ESP-IDF with ESP32-C6 Workshop - Introduction

Lecture: ESP-IDF Introduction

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The ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) is the official operating system and development framework for the ESP32 series of microcontrollers by Espressif Systems. It provides a comprehensive environment for building IoT applications with robust networking, security, and reliability features.

ESP-IDF framework includes FreeRTOS that allows developers to create real-time, multitasking applications. With extensive libraries, components, protocols, tools, and documentation, ESP-IDF simplifies the development process enabling seamless integration with hardware peripherals, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, ZigBee, and cloud services.

ESP-IDF includes almost 400 examples, covering a wide range of use cases and helping developers quickly get started on their projects.

Architecture

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The ESP-IDF platform architecture is mainly divided into 3 layers:

• ESP-IDF platform
  • Contains the core components required and all the operating system. Includes the FreeRTOS, drivers, build system, protocols, etc.
• Middleware
  • Adds new featured to the ESP-IDF, for example the audio framework and HMI.
• AIoT Application
  • This is your application.

All the necessary blocks for building your application will be included on the ESP-IDF platform.

Frameworks

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Several other frameworks use ESP-IDF as a base, including:

• Arduino for ESP32
• ESP-ADF (Audio Development Framework): Designed for audio applications.
• ESP-WHO (AI Development Framework): Focused on face detection and recognition.
• ESP-RainMaker: Simplifies building connected devices with cloud capabilities.
• ESP-Matter SDK: Espressif’s SDK for Matter is the official Matter development framework for ESP32 series SoCs.

To see all the supported frameworks, please visit our GitHub organization page.

Current supported versions

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Visit the ESP-IDF project on GitHub to get the updated list of supported versions and the maintenance period.

Introduction to the ESP32-C6

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The ESP32-C6 is a Ultra-low-power SoC with RISC-V single-core microprocessor, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5 (LE), Zigbee and Thread (802.15.4). It has an optional 4 MB flash in the chip’s package,30 or 22 GPIOs, rich set of peripherals including:

• 30 GPIOs (QFN40), or 22 GPIOs (QFN32)
• 5 strapping GPIOs
• 6 GPIOs needed for in-package flash
• Analog interfaces:
  • 12-bit SAR ADC, up to 7 channels
  • Temperature sensor
• Digital interfaces:
  • Two UARTs
  • Low-power (LP) UART
  • Two SPI ports for communication with flash
  • General purpose SPI port
  • I2C
  • Low-power (LP) I2C
  • I2S
  • Pulse count controller
  • USB Serial/JTAG controller
  • Two TWAI® controllers, compatible with ISO 11898-1 (CAN Specification 2.0)
  • SDIO 2.0 slave controller
  • LED PWM controller, up to 6 channels
  • Motor Control PWM (MCPWM)
  • Remote control peripheral (TX/RX)
  • Parallel IO interface (PARLIO)
  • General DMA controller, with 3 transmit channels and 3 receive channels
  • Event task matrix (ETM)
• Timers:
  • 52-bit system timer
  • Two 54-bit general-purpose timers
  • Three digital watchdog timers
  • Analog watchdog timer

For more details, please see the product ESP32-C6 Datasheet.

Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax)

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Wi-Fi 6, also known as IEEE 802.11ax, represents the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, designed to improve efficiency, capacity, and performance in various environments. Key features of Wi-Fi 6, as seen in devices like the ESP32-C6, include:

• 20 MHz-only Non-AP Mode: This mode operates in a non-access point capacity, utilizing a 20 MHz channel width.
• MCS0 ~ MCS9: Support for modulation and coding schemes ranging from MCS0 to MCS9, which dictate data rates and signal robustness.
• Uplink and Downlink OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access enables efficient simultaneous connections, particularly beneficial in high-density environments such as stadiums or large office buildings.
• Downlink MU-MIMO: Multi-user, multiple input, multiple output technology increases network capacity by allowing the transmission of data to multiple devices at the same time.
• Beamforming: This feature enhances signal quality by focusing the Wi-Fi signal towards the receiving device.
• Channel Quality Indication (CQI): Provides real-time feedback on the channel conditions, aiding in dynamic adjustments for optimal performance.
• DCM (Dual Carrier Modulation): Enhances link robustness by using dual carriers, reducing the likelihood of signal degradation.
• Spatial Reuse: Maximizes parallel transmissions by allowing multiple devices to communicate simultaneously on the same frequency without significant interference.
• Target Wake Time (TWT): Optimizes power-saving mechanisms by scheduling specific times for devices to wake up and communicate, extending battery life, especially for IoT devices.

These advanced features make Wi-Fi 6 a robust and efficient choice for modern wireless communication needs, ensuring better performance, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Wi-Fi MAC support for the 802.11ax:

• Target wake time (TWT) requester
• Multiple BSSIDs
• Triggered response scheduling
• Uplink power headroom
• Operating mode
• Buffer status report
• Multi-user Request-to-Send (MU-RTS), Multi-user Block ACK Request (MU-BAR), and Multi-STA Block ACK (M-BA) frame
• Intra-PPDU power saving mechanism
• Two network allocation vectors (NAV)
• BSS coloring
• Spatial reuse
• Uplink power headroom
• Operating mode control
• Buffer status report
• TXOP duration RTS threshold
• UL-OFDMA random access (UORA)

Resources

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• ESP32-C6 Datasheet
• ESP32-C6 Documentation
• ESP32-C6-DevKit-C Documentation
• ESP32-C6-DevKit-C Schematic

Introduction to the ESP32-C6-DevKit-C

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The ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1 is a beginner-friendly development board featuring the ESP32-C6-WROOM-1(U) module, which includes an 8 MB SPI flash. This board offers comprehensive Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, and Thread capabilities.

To facilitate easy interfacing, most of the I/O pins are accessible through pin headers on both sides. Developers can connect peripherals using jumper wires or mount the ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1 on a breadboard.

Features

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Here is the development board feature list:

• ESP32-C6-WROOM-1 module
• Pin Header
• 5 V to 3.3 V LDO
• 3.3 V Power On LED
• USB-to-UART Bridge
• ESP32-C6 USB Type-C Port for flashing and debug
• Boot Button
• Reset Button
• USB Type-C to UART Port
• RGB LED connected to the GPIO8
• J5 jumper used for current measurement.

Board description

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Board pin-layout

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J1 connector

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J3 connector

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Next step

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After this introduction, it’s time to get started and install the development environment.

Assignment 1: Install the Espressif-IDE