Loading... Please wait...
Blog
Recent Posts
Harnessing the Power of the ESP32-S3: A Look at Copperhill’s CAN FD Development Board
Posted by on
In the evolving landscape of IoT, industrial automation, and automotive communication, the demand for a versatile, wireless-enabled microcontroller with CAN bus capabilities has never been greater. Copperhill Technologies rises to the occasion with its latest innovation—a development board based on the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8R8, engineered to support both Classical CAN and CAN FD protocols.
At the heart of the board lies the ESP32-S3, a powerful dual-core system-on-chip microcontroller from Espressif. Designed with performance and efficiency in mind, the ESP32-S3 features an Xtensa® LX7 processor running at up to 240 MHz. It includes a hardware floating point unit, making it ideal for real-time calculations, sensor fusion, and signal processing tasks.
What truly sets this board apart from previous ESP32 offerings is its native USB support. Unlike the traditional setup where USB-to-UART converters are required, the ESP32-S3 integrates a full-speed USB OTG peripheral. This allows direct USB connectivity for programming, debugging, and communication without intermediary chips—simplifying hardware design and improving reliability. Developers can now use the USB port as a virtual COM port, an HID device, or even as a Mass Storage device, depending on their application needs.
From a connectivity standpoint, the board makes full use of the ESP32-S3’s advanced wireless features. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for robust internet connectivity and includes Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Bluetooth Mesh—offering maximum flexibility for wireless sensor networks, smart home applications, and BLE-based communication protocols.
However, what truly broadens the board’s appeal is its dual CAN bus functionality. The ESP32-S3’s internal controller supports Classical CAN natively. But for developers and engineers working with modern automotive and industrial systems that require higher data throughput and extended data frames, the board includes a Microchip MCP2518FD chip to handle CAN FD. This external controller is interfaced via SPI and enables seamless integration with networks already moving to the newer, faster CAN FD standard.
On the hardware side, the board is robust and well-equipped for professional deployment. It offers 8 MB of flash memory alongside 8 MB of PSRAM, providing ample space for storing application code, buffer data, and even machine learning models if needed. Powering the device is simple thanks to an onboard SMPS (switched-mode power supply) that accepts input voltages between 7V and 24V. Built-in reverse polarity protection adds an extra layer of durability for field installations.
Ease of use has also been considered in the design. A USB-C port is provided for both power and programming, and the board includes clearly labeled boot and reset buttons. A user-configurable RGB LED offers simple visual feedback during development. There's also an I²C connector onboard, enabling rapid attachment of external sensors or peripherals.
As edge computing becomes more prevalent, developers are increasingly turning to platforms like the ESP32-S3 not just for communication, but also for onboard processing. The ESP32-S3 supports AI acceleration, and this board is more than capable of running lightweight machine learning models using frameworks like tinyML. This opens the door to intelligent IoT devices that can process data locally—minimizing latency, bandwidth usage, and reliance on cloud services.
In real-world terms, this development board can serve as the backbone of a wide array of applications. It’s ideal for creating a smart vehicle telemetry system that wirelessly transmits CAN data to the cloud. It can function as a dual CAN gateway in industrial settings, or as a powerful Wi-Fi and BLE-enabled sensor hub. With its USB capabilities, it can even double as a diagnostic tool when connected to a host system.
Overall, Copperhill Technologies’ ESP32-S3 board is more than just another development kit. It’s a compact, full-featured platform built around a cutting-edge microcontroller, ready to tackle the complexities of modern embedded systems. Whether you're a professional engineer designing automotive tools or an IoT hobbyist pushing the limits of what's possible, this board provides the tools, flexibility, and performance to bring your vision to life.
For more information or to order the board, visit the official product page on Copperhill Technologies’ website.
ESP32, the low-cost, energy-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) microcontroller, has become a cornerstone of modern Wi-Fi-enabled devices, driving innovation across the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. This comprehensive guide offers a practical, end-to-end approach to building secure, scalable IoT systems using the powerful ESP32 platform.
From foundational concepts to advanced implementation, the book walks you through the complete lifecycle of developing an IoT device with ESP32. Beginning with essential IoT principles and real-world use cases, each chapter progressively builds your skills—covering sensor communication, integration of key libraries like LittleFS and LVGL, Wi-Fi connectivity, data security, and cloud integration. You'll also learn how to visualize real-time data using tools like Grafana, making your solutions truly production-ready.
