When it comes to connecting devices within the Internet of Things (IoT), it’s easy to be overwhelmed with choices. Among the many Wi-Fi modules available, the ESP32 is the most popular option, but it’s not the only player in the field.
But why choose an existing Wi-Fi module in the first place? Well, selecting an existing module simplifies the development process of IoT devices. Consider how integrating Wi-Fi into your IoT device requires compliance with regulatory standards, such as CE and FCC certifications. Pre-certified modules like the ESP32 already meet these standards, saving developers a significant amount of time and effort in the certification process.
Moreover, managing low-level Wi-Fi operations can be technically challenging, so it’s often easier to integrate an already existing module into your design instead of designing the Wi-Fi connectivity yourself, either from scratch or from low level components.
Of course, there are widely diverse approaches to doing this. For its part, the ESP32 range uses microcontrollers, compact and specialized types of computer chips. Microcontrollers are embedded within IoT devices to establish Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections. A possible use case here could be as simple as embedding a microcontroller into light circuitry to control lighting remotely from a smartphone.
Unlike general-purpose computers, which handle a wide range of applications, microcontrollers are purpose built for specific functions – they are essentially scaled down computers. However, there are other options for embedded Wi-Fi involving different microcontrollers or other technologies entirely.
The Nabto Real Time Communication plaform for IoT
Ready to talk to our IoT experts to see what we can do?
Book a consultation today and get help with tech support, business inquiries, and other IoT queries. We are happy to help. Talk to you soon.
Understanding ESP32
Developed by Espressif Systems, the ESP32 is a range of Wi-Fi modules complete with powerful and versatile microcontrollers. The ESP32 is known for its robust performance and cost-effectiveness, and it has established a significant presence in the IoT market. It is widely acclaimed due to its strong development ecosystem and the extensive support available from Espressif.
As it stands, the ESP32 is the most popular way to provide IoT devices with Wi-Fi based internet connectivity. Once you embed the ESP32 chip into an IoT device, that device now has the potential to go online.
The ESP32 can be used in smart home devices such as smart plugs, light switches, and security cameras. Its wireless connectivity allows users to control these home devices remotely via a smartphone or voice assistant.
Alternatives to ESP32
Though ESP32 dominates the market, it’s not suitable for every use case, and there are many alternatives available. Some alternatives might have special features that ESP32 lacks, like better Bluetooth capabilities or lower power usage. Other alternatives are more suited for small-scale IoT production.
For example, small- to medium-scale IoT vendors, producing around 1,000 to 10,000 devices annually, may prefer pre-certified modules over developing custom Wi-Fi modules from scratch. This approach reduces time to market, simplifies the development process, and eliminates the complexity of obtaining necessary certifications.
Moreover, ESP32 is produced and distributed by companies in China, which could cause future regulatory hurdles. Escalating trade disputes may result in tariffs, import restrictions, or other trade barriers that might affect the availability and cost of components or overall functionality. For example, Huawei experienced significant disruptions in its supply chain and market access in 2019 due to trade restrictions imposed by the United States and other countries.
There are three primary alternatives to the ESP32:
1. TI CC32XX
Texas Instruments (TI) offers the CC32XX, a series of modules with microcontrollers that include a range of features tailored for IoT applications. TI’s modules are recognized for their high quality and reliability, making them a viable choice for large-scale deployments. However, these modules are less accessible due to a more complex development and documentation environment.
Unlike Espressif’s offerings, which are designed to be easy to prototype and develop with, TI’s modules may require more technical expertise to use effectively. This makes them more suitable for professional environments in which higher production volumes justify the investment in more specialized hardware and development resources. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the CC32XX series also supports various low power modes, making it suitable for battery-operated devices. This helps extend the battery life of IoT products.
