Waveshare ESP32-C6 Dev Board w/ WiFi 6, BLE 5, Zigbee & Thread

You can program the board using Espressif's official ESP-IDF framework or the Arduino IDE. First, install the ESP32 board support package in Arduino IDE or set up the ESP-IDF toolchain. Connect the board via the provided USB-C cable. The onboard CH343 chip provides a USB-to-serial interface; select the correct COM port and upload your code. The board is fully compatible with examples and libraries for the ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1. Ensure you have the latest ESP32 Arduino core or IDF version that supports the C6 chip for all features.

The ESP32-C6's IEEE 802.15.4 radio hardware supports both Zigbee 3.0 and Thread protocols, but they cannot operate concurrently on the same network interface. You must choose and configure the desired protocol stack in your firmware using the ESP-IDF's Zigbee or OpenThread components. The radio can switch between them, allowing a single device to be part of either a Zigbee mesh or a Thread network. Development requires building your application with the specific SDK component (ESP-Zigbee-SDK or ESP-Thread-SDK) and configuring the network parameters accordingly.

The castellated (half-hole) edges on the ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N16 module allow for direct surface-mount soldering onto a custom PCB or carrier board. This design eliminates the need for a separate socket or connector, reducing the overall height, cost, and footprint in a final product. For prototyping, you use the provided development board. For production, you can de-solder the module or source a standalone module to integrate directly into your design, connecting its GPIOs, power, and antenna line directly to your circuit.

Yes, the USB-C port provides 5V power to the board's onboard regulator and enables data communication. The integrated CH343 chip handles USB-to-serial conversion for programming and serial debug output. The CH334 chip functions as a USB hub controller, potentially allowing the ESP32-C6 to act as a USB host or device for additional peripherals, depending on firmware implementation. For basic use, just the USB-C connection is sufficient for power, programming, and serial monitoring without any external debuggers.