M5Stack Launches RISC-V-Based Stamp-C3 Bluetooth Microcontroller Module

M5Stack has announced the launch of the M5 Stamp-C3, a RISC-V Bluetooth module built around the Espressif ESP32-C3 system-on-chip — and it boasts the option to run as a contained unit, surface-mount module, fly-wire module, or breadboard-friendly dual in-line package.

The compact M5 Stamp-C3, M5Stack explains, offers 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity alongside a single 32-bit RISC-V processor core running at up to 160MHz. There's 400kB of static RAM (SRAM) and 4MB of flash, and an on-board 3D antenna — plus a few bonus features, like 13 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, a user-accessible button, a physical reset button, and a user-programmable RGB LED.

M5Stack is also keen to point out the module's security features, combining RSA-3072-based secure boot and AES-128-XTS-based flash encryption to protect devices built around the part from attack.

The module's physical design, meanwhile, is an interesting hybrid. The part arrives out-of-the-box with a heat-resistant plastic casing, screwed into place via an M2 bolt at the center. A USB Type-C connector provides data and power, while there are 2.54mm pin headers down both sides for the GPIO.

Remove the case, though, and you can solder pin headers into place for use as a DIP part — and the case can be replaced again afterwards. Use female headers instead, and it's a fly-wire module. Alternatively, the underside is left free of components and the pin headers are castellated — meaning it can be used as a surface-mount module, giving you four different ways to use the gadget.

The M5 Stamp-C3 has launched on the M5Stack website at a very reasonable $6 as the M5 Stamp-C3 Mate, a bundle which includes male and female pin headers, a pinout reference sticker, and a hex key for removing and replacing the plastic case; a five-pack of cased M5 Stamp-C3s, without the headers and hex key though with five of the pinout stickers, is also available for $28.90.