Maybe look at the ESP32 chip's datasheet? [1] This is the first sentence in it: "ESP32 is a single 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi-and-Bluetooth combo chip designed with the TSMC low-power 40 nm technology." That's the chip. Not the development board.
1: https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/...
The Espressif chips are available as cheap modules, and frequently used as such.
People generally refer to the module, not the isolated chip. The modules are effectively like a chip that you solder to the board.
Modules are "just" chip + all necessary hardware to start + antenna connector/pcb antenna. Those modules don't add any functionality to the chip.
The main benefit of those modules is: it's already certified with FCC and others, so you don't have to re-certify your design for radio communication. Since RP2040 does not have a radio, this is unnecessary.
Re:I like the RP2040
by HyulianGrader on Tuesday June 11, 2024 @12:32PM
(#40648296)
What part of that contradicts my comment?
To be clear, GP is the one saying the ESP32 is more than just the chip itself, complete with battery controller and camera connector.
I could just as well say "For an RP2040 to do USB you wire the RP2040 to the connector. For an ESP32 to do USB you wire the 32 to another chip, and that other chip to a connector."
It's clear to me GP has the impression that ESP32 is something more (a development board with an ESP32?) than the ESP32 "chip" itself.