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Component Documentation

How to Use XIAO ESP32C3: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of XIAO ESP32C3

Design with XIAO ESP32C3 in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The XIAO ESP32C3, manufactured by Seeed Studio, is a compact microcontroller board powered by the ESP32-C3 chip. This board features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities, making it an excellent choice for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, smart devices, and wireless communication projects. Its small form factor and low power consumption make it ideal for portable and space-constrained designs.

Explore Projects Built with XIAO ESP32C3

Xiao ESP32 C3 and Adafruit RFM9x LoRa Radio Communication Module

Image of LoRa: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

This circuit connects a Xiao ESP32 C3 microcontroller to an Adafruit RFM9x LoRa Radio module. The ESP32 C3 provides power to the LoRa module and interfaces with it using SPI communication (SCK, MISO, MOSI, CS) and control lines (RST, DIO0). This setup is likely intended for wireless communication using LoRa technology, with the ESP32 handling data processing and network protocol tasks.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Xiao ESP32 C3 Based Temperature and Humidity Monitoring System

Image of DHT-11: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

This circuit features a Xiao ESP32 C3 microcontroller connected to a DHT11 Humidity and Temperature Sensor. The ESP32 C3 provides power to the DHT11 sensor through its VUSB pin and receives data from the sensor's DATA pin via the ESP32's D2 pin. The circuit is designed to measure environmental temperature and humidity, with the microcontroller processing and potentially communicating the sensor data.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

ESP32C3 and LoRa-Enabled Environmental Sensing Node

Image of temperature_KA: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

This circuit features an ESP32C3 Supermini microcontroller connected to a LORA_RA02 module and a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor. The ESP32C3 handles communication with the LORA module via SPI (using GPIO05, GPIO06, GPIO10, and GPIO04 for MISO, MOSI, NSS, and SCK respectively) and GPIO01 and GPIO02 for additional control signals. The DHT11 sensor is interfaced through GPIO03 for data reading, and all components share a common power supply through the 3.3V and GND pins.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Wi-Fi Controlled Transistor Array with XIAO ESP32C3

Image of resisto: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

This circuit features an XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller interfaced with multiple PNP transistors and resistors to control various outputs. The microcontroller's GPIO pins are connected to the bases of the transistors through resistors, allowing it to switch the transistors on and off, while capacitors are used for filtering and stabilization.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with XIAO ESP32C3

Image of LoRa: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

Xiao ESP32 C3 and Adafruit RFM9x LoRa Radio Communication Module

This circuit connects a Xiao ESP32 C3 microcontroller to an Adafruit RFM9x LoRa Radio module. The ESP32 C3 provides power to the LoRa module and interfaces with it using SPI communication (SCK, MISO, MOSI, CS) and control lines (RST, DIO0). This setup is likely intended for wireless communication using LoRa technology, with the ESP32 handling data processing and network protocol tasks.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Image of DHT-11: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

Xiao ESP32 C3 Based Temperature and Humidity Monitoring System

This circuit features a Xiao ESP32 C3 microcontroller connected to a DHT11 Humidity and Temperature Sensor. The ESP32 C3 provides power to the DHT11 sensor through its VUSB pin and receives data from the sensor's DATA pin via the ESP32's D2 pin. The circuit is designed to measure environmental temperature and humidity, with the microcontroller processing and potentially communicating the sensor data.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Image of temperature_KA: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

ESP32C3 and LoRa-Enabled Environmental Sensing Node

This circuit features an ESP32C3 Supermini microcontroller connected to a LORA_RA02 module and a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor. The ESP32C3 handles communication with the LORA module via SPI (using GPIO05, GPIO06, GPIO10, and GPIO04 for MISO, MOSI, NSS, and SCK respectively) and GPIO01 and GPIO02 for additional control signals. The DHT11 sensor is interfaced through GPIO03 for data reading, and all components share a common power supply through the 3.3V and GND pins.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Image of resisto: A project utilizing XIAO ESP32C3 in a practical application

Wi-Fi Controlled Transistor Array with XIAO ESP32C3

This circuit features an XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller interfaced with multiple PNP transistors and resistors to control various outputs. The microcontroller's GPIO pins are connected to the bases of the transistors through resistors, allowing it to switch the transistors on and off, while capacitors are used for filtering and stabilization.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications

IoT devices and smart home automation
Wireless sensor networks
Wearable technology
Remote monitoring and control systems
Prototyping for Wi-Fi and BLE-enabled projects

Technical Specifications

The XIAO ESP32C3 is designed to deliver high performance in a small package. Below are its key technical details:

