolong battery life in connected devices.

Additionally, the ESP32-C5 proficiently supports Zigbee and Thread protocols, both based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. These facilitate low-power, low-data-rate wireless communication, proving ideal for robust mesh networking in smart home, industrial, and diverse IoT environments. Zigbee and Thread guarantee reliable, energy-efficient connectivity for devices like sensors and actuators. They further support large-scale networks with robust security features, rendering them highly suitable for advanced automation and remote monitoring systems. This comprehensive multi-protocol approach provides versatile and efficient wireless solutions for modern IoT.

Antenna Options (PCB and External)

The ESP32-C5 offers flexible antenna configurations to suit diverse application needs, ensuring optimal wireless performance. For compact and integrated solutions, the chip features a built-in PCB antenna. This onboard antenna is meticulously optimized for wireless applications where space is a premium, providing reliable connectivity in most typical usage scenarios. Its integration simplifies board design and reduces overall manufacturing costs, making it an excellent choice for a wide array of IoT devices and smart applications that prioritize a small form factor and ease of deployment.

However, recognizing the need for enhanced range, specific directional requirements, or improved signal integrity in challenging environments, the ESP32-C5 also provides robust support for external antenna options. Developers can readily connect external antennas through either an RF connector or a u.FL interface. This crucial flexibility empowers designers to tailor the wireless performance precisely to their application’s unique demands, whether it involves overcoming signal obstructions or achieving extended communication distances. This capability is evident in development boards like the ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 and the ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 module, both of which demonstrate these versatile antenna provisions, balancing design simplicity with high-performance wireless capabilities effectively.

Peripherals and I/O Interface

The ESP32-C5 integrates a rich set of peripherals including SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, and ADC, along with a USB Serial/JTAG controller. It features versatile GPIO pins, enabling flexible assignments and adaptability for diverse IoT and embedded applications.

Rich Set of Integrated Peripherals

The ESP32-C5 integrates a remarkably rich and diverse set of peripherals, catering to a broad range of application requirements from basic sensing to complex control systems. This comprehensive suite includes essential communication interfaces such as SPI, UART, and I2C, facilitating seamless interaction with external sensors, displays, and other modules. For advanced audio applications, an I2S interface is available, while the RMT (Remote Control) peripheral supports flexible waveform generation and analysis.

Beyond standard communication, the chip features a pulse counter, LED PWM controller for precise light management, and a powerful MCPWM (Motor Control PWM) for controlling motors and power electronics. A USB Serial/JTAG controller simplifies development and debugging, offering high-speed data transfer. The ESP32-C5 also incorporates a CAN FD controller for robust industrial communication, an SDIO slave controller for high-speed data exchange, and a BitScrambler for enhanced security. Analog capabilities are provided by an integrated ADC and a temperature sensor, alongside a brownout detector, ensuring a robust and versatile platform for embedded designs.

Versatile GPIO Pin Layout and Functions

The ESP32-C5 features a truly versatile pin layout with a comprehensive set of General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, meticulously designed to maximize flexibility for developers. These GPIOs support multiple functional modes, including standard digital input, output, interrupt triggering, and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for precise control tasks. This adaptability enables seamless configuration of the pins for various integrated peripherals such as UART, SPI, and I2C, facilitating communication with a broad spectrum of external devices and modules. The efficient GPIO subsystem integrates effortlessly with other components, ensuring streamlined I/O control across the chip.

For low-power applications, the GPIOs are crucial, as they can serve as external wake-up sources, significantly enhancing energy efficiency. Development boards like the ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 thoughtfully break out most of these I/O pins to convenient, breadboard-compatible headers (e.g., J5 and J6). This physical layout simplifies prototyping and experimentation. Detailed information regarding the pin overview, naming conventions, and specific functions is thoroughly documented in the ESP32-C5 Series Datasheet and schematic, providing essential guidance for robust hardware design and application development.

Power Management and Efficiency

The ESP32-C5 integrates advanced power management, featuring ultra-low-power modes, deep-sleep capabilities, and efficient voltage regulation. It supports dynamic power gating to minimize energy consumption during idle states, ensuring optimal battery life for IoT applications.

