If you are looking for a development board that combines a high-performance processor with the ability to drive displays and cameras, while also providing a wired network interface, the ESP32-P4 development board is worth considering. Taking the ESP32-P4-ETH series, including Waveshare’s ESP32-P4-POE-ETH-KIT-B, as an example, this article provides a comprehensive introduction from several aspects, including chip features, onboard resources, version selection, application scenarios, and development environments.
I. What Is ESP32-P4?
ESP32-P4 is a high-performance MCU launched by Espressif, positioned for low-cost, high-performance, and low-power multimedia development. Unlike the familiar ESP32 and ESP32-S3, the ESP32-P4 does not integrate Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Instead, it focuses on computing performance and multimedia interfaces.
Its key features include:
- Dual-core RISC-V high-performance processor (HP system): 32-bit, with DSP and instruction set extensions, a floating-point unit (FPU), and a maximum clock frequency of 360 MHz.
- Single-core RISC-V low-power processor (LP system): Maximum clock frequency of 40 MHz, suitable for low-power applications.
- Multimedia peripherals: MIPI-CSI (integrated Image Signal Processor, ISP), MIPI-DSI, H.264 encoder, Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA), and 2D graphics acceleration controller.
- High-speed interfaces: USB 2.0 OTG High Speed, Ethernet, and SDIO 3.0.
- Security capabilities: Integrated digital signature peripherals and a dedicated key management unit to protect data and operational security.
II. Introduction to the Waveshare ESP32-P4-ETH Series Development Boards
Based on the ESP32-P4, Waveshare has designed the ESP32-P4-ETH series of multimedia development boards. According to the product page, the series provides a wide range of human-machine interaction interfaces, including MIPI-CSI, MIPI-DSI, SPI, I2S, I2C, LED PWM, MCPWM, RMT, ADC, UART, and TWAI. It also supports USB OTG 2.0 HS and Ethernet. The board also features a 40-PIN GPIO expansion interface that is compatible with some Raspberry Pi Pico expansion boards.
The ESP32-P4-POE-ETH-KIT-B (SKU: 32090) discussed in this article is the version in this series that comes with a PoE module. The product title also indicates “100 Mbps Ethernet,” “with PoE module,” and “supports Xiaozhi AI and DeepSeek.”
III. Overview of Key Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Controller Chip | ESP32-P4NRW32 |
| High-Performance Processor | 32-bit dual-core RISC-V, up to 360 MHz, with DSP and FPU |
| Low-Power Processor | 32-bit single-core RISC-V, up to 40 MHz |
| On-Chip Memory | 128 KB HP ROM, 16 KB LP ROM, 768 KB HP L2MEM, 32 KB LP SRAM, 8 KB TCM |
| PSRAM | 32 MB stacked in the package |
| Flash | Onboard 32 MB NOR Flash |
| Network | 100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet port |
| Display Interface | 2-lane MIPI-DSI, 22-pin, 0.5 mm pitch |
| Camera Interface | 2-lane MIPI-CSI, 22-pin, 0.5 mm pitch |
| USB | Type-C (power supply, download, and debugging) + 4-PIN USB interface (exposes USB 2.0 HS OTG) |
| Audio | Onboard SMD microphone, speaker interface (MX1.25 2P, supports 8Ω 2W speaker) |
| Storage Expansion | TF card slot, SDIO 3.0 |
| Expansion I/O | 2 × 20-pin headers, exposing 27 programmable GPIOs |
| Power Supply | Type-C or PoE module |
| Buttons & Indicators | BOOT, RESET, power indicator |
IV. Detailed Overview of Onboard Resources
1. High-Performance Computing and Large-Capacity Storage
The 360 MHz dual-core processor, combined with FPU and DSP instruction set extensions, is suitable for image processing, UI rendering, and edge computing. The combination of 32 MB stacked PSRAM and 32 MB NOR Flash can accommodate graphical interface resources, video buffering, and relatively large applications.
2. MIPI-CSI Camera Interface: 1080P@30fps Encoding
The board features a 2-lane MIPI-CSI interface. The chip integrates an ISP and H.264 encoder, supporting H.264 and JPEG encoding at 1080P@30fps, making it suitable for applications such as computer vision, machine vision, and video capture. The official documentation provides a reference example: it is compatible with cameras such as the OV5647.
It should be noted that, according to the official FAQ, due to the H.264 encoder’s maximum performance limit of 1080p@30fps, the ESP32-P4 supports cameras with a maximum resolution of approximately 2 megapixels. Please pay attention to this when selecting a camera.
3. MIPI-DSI Display Interface: Smooth HMI Experience
The board features a 2-lane MIPI-DSI interface. Combined with the Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA), 2D DMA, and 1080P@30fps JPEG decoding capability, it can drive high-definition displays. The official specifications indicate compatibility with Waveshare DSI touchscreens in 5-, 7-, 8-, and 10.1-inch sizes, making it suitable for applications such as smart home control panels, industrial control panels, and vending machines.
4. Ethernet and PoE: Stable Wired Networking
The development board features a 100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet port. The version equipped with a PoE module can simultaneously provide power and data transmission through an Ethernet cable, allowing deployment with a single cable. This is particularly useful for scenarios such as camera nodes, industrial gateways, and building equipment where it is inconvenient to install an additional power cable. The official FAQ confirms that USB Type-C and PoE can be connected simultaneously to power the development board without affecting the power supply.