Key Features

Microcontroller: ESP32-C3 (RISC-V 32-bit single-core processor)
Clock Speed: Up to 160 MHz
Flash Memory: 4 MB
SRAM: 400 KB
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE)
Operating Voltage: 3.3V
Input Voltage Range: 5V (via USB-C) or 3.3V (via pins)
Power Consumption: Ultra-low power in deep sleep mode
Dimensions: 21 x 17.5 mm
Interface: USB-C, UART, I2C, SPI, ADC, PWM, GPIO

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The XIAO ESP32C3 has 11 GPIO pins, which are multifunctional and can be configured for various purposes. Below is the pinout description:

Pin Name	Function	Description
3V3	Power Supply	3.3V power output for external components.
GND	Ground	Common ground for the circuit.
D0	GPIO0 / ADC / PWM	General-purpose I/O, analog input, or PWM output.
D1	GPIO1 / ADC / PWM	General-purpose I/O, analog input, or PWM output.
D2	GPIO2 / ADC / PWM	General-purpose I/O, analog input, or PWM output.
D3	GPIO3 / ADC / PWM	General-purpose I/O, analog input, or PWM output.
D4	GPIO4 / ADC / PWM	General-purpose I/O, analog input, or PWM output.
D5	GPIO5 / UART / I2C / SPI	General-purpose I/O, UART, I2C, or SPI communication.
D6	GPIO6 / UART / I2C / SPI	General-purpose I/O, UART, I2C, or SPI communication.
D7	GPIO7 / UART / I2C / SPI	General-purpose I/O, UART, I2C, or SPI communication.
D8	GPIO8 / UART / I2C / SPI	General-purpose I/O, UART, I2C, or SPI communication.
RST	Reset	Resets the microcontroller.

Usage Instructions

The XIAO ESP32C3 is easy to integrate into your projects. Below are the steps to get started and important considerations:

Getting Started

Install the ESP32 Board Package:
- Open the Arduino IDE.
- Go to File > Preferences and add the following URL to the "Additional Board Manager URLs" field:
  https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json
- Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager, search for "ESP32," and install the package.
Connect the XIAO ESP32C3:
- Use a USB-C cable to connect the board to your computer.
- Select the correct board (XIAO_ESP32C3) and port in the Arduino IDE.
Upload a Test Sketch:
- Use the example code below to test the board's functionality.

Example Code: Blink an LED

// This example code blinks the onboard LED of the XIAO ESP32C3.
// The onboard LED is connected to GPIO10.

#define LED_PIN 10  // Define the onboard LED pin

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);  // Set the LED pin as an output
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);  // Turn the LED on
  delay(1000);                  // Wait for 1 second
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);   // Turn the LED off
  delay(1000);                  // Wait for 1 second
}

Important Considerations

Power Supply: Ensure the board is powered with 3.3V or 5V via USB-C. Exceeding the voltage limits may damage the board.
GPIO Voltage Levels: The GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic levels. Avoid applying 5V directly to the pins.
Deep Sleep Mode: Use deep sleep mode to minimize power consumption in battery-powered applications.
Antenna Placement: Avoid placing metal objects near the onboard antenna to ensure optimal wireless performance.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

Board Not Detected in Arduino IDE:
- Ensure the correct USB driver is installed for the XIAO ESP32C3.
- Check the USB cable (some cables are power-only and do not support data transfer).
Upload Fails with Timeout Error:
- Press and hold the BOOT button on the board while uploading the sketch.
- Ensure the correct COM port is selected in the Arduino IDE.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Not Working:
- Verify that the antenna area is not obstructed.
- Check the Wi-Fi or BLE configuration in your code.
Board Overheating:
- Ensure the board is not drawing excessive current from peripherals.
- Use proper heat dissipation techniques if necessary.

FAQs

Q: Can I power the XIAO ESP32C3 with a battery?
A: Yes, you can power the board with a 3.7V LiPo battery connected to the 3V3 and GND pins.
Q: Does the board support OTA (Over-the-Air) updates?
A: Yes, the ESP32-C3 chip supports OTA updates for firmware.
Q: Can I use the XIAO ESP32C3 with MicroPython?
A: Yes, the board is compatible with MicroPython. You can flash the MicroPython firmware to use it.
Q: What is the maximum Wi-Fi range?
A: The range depends on environmental factors but typically extends up to 50 meters indoors and 200 meters outdoors.

By following this documentation, you can effectively use the XIAO ESP32C3 in your projects and troubleshoot common issues.