How to Use Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather (Part ID: 5323) is a compact and versatile microcontroller board designed for IoT and wearable applications. Powered by the ESP32-S3 chip, it features dual-core processing, integrated Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities. This board is part of Adafruit's Feather ecosystem, making it compatible with a wide range of FeatherWing add-ons for extended functionality. Its small form factor and robust connectivity options make it an excellent choice for projects requiring wireless communication, low power consumption, and high performance.

• IoT devices and smart home automation
• Wearable electronics
• Wireless data logging and monitoring
• Robotics and sensor networks
• Prototyping and development of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled applications

The Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather is packed with features to support a variety of applications. Below are its key technical details:

• Microcontroller: ESP32-S3 (dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor)
• Clock Speed: Up to 240 MHz
• Flash Memory: 8 MB
• PSRAM: 2 MB
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5.0 (LE)
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V
• Power Supply: USB-C or LiPo battery (3.7V)
• GPIO Pins: 21 (including ADC, DAC, I2C, SPI, UART, PWM)
• USB Interface: USB-C with native USB support
• Dimensions: 51mm x 23mm x 8mm
• Weight: 5.5g

The Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather has a standard Feather pinout. Below is the pin configuration:

The Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather is easy to use in a variety of projects. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Powering the Board:

   • Connect a 3.7V LiPo battery to the BAT pin or use a USB-C cable to power the board.
   • The onboard regulator will provide a stable 3.3V to the microcontroller and peripherals.

2. Connecting Peripherals:

   • Use the GPIO pins for connecting sensors, actuators, or other devices.
   • For I2C devices, connect to the SDA and SCL pins.
   • For SPI devices, use the SCK, MOSI, and MISO pins.

3. Programming the Board:

   • Install the ESP32-S3 board support package in the Arduino IDE or use MicroPython.
   • Connect the board to your computer via USB-C and select the appropriate COM port.

4. Uploading Code:

   • Write your code in the Arduino IDE or MicroPython editor.
   • Compile and upload the code to the board.

• Ensure the input voltage does not exceed the recommended range to avoid damaging the board.
• Use level shifters when interfacing with 5V logic devices, as the ESP32-S3 operates at 3.3V logic.
• For battery-powered applications, monitor the battery voltage to prevent over-discharge.
• Use the onboard USB-C connector for both programming and charging the LiPo battery.

Below is an example of how to use the Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather to read an analog sensor and send data over Wi-Fi:

#include <WiFi.h>

// Replace with your network credentials
const char* ssid = "Your_SSID";
const char* password = "Your_PASSWORD";

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200); // Initialize serial communication
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password); // Connect to Wi-Fi

  // Wait for connection
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(1000);
    Serial.println("Connecting to Wi-Fi...");
  }
  Serial.println("Connected to Wi-Fi!");
}

void loop() {
  int sensorValue = analogRead(A0); // Read analog value from pin A0
  Serial.print("Sensor Value: ");
  Serial.println(sensorValue);

  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second before reading again
}

1. Board Not Detected by Computer:

   • Ensure the USB-C cable is a data cable, not a charge-only cable.
   • Check that the correct COM port is selected in the Arduino IDE.

2. Wi-Fi Connection Fails:

   • Verify the SSID and password are correct.
   • Ensure the Wi-Fi network is within range and supports 2.4 GHz (ESP32-S3 does not support 5 GHz).

3. Code Upload Fails:

   • Press and hold the BOOT button while clicking the upload button in the Arduino IDE.
   • Ensure the correct board and port are selected in the IDE.

4. Battery Not Charging:

   • Check the LiPo battery connection and ensure it is within the recommended voltage range.
   • Verify the USB-C cable is providing power.

• Use the Serial Monitor in the Arduino IDE to debug and view error messages.
• Update the ESP32-S3 board support package to the latest version.
• Refer to the Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather product page for additional resources and support.

By following this documentation, you can effectively utilize the Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather in your projects and troubleshoot common issues with ease.