With the rapid development of technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, embedded development has received increasing attention. The plethora of development boards available on the market can overwhelm many novice developers, making it difficult to choose the right board. This article provides a detailed comparative analysis of ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi, and domestic boards from various perspectives to help you find the most suitable development tool.
1. ESP32: The Star of IoT Development
ESP32 is a high-performance, low-power Wi-Fi/Bluetooth dual-mode microcontroller chip launched by Espressif Systems. It boasts powerful processing capabilities, abundant peripheral resources, and supports multiple programming languages. With its low cost, high cost-performance ratio, and strong wireless communication capabilities, ESP32 has become a popular choice for IoT development.
Advantages of ESP32:
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• Low Cost: The ESP32 development board is inexpensive, making it ideal for beginners and small project development.
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• Wireless Communication: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules facilitate wireless network connections and data transmission.
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• Rich Peripheral Resources: It has abundant GPIO, ADC, DAC, PWM, and other peripheral resources to meet various application needs.
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• Low Power Consumption: Supports various low-power modes to extend battery life.
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• Rich Ecosystem: Has a large development community and abundant learning resources.
2. STM32: The King of Industrial Control
STM32 is a series of 32-bit ARM microcontrollers launched by STMicroelectronics. It features high performance, low power consumption, and high reliability, and is widely used in industrial control, medical devices, consumer electronics, and more.
Advantages of STM32:
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• Powerful Performance: STM32 has strong processing capabilities, suitable for various complex tasks.
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• Diverse Product Line: The STM32 product line is very rich, meeting different application needs.
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• High Reliability: STM32 products undergo rigorous testing, offering high reliability and stability.
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• Mature Ecosystem: Comes with powerful development tools and abundant learning resources.
3. Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer launched by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK. It has a complete operating system and rich applications, capable of running various software like a computer. With its low cost, high performance, and open-source characteristics, Raspberry Pi has become a popular choice for education, research, and development.
Advantages of Raspberry Pi:
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• Powerful Functionality: Raspberry Pi has strong processing capabilities and can run Linux operating systems and various applications.
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• Diverse Application Scenarios: Raspberry Pi can be used in various scenarios such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and IoT.
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• Active Open-Source Community: Raspberry Pi has a large open-source community and abundant learning resources.
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• Easy to Expand: Raspberry Pi has rich interfaces for connecting various peripherals and sensors.
4. Domestic Boards: Rising Stars with Unlimited Potential
In recent years, many excellent domestic development boards have emerged, and domestic boards are gradually becoming the “rising stars” in the embedded development field due to their price advantages, performance advantages, and diverse application scenarios.
Advantages of Domestic Boards:
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• Lower Prices: Domestic development boards are more affordable and user-friendly.
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• Stronger Performance: Some domestic boards offer better performance than Raspberry Pi, meeting more complex needs.
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• Localized Support: Domestic boards provide more localized technical support and community.
5. How to Choose?
The choice of development board depends on your specific application needs.
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• Beginner Learning: It is recommended to choose the ESP32 development board, which is inexpensive and easy to get started.
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• IoT Development: ESP32 is an ideal choice for IoT development, with strong wireless communication capabilities and a rich ecosystem.
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• Industrial Control: STM32 is the king in the field of industrial control, with high performance and reliability.
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• System Application Development: Raspberry Pi is a leader in open-source hardware, with a complete operating system and rich applications.
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• Price-Sensitive System Applications: Domestic boards are the preferred choice for price-sensitive applications, being more affordable with decent performance.
Conclusion:
ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi, and domestic boards are all excellent embedded development platforms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of development board depends on your specific application needs. It is recommended to weigh your actual situation and choose the most suitable development tool for you.