Comparison of ESP32

With other existing microcontrollers.

SENDHAN S

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CONTENTS:

1. Introduction
2. ESP32 Overview
3. Comparative Analysis
4. Conclusion
5. Recommendations
6. Future Trends
7. References

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Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to conduct a comparative analysis between the ESP32
microcontroller and other prominent microcontrollers, namely the Arduino Atmel MCU, STM32
MCU, and RP2040. The aim is to highlight the unique attributes and features of each microcontroller,
aiding decision-makers and developers in selecting the most suitable platform for their projects.

1. Introduction:
In the contemporary landscape of embedded systems, the selection of an optimal
microcontroller is a consequential decision that significantly influences the trajectory of diverse
projects, ranging from elementary automation to sophisticated IoT applications. As the demand for
multifaceted functionalities and advanced connectivity options continues to burgeon, the discerning
choice of a microcontroller becomes paramount for developers and engineers. This comprehensive
report embarks on a rigorous comparative analysis, focusing on the ESP32 microcontroller while
drawing parallels with two eminent counterparts – the Arduino Atmel MCU and the STM32 MCU.
Additionally, we will delve into burgeoning alternatives that are garnering attention within the
dynamic microcontroller landscape.

In this era of technological evolution, microcontrollers are not mere components but integral
enablers, steering the course of innovation across industries. As I embark on this analysis during my
internship, the intent is not merely to juxtapose specifications but to distill insights that empower
decision-makers with a nuanced understanding of the intricate nuances and distinctive features
offered by each microcontroller. Through meticulous examination, we endeavor to elucidate how
these technological building blocks align with the specific demands of diverse projects, thus
contributing to informed and strategic decision-making in the professional realm.

This report aims to go beyond the rudimentary comparisons, offering a discerning perspective that is
inherently cognizant of the demands and expectations of contemporary industry standards. By
unravelling the intricacies of ESP32 and its counterparts, this analysis aspires to serve as a compass
for navigating the complex terrain of microcontroller choices. As I engage in this pursuit during my
internship, the aspiration is to contribute to the pool of knowledge that not only informs decisions
but also propels innovation forward in a world increasingly dependent on embedded systems.

2. ESP32 Overview:
ESP32 is a series of low-cost, low-power system on a chip microcontroller with integrated Wi-
Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. The ESP32 series employs either a Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor
in both dual-core and single-core variations, Xtensa LX7 dual-core microprocessor or a single-core
RISC-V microprocessor and includes built-in antenna switches, RF balun, power amplifier, low-noise
receive amplifier, filters, and power-management modules. ESP32 is created and developed by
Espressif Systems, a Chinese company based in Shanghai, and is manufactured by TSMC using their
40 nm process. It is a successor to the ESP8266 microcontroller.

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Features of the ESP32 include the following:
Wi-Fi:
• 802.11b/g/n
• 802.11n (2.4 GHz), up to 150 Mbps
• WMM
• TX/RX A-MPDU, RX A-MSDU
• Immediate Block ACK
• Defragmentation
• Automatic Beacon monitoring (hardware TSF)
• 4 × virtual Wi-Fi interfaces
• Simultaneous support for Infrastructure Station, SoftAP, and Promiscuous modes
Note that when ESP32 is in Station mode, performing a scan, the SoftAP channel will be
changed.
• Antenna diversity

Bluetooth®:
• Compliant with Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth LE specifications
• Class-1, class-2 and class-3 transmitter without external power amplifier
• Enhanced Power Control
• +9 dBm transmitting power
• NZIF receiver with –94 dBm Bluetooth LE sensitivity
• Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH)
• Standard HCI based on SDIO/SPI/UART
• High-speed UART HCI, up to 4 Mbps
• Bluetooth 4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth LE dual mode controller
• Synchronous Connection-Oriented/Extended (SCO/eSCO)
• CVSD and SBC for audio codec
• Bluetooth Piconet and Scatternet
• Multi-connections in Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE
• Simultaneous advertising and scanning

CPU and Memory:

• Xtensa® single-/dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor(s)
• CoreMark® score:
– 1 core at 240 MHz: 504.85 CoreMark; 2.10 CoreMark/MHz
– 2 cores at 240 MHz: 994.26 CoreMark; 4.14 CoreMark/MHz
• 448 KB ROM
• 520 KB SRAM
• 16 KB SRAM in RTC
• QSPI supports multiple flash/SRAM chips

