M5STACK Flow Connect: Quick Start Guide and Specifications

1. OUTLINE

The Flow Connect is a highly integrated industrial controller designed for complex automation and communication environments. It features the ESP32-S3R8 microcontroller at its core, equipped with a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor running at up to 240MHz, and includes 8MB PSRAM and 16MB FLASH memory, capable of handling high-performance computing and multitasking demands. For storage, it utilizes 128Mbit (16MB) 3.3V NOR flash, ensuring long-term, stable operation for firmware, data, and configuration file storage.

The controller supports multiple communication protocols, including dual CAN bus, RS232, RS485, and TTL interfaces, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial and IoT applications. To enhance user interaction, the Flow Connect integrates Neopixel RGB LED lighting control, enabling dynamic color and lighting effects for intuitive visual feedback.

In addition, the Flow Connect power management system employs multiple DC-DC converters that support various voltage outputs from 12V to 3.3V. It also features built-in electronic fuses (eFuse) to protect each voltage channel from overcurrent, ensuring safe operation even in harsh environments.

The Flow Connect is designed with the demanding requirements of industrial control, intelligent transportation, and IoT gateway applications in mind, offering reliable multi-protocol communication, robust data storage, dynamic RGB display, and comprehensive power protection.

1.1. Flow Connect

• 1. Communication Capabilities:
  • Main Controller: ESP32-S3R8
  • Wireless Communication: Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0
  • Dual CAN Bus: Supports dual CAN bus interfaces for reliable data communication in industrial environments.
  • Serial Communication: RS232, RS485, and TTL interfaces for versatile wired communication options.
• 2. Processor and Performance:
  • Processor Model: Xtensa LX7 Dual-core (ESP32-S3R8)
  • Storage Capacity: 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM
  • Processor Operating Frequency: Xtensa® dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor, up to 240 MHz
• 3. Display and Input:
  • RGB LED: Integrated Neopixel RGB LED for dynamic visual feedback.
• 4. Memory:
  • NOR Flash: 128Mbit (16MB), 3.3V for firmware and datastorage.
• 5. Power Management:
  • Power Supply: DC-DC converters supporting 12V to 3.3V outputs.
  • Protection: Built-in electronic fuses (eFuse) for overcurrent protection across all voltage channels.
• 6. GPIO Pins and Programmable Interfaces:
  • Grove Interface: Supports connection and expansion of I2C sensors and other modules.
• 7. Others:
  • Onboard Interface: Type-C interface for programming, power supply, and serial communication.
  • Physical Dimensions: 60*60*15 mm

2. SPECIFICATIONS

3. QUICK START

Before you do this step, look at the text in the final appendix: Installing Arduino

3.1. Print WiFi Information

1. Open Arduino IDE (Refer to https://docs.m5stack.com/en/arduino/arduino_ide for the installation guide for the development board and software).
2. Select the ESP32S3 DEV Module board and the corresponding port, then upload the code.
3. Open the serial monitor to display the scanned WiFi and signal strength information.

Arduino Sketch:

#include "WiFi.h"

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  WiFi.mode (WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.disconnect();
  delay(100);

  Serial.println("Scanning for WiFi networks...");
  int n = WiFi.scanNetworks();
  if (n == 0) {
    Serial.println("No networks found.");
  } else {
    Serial.print(n);
    Serial.println(" networks found.");
    for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
      Serial.print(i + 1);
      Serial.print(": ");
      Serial.print(WiFi.SSID(i));
      Serial.print(" (");
      Serial.print(WiFi.RSSI(i));
      Serial.print(")");
      Serial.println((WiFi.encryptionType(i) == WIFI_AUTH_OPEN) ? " OPEN" : " WPA");
      delay(10);
    }
  }
  Serial.println("");
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
}

Example Serial Monitor Output:

17:20:58.755 -> Scanning for WiFi networks...
17:20:58.755 -> 35 networks found.
17:20:58.755 -> 1: M5-UiFlow-Zone (-34)*
17:20:58.801 -> 2: XLOT (-34)*
17:20:58.801 -> 3: M5-R&D (-39)*
17:20:58.801 -> 4: WiFi_ADF4 (-39)*
17:20:58.801 -> 5: DIANJIXZ (-45)*
17:20:58.848 -> 6: Xiaomi 32BD (-47)*
17:20:58.848 -> 7: M5-UiFlow-Zone (-53)*
17:20:58.848 -> 8: M5-UiFlow-Zone (-54)*
17:20:58.848 -> 9: CenturyLink2842 (-55)*
17:20:58.848 -> 10: M5-UiFlow-Zone (-56)*
17:20:58.895 -> 11: esp-shui (-56)*
17:20:58.895 -> 12: CMCC-FSNg (-57)*
17:20:58.895 -> 13: YUESHIQI-602 (-57)*
17:20:58.895 -> 14: ChinaNet-hZsm (-57)*

Description of visual: Screenshot of Arduino IDE showing the WiFi scanning code and serial monitor output with a list of scanned networks and their signal strengths.

