ESP32-S3-PICO-based OMGS3 is the world’s smallest fully-featured ESP32-S3 module/board

Based on the ESP32-S3-PICO system-in-package (SiP), Unexpected Maker OMGS3 is a small, yet full-featured ESP32-S3 module/board whose designer claims is the world’s smallest in its category at just 25x10mm in size. It replaces the earlier Unexpected Maker NanoS3 based on the ESP32-S3FN8 SoC measuring 28 x 11 mm.

The OMGS3’s ESP32-S3-PICO SiP integrates a dual-core ESP32-S3 WiFi and BLE wireless SoC, 8MB QSPI flash, and 2MB QSPI PSRAM. The board itself also includes a 3D antenna, an RGB LED, two LEDs for power and charging, and I/Os are exposed through 26 solder pads.

Unexpected Maker OMGS3 specifications:

• SiP – Espressif ESP32-S3-PICO
  • SoC
    • ESP32-S3 dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with 512KB SRAM, 16 KB RTC SRAM
    • Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5 LE + Mesh
  • Memory – 2MB QSPI PSRAM
  • Storage – 8MB QSPI flash
• Antenna – High-gain 3D antenna
• I/Os via 26x solder pads
  • Up to 17x GPIO
  • 2x 12-bit ADC blocks each with multiple channels
  • 3x UART, I2C, SPI
  • USB – USB D+/D- pins for USB CDC, OTG, USB serial, and JTAG
  • DMA controller – 5x Tx channels, 5x Rx channels
  • SDIO
  • VBUS Sense
  • Up to 4.2V BAT with monitoring via I2C fuel gauge
  • Power signals – 5V, 3.3V, GND
• Misc
  • Power and Charging LEDs
  • Low-power WS2812B RGB LED
• Power Management
  • 5V or 3.3V DC input via solder pad
  • 700mA 3.3V LDO Regulator
  • LiPo Battery ChargingAX17048G+T10 fuel gauge
• Dimensions – 25 x 10 mm (the NanoS3 mesures 27 x 12.7 mm)

The new board is smaller, but it remains software compatible with the previous ESP32-S3 boards from Unexpected Maker with support for the Espressif IDF framework, Arduino, CircuitPython, and MicroPython. You’ll find instructions to get started with either on the documentation website, which also mentions support for the nanoFramework described as “an embedded version of the .NET framework, which allows you to develop in C# on your microcontroller”. Hardware documentation including 3D files, PDF schematics, and KiCAD symbols can be found on GitHub.

Besides its small size, the OMGS3 board adds support for VBUS and VBAT sensing, but switching to the ESP32-S3-PICO SiP means the board has less PSRAM (2MB vs 8MB) and fewer GPIOs than the NanoS3 board. Previously boards relied on castellated holes for I/Os, but the OMGS3 makes use of solder pads instead.

Unexpected Maker takes orders for the OMGS3 board for $17 with CircuitPython preinstalled. A few more details may also be found on the product page.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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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