Original ESP32
Original ESP32
The Original ESP32 family was introduced by Espressif Systems in 2016 as the successor to the ESP8266. It combines Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, significantly greater processing power, additional GPIO, and expanded peripheral support into a single, low-cost microcontroller.
The Original ESP32 remains one of the most popular processor families for DIY holiday lighting because of its excellent balance of performance, flexibility, community support, and low cost.
Overview
The Original ESP32 family is based on Espressif's Xtensa LX6 processor architecture and is available in both single-core and dual-core versions. Most development boards used in Christmas lighting applications utilize the dual-core versions.
Typical features include:
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
- Bluetooth Classic
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Up to 240 MHz CPU
- Up to 34 usable GPIO
- Hardware PWM
- SPI
- I²C
- I²S
- UART
- ADC
- DAC (selected devices)
- Capacitive touch inputs (selected devices)
Common Modules
Several ESP32 modules have been produced by Espressif. While they share the same processor family, memory size, flash capacity, PSRAM, antennas, and certifications may vary.
Common modules include:
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| ESP32-D0WD | Original dual-core processor used in many modules. |
| ESP32-WROOM-32 | Most common general-purpose module. |
| ESP32-WROVER | Adds PSRAM for applications requiring additional memory. |
| ESP32-SOLO-1 | Single-core version of the ESP32. |
Typical Development Boards
The Original ESP32 processor is found on many development boards, including:
- ESP32 DevKit
- NodeMCU-32S
- LOLIN32
- DOIT ESP32 DevKit
- ESP32 DevKit V1
Although these boards often appear similar, GPIO assignments, USB interfaces, regulators, and pin layouts may differ.
See ESP32 Development Boards for additional information.
Christmas Lighting Applications
The Original ESP32 is well suited for:
- WLED controllers
- ESPixelStick controllers
- Multi-output pixel controllers
- DDP and E1.31 networking
- Matrix displays
- Large pixel props
- Ethernet-based controllers (using external hardware)
Its combination of processing power and abundant GPIO makes it one of the most versatile controllers available for DIY holiday lighting.
Advantages
- Excellent community support
- Widely available
- Low cost
- Dual-core performance
- Large number of GPIO
- Extensive firmware support
- Mature software ecosystem
Limitations
Compared to newer ESP32 families:
- No native USB
- Higher power consumption
- Older Xtensa architecture
- Fewer security features than newer devices
Despite these limitations, the Original ESP32 continues to be one of the best all-around choices for Christmas lighting applications.