Clocks and Timers:

• Internal 8 MHz oscillator with calibration
• Internal RC oscillator with calibration
• External 2 MHz ~ 60 MHz crystal oscillator (40 MHz only for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth functionality)
• External 32 kHz crystal oscillator for RTC with calibration
• Two timer groups, including 2 × 64-bit timers and 1 × main watchdog in each group

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• One RTC timer
• RTC watchdog

Advanced Peripheral Interfaces:

• 34 × programmable GPIOs
– 5 strapping GPIOs
– 6 input-only GPIOs
– 6 GPIOs needed for in-package flash/PSRAM (ESP32-D0WDR2-V3, ESP32-U4WDH)
• 12-bit SAR ADC up to 18 channels
• 2 × 8-bit DAC
• 10 × touch sensors
• 4 × SPI
• 2 × I2S
• 2 × I2C
• 3 × UART
• 1 host (SD/eMMC/SDIO)
• 1 slave (SDIO/SPI)
• Ethernet MAC interface with dedicated DMA and IEEE 1588 support
• TWAI®, compatible with ISO 11898-1 (CAN Specification 2.0)
• RMT (TX/RX)
• Motor PWM
• LED PWM up to 16 channels

Power Management:
• Fine-resolution power control through a selection of clock frequency, duty cycle, Wi-Fi
operating modes,
and individual power control of internal components
• Five power modes designed for typical scenarios: Active, Modem-sleep, Light-sleep, Deep-
sleep,
Hibernation
• Power consumption in Deep-sleep mode is 10 µA
• Ultra-Low-Power (ULP) coprocessors
• RTC memory remains powered on in Deep-sleep mode

Security:
• Secure boot
• Flash encryption
• 1024-bit OTP, up to 768-bit for customers
• Cryptographic hardware acceleration:
– AES
– Hash (SHA-2)
– RSA
– ECC
– Random Number Generator (RNG)

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Architecture:

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3. Comparative Analysis:
Arduino Overview:

Atmel, a subsidiary of Microchip Technology, is renowned for its versatile microcontroller

series, particularly the AVR (Advanced Virtual RISC) line.

Atmel's AVR microcontroller series stands as a stalwart in the embedded systems landscape,
embodying a legacy of reliability, versatility, and innovation. The AVR architecture, rooted in the RISC
(Reduced Instruction Set Computing) philosophy, empowers developers with efficient and high-
performance microcontrollers.

Key Features:

 High-performance design
 Low power consumption
 The total number of Analog Input pins are 6
 Contains 32 kilobytes of flash memory
 Contains 2 kilobytes of SRAM
 Contains 1 kilobyte of EEPROM
 16-megahertz clock speed
 Minimum & maximum temperature -40 degree centigrade to 105 degrees centigrade
 The total number of Digital I/O pins are 14
 Advance RISC
 Lock program functionality for programming code security
 Contains a total of three timers two 8-bit and one 16-bit
 The total number of I/O pins are 23
 The total number of PWM channels are 6
 Minimum and maximum operating voltage from 1.8V DC to 5.5V DC

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Overview of STM32:

The STM32 32-Bit ARM® Cortex®-M MCUs from STMicroelectronics are based on the Arm
Cortex-M processor and are designed to give MCU users unprecedented levels of freedom. The
MCUs come in a 32-bit version that combines high performance, real-time capability, digital signal
processing, and low-power, low-voltage operation. This is accomplished while retaining complete
integration and development ease. The unrivalled and extensive range of STM32 devices, which are
based on an industry-standard core and come with a wide range of tools and software, makes this
family of products the best choice for small projects as well as platforms considerations.
The STM32 range now includes Arm Cortex-M cores (M0, M0+, M3, M4, and M7), as well as other
alternatives. This allows developers the freedom to choose the best STM32 for their applications.
The ability to move applications from one device to another is given special consideration. When
dealing with the STM32 family, the binary compatibility, paired with the comparable pinout
assignment, hardware IP proliferation, and higher-level programming language, makes the
development task significantly more convenient.

