This is a ESP32-S2 based Compute Module to replace the Raspberry Pi's Compute Modules CM2 and CM3. This module is footprint compatible to the Raspberry Pi CM (SO-DIMM-DDR2). The ESP32-S2 brings USB, I2C and SPI.
This module can not replace any CM in any project but it might helps others to reduce cost and resources needed to run the project. The ESP32-S2 consumes only 1/3 of the power the CM does. The ESP can also bring WiFi to your project if needed.
The Module also contains 2x GPIO-Expander which are used to be compatible with any GPIO of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module which gives you 48 GPIOs to be used in total.
Hey! Remember that epic 3D image I showed you a while back? Well, guess what? I finally got my hands on the real deal! I ordered the components and the PCB of this awesome Openthing 1 ESP-CM3 Programmer Board, and it arrived yesterday. It's the key to unlocking some serious programming power. I wasted no time and started soldering all the components onto the PCB.
Then came the big moment. I plugged it in, turned it on, and bam! ... NOTHING happened! of course I forgot to turn on the USB Port!
I turned it on and bam! ... one Green LED and some magic smoke appeared! :D
I turned it off and started checking (again) - turned out 3V3 and GND was shorted but the magic smoke came from one of the expensive components which I only ordered 2 of, the CP2102N USB to UART Chip. So I replaced it - checked everything for more shortages. Turned it on again and bam!... IT WORKED!
It got recognized by the USB! Then I throwed in the ESP-CM3 and bam! ... NOTHING HAPPENS haha.
After some investigation it turned out I messed up Tx and Rx from the ESP-CM3 SO-DIMM Connector to the CP2102N which actually have to be swapped on the way. So I patched it and bam! ... everything worked... maybe... except for the Rx and Tx LEDs!
More debugging! "yay"
This time it was the CP2102N Chip which actually needs programming to enable the TXT and RXT Pins! So I downloaded this MASSIVE 1.6GB Software-suit to simply enable this Pins.. and bam!
Finally everything worked as expected and I am very happy about it!
If you read this - please write +1 as a comment :)
Thanks PCBWay for sponsoring, producing and sending me 10x Prototypes of the ESP32-CM3! They look delicious and I can send them out now to anyone interested in working with it and give me feedback FOR FREE!