The newest ESP32 can run Linux and it's getting close to a Raspberry Pi
Espressif's new ESP32-S31 microcontroller features dual RISC-V cores, a true Sv32 MMU, gigabit Ethernet, and enough peripheral support to boot Linux.
summary is enough Provides a comprehensive hardware breakdown of the ESP32-S31's architecture and its viability for running Linux.
summary
Espressif has introduced the ESP32-S31, a microcontroller featuring dual RISC-V cores with an Sv32 MMU, a gigabit Ethernet MAC, extensive USB and camera interfaces, and built-in wireless radios. Unlike previous ESP32 variants, it includes a genuine memory management unit capable of supporting privilege modes and running Linux via early buildroot ports. While constrained by limited in-package PSRAM and modest clock speeds, it blurs the line between traditional microcontrollers and low-end single-board computers.
key points
- The chip includes a genuine Sv32 RISC-V MMU with user, supervisor, and machine privilege modes, enabling native Linux execution.
- Peripherals include a gigabit Ethernet MAC over RGMII, USB 2.0 High-Speed OTG, SDIO, and integrated Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and 802.15.4 radios.
- Memory is capped at 512KB on-chip SRAM and up to 32MB or 64MB of in-package PSRAM, lacking a dedicated DRAM controller which restricts heavy desktop use.
who should read it
Embedded systems engineers, hardware developers, and IoT hobbyists interested in low-cost Linux platforms.
discussion positive
consensus
Commenters are intrigued by the hybrid nature of the chip, debating whether running a heavy multi-user OS like Linux on a microcontroller sacrifices the deterministic efficiency of an RTOS.
pushback
Some participants question the omission of 5GHz Wi-Fi and express skepticism over whether running Linux on such constrained RAM is practical compared to standard RTOS usage.
I don't know what's the final retail/bulk price of S31 and its modules will be, but S3 module with 16 MB NOR Flash and 8 MB PSRAM costs $3.5 for 500+ pcs, and the final PCB BOM cost is $4 or so.
According to Espressif website, current "reference price" for S31 sample module (1 piece) with 16MB flash + 16MB RAM is $6.2.
If S31 won't be much more expensive than S3 in bulk, it has a chance to become a very successful and what's more importantly really cheap full-featured Linux platform, in a small form factor, with flash, RAM, and radios integrated.
Espressif here could easily kill many …
It outlines projected pricing and module costs, demonstrating how the chip could disrupt the market as an ultra-cheap, fully integrated Linux platform.
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