3.2. Print BLE Device Information

1. Open Arduino IDE (Refer to https://docs.m5stack.com/en/arduino/arduino_ide for the installation guide for the development board and software).
2. Select the ESP32S3 DEV Module board and the corresponding port, then upload the code.
3. Open the serial monitor to display the scanned BLE and signal strength information.

Arduino Sketch:

#include "BLEDevice.h"

class MyAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks: public BLEAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks {
    void onResult(BLEAdvertisedDevice advertisedDevice) {
        Serial.print("Advertised Device: ");
        Serial.println(advertisedDevice.toString().c_str());
    }
};

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("Starting BLE scan...");

  BLEDevice::init("");
  BLEScan* pBLEScan = BLEDevice::getScan();
  pBLEScan->setAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks(new MyAdvertisedDeviceCallbacks());
  pBLEScan->setActiveScan(true); // Active scan uses more power, but get results faster
  pBLEScan->start(10, false); // Scan for 10 seconds
}

void loop() {
  // Do nothing here
}

Example Serial Monitor Output:

16:32:55.340 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 29:b2:79:b9:a3:a0, manufacturer data: 060001092022f2ad5527637974d01222aa793bcbc9fc4c359e2392776a, rssi: -95
16:32:55.340 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 68:ab:bc:a6:82:56, manufacturer data: 8f030a108212005482a6bcab6881, rssi: -72
16:32:55.387 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 4c:11:06:4a:ac:06, manufacturer data: 4c0010052818e6dfc1, txPower: 8, rssi: -78
16:32:55.387 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: c4:23:50:6d:7f:cc, manufacturer data: 4c0012020003, rssi: -78
16:32:55.387 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 7c:c2:94:11:dd:b3, manufacturer data: 8f030a10bb1900b1dd1194c27c81, rssi: -90
16:32:55.434 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 69:9a:a5:ca:0e:76, manufacturer data: 40001007381fa49766f208, txPower: 12, rssi: -87
16:32:55.481 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 68:8a:2d:9d:69:9a, manufacturer data: 4c000719010-202b778f01000a5a7b38b9d862679f9aa0147c93dfb9a3, rssi: -92
16:32:55.481 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 46:21:43:b4:e4:8f, manufacturer data: 4c0009081302c0a802531b581608006aad6eb4cfc9d7, rssi: -86
16:32:55.481 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 68:13:24:e2:c9:a6, rssi: -94, serviceData:
16:32:55.528 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 4d:7a:15:80:60:e4, manufacturer data: 4c0016080083cf28ec2b91b1, rssi: -75
16:32:55.528 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: Od:4f:00:0f:b8:6b, manufacturer data: 06000109202270c24b9ec6b7806f55379bea22271ecd7e87c71f99cb35, rssi: -92
16:32:55.575 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 43:85:45:a1:4f:84, manufacturer data: 4c000908130cc0a81f071b5813080a88ba7d27f9c700, rssi: -81
16:32:55.575 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: a4:c1:38:8d:a7:00, rssi: -74, serviceData: 0X [
16:32:55.622 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: fa:e7:06:2b:fd:91, manufacturer data: 400012023503, rssi: -78
16:32:55.622 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: c3:36:25:29:00:03, manufacturer data: 400012020003, rssi: -74
16:32:55.714 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 52:88:46:95:91:08, manufacturer data: 4c00160800d660375f0003bf, rssi: -73
16:32:55.714 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 6a:c3:bb:88:c2:0b, manufacturer data: 4c0010050-18874880, txPower: 12, rssi: -89
16:32:55.806 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 4b:c9:66:74:75:f0, manufacturer data: 4c00100607194fa9cd38, txPower: 12, rssi: -87
16:32:55.991 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 24:68:e2:9b:75:46, manufacturer data: 4c0013080a4d1f30f2970b00, rssi: -91
16:32:55.991 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 64:3d:63:13:1f:b0, manufacturer data: 4c00100607194fa9cd38, txPower: 12, rssi: -82
16:32:56.038 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: c1:55:39:b6:23:30, manufacturer data: 4c0012020000, rssi: -69
16:32:56.129 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 41:a0:2a:ea:27:15, manufacturer data: 4c00160800579e01df5e3cae, rssi: -94
16:32:56.184 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: dd:3a:2f:71:cc:4f, manufacturer data: 4c0012020003, rssi: -90
