The ESP32-WROVER-IB is a powerful, general-purpose Wi-Fi + Bluetooth + Bluetooth LE MCU module from Espressif Systems, designed for applications that demand both wireless connectivity and substantial memory capacity. This version features 4MB (32Mbit) of SPI flash paired with 8MB of SPI PSRAM, making it well-suited for memory-intensive tasks such as voice encoding, audio streaming, and MP3 decoding .
The “IB” designation indicates that this module uses an external antenna connector (IPEX/U.FL) instead of the onboard PCB antenna found on the standard WROVER-B variant. This makes the ESP32-WROVER-IB the preferred choice for applications where the module must be placed inside a metal enclosure, a shielded assembly, or any environment where RF signals are blocked or severely attenuated .
At the core of the module is the ESP32-D0WD chip, featuring a dual-core Xtensa 32-bit LX6 microprocessor with an adjustable clock frequency from 80 MHz to 240 MHz. The two CPU cores can be individually controlled, and a low-power co-processor can monitor peripherals while the main cores are powered down. The chip‘s sleep current is below 5 µA, making it suitable for battery-powered wearable electronics and low-power sensor networks .
The module supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) with data rates up to 150 Mbps and Bluetooth v4.2 (BR/EDR and BLE). Antenna output power reaches up to 20 dBm (18.5–20 dBm typical), ensuring maximum wireless range when paired with a suitable external antenna .
The module integrates a rich set of peripheral interfaces including capacitive touch sensors, Hall sensor, SD card interface, Ethernet MAC, high-speed SPI, UART, I2S, and I2C . It has achieved FCC, CE-RED, IC, TELEC, KCC, SRRC, and NCC certifications, along with BQB Bluetooth certification .
Important PSRAM Note: On ESP32-WROVER modules, GPIO16 and GPIO17 are used internally for PSRAM chip select and clock signals. These GPIOs are not available for external use when PSRAM is enabled. Additionally, GPIO6–GPIO11 are occupied by the built-in flash and cannot be used for other purposes .
Product Status Note: The ESP32-WROVER-IB series is marked as NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) by Espressif. For new product development, the ESP32-WROVER-IE series is the recommended replacement, offering updated chip revisions and continued manufacturing support .
Whether you are building audio products, AI edge devices, industrial gateways, or applications requiring reliable wireless connectivity in metal enclosures, the ESP32-WROVER-IB module provides a proven, high-performance platform with the memory headroom to handle demanding tasks.
Features
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8MB PSRAM — Additional pseudo-static RAM for memory-intensive applications like audio processing and AIoT
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Dual-Core Processing — Xtensa 32-bit LX6 dual-core microprocessor, up to 240 MHz
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4MB SPI Flash — Standard storage for firmware and data
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IPEX/U.FL Antenna Connector — External antenna support for metal enclosures and maximum-range applications
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Integrated Wireless — Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (up to 150 Mbps) and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR + BLE
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Ultra-Low Sleep Current — Below 5 µA for battery-powered applications
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Rich Peripheral Set — SD card, UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, PWM, ADC, DAC, capacitive touch, Hall sensor
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Certified — FCC, CE-RED, IC, TELEC, KCC, SRRC, NCC, and BQB certified
Technical Specifications
| # | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microcontroller | ESP32-D0WD, Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX6 |
| 2 | Clock Speed | 80 – 240 MHz |
| 3 | Flash Memory | 4 MB (Quad SPI) |
| 4 | PSRAM | 8 MB (Quad SPI, 3.3V, up to 133 MHz) |
| 5 | Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR + BLE |
| 6 | Antenna | IPEX/U.FL external connector |
| 7 | Operating Voltage | 2.7 – 3.6 V |
| 8 | Dimensions | 18.0 × 31.4 × 3.3 mm |