STM32 Features:

• ARM® 32-bit Cortex®-M3 CPU Core

• Clock, reset and supply management

• Low-power

• 2 x 12-bit, 1 µs A/D converters (up to 16 channels)

• DMA

•Up to 80 fast I/O ports

• Debug mode

• 7 timers

• Up to 9 communication interfaces

• CRC calculation unit, 96-bit unique ID

• Packages are ECOPACK®

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Overview of RP2040

The Raspberry Pi RP2040 is the company's first microcontroller. It brings to the

microcontroller arena our distinctive values of great performance, low cost, and ease of use. It
provides professional users with unrivalled power and flexibility because of its huge on-chip
memory, symmetric dual-core processing complex, deterministic bus fabric, and comprehensive
peripheral set reinforced with our innovative Programmable I/O (PIO) subsystem. It provides the
lowest possible barrier to entry for beginning and amateur users, with thorough documentation, a
polished MicroPython port, and a UF2 bootloader in ROM.

The RP2040 is a stateless device with external QSPI memory cached execute-in-place functionality.
This design option allows you to select the right density of non-volatile storage for your application
while also taking advantage of commodity Flash's low pricing.

The RP2040 is built on a cutting-edge 40nm process node that delivers great performance, low
dynamic power consumption, and low leakage, as well as a range of low-power modes to facilitate
extended battery operation.

RP2040 Features:

• Dual ARM Cortex-M0+ @ 133MHz

• 264kB on-chip SRAM in six independent banks

• Support for up to 16MB of off-chip Flash memory via dedicated QSPI bus

• DMA controller

• Fully-connected AHB crossbar

• Interpolator and integer divider peripherals

• On-chip programmable LDO to generate a core voltage

• 2 on-chip PLLs to generate USB and core clocks

• 30 GPIO pins, 4 of which can be used as analog inputs

• Peripherals

3.1 ESP32 Vs Other MCUs in same range

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 Esp32 ATMEGA328P STM32 RP2040

Microcontroller Dual-core Single core Single core Dual-core

Core 32-bit XTENSA 8-bit RISC AVR 32-bit ARM Cortex 32-bit ARM
Architecture M3/M4 Cortex M0+

CPU Clock 80MHz up to 16MHz (slowest) 72MHz both 48MHz up to

240MHz 133MHz

RAM Size 520KB 2KB 20KB 264KB

Flash size 4MB 32KB 64KB 2MB

EEPROM 512B 1KB 524KB No

Programming C/C++ JavaScript Arduino IDE C/C++ Micro Python

languages Arduino IDE C/C++

USB Interface USB2.0 USB2.0 USB2.0 USB1.1

MCU Voltage 3.3 Volts DC 5 Volts DC 3.3 Volts DC 3.3 Volts DC

Alternative 3.3V via VIN 6-20V Pin 30 2.0-3.6V 2-5V PC vis Pin39
Board power Regulated
5V pin27

manufacturer RF Solutions Microchip STMicroelectronics Raspberry Pi

Technology Inc

Operating -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -40°C to +85°C -20°C to +85°C

temperature

GPIO pins 34 23 Depending on 26

series, ranges from
32-100

Price ₹500 to ₹1,500 ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 ₹800 to ₹4,000 ₹300 to ₹400

INR* INR* INR* INR*

Unique Very good Beginner-Friendly High Performance Cost effective

property Wireless and huge because of ARM high end model
Connectivity community M4 series

Picture

*Approximation according to main websites, price may vary with sellers and vendors.

4. Conclusion:

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 In the rapidly evolving landscape of microcontrollers, the RP2040, STM32, Atmega328P, and
ESP32 stand out as versatile options catering to diverse project requirements. Each has its unique
features, making them suitable for a range of applications.

RP2040 from the Raspberry Pi Foundation brings a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor to the
table. With 26 GPIO pins and 264KB of SRAM, it offers a cost-effective solution for projects where
wireless connectivity is not a primary requirement. The growing community and support from the
Raspberry Pi foundation forums contribute to its appeal, especially for projects with simplicity and
efficiency in mind.

STM32, with its ARM Cortex-M series processors, presents a spectrum of models with varying
capabilities. Ranging from 64 to 240 GPIO pins, these microcontrollers offer extensive peripherals,
substantial memory options, and in some cases, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. The STM32
community, backed by STMicroelectronics forums and the STM32duino project, provides strong
support for developers working on projects demanding a high level of performance and versatility.

