FireBeetle ESP32 IoT Microcontroller

Communications have always been an important part of human society, but only once the telegram was introduced did people start paying more attention to the capabilities and efficiencies of these types of technologies. Fortunately, a lot of research, development and hard work have gone into making Communications technologies more accessible and affordable since back then, with the FireBeetle ESP32 IoT Microcontroller being a prime example of this technological advancement.

The FireBeetle is an Internet of Things MCU developed by DFRobot to offer Bluetooth and WiFi at an ultra-low power consumption of around 80mA on average. It integrates a Dual-Core ESP-WROOM-32 module with dual-communications methods, 520KB of SRAM, 16Mb of Flash memory, as well as support for one-key download and micropython. The board can also be powered via 3.7V Li-Ion Battery or USB micro as well, allowing the board to be portable or be placed with a permanent power source. This can then be complemented with solar power, as the ultra-low consumption enables it to use very low incoming power from Solar Panels, while charging the battery with the excess power for extended life once the sun goes down. And finally, as an extra benefit, these low-power modules work really well in conjunction with Solar Panels and Solar Management Modules that stock, and enable you to free your projects from the power-grid and give them portability like never before.

Please Note: This board is not designed to be beginner-friendly, and is targeted more towards experienced Makers who want more capabilities than what Arduino Boards typically offer. As such, the FireBeetle ESP32 MCU may require some extra learning to get working just right, but this is a small price to pay for the amazing features that these boards offer.

Typical Applications for FireBeetle ESP32 IoT Microcontroller:

The ultra-low power consumption of the FireBeetle makes it the perfect choice for projects that need to communicate effectively with other modules and devices, while using the minimal possible power consumption for a long lifespan. Some great examples of such projects include:

• Creating a wireless node network that extends communications throughout an office, school, university or home.
• Making a smart light switch that connects to your local network to turn lights on and off from a smart phone applications – or with sounds and gestures if you want to take your project to the next level.
• Making an online temperature sensor connected to your oven, to let you know when your dinner has reached that perfect cooking temperature – and possibly even make automatic adjustments to help with the cooking process.

Whether you want to extend your WiFi network, build an online control method for your home appliances, or simply want to experiment with the endless possibilities of low-power wireless communications, the FireBeetle is an excellent investment that is surprisingly powerful for it’s low cost and low power consumption.

Additional Resources:

• The DFRobot Official Wiki Page for this product, with board layout, schematics and specifications.
• The DFRobot Official Blog, with a range of different FireBeetle projects for you to sink your Maker teeth into.

As self-proclaimed “Robo-holics”, DFRobot is a company comprised of over 100 staff members, of which 30% are engineers who love to build robots. It was started in 2008 with the goal of embracing and promoting open-source hardware, with a core focus on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their very own LattePanda development boards. Since then, DFRobot have manufactured over 1300 unique modules, sensors and components that all work together and complement each other, allowing users like us to enjoy a full spectrum of cutting edge robotics and electronics without having to pay premium prices.

With the primary goal of developing and manufacturing great quality products, while making them accessible to as many people as possible, DFRobot are rapidly becoming one of the most common-place brands in the world of open-source robotics and electronics. With more than 1300 products developed in-house, and an impressive range of different categories and specialisations, there are few brands in the world who can compete in terms of quality, accessibility and genuine innovation.