Comparing the ESP32 and the RP2024

In oder to compare the two microcontrollers We went back to look over the data sheets. After looking over the sheets We found that there are some small differences in the Performance.

ESP32-S3

• CPU-Dual Xtensa LX7
• clock speed-240MHz
• Flash Memory-16MB external
• RAM-512KB internal + externalPSRAM support

RP2040

• CPU-Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+
• clock speed-Up to 133 MHz
• Flach Memory-2 MB (external)
• RAM-264 KB internal

The ESP32 is the more powerful microcontroller of the two, as it has a higher clock speed. The second biggest difference is that the ESP32-S3 comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing it to gather information from a local computer or even communicate with other microcontrollers that have built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (so-called IoT applications). Both of these microcontrollers can understand multiple programming languages, from C++ to MicroPython and JavaScript. Looking over the datasheet, the ESP32 has higher power usage compared to the RP2040. There are many different variables to consider. Depending on the project, the main application must be taken into consideration.

The comparison of the two languages will happen on the ESP32-S3

C/C++ vs Python

C/C++

• fast execution as it compiles to machine code
• Real-time signal processing
• precise timing
• effective use of memory

MicroPython

• code needs to be interpeted (slowing it down)
• use more RAM
• real time processing is slower, not ideal for PWM speeds
• Easier to use with built-in libraries
• Supports interactive development with REPL

CircuitPython and MicroPython

MicroPython

• More efficient, uses less RAM
• Faster execution compared to CircuitPython
• Supports more microcontrollers
• Can run on boards with limited storage
• Lacks built-in USB support for drag-and-drop code execution

CircuitPython

• Easier for beginners with built-in USB drag-and-drop support
• More user-friendly with Adafruit’s libraries
• Simplified file system management
• Uses more RAM and storage
• Slower execution due to additional overhead
• Fewer supported microcontrollers compared to MicroPython

C/C++

For our comparison we are using a Script, which Leen Skaf provided. Its written in C/C++ and she translatet it in Micropython. Its a Script for reading sensor data from a DHT22 humidity and temperature Sensor.

                        #include 

                        // Pin definition for Arduino Uno (using digital pin 2 for DHT22 sensor)
                        const int dhtPin = 2;  // Pin 2 is used for the DHT22 sensor
                            
                        // Define the DHT sensor type (DHT22 in this case)
                         #define DHTTYPE DHT22
                            
                        // Create an instance of the DHT sensor
                        DHT dht(dhtPin, DHTTYPE);
                            
                        void setup() {
                            // Initialize serial communication at 9600 baud
                            Serial.begin(9600);
                              
                            // Start the DHT22 sensor
                            dht.begin();
                        }
                            
                        void loop() {
                            // Read temperature in Celsius from the DHT22 sensor
                            float temperatureC = dht.readTemperature();
                            // Read relative humidity percentage from the DHT22 sensor
                            float humidity = dht.readHumidity();
                            
                            // Check if any reads failed and exit early (to try again)
                            if (isnan(temperatureC) || isnan(humidity)) {
                                Serial.println("Failed to read from DHT sensor!");
                            } else {
                                // Print the temperature and humidity values to the Serial Monitor
                                Serial.print("Temperature: ");
                                Serial.print(temperatureC);
                                Serial.println(" °C");
                            
                                Serial.print("Humidity: ");
                                Serial.print(humidity);
                                Serial.println(" %");
                            }
                            
                            // Wait 1 second before taking a new reading
                            delay(1000);
                        }
                            
                    

This simple code, reads temperature and humidity of the environment and displays the code

Output of the Arduino IDE Sketch uses 298996 bytes (8%) of program storage space. Maximum is 3342336 bytes.

Micropython

Leen was so kind and also provided the Script in Micropython

import machine
import time
import dht

# Initialize DHT22 sensor on GPIO3 (D3 on some ESP32-C3 boards)
dht_pin = machine.Pin(3)
sensor = dht.DHT22(dht_pin)

while True:
    try:
        # Read sensor data
        sensor.measure()
        temperature = sensor.temperature()  # Celsius
        humidity = sensor.humidity()        # Percentage

        # Print results
        print("Temperature: {:.1f}°C".format(temperature))
        print("Humidity: {:.1f}%".format(humidity))

    except OSError as e:
        print("DHT sensor reading failed:", e)

    time.sleep(2)  # Wait 2 seconds before next reading