Introducing Esp32-C6-Bug, a compact yet powerful development board built around the latest Esp32-C6FH4 RISC-V MCU from the Esp32 family. This versatile board supports multiple wireless protocols, including Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5, Thread, and Zigbee, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Equipped with low power consumption and battery support, the Esp32-C6-Bug is perfect for projects requiring energy efficiency and wireless connectivity.

The Esp32-C6-Bug features castellated holes for easy integration into other products and neatly fits on a breadboard for prototyping. Its integrated 32.768 kHz RTC oscillator ensures accurate timekeeping, while power consumption as low as 20uA in sleep mode maximizes battery life. Programming can be done using both the Arduino framework and Esp-IDF, with examples readily available for quick start.

Esp32-C6-Bug front and back

To extend the capabilities of the Esp32-C6-Bug, we introduce the Esp32-Bug-Eth companion board. This add-on board features Ethernet and PoE support, utilizing the widely-supported W5500 Ethernet chip and DP1435-5V isolated PoE module. Additionally, it includes a Stemma QT/QWIIC compatible connector for seamless integration with various sensors.

Esp32-Eth-Bug shield

Tested Use Cases

Esp32-C6-Bug excels in scenarios where low-power functionality or multi-protocol features, such as:

• Building multi-protocol devices
• Wearable electronics
• Protocol bridges
• Smart home devices

Complementing the Esp32-C6-Bug, the Esp32-Bug-Eth companion board extends its capabilities, enabling:

• Ethernet connectivity
• PoE powering
• Compatibility with Adafruit STEMMA QT sensors

Examples

All examples listed are accompanied by detailed testing and descriptions, located in the Esp32-C6-Bug datasheet.

• Zigbee Light Bulbs/Switches: Create Zigbee devices like light bulbs and switches using Espressif's Zigbee example.

Esp32-C6-Bugs communicating wirelessly as Zigbee devices

• Thread to Wi-Fi Bridge:

Espressif’s Thread example demonstrates how to access Thread network devices via Wi-Fi using the Esp32-C6-Bug. Add the Esp32-Bug-Eth shield for Ethernet connectivity and PoE powering.

Esp32-C6-Bug with Esp32-Eth-Bug

• Zigbee sleepy device:

This Zigbee example utilizes low-power sleep modes with Zigbee for battery-powered devices, for power consumption as low as 60uA when in sleep mode.

Esp32-C6-Bug demonstrating low power mode with Zigbee connectivity

• Ethernet + PoE Multi-Protocol Bridge: While Esp32-C6 doesn't have native Ethernet RMII, it does support popular Ethernet chips like W5500 via SPI, which can be facilitated by the Esp32-Bug-Eth shield.

Esp32-C6-Bug and Esp32-Eth-Bug powered over ethernet

• STEMMA QT POE powered sensors: Power STEMMA QT sensors with PoE for convenient integration. The following image demonstrates the configuration with the ATECC608A cryptographic chip development board and library.

Esp32-C6-Bug and Esp32-Eth-Bug with STEMMA QT sensor attached

• Esp32-C6-Bug Smart Home Devices: The Esp32-C6-Bug is fully compatible with the Home Assistant environment using ESPHome. Home Assistant SkyConnect also supports connection via Zigbee using this ESP-IDF light example, which is described in the Esp32-C6-Bug datasheet, with other integration options possible using ESPHome .yaml scripts. The video below demonstrates the use of Home Assistant SkyConnect with a touchscreen and Esp32-C6-Bug.

Esp32-C6-Bug using Home Assistant SkyConnect with a touchscreen and Esp32-C6-Bug

• Small Battery-Powered Devices: Benefit from built-in battery support and low-power features for applications like fitness trackers, virtual reality controllers, and BLE speakers. External 32kHz crystal allows light sleep to be used during BLE advertising, effectively dropping the power consumption to 200 uA!

Esp32-C6-Bug demonstrating light sleep during BLE advertising

Esp32-C6-Bug features

Esp32-Eth-Bug features

Features and Specifications

- Chip Features

• 32-bit RISC-V 160 MHz processor
  • 32-bit RISC-V 20 MHz low-power coprocessor can run tasks even when the main system is in deep-sleep state (example)
• 512 MB SRAM, 4 MB Flash
• WiFi-6, BLE 5 + IEEE 802.15.4 radio (Zigbee, Thread, etc…)
• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) radio also supports 802.11b/g/n for backward compatibility
• SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, RMT, TWAI, PWM, SDIO, Motor Control PWM, 12-bit ADC, and a temperature sensor

- Battery features

• Under-voltage and reverse-polarity protection
• On-board battery charging and level measurement w/ indicator LED
• 20 uA deep sleep power consumption (with timer wake-up)

- Mechanical features

• User-controlled LEDs
• External 32.768 kHz RTC oscillator and 40 MHz oscillator
• Reset and user-controlled buttons
• 700 mA low-noise LDO
• USB-C for programming and communication
• 19 GPIOs exposed

- Form-factor

• Castellated holes
• Pin names on both sides
• Breadboard compatible
• Two M1 mounting holes

- Esp32-Bug-Eth add-on board features

• W5500 Ethernet module
• Isolated PoE support provided by SDAPO DP1435-5V module
• STEMMA-QT connector for connecting peripherals
• USB-C supporting both power and data
• M2 mounting holes

Esp32-C6-Bug Pinouts

Comparisons

Documentation

• Arduino examples directory
• Schematics, BOM, datasheet, and 3D model
• Esp32-C6-Bug 3D printable enclosure
• Esp32-Bug-Eth 3D printable enclosure

Manufacturing Plan

We have a long-term manufacturing partner ready to begin production promptly after the funding process. They will inspect boards to ensure quality assembly, and package the products into ESD bags together with the pin headers for quick and convenient processing.

Fulfillment & Logistics

After our production run is complete, we will box everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle worldwide distribution to backers. Learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.

Risks & Challenges

Our manufacturing and packaging pipeline has been thoroughly tested, and we chose all components to be common and easy to source. The most non-standard part is Esp32-C6FH4, which is well stocked on Mouser. In the event that any parts become out of stock, we have a very reliable parts supplier in China who available for alternate parts sourcing.