ESP32-P4: An innovative chip at a low price

Espressif Systems, a leading manufacturer of integrated circuits for the Internet of Things, is proud to unveil its latest development - the ESP32-P4. This advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) is designed to meet the growing demands for high-performance computing in IO-Rich human-machine interface (HMI) and artificial intelligence in IoT (AIoT) applications, all at an affordable price starting at two dollars apiece.

Powerful heart of the chip

At the heart of the ESP32-P4 is a dual-core RISC-V processor running at an impressive frequency of up to 400 MHz. That's not all—the chip is equipped with a single-precision floating-point unit (FPU) and AI extensions, significantly increasing its computing capabilities.

In addition, the ESP32-P4 features a low-power LP-Core running at up to 40 MHz. This combination allows for optimal power management—during critical moments requiring high computing power, the HP cores can run at full capacity, while during periods of lower load, the LP-Core takes over, saving energy.

Advanced memory system

The ESP32-P4 offers comprehensive memory solutions that significantly enhance its capabilities. The chip features 768 KB of SRAM for the HP core system, providing fast access to data and instructions. Additionally, it allows memory expansion with external PSRAM and Flash modules, ensuring low-latency access to critical data, which is crucial for applications requiring a fast response.

Security at the forefront

In today’s IoT world, security is key. The ESP32-P4 sets itself apart from the competition by offering advanced security features such as Secure Boot, which ensures that only authorized software can be run on the device. Flash Encryption protects data stored in flash memory from unauthorized access.

Additionally, the ESP32-P4 is equipped with cryptographic accelerators that speed up encryption and decryption operations, and a True Random Number Generator (TRNG), essential for many security protocols. The Digital Signature Peripheral provides another layer of protection against software attacks, while a dedicated key management unit ensures that private keys are securely generated and stored on the SoC itself.

Rich user interface

The ESP32-P4 opens up new possibilities in user interfaces. It supports MIPI-CSI with integrated ISP and MIPI-DSI, enabling advanced visual solutions such as high-resolution cameras and displays. The ESP32-P4 also supports parallel display and camera interfaces, increasing compatibility with various peripherals.

Moreover, the ESP32-P4 includes hardware accelerators for media encoding and image compression, with support for H.264 encoding, making it suitable for advanced image processing and video streaming. The integrated Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA) is particularly useful for creating smooth and responsive graphical interfaces, which are essential for HMI applications.

Versatile expansion capabilities

The ESP32-P4 is designed for flexibility and ease of integration into various systems. The chip offers over 50 programmable GPIOs, a unique feature among Espressif's SoCs. Additionally, the ESP32-P4 supports a wide range of standard peripheral interfaces such as SPI, I2S, I2C, PWM for LED control, MCPWM, and RMT, opening up possibilities for demanding IoT applications.

Flexible connectivity solutions

While the ESP32-P4 does not have built-in wireless modules, Espressif offers three solutions for integration with external communication modules: ESP-AT, ESP-Hosted, and ESP-Extconn.

ESP-AT is the simplest solution, ideal for basic IoT applications, enabling communication with external wireless modules via AT commands. ESP-Hosted provides more advanced wireless functions and greater flexibility for complex projects, allowing separation between the application logic and connectivity functions. ESP-Extconn requires more programming effort but offers the most extensive capabilities, allowing full integration with the ESP32-P4’s features.

Development support and long-term availability

The ESP32-P4 will be supported by Espressif's Internet of Things Development Framework (ESP-IDF), providing developers with access to a proven platform used by millions of devices worldwide. Espressif plans to support the ESP32-P4 for at least 15 years, ensuring stability and continuity for projects based on this SoC.

Applications

The ESP32-P4 is an advanced SoC that opens up new possibilities in human-machine interfaces (HMIs). HMIs are evolving from simple control panels into advanced interaction systems, and the ESP32-P4 accelerates this transformation. The dual-core RISC-V processor, with FPU and AI extensions, provides the power needed for complex graphical interfaces.

Support for MIPI-CSI and MIPI-DSI enables the integration of high-quality cameras and displays, crucial for modern HMIs. The hardware accelerators for media encoding, image compression, and H.264 encoding enable real-time video streaming and advanced visual features.

The integrated Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA) ensures smooth and responsive GUIs, essential for HMI applications. The rich set of GPIOs and peripheral interfaces makes it easy to integrate a variety of sensors and input/output devices, allowing for intuitive and sophisticated user interfaces tailored to specific applications.

Summary

The ESP32-P4 is a versatile SoC that combines high computing performance, advanced security features, and a rich set of IO interfaces, making it ideal for many advanced applications.

At Soyter Components, we are proud to have worked closely with Espressif Systems since 2015 as an authorized distributor, providing customers with cutting-edge technology. We specialize in wireless modules and are the largest distributor of Espressif solutions in this part of Europe. To help customers start working with new technologies, we offer ready-made starter kits, making it easy to design and test solutions based on the ESP32-P4. The microcontroller itself starts at just two dollars, offering great value for money.