SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32-S2 WROOM

Offering exceptional wireless capabilities housed in a highly familiar footprint, the SparkFun ESP32-S2 WROOM Thing Plus is built to handle highly secure Internet of Things (IoT) projects with ease. Powered by the ESP32-S2 module from Espressif™, this board features a capable Xtensa® Single-Core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor operating at up to 240MHz. It also introduces a RISC-V ULP (Ultra-Low Power) Coprocessor, giving you extensive options to balance high-speed performance with battery-saving efficiency.

What truly sets this board apart is its focus on hardware-level security and specialised peripherals. It directly addresses common IoT vulnerabilities by offering advanced cryptographic features right on the chip:

• Physical Security: Features transparent external flash and RAM encryption (AES-XTS).
• Secure Boot: Ensures only verified, signed firmware (with RSA-PSS signature) is booted.
• Cryptographic Accelerators: Built-in HMAC and Digital Signature modules use software-inaccessible keys to generate secure signatures.
• Integrated Extras: Includes a built-in temperature sensor (-20°C to 110°C) and dedicated pins for DVP Camera and LCD interfaces.

The ESP32-S2 features an integrated 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 2.4GHz transceiver for speeds up to 150Mbps, but it deliberately omits Bluetooth® and 5GHz WiFi capabilities to streamline the architecture.

The Thing Plus Advantage

This Thing+ is built using the SparkFun Thing Plus form factor, which is 100% compatible with the popular Adafruit Feather footprint. It breaks out 21 GPIO pins of the ESP32-S2 to standard 0.1-inch spaced headers. You have access to many I/O options, including 16 ADC channels, 14 capacitive touch sensing pins, and multiple SPI, I²C, and UART interfaces.

Beyond the powerful microcontroller, we have equipped this board with a collection of built-in features to elevate your project:

• Solderless Qwiic Connector: Seamlessly integrate the board into SparkFun's ecosystem of plug-and-play I²C sensors, actuators, and displays.
• Integrated Power Management: Features a USB-C connector for primary power and programming, plus a 2-pin JST connector for a LiPo battery. The onboard MCP73831 charger makes it incredibly easy to deploy remote, battery-powered projects.
• Advanced Debugging: While most users will utilise the USB connection for serial programming, the board also breaks out dedicated JTAG and SWD pins. This can be useful for developing and debugging firmware that will be flashed directly onto the module.
• Status Indicators: Includes a yellow charge LED and a blue status/test LED for quick visual feedback.

This Thing Plus also features an integrated User (IO 0) and RESET buttons for easy hardware management. Whether you are designing a highly secure home automation node or a power-efficient wearable device, the ESP32-S2 Thing Plus provides the specialised hardware and intuitive design needed to bring your concepts to life securely and efficiently.

• Schematic
• Eagle Files
• Board Dimensions
• Graphical Datasheet
• Hookup Guide
  • Installing Board Definitions in the Arduino IDE
• Hardware Component Information:
  • ESP32-S2 Datasheet
  • ESP32-S2 WROOM Module Datasheet
  • ESP32-S2 Hardware Design Guidelines
  • ESP32-S2 Technical Reference Manual
• Compare Thing Plus Boards
• How SparkFun Uses Espressif SoCs
• Qwiic Info Page
• GitHub Hardware Repository
• Compare Thing Plus Boards