Tanmatsu

Tanmastu is the dream terminal device for hackers, makers, and tech enthousiasts. Based around the powerful ESP32-P4 microcontroller, this device provides an accessible way to make, hack, and tinker on the go.

Tanmatsu lets you program on the go and communicate over long distances using LoRa whilst also providing advanced connectivity and extendability options for hardware hacking and development.

Features

Tanmatsu is based around the upcoming ESP32-P4 SoC by Espressif: their most powerful RISC-V microcontroller yet. With its 400MHz dual-core processor and 32MB of built-in PSRAM it makes the ideal platform for powerful processing on the go whilst still maintaining the ease of use one expects form a microcontroller platform.

In addition to the powerhouse ESP32-P4 application processor we have included an ESP32-C6 WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and IEEE802.15.4 wireless radio module. This module enables wireless internet access, as well as access to local mesh networking like Thread and ZigBee in a very hacker friendly way.

A LoRa radio module provides access to LoRa networks such as long distance mesh network services and (G)FSK modulated classic 433 or 868MHz communication, depending on the LoRa module installed.

The device has 16MB of built-in flash storage for firmware and applications, expandable using a micro SD card. The micro SD card socket supports SD cards at 3.3v and 1.8v voltage levels (SDIO 3).

A big MIPI DSI display and the QWERTY keyboard make for great ease of use both in the workshop and on the go.

In addition to all the built-in functionality the device allows for expansion modules using its two expansion ports. The back facing expansion port allows for expanding functionality using what we call “personality modules”. While the side facing expansion port allows for easily connecting a wide variety of PMOD and SAO accessories.

A QWIIC style expansion connector allows connecting the device to a wide range of sensors available from manufacturers such as Sparkfun and Adafruit, it supports both the I2C and the new I3C communication bus standards.

Included with the community version of the Tanmatu is a case. This sturdy case will allow the device to be used everywhere whilst keeping the electronics safe and protected.

Software

The firmware provides basic tools for creating applications directly on the Tanmatsu itself. In addition it provides access to a marketplace for applications where developers can publish their creations. Apps can be downloaded and installed directly on the device and launched from the launcher menu.

Hardware features - summary

  • ESP32-P4 dual-core 400MHz RISC-V microcontroller with 32MB of built-in PSRAM
  • ESP32-C6 radio module for WiFi, BLE and IEEE 802.15.4 mesh networking connectivity
  • Ai-Thinker Ra-01S or Ra-01SH module for long range communication using LoRa modulation and generic (G)FSK modulation for short range classic wireless radio applications at 433MHz or 868MHz respectively
  • 16MB of built-in flash storage for firmware and applications
  • Fast and big 800x480 MIPI DSI display
  • QWERTY keyboard
  • Lithium polymer battery
  • Audio output via headphone jack and speaker
  • I2C and I3C connectivity via Qwiic compatible JST SH style connector
  • SD card socket supporting SD cards at 3.3v and 1.8v voltage levels (SDIO 3)
  • Side facing expansion port with both SAO and PMOD capabilities
  • Back facing expansion port for expanding functionality using personality modules

Software features - summary

  • Launcher menu for easy access to multiple applications and firmwares
  • Access to user generated content and applications repository via the store app
  • Built-in text editor for writing notes and code on the go
  • Python interpreter application
  • Javascript interpreter application
  • C compiler application
  • Meshtastic compatible LoRa messenger application

Open source

The hardware design is fully open source and available under a permissive license (CERN-OHL-P). The design was made in the open source PCB CAD application KiCAD, allowing everyone to edit the design without any roadblocks. We’ve also included manufacturing files so people could order the design themselves if they wish to experiment.

The board support package and launcher firmware will also be made fully open source under a permissive license (MIT), enabling modifications and improvements by the community and granting users and developers complete freedom and control.

Personality modules

Whilst the base Tanmatsu device already provides lots of functionality we plan on creating and making available multiple personality modules for extending the functioality in ways useful to you.

More information about the planned personality modules will be made available soon.