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Why worry about writing an Alexa skill, or managing Cloud services, phone applications and complex device firmware? Espressif offers an easy way for customers to build Alexa-connected devices with Espressif’s Alexa Connect Kit (ACK) hardware and software. Espressif’s ACK module and ACK SDK provide solid and secure Alexa connectivity, while also supporting features like Frustration-Free Setup and Amazon Dash Replenishment. ACK SDK can run on Espressif’s ESP32-C3-based modules to provide a single-chip ACK solution, whereas ESP32-PICO-V3- ZERO is Espressif’s ACK module that provides seamless Alexa connectivity to host MCUs.
ACK SDK
ACK SDK is a software package from Amazon that enables ODMs and system integrators to build their own ACK-based modules and Alexa-compatible, smart-device solutions. Espressif makes ACK SDK available on Espressif’s secure and cost-effective ESP32-C3 SoC (ESP32-C3FH4AZ and ESP8685H4 variants), which is qualified by Amazon to run ACK SDK.
ESP32-C3 is a 32-bit RISC-V SoC with 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (LE) connectivity. Customers can use ACK SDK with ESP32-C3, in order to take advantage of ACK-managed cloud services, along with such features as Alexa control, Frustration-Free Setup, security, log and metrics collection, and firmware updates. ACK SDK is available in source format, which offers full customization, while keeping the application development simple. Since both ACK SDK and the application run on the same MCU, it is now easier than ever to build low-cost, single-chip, Alexa-compatible devices.
Espressif’s ACK SDK-Related Design Services
Not only do we provide ACK SDK on Espressif’s secure and cost-effective ESP32-C3 SoC, but we also help our customers build their own ACK solutions quickly. Having worked closely on supporting ACS and ACK SDK, Espressif engineers have honed an in-depth understanding of system integration with ACK SDK. With this expertise, we can support our customers’ hardware and RF design, the implementation and maintenance of the firmware application, module provisioning and certification. These services are bound to help you accelerate your product development, while ensuring an excellent standard and seamless maintenance for your Alexa-compatible devices in the field.
Design
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Hardware Design
RF Design
Application Development
Module Certification
Module Provisioning
ACK Module
ACK Module
ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO is a small footprint (16 x 23 x 2.3 mm) module based on the ESP32-PICO-V3 SiP. This SiP is based on the ESP32 (ECO V3) SoC, with a 4 MB SPI flash, a crystal oscillator, filter capacitors and RF matching links. It provides 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity to the host MCU. It comes with a PCB antenna. The host MCU can be connected to the ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO module through a UART interface.
At the core of this module is ESP32 (ECO V3) SoC, which is an Xtensa LX6 dual-core 32-bit microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This SoC is designed with TSMC’s 40-nm low power technology.
The module comes pre-certified for regulatory certifications such as FCC, CE, SRRC, IC and RCM.
ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO comes pre-programmed with the ACK module firmware. It is also pre-provisioned, having the necessary credentials that make it connect to an ACK-managed cloud service. The ACK module firmware is managed by Amazon and provides out-of-box features, such as Frustration-Free Setup, Alexa connectivity and Amazon Dash Replenishment. Customers can implement interfacing with peripherals on the host MCU when it is connected to the ACK module over a UART interface. This architecture significantly reduces software development and maintenance complexity for customers, while also providing a rich set of product features.
ACK Development Kit
ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO-DevKit is based on the ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO (ACK) module. With its compact size, high performance and seamless connectivity, ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO-DevKit aims to become the solution of choice for makers who wish to build Alexa-connected devices. The pin layout of ESP32-PICO-V3-ZERO-DevKit is compatible with that of the Arduino Zero development board and, therefore, it can be directly plugged into the Arduino Zero board, or get easily connected to other host boards and peripherals.
Espressif SoCs as ACK Host MCUs
Espressif SoCs may function as low-power, secure and feature-rich host MCUs that can be used in ACK-based designs for connected products. Espressif SoCs are certified and well-established in the AIoT industry, but can be also used flexibly based on your product requirements. Thus, you can quickly design your products with only a few external components. More specifically, Espressif’s ESP32 and ESP32-C3 SoCs are pre-provisioned, so that they can be connected to an ACK module when building Alexa-connected devices. ESP32 and ESP32-C3 provide common IO interfaces, such as GPIOs, I2C, PWM, ADC, I2S, UART and others that can be used to control peripherals or collect sensor data.
Espressif offers an easy-to-use, open-source SDK, ESP-IDF, which provides ease of programming when implementing peripheral drivers and business logic in your connected device. Amazon provides the ACK host driver, which is readily available to be used with Espressif’s ESP32 and ESP32-C3 SoCs, thus simplifying the development even further.
We suggest you refer to the table below first, from which you will learn all about Espressif's ACK Host MCU options that are currently available, along with a feature comparison. Please get in touch with Espressif's customer support team, so you can get more details about our ACK Host MCUs, and find out how we can help you with commercial projects.
Espressif's Host MCU Options for ACK
| ESP32-C3 Series | ESP32 Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-C3 | ESP32-C3FN4 | ESP32-D0WD-V3 | ESP32-U4WDH | ||
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| Memory | SRAM (KB) | 400 | 520 | ||
| ROM (KB) | 384 | 448 | |||
| RTC SRAM (KB) | 8 | 16 | |||
| Flash (MB) | Customer to Choose | 4 | Customer to Choose | 4 | |
| Peripherals | ADC | 2*12-bit ADC, 6 Channels | 2*12-bit ADC, 18 Channels | ||
| DAC | 0 | 2*8-bit DAC | |||
| Capacitive Touch | 0 | 10 | |||
| Temp Sensor | 1 | 1 | |||
| GPIO | 22 | 34 | |||
| UART | 2 | 3 | |||
| SPI | 3 | 4 | |||
| SDIO HOST | 0 | 1 | |||
| SDIO SLAVE | 0 | 1 | |||
| I2C | 1 | 2 | |||
| I2S | 1 | 2 | |||
| RMT | 1*4 Channels | 1*8 Channels | |||
| LED PWM | 1*6 Channels | 2*8 Channels | |||
| MCPWM | 0 | 2 | |||
| Hall | 0 | 1 | |||
| Ethernet | 0 | 1 | |||
| TWAL | 1 | 1 | |||
| JTAG | YES | YES | |||
| Camera | N/A | 1*DVP 8/16-bit | |||
| Required External Components / BOM |
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Get Started
Start building with Espressif’s ACK solution!