16:32:56.265 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: f1:79:78:04:24:72, manufacturer data: 4c0012020003, rssi: -84
16:32:56.265 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 73:d0:c7:76:2d:cd, manufacturer data: 4c0010073f1be2cc95d138, txPower: 7, rssi: -77
16:32:56.405 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 75:d9:97:51:7d:8e, manufacturer data: 4c001007211fb4e4ccdc78, txPower: 12, rssi: -84
16:32:56.452 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: e4:84:07:a4:3e:e9, rssi: -91
16:32:56.452 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 2e:da:35:f1:e5:1c, manufacturer data: 06000102022042879d9cedeb21fc16d6033b9bb7deb6b4e88513f2830, rssi: -95
16:32:56.452 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: cd:4e:ff:37:55:dd, manufacturer data: 4c0012020002, rssi: -91
16:32:56.500 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 71:ab:11:45:16:08, manufacturer data: 4c0010053b18f2b4c3, txPower: 12, rssi: -87
16:32:56.545 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 4e:bb:9b:58:79:b4, manufacturer data: 4c00160800c1b1dbbac7dd93, rssi: -66
16:32:56.590 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: dc: 5d:08:32:f6:cd, manufacturer data: 4c0012020000, rssi: -88
16:32:57.096 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 65:c0:b9:6e:b8:49, manufacturer data: 4c0010052298728c65, txPower: 8, rssi: -89
16:32:57.329 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 63:70:68:f2:c1:6f, manufacturer data: 4c00160800bb73dcc3dc3fa9, rssi: -86
16:32:57.329 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: d5:24:79:0c:93:f0, manufacturer data: 4c0012020001, rssi: -87
16:32:57.699-> Advertised Device: Name: Address: 42:bc:23:c2:3a:25, manufacturer data: 4c000c0e007f2849c2940c9d352a1085d4dc1006431d064dde18, rssi: -94
16:32:58.026 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: c4:8f:62:41:70:9d, manufacturer data: 4c0012020000, rssi: -94
16:32:58.026 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: d6:1e:a5:00:56:4e, manufacturer data: 4c001219395de24f1f2dd0ff3eb13c218d86153fee2b613140f7a80194, rssi: -73
16:32:58.213 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: fb:01:b0:e5:b4:ed, manufacturer data: 400012020002, rssi: -68
16:32:58.351 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: cd:55:86:51:87:a7, manufacturer data: 4c0012020003, rssi: -78
16:32:58.537 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: d2:e8:b8:38:08:06, manufacturer data: 4c0012025401, rssi: -98
16:32:58.583 -> Advertised Device: Name: Address: d0:17:51:8f:06:7e, manufacturer data: 4c0012026600071106d0de3ee5e0414d36927a38cec0059ba4, rssi: -88

Description of visual: Screenshot of Arduino IDE showing the BLE scanning code and serial monitor output with a list of scanned BLE devices, their addresses, manufacturer data, and signal strengths.

4. 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:

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 and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by 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.

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.

Arduino Install

Installing Arduino IDE

Click to visit the Arduino official website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software), and select the installation package for your operating system to download.

Installing Arduino Board Management

1. The Board Manager URL is used to index the development board information for a specific platform. In the Arduino IDE menu, select File -> Preferences.
2. Copy the ESP board management URL below into the Additional Board Manager URLs: field, and save.

   https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_dev_index.json

Description of visual: Screenshot of Arduino IDE showing the File menu with 'Preferences' highlighted, and another screenshot showing the 'Additional Boards Manager URLs' input field.

Board Manager Setup

1. In the sidebar, select Board Manager, search for ESP, and click Install.
2. In the sidebar, select Board Manager, search for M5Stack, and click Install.
3. Depending on the product used, select the corresponding development board under Tools -> Board -> M5Stack -> {ESP32S3 DEV Module board}.

Description of visual: Screenshots showing the Arduino IDE Board Manager with ESP and M5Stack packages being installed, and the Tools -> Board menu with various ESP32 development boards listed.

5. Connect the device to your computer with a data cable to upload the program.