Nicolai’s Tanmatsu: ESP32-P4 and ESP32-C6-Based Palmtop with LoRa, Wi-Fi, and BLE

Nicolai’s Tanmatsu is a versatile palmtop-style device designed for tasks ranging from penetration testing to LoRa-enabled wireless communication. At its core is the powerful Espressif ESP32-P4, a 400 MHz dual-core RISC-V microcontroller, making it an ideal terminal for hackers, makers, and tech enthusiasts. Supporting the main processor is the Espressif ESP32-C6, a single-core 160 MHz RISC-V coprocessor that handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), IEEE 802.15.4, and LoRa connectivity in the 433 MHz or 868/915 MHz bands. This seamless integration makes the Tanmatsu a reliable all-in-one gadget for a variety of connectivity and communication needs.

All these components are packed into a compact, 3D-printed case featuring an 800×480 MIPI Display Serial Interface (DSI) color display powered by the ST7701S controller, positioned above a compact yet functional 69-key alphanumeric metal-dome keyboard. The keyboard includes six colored function keys with a white LED backlight, ensuring usability in low-light environments. With 16MB of onboard flash memory, the Tanmatsu offers a highly capable and portable solution for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Nicolai’s Tanmatsu specifications:

• Microcontrollers:
• • Espressif ESP32-P4 dual-core RISC-V microcontroller @ 400 MHz with 32MB built-in PSRAM
  • WCH CH32V203C8T6 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller @ up to 144 MHz with 20KB SRAM and 64KB flash for keyboard matrix and power management
• Storage:
  • 16MB flash memory for Espressif ESP32-P4 SoC
  • MicroSD card slot supporting SD cards at 3.3V and 1.8V (SDIO 3)
• Display:
  • 3.97-inch MIPI 2-lane DSI diagonal display with 800×480 resolution and 16-bit color (65,536 colors)
• Audio:
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • Built-in speaker
• Wireless Connectivity:
  • ESP32-C6 module for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth Low Energy 5.3, and IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread 1.3 / ZigBee 3.0)
  • Ai-Thinker Ra-01S/Ra-01SH LoRa module supporting 433 MHz or 868/915 MHz bands
• Antenna: PCB antenna or external SMA antenna
• USB: USB Type-C port
• User Input:
  • Full-sized 69-key alphanumeric QWERTY keyboard
• Expansion:
  • I2C and I3C via Qwiic-compatible JST-SH style connector
  • Side-facing expansion port supporting SAO (Simple Add-Ons) and PMOD peripherals
  • Back-facing expansion port for personality modules
• Power Supply:
  • 2000mAh / 3.7V Lithium-polymer battery
• Dimensions: 13.5 × 12 × 1.8 cm (including 3D-printed case)
• Weight: 215 grams (with case and battery)

The Tanmatsu is equipped with an Espressif ESP32-C6 single-core 160 MHz RISC-V coprocessor, which offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Thread/Zigbee-compatible IEEE 802.15.4 connectivity. It also includes an Ai-Thinker Ra-01S or Ra-01SH module for LoRa communication, which supports the 433 MHz or 868 MHz bands, respectively. Thus, it is suitable for a range of wireless applications.

The software for Tanmatsu will be released under the permissive MIT license, while the hardware design will be fully open source, licensed under the CERN-OHL-P. The maker plans to provide KiCAD schematics and PCB layouts under the permissive variant of the CERN Open Hardware License 2.0, ensuring accessibility for developers and the open-source community.

Nicola Electronics is now accepting pre-orders for Tanmatsu at 120 Euros (including VAT) or 99 Euros (excluding VAT) for non-European customers. Deliveries are expected to commence in April 2025. The initial batch is specifically aimed at developers as firmware development continues. Further details can be found on the Nicola Electronics website, and additional technical documentation is available online.

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