ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board

1. Product Overview

The ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board is a high-performance solution based on the ESP32-S3 controller. It features 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth BLE 5 support, integrating 16MB Flash and 8MB PSRAM. The board includes an onboard 4-inch 480x480 pixel touch display, enabling smooth GUI programs like LVGL. Designed for versatility, it is suitable for smart control panels, home gateways, interactive smart panels, industrial control systems, and smart lighting control scenarios.

Figure 1: ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board in use, displaying a smart home interface.

Key Features:

• Equipped with high-performance Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, up to 240MHz main frequency.
• Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE), with onboard antenna.
• Built-in 512KB SRAM and 384KB ROM, with onboard 16MB Flash and 8MB PSRAM.
• Onboard 4-inch LCD display, 480 × 480 resolution, 65K color, IPS technology with 160° wide viewing angle.
• Supports capacitive touch controlled via I2C interface, offering 5-point multi-touch.
• Integrated ES8311 audio codec chip and ES7210 echo cancellation circuit for audio input/output.
• Supports mainstream AI platforms for voice interaction.
• Accurate control for flexible clock and independent module power to achieve low power consumption.

2. Setup Guide

2.1 Component Identification

Familiarize yourself with the various components and connectors on the development board using the diagram below:

Figure 2: Detailed view of the ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board components.

1. ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8: SoC with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, up to 240MHz operating frequency, with onboard 8MB PSRAM and 16MB Flash.
2. AXP2101: Highly integrated power management IC.
3. ES7210: Echo cancellation chip, used to eliminate echo and improve audio capture accuracy.
4. ES8311: Low-power audio codec chip for audio encoding and decoding.
5. PCF85063: RTC chip.
6. QMI8658: 6-axis IMU (3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer).
7. TCA9554PWR: GPIO expansion chip.
8. LCD connector: For connecting 4-inch RGB screen.
9. USB to UART Type-C connector: For power supply, program burning, and debugging.
10. USB Type-C connector: ESP32-S3 USB interface, for power supply, program burning, and log printing.
11. Onboard microphones: Microphone inputs with echo cancellation.
12. Speaker header: MX1.25 2P connector, supports 8Ω 2W speaker.
13. PWRKEY button: For power supply on/off, programmable for other functions.
14. BOOT button: For device startup and function debugging.
15. CHG LED indicator: For indicating the charging status of the Lithium battery.
16. PH2.0 Lithium battery header: For 3.7V Lithium battery, supports charging and discharging.
17. Expansion header (pitch 2.0mm): For connecting peripherals.

2.2 Powering the Device

The ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box can be powered via two methods:

• USB Type-C: Connect a standard USB Type-C cable to either the USB to UART Type-C connector (9) or the ESP32-S3 USB Type-C connector (10) and plug it into a power source (e.g., computer USB port, USB wall adapter).
• Lithium Battery: Connect a 3.7V Lithium battery to the PH2.0 Lithium battery header (16). The board supports charging and discharging of the connected battery.

2.3 Initial Connection

To begin development or use, connect the device to your computer using a USB Type-C cable. This will provide power and enable communication for programming and debugging.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Basic Operation

• Power On/Off: Use the PWRKEY button (13) to power the device on or off. This button can also be programmed for other functions.
• Boot Mode: The BOOT button (14) is used for device startup and function debugging, typically for entering bootloader mode during firmware flashing.
• Charging Indicator: The CHG LED indicator (15) will show the charging status of the connected Lithium battery.

3.2 Display and Touch Interaction

The 4-inch LCD display offers a 480x480 resolution with 65K colors and a 160° wide viewing angle. It supports capacitive 5-point multi-touch, allowing for intuitive interaction with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Figure 3: Demonstrating 5-point capacitive touch interaction.

3.3 Wireless Connectivity (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth)

The board supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE) via its onboard antenna. This enables seamless integration into smart home networks and communication with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Figure 4: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE) connectivity features.

3.4 Audio Features

The device includes onboard dual microphones (11) with an ES7210 echo cancellation circuit for clear audio input. A speaker header (12) supports an 8Ω 2W speaker for audio output, managed by the ES8311 audio codec chip.

Figure 5: Location of onboard dual microphones and speaker header.

3.5 AI Voice Interaction

The ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box supports mainstream AI platforms and can be connected to online large model platforms such as Doubao and DeepSeek for advanced AI voice interaction capabilities.

Figure 6: AI voice interaction process.

4. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board, follow these general maintenance guidelines:

• Keep Dry: Avoid exposing the device to moisture or liquids, as this can damage electronic components.
• Clean Gently: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the display and casing. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Temperature Control: Operate and store the device within recommended temperature ranges to prevent overheating or damage from extreme cold.
• Handle with Care: Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to strong impacts.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly check for and apply any available firmware updates to ensure the device has the latest features and security patches.

5. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your ESP32-S3 Smart 86 Box Development Board, consider the following basic troubleshooting steps:

• No Power: Ensure the USB Type-C cable is securely connected to both the board and a working power source. If using a battery, check its charge level and connection.
• Display Not Working: Verify that the LCD connector is properly seated. Try restarting the device.
• Connectivity Issues (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth): Check your network settings and ensure the device is within range of your Wi-Fi access point or Bluetooth device. Restart the board and your router/Bluetooth device if necessary.
• Touch Screen Unresponsive: Ensure the screen is clean and free of debris. Restart the device.
• Programming Errors: Double-check your code and development environment setup. Ensure the correct USB port is selected and drivers are installed.

For more complex issues, refer to the official Waveshare documentation or community forums for ESP32-S3 development boards.

6. Specifications

Figure 7: Outline Dimensions (Unit: mm).

7. User Tips

No specific user tips were available from reviews or Q&A for this product at this time. However, general tips for development boards include:

• Start with Examples: Utilize official examples and documentation provided by Waveshare or Espressif to quickly get started with the ESP32-S3 features.
• Community Support: Engage with online communities and forums for ESP32-S3 development. Many common issues and innovative projects are discussed there.
• Power Management: Pay attention to power consumption, especially when running on battery. Optimize your code and hardware usage for efficiency.
• Development Environment: Ensure your development environment (e.g., ESP-IDF, Arduino IDE) is correctly set up and updated to avoid compilation or flashing issues.

8. Warranty and Support

For product support, technical assistance, or warranty inquiries, please contact the seller, Mojechip Store. They specialize in providing high-precision GNSS/GPS modules, development boards, and electronic components, and are committed to offering reliable products and exceptional service.

You may reach out to them via the following contact information:

• WhatsApp: +852 5360 7032
• Email: Masha@mojechip.com

Please have your purchase details ready when contacting support.