M5Stack Technology Co Ltd CoreMatrix M5COREMATRIX Control Module User Manual

CoreMatrix
User Manual – FCC

Description

CoreMatrix is a highly integrated main control module designed for embedded development and intelligent interaction scenarios. It is powered by the ESP32-C61HR8 chip with a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor running up to 160 MHz, and supports 2.4  GHz Wi-Fi and BLE wireless communication. With 16MB Flash and 8MB PSRAM on board, it can handle complex dot-matrix graphics display, data buffering, and multitasking control. For interaction, it integrates a 16×16 monochrome LED matrix, a buzzer, and a BMI270 IMU sensor, providing visual feedback, audio prompts, and motion sensing capabilities. It also offers microSD storage expansion and M5PM1/M5IOE1 interfaces for connecting additional peripherals and functional modules. In terms of power  supply, it supports a USB interface, making it suitable for IoT nodes and rapid prototyping projects.

Specifications

Quick Start

3.1 Preparation

1. Install the ESP-IDF development environment by following the official tutorial:
   – ESP-IDF Version: `release/v5.5` https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/esp-idf_component.html
2. Compile the Wi-Fi scan example and flash it to the device: https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/tree/master/examples/wifi/scan
3. View the Wi-Fi scan results via the serial port.

3.2 How to Use the BLE Function
The CoreMatrix supports BLE and can work as a BLE peripheral device. The following steps show how to test the BLE function with the official NimBLE peripheral example:

1. Open the NimBLE BLE peripheral example in the ESP-IDF: https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/tree/master/examples/bluetooth/nimble/bleprph
2. Compile the example and flash it to the device in the same way as the Wi-Fi scan example in Section 3.1.
3. Install the nRF Connect for Mobile App on a smartphone (or use any BLE debugging tool on a PC).
4. Open the App and tap SCAN. The device will appear in the scan list with its BLE name (e.g., NimBLE-PRPH).
5. Tap CONNECT to establish the BLE connection. The GATT services and characteristics provided by the device will be displayed, and you can read and write the characteristics to communicate with the device.

3.3 Installation and Usage Instructions
Installation:

1. Power on: connect the device to a computer or a standard USB power adapter with a USB data cable. The device is powered through the USB interface and does not contain a built-in battery.
2. Serial connection: the device integrates a USB serial port. After it is connected to the computer, the serial port will be recognized automatically (on some systems, install the corresponding USB-to-serial driver as prompted).
3. Firmware flashing: open the development environment, select the corresponding serial port, compile your project and flash the firmware to the device (refer to Section 3.1). Usage:
4.  After power-on, the device runs the application firmware. The 16×16 LED matrix is used for dot-matrix graphics display, the buzzer provides audio prompts, and the BMI270 IMU provides motion sensing.
5. A microSD card can be inserted for storage expansion, and the M5PM1 / M5IOE1 interfaces can be used to connect additional peripherals and functional modules.
6. Wireless communication: both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and BLE are available. Refer to Section 3.1 for the Wi-Fi scan test and Section 3.2 for the BLE test. Note: the device should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.

3.4 Interface Description

The CoreMatrix provides the following external interfaces:

1. USB Type-C port (J3): 5 V power input and USB serial port for firmware flashing and serial communication.
2. Grove-compatible 4-pin port (JP4): I2C expansion port (5 V, GND, SDA, SCL) for connecting Grove peripherals.
3. microSD card slot (J1): for storage expansion.
4. 2-pin connector (JP1): for connecting an optional external battery pack (the device does not contain a built-in battery).
5. Others: programmable user keys, the 16×16 monochrome LED matrix, and the built-in buzzer.

3.5 Usage Scenarios
The CoreMatrix is a main control module for on-site data acquisition and wireless data upload. Its usage scenarios are described as follows:

1. Smart Industry – data acquisition node: the device is deployed at the production site as a fixed node, and sensors monitor process data such as the air pressure of gas valves and the number of machining operations of machine tools. The data is collected  on site and uploaded to the cloud, replacing manual meter reading point by point.
2.  Smart Agriculture – breeding and farm monitoring node: the device is used as a fixed node of a smart farm, for example in a weighing area, a feeding area or a breeding pen, to collect the weight and growth data of livestock and the environmental data,  and to upload them wirelessly.
3. Smart Retail – shelf management node: the device is used together with a low power consumption camera as a fixed shelf management node. The shelf images and the inventory data are uploaded to the cloud for analysis, and the staff is notified of the  exact out-of-stock item and shelf position so that replenishment can be arranged in time.
4. Smart Weather Station – field data monitoring node: the device is used as a fixed node of a weather station in remote or sparsely populated areas to collect local temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, air pressure and light  intensity, and to transmit the data in real time.
5. Cloud data aggregation and visualization: in all of the above scenarios the data of every node is aggregated in the cloud into data trend curves and a visualized background dashboard. The working status of the equipment, the number of operations and  the data change curve can be checked from a computer or a mobile phone without on-site inspection.
6. Remote monitoring, alarm and local interaction: the equipment is monitored by optical, pressure and electrical means and warning messages are pushed remotely, so that the faulty equipment and the fault type can be located quickly. The 16×16  monochrome LED matrix provides the local status display, the buzzer provides audible alarm and prompt tones, and the BMI270 IMU provides posture and vibration monitoring.
7. Rapid node deployment and function iteration: with the standardized hardware and the graphical programming platform, the on-site node can be deployed quickly and new functions can be developed and deployed in a short time. The microSD card  can cache the data locally when the network is temporarily unavailable.

Note: in all of the above scenarios the device is used as a fixed, permanently installed node, for example mounted on a rack, placed on a workbench or installed inside an equipment cabinet. It is not a body-worn product and is not operated in contact with  the human body. A minimum distance of 20 cm should be maintained between the antenna of the device and any person during operation.

FCC Warning

FCC Caution:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause  undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy.
If it is not installed and used according to the instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, try one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& your body.

Company Name：M5Stack Technology Co.,Ltd
Address: Block A10, Expo Bay South Coast, Fuhai Street,
Bao’an District, Shenzhen,Guangdong,China