tinyCore ESP32-S3 Learning Platform
An open-source engineering learning platform based on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller designed to bridge the gap between academic study and industrial application. It features integrated sensors like the LSM6DSO IMU, dual-core processing, and extensive connectivity options including WiFi, Bluetooth, and STEMMA/QWIIC I2C connectors.
Overview
tinyCore is an engineering learning platform built around an “open-knowledge” microcontroller board. Its primary mission is to bridge the gap between undergraduate education and the professional industry, providing young engineers with the resources needed to build portfolios and transition into advanced embedded systems development. Unlike standard development boards, tinyCore is designed to be transparent, encouraging users to look beyond the code and understand the hardware architecture that powers their applications.
Hardware Architecture
The heart of tinyCore is the ESP32-S3 Mini, a powerful dual-core processor that provides high-performance computing alongside integrated WiFi and Bluetooth LE connectivity. The board is designed with a compact 50mm x 50mm footprint, making it suitable for both desktop experimentation and integration into portable projects.
Key hardware features include:
- Processor: ESP32-S3 Mini Dual-Core (No-PSRAM version).
- Sensing: Built-in LSM6DSO 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for motion tracking and orientation.
- Expansion: Dual STEMMA/QWIIC I2C connectors for easy, solderless sensor integration.
- Storage: Onboard Micro SD card slot for data logging and asset storage.
- Power Management: USB-C powered with a dedicated LiPo battery charging circuit and low-power sleep mode support, including a dedicated I2C power rail.
Open-Source Philosophy
tinyCore distinguishes itself through its commitment to open hardware. The repository provides complete design files, allowing users to study the professional engineering choices made during its development. This includes:
- Schematic files and PCB layouts in Altium and KiCad formats.
- A comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM).
- Manufacturing files (Gerbers) and assembly instructions.
By providing these files, tinyCore allows students and professionals to see how a commercial-grade ESP32-S3 board is routed, how power delivery is managed, and how various peripherals are interfaced at the hardware level.
Development and Ecosystem
The platform is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE, making it accessible to those familiar with the Arduino ecosystem while providing the headroom of the ESP32-S3’s dual-core architecture. Because the ESP32-S3 utilizes FreeRTOS as its underlying operating system, developers can leverage advanced multitasking, semaphores, and queue management to build complex, real-time applications.
Beyond the hardware, the project maintains an active community through Discord and provides extensive documentation to help users get started. Whether it is learning how to interface with the onboard IMU via I2C or managing power consumption for battery-operated IoT devices, tinyCore serves as a comprehensive sandbox for modern embedded engineering.