The IoTFi is a development board designed for embedded applications that require 2G or 4G support. The device combines the RP2040 chip to handle user applications and the ESP32 for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The 2G model starts at ~$47 and the 4G variant ships for $114. The IoTFi was recently launched on Kickstarter and it has already achieved its funding goal.

As previously mentioned, the RP2040 consists of two Arm Cortex-M0+ processors (up to 133MHz) and the ESP32-C3-32S that features a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor (up to 160MHz). The ESP32-C3-32S also supports Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n (up to 150Mbps, 1T1R mode data). The datasheet for the  ESP32-C3-32S mentions that the chip supports BLE 5.0 (125Kbps – 2Mbps), however, the Kickstarter page states that the IotFi board has inbuilt Bluetooth 2.0.

IoTFi front interfaces(click image to enlarge)

According to the product description, “cellular connectivity is driven by a SIMCom SIM868E or SIM7600G module depending on the model chosen.” The 2G models offers a reduced speed of 85.6Kbps, while the 4G can handle 10Mb/s down and 5Mb/s up.

The SIM868 supports GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou satellite navigation (GNSS). Unlike the SIM868, the SIM868 supports GNSS as well as multiband LTE/GNS. Both chips come in a LCC+LGA package and both are produced by SimCom Wireless.

Other features include a 1.14” LCD, an IPEX/U.FL antenna connectors, an accelerometer module, a 3.5mm audio jack and a type-C connector used for data transferring and power delivery.

 

The IoTFi supports popular embedded programming languages such as C/C++, Python and Arduino. The Kickstarter page mentions there will be a Github repository and a Wiki for documentation, although it doesn’t seem to be available as of publication date.

Specifications listed for the IoTFi include:

• Processor System:
  • RP2040 – Dual Cortex M0+ processor (up to 133 MHz)
  • ESP-C3-32S – 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor (up to 160MHz)
    • 400 KB SRAM，384 KB ROM，8KB RTC SRAM
• Memory/Storage
  • RP2040
    • 264 kB SRAM
  • ESP-C3-32S 
    • 400 KB SRAM，384 KB ROM，8KB RTC SRAM
• Display:
  • 1.14 inch LCD (135 x 240 pixels) 
• Connectivity:
  • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 2.0 through ESP32 SoC
  • 2G using SIM868 module
  • 4G using SIM7600G module 
• USB:
  • 1x USB type-C
• Other Features:
  • 1x SD slot
  • 1x micro Sim slot
  • 1x GSM antenna
  • 1x GPS antenna
  • 1x accelerometer
  • 3.5mm audio jack
• Dimensions:
  • 80 x 60 mm (2G variant)
  • 100 x 70 mm (4G variant)

 Further information

The IoTFi is available on Kickstarter. The 2G variant costs around ~$47 and the 4G variant costs around $114. Boards are expected to ship around August 2022. The developer is offering more deals depending on quantity orders. For more info refer to Arushi’s Kickstarter project.