Espressif releases ESP32-C61 home automation controller with Wi-Fi 6 support

Espressif releases a new ESP32 module that has Wi-Fi 6 and Matter support. The SoC also has support for PSRAM memory expansion, which, according to the makers, makes the home automation controller more future-proof.

Espressif calls the device the ESP32-C61, a successor to the C2 and C3. The SoC on the module has support for 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6, as well as a standard 802.11b/g/n mode. Its throughput speeds are unknown. The Wi-Fi 6 module has support for Ofdma and MU-MIMO for low-consumption devices. The SoC also contains a Bluetooth 5 Low Energy module. The device also receives support for the Matter smart home standard via Espressif’s own SDK.

The module has 320kB of memory, but Espressif says that can be expanded. The soc receives support for expansion through pseudostatic ram chips or psram with Quad SPI up to 120MHz, the company says.

The ESP32-C61 also has a single-core RISC-V chip with a maximum speed of 160MHz. Espressif also mentions I2C, I2S, SPI, UART, LED-PWM, ADC, Timers and DMA as peripherals, and there will be a connection with which the device can be switched on with automation triggers.

The availability of the controller is not yet known, nor is the price. It is also not known what the energy consumption of the module is.