Ultra-Low-Power Modes and Deep-Sleep

The ESP32-C5 is engineered with an advanced ultra-low-power design, crucial for extending battery life in diverse IoT applications. Its architecture allows for significant energy savings through various power-saving modes, including Deep-sleep. In Deep-sleep mode, the integrated low-power (LP) CPU enables the chip to operate with most of its power domains completely turned off, dramatically reducing power consumption to achieve exceptionally low levels. This strategic power management minimizes leakage current, a critical factor for battery-powered devices.

The design incorporates sophisticated power gating mechanisms for unused peripherals, dynamically shutting down components when not required. This ensures that only essential parts of the SoC are active, optimizing energy usage across different operational states. Multiple sleep modes are available, alongside robust wake-up mechanisms, allowing the ESP32-C5 to transition efficiently between active and low-power states based on application demands. This optimization ensures that even during periods of wireless communication, the chip maintains efficient operation without compromising performance.

Integrated Voltage Regulation

The ESP32-C5 integrates a sophisticated built-in voltage regulator, a critical component for ensuring a stable and reliable power supply to the entire system. This regulator is designed to accommodate a wide input voltage range, significantly enhancing the adaptability of the chip to various power sources, from battery-powered solutions to line-powered industrial applications. Its primary function is to efficiently manage power distribution throughout the SoC, a process optimized to minimize energy loss and significantly reduce heat generation, which is vital for compact and enclosed devices.

Furthermore, the integrated voltage regulation system supports multiple power modes, allowing for dynamic voltage adjustment. This capability enables the chip to scale its power consumption based on current system demands, effectively optimizing energy usage during different operational states. Such dynamic regulation is crucial for maintaining optimal performance while simultaneously maximizing efficiency across a diverse range of applications. This robust design guarantees reliable operation, contributing to the overall stability and longevity of ESP32-C5-based solutions.

Development Boards and Modules

ESP32-C5 development boards like DevKitC-1 and WROOM-1 provide comprehensive hardware for prototyping. They feature GPIO, USB, and various antenna options, enabling seamless integration of Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Thread functionalities. These tools are essential for efficient IoT project development.

ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 Features

The ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 serves as an entry-level development board, built around the versatile ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 module. This robust board fully integrates dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 (LE), Zigbee, and Thread functionalities, making it ideal for a wide array of IoT, smart home, and industrial applications. Designed for prototyping and testing, it breaks out most of the I/O pins to breadboard-compatible headers (J5 and J6 12-pin GPIO) on both sides for easy interfacing and expansion.

A crucial feature is its USB Type-C to UART port, which not only powers the board but also facilitates flashing applications to the ESP32-C5 chip and enables communication via an onboard USB-to-UART bridge, supporting speeds up to 3 Mbps. The DevKitC-1 supports the ESP-IDF framework, allowing for efficient development. It incorporates an onboard PCB antenna for wireless connectivity and is well-documented, with schematic details available in the user guide PDF. This board’s user-friendly design, coupled with extensive documentation and community support, establishes it as a powerful and accessible tool for developers engaged in low-power, connectivity-driven projects. It’s a robust platform for modern IoT and smart device innovation.

ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 Module Details

The ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 is a production-ready, compact wireless module designed to streamline the development and deployment of IoT and industrial applications. This module meticulously integrates the powerful ESP32-C5 SoC, featuring a 32-bit RISC-V processor that delivers efficient performance for a wide range of embedded tasks; It boasts comprehensive wireless capabilities, supporting dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, alongside Bluetooth 5 (LE), Zigbee, and Thread (802.15.4) protocols, ensuring versatile multi-protocol connectivity.

Engineered for low-power consumption, the ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 includes a convenient built-in PCB antenna, while also providing options for external antennas to accommodate diverse application requirements and extended range needs. Its small form factor, combined with a rich set of integrated peripherals, makes it an ideal choice for compact and performance-critical devices. The module is fully compatible with the ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) for robust programming and facilitates seamless integration into final products, simplifying the journey from prototype to market. Detailed hardware specifications, including pin definitions, functional descriptions, and electrical characteristics, are thoroughly documented for developers.

