How to Use Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus is a compact and powerful microcontroller board based on the ESP32-S3 chip. It is designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, offering built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. With its small form factor and robust processing capabilities, this board is ideal for projects requiring wireless communication, such as smart home devices, wearable electronics, and remote monitoring systems.

• IoT devices and smart home automation
• Wearable technology
• Wireless data logging and monitoring
• Robotics and sensor networks
• Prototyping for AI and machine learning at the edge

The following table outlines the key technical details of the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus:

The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus features a total of 11 GPIO pins, which are multifunctional. The pinout and descriptions are provided in the table below:

1. Powering the Board: Connect the board to a 5V power source using the USB-C port. The onboard voltage regulator will step down the voltage to 3.3V.
2. Programming: Use the Arduino IDE or other compatible development environments to program the board. Select "ESP32-S3" as the board type in the IDE.
3. Connecting Peripherals: Use the GPIO pins to connect sensors, actuators, or other peripherals. Ensure that the voltage levels of connected devices are compatible with the 3.3V logic of the board.
4. Wireless Connectivity: Configure the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings in your code to enable wireless communication.

• Voltage Levels: Ensure that all connected peripherals operate at 3.3V logic levels to avoid damaging the board.
• Deep Sleep Mode: Use the deep sleep mode to minimize power consumption in battery-powered applications.
• Pin Multiplexing: Be aware that some pins have multiple functions (e.g., ADC, touch, PWM). Configure the pins appropriately in your code.
• Heat Management: Although the board is designed for efficient operation, ensure proper ventilation if used in high-temperature environments.

Below is an example of how to use the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus to connect to a Wi-Fi network and send data to a server:

#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 at 115200 baud
  delay(1000);

  // Connect to Wi-Fi
  Serial.println("Connecting to Wi-Fi...");
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }

  Serial.println("\nWi-Fi connected!");
  Serial.print("IP Address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP()); // Print the device's IP address
}

void loop() {
  // Add your main code here
  delay(1000); // Placeholder for loop delay
}

1. The board is not detected by the computer:

   • Ensure that the USB-C cable supports data transfer (not just charging).
   • Check if the correct drivers for the ESP32-S3 are installed on your computer.
   • Verify that the board is powered on and the status LED is lit.

2. Wi-Fi connection fails:

   • Double-check the SSID and password in your code.
   • Ensure that the Wi-Fi network operates on the 2.4 GHz band (not 5 GHz).
   • Move the board closer to the Wi-Fi router to improve signal strength.

3. Code upload fails:

   • Ensure that the correct board type ("ESP32-S3") is selected in the Arduino IDE.
   • Press and hold the "BOOT" button on the board while uploading the code.

4. Peripherals not working as expected:

   • Verify the pin configuration in your code matches the physical connections.
   • Check for loose or incorrect wiring.

Q: Can I power the board using a battery?
A: Yes, you can power the board using a 3.7V LiPo battery connected to the designated battery connector (if available) or through the 3V3 pin.

Q: Does the board support OTA (Over-The-Air) updates?
A: Yes, the ESP32-S3 chip supports OTA updates. You can implement this feature in your code using the appropriate libraries.

Q: Can I use this board for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications?
A: Yes, the board supports Bluetooth 5.0, including BLE, making it suitable for low-power Bluetooth applications.

Q: Is the board compatible with MicroPython?
A: Yes, the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Plus is compatible with MicroPython. You can flash the MicroPython firmware to the board and use it for development.