Taiwan based Blkbox may have designed the world’s smallest WiFi IoT module with their Espressif Systems ESP8285 based BB-E01P module pin-compatible with ESP-01 module, and measuring just 14×10 mm.
BB-E01P module specifications:
- WiSoC – Espressif ESP8285 WiFi SoC with 1MB internal flash
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi with chip antenna
- Expansion – 8-pin (2.54mm pitch) with Tx/Rx, CP, RS, GPIO0, GPIO2, 3V, GND (Same layout as ESP-01)
- Misc – Jumper supports Deep Sleep Mode (AT+GSLP)
- Power Supply – 3-3.6V
- Dimensions – 10 x 14 mm
The board is preloaded with firmware version AT v1.6 / SDK v2.2.
The module can be purchased on Tindie for $6.80 + shipping, so not quite as cost effective as ESP-01 module, but if the size / thickness is important for your project, that may still be worth it. The developer/company? seems to specialize in tiny modules, and they have a slightly larger (19x13mm) module with ESP8266 SoC.
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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It’s nice to see such small modules. But right now the largest part with 8285/8266 are not the modules themselves, but the extra components you have to place around just to allow them to boot and run (voltage regulator, pull-up, pull-down, capacitor) and to reprogram them (double MOSFET + pullups).
The main reason is that while such modules involve extremely small components, the extra components rarely are that small on the host board, often using 0603 SMD, or even PTH in some applications. I would really love to see modules with programming pins not requiring to be connected for normal operation. Ideally you just connect +/- and the module boots and runs. I think this vendor could go in this direction, let’s observe.