Programming and Development Tools

The ESP32-C5 supports the official ESP-IDF framework for C programming, offering a comprehensive development suite; It also provides compatibility with Arduino IDE and MicroPython, catering to diverse development needs and skill sets for efficient project implementation.

ESP-IDF Framework for C Programming

The ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) stands as the official and robust development platform specifically designed for the ESP32-C5. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and APIs essential for C programming, making it the primary choice for serious embedded device development. Built upon the FreeRTOS operating system, ESP-IDF seamlessly integrates crucial libraries for managing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and various peripherals, enabling developers to harness the full capabilities of the SoC effectively. The framework encompasses a powerful toolchain, facilitating compilation, flashing, and debugging of C code onto the ESP32-C5. This includes a compiler, debugger, and flasher, ensuring a streamlined and highly efficient development workflow. Furthermore, configuration tools like menuconfig are provided, allowing for easy customization of project settings and hardware parameters. Espressif ensures extensive documentation and examples are readily available, making the ESP-IDF accessible and productive for both novice and experienced developers. Additional utilities such as ESP-MON for serial monitoring and OTA update tools significantly enhance development efficiency, supporting a wide array of advanced and beginner-level projects, solidifying its role as the definitive environment for a robust C-based embedded system development.

Arduino IDE and MicroPython Compatibility

Beyond the comprehensive ESP-IDF framework for C programming, the ESP32-C5 significantly broadens its appeal and accessibility through robust compatibility with both the Arduino IDE and MicroPython. This extensive support caters to a diverse spectrum of development needs and varying skill levels, making the chip highly versatile. For individuals already familiar with the Arduino ecosystem, the Arduino IDE provides an exceptionally user-friendly and intuitive programming environment, simplifying the entire process of writing, compiling, and uploading code. This feature positions it as an excellent choice for hobbyists, educators, and those engaged in rapid prototyping, allowing them to leverage a vast, existing library of Arduino sketches and a supportive community. Furthermore, the ESP32-C5 seamlessly integrates with MicroPython, offering an efficient and high-level Python implementation tailored for embedded systems. MicroPython’s concise syntax greatly simplifies complex operations, enabling quicker development cycles and significantly reducing code complexity, making it ideal for simpler projects, rapid scripting, and educational initiatives. This inherent flexibility, further enhanced by support for alternative tools like PlatformIO, ensures that developers can confidently choose the programming environment that optimally aligns with their specific project requirements and personal preferences, thereby fostering a vibrant and inclusive development community around the ESP32-C5 platform.

Essential Documentation (PDFs)

For in-depth specifications, refer to the ESP32-C5 Series Datasheet and User Guide (PDF). These documents detail pin definitions, functional descriptions, and electrical characteristics. Board user guides offer crucial hardware specifics.

Referencing Datasheet and User Guide (PDF)

For comprehensive technical details, developers must consult the official ESP32-C5 Series Datasheet (PDF). This essential document provides in-depth information regarding the chip’s core architecture, memory configuration, wireless connectivity specifications, and integrated peripherals. It elaborates on functional descriptions, electrical characteristics, and detailed pin definitions, crucial for precise hardware design and integration. The datasheet covers performance metrics and operational parameters, ensuring engineers have all necessary data for robust application development.

Beyond the chip-level datasheet, specific module documentation, such as the ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 hardware specifications (PDF), offers crucial insights into module dimensions, antenna options, and assembly guidelines. For development boards like the ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1, a dedicated user guide (PDF) is indispensable. This guide provides detailed hardware overviews, including USB-to-UART bridge chip specifics, GPIO pin layouts, and schematic references (e.g., ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 Schematic v1.2 PDF). Consulting these documents ensures accurate hardware understanding, facilitating seamless flashing, debugging, and overall system integration for efficient project execution.