5. Audio Interface: Suitable for Voice Interaction
The board features an onboard microphone and speaker interface, which can be combined with Codec and power amplifier chips to implement audio capture and playback. The product page mentions support for “Xiaozhi AI” and DeepSeek, indicating that it is suitable for prototyping AI terminals designed for voice interaction. For specific connection methods, please refer to the official examples and documentation.
6. USB OTG, TF Card, and GPIO Expansion
USB 2.0 HS OTG: Exposed through a 4-PIN interface, it can connect to USB peripherals and can also be configured as a USB device.
TF card slot: Supports SDIO 3.0 and can expand external storage for logs, images, and video recordings.
40-PIN expansion header: Exposes 27 programmable GPIOs and is compatible with some Raspberry Pi Pico expansion boards, making it convenient to connect sensors and peripheral modules.
V. How to Choose the Version?
The product page provides two options: “Version Selection” and “Soldered Headers.” According to the official documentation, the ESP32-P4-ETH series includes the following models:
| Model | SKU |
|---|---|
| ESP32-P4-ETH | 32086 |
| ESP32-P4-ETH-M | 32087 |
| ESP32-P4-POE-ETH (the unsoldered-header version is -NH) | 32088 (NH version 34247) |
| ESP32-P4-POE-ETH-KIT-A (NH version -NH-KIT-A) | 32089 (NH version 34248) |
| ESP32-P4-POE-ETH-KIT-B (NH version -NH-KIT-B) | 32090 (NH version 34249) |
Selection Recommendations:
- No PoE required: Choose the basic ESP32-P4-ETH series.
- Power delivery through Ethernet cable required: Choose a version equipped with a PoE module.
- Want to purchase all accessories at once: Choose the KIT-A or KIT-B package. For specific accessories, please refer to the “Configuration List” on the product page.
- Need to solder or install the headers yourself: Choose the version with unsoldered headers.
VI. Typical Application Scenarios
Smart Home and Industrial Control Panels: Use MIPI-DSI to drive touchscreens and connect to the local network via Ethernet.
Network Cameras and Vision Capture: Combine MIPI-CSI with H.264 hardware encoding for single-cable PoE deployment.
Voice Interaction and AI Terminals: Combine the microphone, speaker, and Ethernet interface for voice assistant prototypes.
Edge Computing Gateways: Multiple peripheral interfaces and large-capacity memory make the board suitable for data acquisition and local processing.
Vending Machines and Human-Machine Interface Devices: Integrate display, storage, and networking capabilities into a single platform.
Education and Prototype Validation: Rich interfaces make the board suitable for learning multimedia embedded development.
VII. Development Environment: ESP-IDF Is Recommended
According to Waveshare’s official documentation, the current support for the ESP32-P4 on the Arduino platform is still relatively limited. To ensure development stability, ESP-IDF is recommended, and it can be used together with VS Code and the Espressif IDF extension. The recommendation given in the FAQ is to use ESP-IDF v5.5.1 to v5.5.4.
In addition, there are several points worth understanding in advance:
The chip version must match: The ESP32-P4 has different hardware revisions. The official examples provide build configurations for rev v3.0 and later, rev v3.1 and later, as well as engineering samples of rev v0.x/v1.x. Before flashing, confirm the chip revision based on the chip marking and serial boot logs. If a revision mismatch warning appears, rebuild the project according to the actual chip revision. Do not use --force to bypass the check.
PlatformIO and MicroPython: According to the official information, they are currently still under verification, and the interfaces and peripherals have not yet been fully supported.
Flashing method: Press and hold the BOOT button while powering on or resetting the board to enter download mode.
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does the ESP32-P4 have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
The ESP32-P4 chip itself does not have wireless capabilities. Waveshare also offers the ESP32-P4-WIFI6 series, which is equipped with an ESP32-C6 co-processor and supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. If wireless connectivity is required, choose that series. The Ethernet version introduced in this article is primarily designed for wired networking.
Q2: Can Type-C and PoE be used simultaneously for power supply?
Yes. The official information confirms that using both does not affect the power supply.
Q3: What is the maximum camera resolution supported?
Approximately 2 megapixels, limited by the maximum performance of the H.264 encoder at 1080p@30fps.
Q4: Is Arduino suitable for beginners to use for development?
At present, the official recommendation is to use ESP-IDF, while Arduino support is still being improved.
Q5: What is the difference between ESP32-P4 and ESP32-S3?
The ESP32-P4 focuses on computing performance and multimedia capabilities (dual-core 360 MHz, MIPI display and camera interfaces, and H.264), but does not include wireless connectivity. The ESP32-S3 integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is more oriented toward AIoT applications with network connectivity. Which one to choose depends on whether you place greater importance on multimedia performance or wireless connectivity.
IX. Summary
The ESP32-P4-ETH series, which includes the ESP32-P4-POE-ETH-KIT-B, integrates a 360 MHz dual-core processor, 32 MB PSRAM and 32 MB Flash, MIPI camera and display interfaces, 100 Mbps Ethernet, PoE power supply, audio, USB, and other resources on a single board. It is suitable for developing multimedia devices and HMI products with wired network connectivity. If your project requires a display, camera, and stable networking, while also allowing power to be delivered through a single Ethernet cable, this development board is a good starting point.
