ESP32/S2/S3 LinuxCNC Controller (6 axis hardware step gen), USB plug-and-play

So... lets say if a board had multiple ESP32-S2 ICs (one per axis) - not the stamp modules but raw ICs. No WiFi.

All of which are driven and fully synchronised by a single S3/P4 with usb or ethernet connected to LinuxCNC. (Bearing in mind they cost bugger all and loads available).

If I can achieve *reliable* 700khz~ pulse output for a single axis and coupled with custom ethernet frames on the master to really maximise performance.

In theory it'd be around 4.2Mhz for 6 axis....

Would that float peoples boats?

Someone on cnczone would want more hahahaha


Man you really got some skills going on there

Hahaha yeah. More speeds pleaze! Thanks but there's always someone with more skills. Just do what I can. If I can give back to the community, then I will. Leads to better future things and all that malarky

200kHz for 10$ is magnificent, beats the cr@p out of parallel port!
For 10 MHz on all pins, use Mesa, 7i92 is still under 100$.
End of discussion!
Using multiple boards for more speed is OK as it does make financial sense.
So i am OK on all counts, great work and awesome results.
Having web settings is just icing on a cake, i dealt a lot with RC stuff lately and everything there is done wirelessly through a web interface, even firmware flashing, so once you get the hang of it, it is very comfortable.
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Personally, i might never use this, but i am impressed at what has been managed so far, thank you.
Does not mean i will not play with it, i will, despite you shooting down my last hope with SPI-Eth!
Regards,
Tom.

Thanks Tom.
I agree entirely but just thinking longer term here...
What happens if there's an FPGA shortage in the future or mesa have supply issues? I've both seen it and experienced it!

Espressif have proven supply commitments for 12 years and so far have lived up-to that commitment. The Sx series from 2020 onwards is 12 years.
FPGAs, certain models specifically *may* end up on long leads in the future. Never say never!

The only key differentiator is that Espressif are used absolutely bloody everywhere - when you look close enough. The chances of them them being on a long lead in the next, say 6+ years, I'd personally estimate as slim to none. Besides, buying a reel of 5k units is 5k or less!

PS: I wasn't thinking multiple boards - I mean a custom EMI compliant/resistant PCB with multiple ICs on it. So an all in one but flexible config

I agree with you on supply, strange that i do not think about that, but it is most probably as i got used to it, i have trouble getting M3 screws!
Again personally, i like Arduinos, they do have it's use cases, but only after getting ESP32 and seing what it can do i started using actually using them, cudos to Espressif for it, and 900 pages of documentation!
ESP32 can run Linux, in case you missed it, search for it on youtube, i think it was level14tech or similar channel.
There's an idea, whoever was complaining about this, make it run LinuxCNC, headless or toothless or whatever so we can all be impressed!
Back on topic, this is awesome.