Atmega328P, an 8-bit AVR microcontroller commonly found in Arduino boards, stands out for its
simplicity and ease of use. With 23 GPIO pins, 32KB of flash memory, and 2KB of SRAM, it is well-
suited for educational projects, prototyping, and applications where a straightforward approach is
preferred. The extensive Arduino community, along with vast library support, makes it an excellent
choice for beginners and hobbyists.

ESP32 emerges as a powerhouse with a dual-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 processor, 36 GPIO pins, and
integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Boasting 520KB of SRAM and a rich set of peripherals, it
excels in IoT applications and projects requiring wireless connectivity. The robust community
support, found on Espressif forums and backed by extensive third-party libraries, positions the ESP32
as a top choice for developers seeking high-performance and feature-rich microcontrollers.

In conclusion, the choice among RP2040, STM32, Atmega328P, and ESP32 hinges on the specific
needs of a project. For simplicity and entry-level applications, the Atmega328P offers a friendly
learning curve. STM32 caters to those requiring a wide range of capabilities and high performance,
while RP2040 provides a cost-effective solution. Meanwhile, ESP32 dominates in applications
demanding robust wireless connectivity. In this diverse landscape, developers can leverage the
strengths of each microcontroller to bring their innovative ideas to life.

5. Recommendations:
 Simplicity and Learning: Choose Atmega328P for beginners and educational projects due to
simplicity and extensive Arduino community support.
 Cost-Effectiveness: opt for RP2040 for budget-conscious projects, providing a cost-effective
solution with essential features.
 Wireless Connectivity: Select ESP32 for projects requiring integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
capabilities, particularly in IoT applications.
 High-Performance and Versatility: Consider STM32 microcontrollers for a balance between
performance and versatility, catering to a broad spectrum of applications.

 Familiarity with Raspberry Pi Ecosystem: If already familiar, go for RP2040 for its dual-core
ARM Cortex-M0+ processor and Raspberry Pi ecosystem compatibility.

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  Educational and Prototyping Projects: Atmega328P is ideal for educational purposes and
prototyping, offering simplicity and Arduino platform compatibility.
 Balancing Performance and Cost: Choose STM32 series for a well-balanced solution,
providing different capabilities while considering performance and cost factors.

6. Future Trends:
Future microcontroller trends will shape decision-making by expanding applications,
prioritizing security, offering customization, balancing power efficiency, integrating AI capabilities,
and ensuring adaptability to evolving connectivity standards. Developers will need to consider these
trends for microcontroller selection in line with the evolving needs of their projects.

Future Trends in Microcontroller Technology:

 Edge Computing Integration:

Microcontrollers may increasingly integrate edge computing for localized processing,

reducing reliance on cloud services.

 Enhanced Connectivity:

Future microcontrollers will offer improved wireless connectivity and more

communication interfaces, catering to diverse IoT applications.

 Energy Efficiency:

Continued emphasis on energy efficiency will be a trend, meeting the demand for
battery-powered devices and extending IoT device battery life.

 Security Features:

Microcontrollers will include enhanced security features, addressing concerns about

device vulnerability and ensuring secure data handling.

 AI Integration:

Future microcontrollers may integrate AI and machine learning, enabling intelligent

decision-making at the device level.

Impact on Microcontroller Selection:

 Expanded Applications:

Evolving microcontroller capabilities will broaden their application scope, influencing

selection based on project requirements.

 Security Priority:

Security emphasis will lead to choosing microcontrollers with robust built-in security for
projects dealing with sensitive data.

 Customization and Flexibility:

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 Demand for customization and flexibility will impact the selection process, aligning
microcontroller features with project needs.

 Balancing Power and Efficiency:

Choosing microcontrollers will involve balancing processing power with energy

efficiency to meet performance goals while minimizing power consumption.

 Integration with AI:

Integration of AI capabilities will influence microcontroller selection for projects

requiring intelligent edge-level decision-making.

 Adaptability to Connectivity Standards:

Microcontrollers must adapt to evolving connectivity standards, guiding selection based

on project communication requirements and compatibility with emerging protocols.

7. References:

https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32_datasheet_en.pdf
https://www.utmel.com/components/rp2040-vs-atmega328-vs-esp32-vs-stm32-
comparison-some-parameters-of-microcontrollers?id=1471
https://chat.openai.com/
https://www.arduino.cc/

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