Espressif Introduces ESP32-E22: High-Performance Wireless for Connected Products
Espressif Systems has officially announced the ESP32-E22, the first Wi-Fi 6E SoC developed by the Chinese company, designed to power a new generation of products with high connectivity performance. Conceived as a Radio Co-Processor (RCP), the ESP32-E22 integrates advanced wireless connectivity features, including tri-band Wi-Fi 6E and dual-mode Bluetooth, into a single subsystem, allowing host processors to focus exclusively on application logic.
The new chip leverages the RISC-V processor architecture developed internally by Espressif and the company’s proprietary Wi-Fi 6E protocol stack. This combination is designed to offer long-term support, enhanced flexibility, and a resilient supply chain, all crucial elements for high-end wireless devices and industrial applications.
From a connectivity standpoint, the ESP32-E22 introduces the 6 GHz spectrum capability to Espressif customers for the first time. It fully supports the Wi-Fi 6E standard on the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, combining channel bandwidth up to 160 MHz, 2×2 MU-MIMO technology, beamforming, and advanced link-level scheduling algorithms. These features enable high transmission speeds, low latency, and reliable performance even in highly congested environments.
Beyond Wi-Fi capabilities, the ESP32-E22 integrates a Bluetooth controller that supports both Bluetooth Classic (BR/EDR) and Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4. The design includes radio coexistence algorithms that ensure reliable operation when both radio technologies are activated simultaneously, a fundamental aspect for devices requiring multiple wireless connections without interference.
As a radio co-processor, the ESP32-E22 handles the entire Wi-Fi and Bluetooth protocol stack internally, including security layers, authentication, network scanning, roaming, and Bluetooth host functionality. This architectural approach allows system designers to pair the ESP32-E22 with Espressif SoCs or third-party processors via high-speed interfaces such as PCIe 2.1 and SDIO 3.0, depending on specific system requirements.
At the heart of the SoC is a dual-core 500 MHz RISC-V processor, designed to efficiently handle protocol operations. This processor also supports advanced modulation schemes, including 1024-QAM modulation, which enables data rates up to 2.4 Gbps under optimal conditions.
The ESP32-E22 has been designed as a flexible wireless platform for a wide range of devices. Intended applications include high-bandwidth streaming and wireless video links, smart home gateways and connected appliances, industrial automation, bridging solutions, and AR/VR devices requiring low-latency communications.
With the integration of tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Classic, and Bluetooth LE 5.4 into a single SoC, the ESP32-E22 represents a significant step forward in Espressif’s commitment to high performance and flexible integration, offering developers a secure and scalable wireless platform ready for the next generation of both consumer and industrial products.
Engineering samples of the ESP32-E22 are already available to interested customers.
