ESP-Hosted ESP-Hosted is an open-source solution that enables Espressif SoCs/modules (like ESP32) to act as wireless communication co-processors for external host systems. It allows host devices (Linux-based systems or microcontrollers, MCUs) to add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth/BLE capabilities via standard interfaces like SPI, SDIO, or UART.🔑 Key Features Flexible Connectivity: Wi-Fi + Bluetooth/BLE Broad Host Support: Works with Linux and MCU-based systems Multiple Interfaces: SPI, SDIO, UART Shared Networking: ESP and host can share the same IP address Power Efficient: Low power modes for battery-powered use cases📦 High-Level Architecture🧩 ESP-Hosted Variants ESP-Hosted is available in three main variants:🔹 ESP-Hosted-NG (Next Gen) Best for Linux hosts needing standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth integration: Acts as a native 802.11 wireless device Configurable via cfg80211 / wpa_supplicant Supports NetworkManager Bluetooth via standard HCI interface🔹 ESP-Hosted-FG (First Gen) Designed for Linux hosts, with custom lightweight RPC-based control: Ethernet 802.3 interface Wi-Fi configuration via protobuf-based RPC Fully customizable APIs Bluetooth via standard HCI Python or C integration ESP maintains network when the host is powered off🔹 ESP-Hosted-MCU Optimized for resource-constrained MCUs: Minimal memory footprint Wi-Fi configuration via protobuf-based RPC Power-efficient operation Ready port of ESP and STM32 as host Bluetooth via standard HCI ESP stays connected even when the host is in deep sleep or powered off📊 Variant Comparison FeatureESP-Hosted-NGESP-Hosted-FGESP-Hosted-MCU Target HostLinuxLinuxMCU Wi-Fi Configurationcfg80211RPC (protobuf)RPC (protobuf) Network Interface802.11 Wi-Fi802.3 Ethernet802.3 Ethernet Same IP for ESP & Host❌✅✅ Power Management✅ Planned✅ Wi-Fi ModesSTA, APSTA, AP, STA+APSTA, AP, STA+AP Bus InterfacesSPI, SDIO, UART (and combos)SameSame Wi-Fi SecurityWPA, WPA2, WPA3, OpenSameSame Standards802.11 b/g/n/ax, BLE 4.2/5.0/5.3SameSame Supported ESP ChipsESP32, C2/C3/C5/C6/C61, S2/S3SameSame 🤔 Choosing the Right Variant Use CaseRecommended Variant Standard Linux Wi-Fi config (NetworkManager, wpa_supplicant)ESP-Hosted-NG Linux with custom/proprietary control over Wi-FiESP-Hosted-FG Embedded Linux platforms (e.g. Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone)NG or FG Minimal resource devices (low RAM/CPU MCUs)ESP-Hosted-MCU Custom networking or duplicate stack (same IP on host & ESP)FG or MCU IoT use cases requiring both BLE and Wi-FiAny Need for protocol customization / Deep Packet InspectionFG or MCU Classic Bluetooth supportAll Variants 📚 Documentation & ResourcesESP-Hosted-NG 📄 Documentation 🐞 Issues 📈 Throughput BenchmarksESP-Hosted-FG 📄 Documentation 🐞 Issues 📈 Throughput BenchmarksESP-Hosted-MCU 📄 Documentation 🐞 Issues 📈 Throughput Benchmarks