ESP8285

The ESP8285 is a Wi-Fi microcontroller in Espressif Systems’ ESP8266 family that integrates the microcontroller and flash memory in a single chip. It combines a 32-bit Tensilica Xtensa LX106 processor with 1 megabyte of embedded SPI flash, allowing designs that do not require a separate external flash device. The device provides 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n wireless connectivity and includes a TCP/IP networking stack, with support for station mode, soft access point mode, and dual-mode operation.

Technical features include UARTs, SPI, I2C-compatible interfaces, PWM outputs, and an ADC. The processor runs at up to 80 MHz and operates on a 3.3 V supply. The ESP8285 supports standard Wi‑Fi security features and various power-saving options, including deep sleep, to extend battery life in IoT deployments. Development and debugging are supported through common toolchains and SDKs, with Espressif’s ESP-IDF and third-party cores such as Arduino and Lua-based environments providing broad software support.

In practice, the ESP8285 is used in a range of IoT devices and modules that benefit from having flash memory built into the chip, reducing board area and BOM complexity. It is commonly found in compact modules and devices that require a turnkey Wi‑Fi solution with minimal external components.

Compared to ESP8266 variants that rely on external flash, the ESP8285 offers a more integrated design by including the flash on-chip, which can simplify PCB layout and sourcing. It shares the same programming model and software ecosystem as the ESP8266 family, enabling relatively straightforward migration for developers familiar with the platform.