Espressif ESP8266 based ESP-01 module may now cost $3, but it’s limited to only two GPIOs, so a Dooao, a Chinese company based in Beijing, has decided to make a new ESP8266 module with more GPIOs, PWM signals, SPI, UART. and a 10-bit ADC.
Dooao DWA8 module specifications:
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP8266 32-bit RISC processor @ 80 MHz with 120KB RAM (40KB usable), built-in 802.11 b/g/n support.
- Wi-Fi – 802.112 b/g/n, STA/AP/STA+AP modes, WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK security
- Interfaces:
- Up to 8x GPIOs
- Up to 4x PWM
- SPI (master & slave) up to 40MHz
- UART with hardware FC up to 4Mbps
- 1x channel 10bit ADC
- Power supply – Single 3.3V (2.8 to 3.6V)
- Power consumption – Max: 70 mA @ 3.3V (230 mW); typical: 12mA; standby < 200 uA; “soft power off” < 10uA.
- Dimensions – 27.13 x 17 x 2.3 mm (a bit larger than ESP-01)
- Temperature Range – Operating: -40 °C to – 85 °C; storage -45 °C to 125 °C
The company will provide an “open SDK platform” (no details), and plans to release the schematics and PCB layout for the mode, but the latter does not also happen based on previous project (from other companies) on crowdfunding platforms. They are also working on Dooao Cloud services, and a corresponding API.
They’ve launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise at least $5,000 (fixed funding) for mass production. But before I go to the perks which are not 100% clear, let’s go to their Taoboa website where they are two products: DWA8 module (35 RMB ~ $5.7 US), and A8-X demoboard (58 RMB ~ $9.5 US) pictured above. DWA8 is the module featured in the Indiegogo campaign, and A8-X demoboard is a baseboard including DWA8 module, that’s not mentioned at all on Indiegogo.
Back to the perks… A $10 “Early bird” pledge will get you ” 1 DWA8 module +1 Baseboard and SDK and HDK”, and they have options with different quantities of baseboards and modules, up to $200 for 30 DWA8 modules, and two “free” baseboards. Shipping costs are not even mentioned at all either, and they did not bother talking about the delivery schedule either, so the whole campaign is quite messy. I would expect the $10 pledge to be DWA8 module + A8-X board as shown above, but it could also be A8 Wi-Fi module (squared module) that you’d have to solder to DWA8 board. If it’s indeed $10 for A8-X board, then they’ve probably forgot to include shipping costs. I’ve asked a private question on Indiegogo about the perks and shipping, and hopefully they’ll make things clearer soon. The campaign ends in January 2015, so there’s still plenty of time, and I’d dare to assume delivery should take place in February 2015.
Thanks to Paul for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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