Meet the Atom S3 Programmable Controller and the T-lite WiFi Thermal Camera

The highly integrated Atom S3 wireless programmable controller is one of the most recent releases from M5Stack Atom. Leveraging the power of the ESP32-S3FN8 chip, the compact controller offers high-performance value for a wide range of applications. It can be used as a microcontroller, as an IoT node, or as a major component in wearables. Whether for robotics, IoT, or other embedded systems, this M5Stack Atom device has got you covered.

The Atom S3 boasts integrated WiFi functionality, up to 8MB on-chip SPI flash memory, an infrared transmitter, a USB-C port for power and programming, and a 0.85-inch LCD screen for clear visual feedback and user interaction. It supports both Arduino and the UIFlow platform developed by the company, possibly Micropython though it was not clearly stated.

Features

• USB download function
• Built-in 5V to 3.3V – for stable power supply in ensuring reliable operations
• Built-in 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer – for precise motion detection and orientation tracking
• Onboard Type-C connection – for power supply and hardware download processes
• Power pins – for expansion of various applications
• HY2.0-4P expansion port
• Screw hole for an already installed M.2 screen
• 6x GPIOs
• 0.85-inch LCD screen
• Programmable User and Reset buttons
• Infrared emission function
• Expandable pins and interfaces
• Arduino and UIFlow development platform

Specifications

• Espressif Systems’ dual-core 32-bit Xtensa LX7 microcontroller operating @ up to 240 MHz,  512KB SRAM, 2.4GHz WiFi 4, and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE
• WS2812B-2020 RGB LED
• Power Supply: Approximately 5V via USB Type-C; SY8089 5V to 3V DCDC converter
• Operating temperature Range: 0 – 40°C
• Dimensions: 24mm x 24mm x 13mm – compact and suitable for a wide range of embedded smart device applications
• Weight: 5.3g

Application

• Used to manage Smart Home network of interconnected WiFi and Bluetooth devices
• Also used for IR-enabled electronics such as ACs, TVs, set-top boxes, etc
• Applicable in Sensor monitoring
• Useful in Relay control
• Machine learning applications

T-Lite WiFi Thermal Camera

M5Stack also has a WiFi thermal camera that is powered by the ESP32-PICO-D4 SIP with WiFi and Bluetooth. It is an all-in-one solution that allows users to access the 32 x 24 pixels thermal image on a display or on the cloud. It also comes with a 1.14” color display where you can see the results are displayed on the device.

Key Features and Specifications

• ESP32-PICO-D4 SIP with ESP32 dual-core Tensilica LX6 processor with:
  • 448KB ROM
  • 520KB SRAM
  • 4MB SPI flash
  • 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2
• Melexis MLX90640 IR thermal camera sensor with:
  • 32 x 24 pixels
  • Range: -40°C to 300°C with +/- 1.5°C resolution
  • Field of View: 110° x 75°
• 1.14” color display with 240 x 135 resolutions
• 4-pin Grove HY2.0-4P interfaces
• Passive buzzer
• SPM1423 PDM MEMS microphone
• 3.7V/160 mAh battery
• Operatring Temperature: -40°C – +85°C
• Power: 5V @ 0.5A via USB Type-C
• Dimension: 69 x 26.6 x 6.35 mm
• Weight: 30.1g
• Software: Programmable with UIFlow, Micropython, and Arduino

Application/Use Cases

The T-LITE WiFi Thermal camera can be used in the following scenarios:

• Temperature detection warning
• Visual infrared thermometers
• Intrusion movement detection
• Circuit temperature anomaly monitoring, etc.

Further Details

More useful details on the AtomS3 controller, such as the documentation and the Arduino sketch designed specifically for the device, can be found on the product page where it sells for $7.50 including shipping. The T-Lite WiFi thermal imager on the other hand sells for $79 plus shipping.

NB: There is another $15.50 variant of the AtomS3 controller that comes with a 0.85-inch display.

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