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Waveshare R7FA4 PLUS B Development Board w/ ESP32-S3 & LED Matrix

₹1,709.00 (Inclusive of all taxes)
Out of Stock

The Waveshare R7FA4 PLUS B is a hybrid development board combining a Renesas RA4M1 (Cortex-M4) microcontroller with an Espressif ESP32-S3 module for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity. It is hardware-compatible with the Arduino UNO R4 Minima footprint and includes a 12×8 LED Matrix for visual projects.

Features

  • Dual-Processor Architecture: Features a 48MHz Renesas RA4M1 MCU for robust control tasks paired with a 240MHz ESP32-S3 for dedicated wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth LE).
  • Onboard Visual Display: Integrated 12×8 red LED Matrix enables animations, sensor data plotting, and status indicators without external hardware.
  • Extended I/O & Protocols: Adds a 12-bit DAC, CAN bus, and operational amplifiers beyond standard Arduino UNO R4 capabilities for advanced industrial and automotive applications.
  • Flexible Power Management: Supports USB-C or wide-range external VIN input (6V to 21V) with onboard 5V/3.3V headers for versatile shield and sensor compatibility.
  • Arduino & IoT Cloud Ready: Fully compatible with Arduino UNO R4 Minima pinout and IDE, enabling seamless integration with Arduino IoT Cloud for remote monitoring and control.

Out of stock

Description

The Waveshare R7FA4 PLUS B is a feature-rich development platform engineered for makers and developers seeking to bridge high-performance microcontroller tasks with robust wireless IoT capabilities. Its core integrates a Renesas RA4M1 (Arm Cortex-M4) running at 48MHz, handling real-time control, analog I/O, and CAN bus communication, while a dedicated Espressif ESP32-S3-MINI-1 module offloads all 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) networking, ensuring stable dual-mode wireless connectivity without taxing the main MCU.

Designed with expansion in mind, the board provides a comprehensive set of interfaces including Qwiic connectors for plug-and-play I2C sensor chains, configurable 5V/3.3V power headers for shields, and a VRTC pin for battery-backed real-time clock functionality. The substantial memory allocation—256kB Flash and 32kB SRAM on the RA4M1, plus 8MB SPI Flash on the ESP32-S3—supports complex, data-intensive applications, from industrial telemetry to interactive smart home devices.

Key Features

  • Hybrid MCU + Wireless SoC Design: Decouples processing from networking for efficient, responsive IoT edge device development.
  • Integrated LED Matrix Display: 96-pixel red LED grid for creating dynamic visual feedback, menus, or real-time data graphs directly on the board.
  • Professional-Grade I/O Expansion: Incorporates a 12-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), Controller Area Network (CAN) interface, and op-amps for analog signal conditioning.
  • Dual Power Supply Rails: Onboard switching regulators deliver clean 5V and 3.3V power from either USB-C or a wide-input DC source (6-21V).
  • Arduino UNO R4 Hardware Compatible: Shares the same form factor and pinout, allowing direct use with a vast ecosystem of UNO R3/R4 shields and accessories.
  • Qwiic & STEMMA QT Connector Support: Enables rapid prototyping with hundreds of plug-and-play I2C sensors, actuators, and displays without soldering.
  • Optimized for Arduino IoT Cloud: The onboard ESP32-S3 is pre-configured to work with Arduino's cloud services for secure remote device management and data visualization.

Applications

  • Wireless IoT Prototyping: Rapid development of cloud-connected sensors, smart home controllers, and remote monitoring nodes using Arduino IoT Cloud.
  • Industrial HMI & Telemetry: Building human-machine interfaces with local LED display feedback and CAN bus communication for automotive or factory networks.
  • Educational & Maker Projects: Teaching embedded systems, wireless communication, and real-time data visualization with an all-in-one, Arduino-compatible platform.
  • Interactive Art & Installations: Creating animated LED Matrix displays and interactive exhibits with built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and content updates.

Technical Specifications

Primary MicrocontrollerRenesas RA4M1 (Arm Cortex-M4 @ 48MHz)
Wireless Co-ProcessorEspressif ESP32-S3FN8 (Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240MHz)
Wireless Protocols2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) + Bluetooth 5.0 LE
RA4M1 Memory256 kB Flash, 32 kB SRAM
ESP32-S3 Memory384 kB ROM, 512 kB SRAM, 8 MB External SPI Flash
Onboard Display12 x 8 Red LED Matrix (96 pixels)
Key InterfacesGPIO, I2C (Qwiic), SPI, UART, 12-bit DAC, CAN, Analog Comparator, Op-Amp
Supply VoltageUSB-C or VIN (6V to 21V DC)
Regulated Outputs5V, 3.3V (configurable via headers)
Development PlatformArduino IDE (UNO R4 Minima Core), ESP-IDF (for ESP32-S3)
DimensionsApprox. Standard Arduino UNO footprint

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I program the RA4M1 microcontroller on this board?

Install the 'Arduino UNO R4 Boards' package via the Arduino IDE Board Manager. Select 'Arduino UNO R4 Minima' as your target board. The R7FA4 PLUS B uses the same pinout and core, so your sketches will compile and upload via the USB-C port, programming the Renesas RA4M1 MCU directly.

Can I use the ESP32-S3 independently for wireless tasks?

Yes. The ESP32-S3 module runs independently and can be programmed via its serial interface using the ESP-IDF framework or Arduino core for ESP32-S3. You establish a serial communication link (UART) between the RA4M1 and ESP32-S3, sending AT commands or custom protocols to handle Wi-Fi scans, BLE connections, or HTTP/MQTT client duties.

What is the power consumption, and how do I power it for a battery project?

Power consumption varies with mode. The board can be powered via the USB-C port or the VIN pin (6-21V). For battery operation, connect a regulated 6-9V source to VIN. Utilize the deep sleep modes on both MCUs: put the RA4M1 into software standby and the ESP32-S3 into modem-sleep between transmissions to minimize current draw to microamp levels, extending battery life significantly.

Package Includes

  • 1 x Waveshare R7FA4 PLUS B Development Board
  • 1 x USB Type-A to Type-C Cable

Additional Information

Weight 0.11 kg
Dimensions 15 × 11 × 5 cm