A special section is dedicated to artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for embedded systems. You'll explore how to build and deploy tinyML models on the ESP32-S3, enabling intelligent edge computing capabilities for your next-generation embedded products.
Adopting a hands-on, project-driven approach, the book ensures that you can apply your knowledge from day one. As a capstone, you'll develop a full-scale Smart Home system, consolidating all the concepts and technologies explored throughout the book.
Whether you're a maker, engineer, or embedded systems developer, this book equips you to build secure, real-world IoT solutions with ESP32—ready for deployment in today’s connected world. More information...
Unlocking Vehicle Intelligence: A Practical Guide to CAN and LIN Bus Networks
Modern vehicles contain dozens of electronic control units (ECUs) that must communicate reliably to coordinate engine, transmission, braking, body functions, and more. Two key networking technologies enabling this in-car communication are the Controller Area Network (CAN) and the Local Interconnect Network (LIN). CAN and LIN buses each have distinct architectures and roles: CAN is a [...]
CAN Bus Unplugged: A Deep Dive into Its Origins, Growth, and Future
The following is an excerpt from https://jcom1939.com/history-and-development-of-the-controller-area-network-can-bus/ Introduction The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is a robust serial communication protocol developed to facilitate real-time data exchange between electronic control units (ECUs) in various applications, notably in the automotive industry. Originating in the 1980s, CAN bus has become integral to numerous systems requiring reliable and efficient communication among [...]
The Teensy Series of Processor Modules: A Versatile Platform for Embedded Systems
The Teensy series of processor modules is a family of compact, high-performance microcontroller boards developed by PJRC. These boards are widely recognized for their small form factor, powerful processing capabilities, and extensive I/O support, making them an ideal choice for a variety of embedded systems applications, including robotics, audio processing, and IoT (Internet of Things) [...]
CAN FD: Enhancing Automotive Communication
The Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) protocol is a significant evolution in the field of automotive communication systems, addressing the increasing demands for speed, efficiency, and reliability in data transmission. Developed as an enhancement to the original CAN protocol, CAN FD offers a higher data rate and larger data payload, making it an [...]
Embedded CAN Bus Development with the ESP32 Processor
The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is a robust communication protocol designed to facilitate data exchange between microcontrollers and devices in automotive and industrial applications. With its high reliability and real-time capabilities, it has become a cornerstone in modern embedded systems. The ESP32, a popular microcontroller from Espressif Systems, offers integrated CAN controller support, making [...]
JCOM1939 Monitor Software - A Critical SAE J1939 Diagnostic and Analysis Tool
The JCOM1939 Monitor Software is a specialized tool designed to interface with and monitor data on the SAE J1939 communication network. SAE J1939 is a standardized protocol commonly used in heavy-duty vehicles, agriculture equipment, and industrial machinery for onboard diagnostics and data communication. This essay explores the features, applications, and significance of JCOM1939 Monitor Software in [...]
Impact of Cybersecurity Regulations on CAN Bus Embedded Development
Across the globe, regulatory bodies issue rules and regulations related to the cybersecurity of electronic devices. Among the strictest are those from the EU, including the Cybersecurity Act (CSA) and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which all manufacturers of electronic embedded network devices are required to follow. While some manufacturers may temporarily avoid adopting a “security [...]
ESP32 Processor: CAN Bus Topology and Termination Resistors
This post is an excerpt from our application note Controller Area Network (CAN) Development with ESP32. It is my experience that newcomers to the technology overlook the importance of termination resistors. Missing or misplaced resistors can lead to transmission errors or even prevent transmission altogether. The general rule is that if you connect to an existing, fully [...]
ESP32 Development Kits with Onboard CAN Bus Controller
The ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power system-on-chip microcontroller with integrated WiFi and dual-mode Bluetooth. It is equipped with a Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor in dual-core and single-core versions. The microcontroller features built-in antenna switches, RF balun, power amplifiers, low-noise receive amplifiers, filters, and power management modules. It is the successor to the ESP8266 SoC. There are [...]