2. Nordic Semiconductor
Nordic Semiconductor is already well-known for its dominance in the low-power radio connectivity market with standards like Bluetooth and Zigbee. Now they have started to target the Wi-Fi market too with the release of their nRF700x series, a family of Wi-Fi chips designed to provide wireless connectivity. Unlike microcontrollers, which integrate a processor, memory, and various peripherals on a single chip, the nRF700x series focuses primarily on delivering robust Wi-Fi connectivity and needs to be paired with a host processor to function. This type of technology is known as a Wi-Fi.
Radio System-on-Chip (SoC). It is designed specifically to handle Wi-Fi communication tasks and ensure reliable data transmission between devices and networks. The development environment for Nordic is generally good, not as strong as the one offered by Espressif, but nonetheless strong enough to be over the threshold of what the normal embedded developer needs to be successful. However, it tends to lack module support.
3. Raspberry Pico W
The Raspberry Pi Pico W is a compact module designed for embedded applications, different from the more well-known Raspberry Pi single-board computers that typically run Linux. Unlike the larger Raspberry Pi models, the Pico W is a real embedded module that doesn’t include a full operating system or extensive input/output ports like HDMI. Instead, it focuses on providing essential embedded functionality, much like the ESP32.
The Pico W operates on FreeRTOS, a lightweight real-time operating system, which makes it suitable for real-time applications.
There is also extensive community support and resources available for the Pico W, making it easier to find tutorials, troubleshooting advice, and development tools. It is suitable for casual hobbyists and novices.
Choosing the Right Module for Your Project
When deciding between ESP32 alternatives, consider your application requirements, the development ecosystem, as well as cost and accessibility.
Application Requirements
If your project requires both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, such as for a smart home device that needs to connect to the internet and communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, the ESP32 is a strong candidate. ESP32’s dual-mode connectivity makes it versatile for applications like smart lights, home automation hubs, or wearable devices that need to sync data wirelessly.
Consider alternatives if your project has specific operating requirements. For instance, if your application is highly power-sensitive, such as a battery-operated sensor in a remote environmental monitoring system, a module like Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF700x series might offer better low-power performance.
Sometimes the Wi-Fi module capacity is big enough to carry your application, so you don’t even need a host microcontroller on your design, so everything (except the input and output specific to your use case) will be solved by the module.
Development Ecosystem
Evaluate the development ecosystem associated with the module. The ESP32 benefits from a mature and extensive ecosystem with numerous libraries, development tools, and a large community of developers. This makes it easier to find resources, get support, and access a wealth of example projects and tutorials.
If you are new to IoT development or if your team needs a module with a lot of educational resources and community projects, options like the Raspberry Pi Pico W might be appealing. The strong backing from the maker community will yield ample tutorials, example codes, and forums for troubleshooting.
Cost and Accessibility
Compare the costs of the modules themselves. The ESP32 range is known for being cost-effective for large-scale deployments, in which the cost per unit can significantly impact the overall budget. However, for devices produced at a smaller-scale, ESP32 is often not cost effective.
Also factor in any additional costs or time requirements related to development and certification. Pre-certified modules can save significant time and expense by eliminating the need for extensive compliance testing and certification processes, making them a good choice if you need to expedite time to market.
Final Thoughts
It’s likely Espressif will dominate the Wi-Fi module market for small-scale IoT vendors for the foreseeable future. However, if Texas Instruments or Nordic Semiconductor would ramp up their application support and make the modules more accessible to the maker environment, either company could overtake Espressif.
At the end of the day, IoT makers and vendors are no longer restricted to a single option for embedded Wi-Fi and have an abundance of choice.
Read our other resources
We’ve also published a range of resources for our community, including:
- ESP32 for IoT: A Complete Guide, which explains the use of ESP32 microcontrollers in IoT devices
- A Complete Guide to Microcontrollers for IoT to help you choose the right MCU for your IoT project
- How to Make a Low-Cost ESP32-Based Remote-Accessible Camera to learn to leverage ESP32 to create an IoT surveillance system
