Feature: ESP32-S3 Compact Hardware FNC Installation

[Murugesh-Hobbyist]

Machine Context

When comparing ESP32 with ESP32-S3, the ESP32-S3 is a better option due to the significant advantages it offers, as summarized in the table below:

A compact hardware like ESP32-S3 Tiny is particularly beneficial for GRBL applications, especially where size, weight, and GPIO flexibility are critical. For more details, refer below :

https://www.waveshare.com/product/esp32-s3-tiny.htm

Feature Description

The proposed feature involves supporting ESP32-S3 in FluidNC, leveraging its:

• Enhanced processing power and AI/ML capabilities for more efficient control.
• Improved GPIO flexibility to map and configure any pin for GRBL use cases.
• Bluetooth 5 LE support for faster and more reliable wireless communication.

This feature should allow seamless installation of FluidNC on compact hardware like the ESP32-S3 Tiny, maintaining all existing FluidNC capabilities while offering better performance and hardware efficiency.

Other Approaches

Alternative approaches include using the traditional ESP32, but this limits the performance and GPIO flexibility, which are crucial for advanced GRBL setups. Supporting ESP32-S3 directly in FluidNC ensures:

• Access to the latest hardware improvements.
• More compact, efficient, and reliable machine controllers.
• Easier integration for developers and users building high-performance CNC machines.

How I Can Help

I can contribute by:

• Providing ESP32-S3 hardware for testing and development.
• Promoting FluidNC with this enhancement through my personal and professional networks to reach more developers and users.
• I am ready to contribute $10 as a token of support to help accelerate the inclusion of this feature in FluidNC.

[bdring]

The S3 has a different I2S. That would require more than "token" work. Most comprehensive FluidNC controllers use I2S.

There is an experimental fork that is still in testing.

We are discussing it on this channel of our Discord.