Tag: esp32c3

Flashing Firmware with Esptool on ANAVI Miracle Emitter with ESP32-C3

ANAVI Miracle Emitter is an open-source gadget designed for 5V addressable LED strips such as NeoPixels. Powered by the XIAO ESP32C3 module, it combines open-source hardware printed circuit board (PCB) with open-source firmware for home automation and lighting control. ANAVI Miracle Emitter was successfully crowdfunded through Crowd Supply on May 29, 2025. All ANAVI Miracle Emitter kits were delivered to the Crowd Supply warehouse by the end of June and Crowd Supply shipped them to backers. Although ANAVI Miracle Emitter supports the popular open source software WLED, out of the box it comes with our open source firmware written as an Arduino sketch. In this article you will learn how to use Esptool to flash the pre-compiled binary release of the default firmware to ANAVI Miracle Emitter. The same knowledge can be applied to other devices with Espressif ESP32C3 Wi-Fi and BLE SoC.

To install firmware, users can rely on Esptool, a versatile Python-based utility developed by Espressif. Esptool enables reading, writing, and erasing flash memory on ESP8266, ESP32, and RISC-V-based chips like ESP32C3. It supports specifying baud rates, memory addresses, and chip types, and can flash both bootloaders and firmware binaries. Compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS, the source code of Esptool is available at GitHub under the GPLv2 license and is ideal for low-level control over the flashing process via the command line.

Installing Esptool on Ubuntu

Follow the steps below to install Esptool on Ubuntu 2024.04 LTS:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 pipx -y
pipx install esptool
pipx ensurepath

Run Esptool to verify that the installation is successful:

esptool version

Flashing Firmware and Bootloader

Download the precompiled firmware and connect your board via USB-C. Flash both bootloader and firmware using:

esptool.py --chip esp32c3 --port /dev/ttyACM0 --baud 460800 write_flash 0x0 path/to/anavi-miracle-emitter-sw.ino.merged.bin

Updating Only the Firmware

To preserve the bootloader, flash only the firmware:

esptool.py --chip esp32c3 --port /dev/ttyACM0 --baud 460800 write_flash 0x10000 path/to/anavi-miracle-emitter-sw.ino.bin

Stay Connected

If you haven’t already, consider purchasing the ANAVI Miracle Emitter to bring your LED projects to life. If you are interested in using Esptool for older devices with ESP8266 have a look at our previous guide from 2020. For more detailed tutorials and updates, subscribe to the YouTube channel.

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ANAVI Miracle Emitter Successfully Funded on Crowd Supply!

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our crowdfunding campaign at Crowd Supply for the ANAVI Miracle Emitter, which wrapped up on May 29th 2025. Your enthusiastic support made this possible – thank you! Backers from across seven different countries came together to champion this open-source development board designed for controlling NeoPixel LEDs, featuring the ESP32-C3 chip built on the open architecture RISC-V.

We’re happy to report that the project is progressing smoothly. All printed circuit boards have been produced and assembled, and the custom laser-cut acrylic cases are ready. We have also secured environmentally friendly packaging materials, including recyclable cardboard boxes and a fresh batch of stickers to add some flair.

On the software side, version 1.0.1 of the default open-source firmware that works with Home Assistant over MQTT is now live and will be pre-installed on each unit. As always, the board’s fully open design means you can install alternatives like WLED or create your own custom firmware as you see fit.

In the coming days, we will complete the final packaging and deliver everything to the Crowd Supply warehouse in the US. Shipping to backers will begin shortly afterward, and your kits will be on their way!

We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, input, and engagement with our open-source GitHub repositories. More exciting news and updates are just around the corner so stay connected!

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Control NeoPixel WS2812B LED Panels with WLED and ANAVI Miracle Emitter with XIAO ESP32C3

WLED is a powerful open-source firmware that makes managing NeoPixel WS2812B LED panels simple and efficient. Designed for ESP32 and ESP8266, it provides an intuitive interface for seamless LED control. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional, WLED offers a highly customizable lighting experience.

Why Choose WLED for NeoPixel LED Panels?

Our previous blog post shared the exact steps how to install WLED directly from a web browser. This firmware includes a built-in local HTTP server, allowing LED control from any device on the same network. It also integrates smoothly with Home Assistant, enabling smart home automation, voice control, and advanced lighting effects. WLED supports both LED strips and 2D LED matrices, making it a versatile choice for various lighting projects.

Demo: ANAVI Miracle Emitter + XIAO ESP32C3

In this tutorial, we will walk through the setup and configuration of NeoPixel WS2812B LED panels using WLED firmware. The demonstration features the open source hardware ANAVI Miracle Emitter, an open-source IoT board designed specifically for controlling NeoPixel LEDs.

Hardware & Accessories Used:

  • ANAVI Miracle Emitter – A small ESP32C3-based board, ideal for WLED applications.
  • NeoPixel WS2812B LED Panels – High-quality, customizable LED panels.
  • Wago Splicing Connectors – Secure and easy wiring connections.
  • DC Barrel Jack to Terminal Block Adapter – Simplifies power connections. For example AP364 or from Pololu.
  • External 5V Power Supply – Powers both the LED panels and the development board.

ANAVI Miracle Emitter: Open-Source LED Controller

ANAVI Miracle Emitter is a compact open-source IoT board built for NeoPixel LED control. It also supports I2C sensors and a mini OLED display, making it a great choice for interactive projects. Designed using KiCad, this board will soon be available through a Crowd Supply crowdfunding campaign. If you’re looking for a powerful and compact way to control NeoPixel WS2812B LED panels, the ANAVI Miracle Emitter with WLED is an excellent solution. The XIAO ESP32C3, with its 32-bit RISC-V core, delivers strong performance in a small package, making it ideal for compact LED projects. Stay tuned for more tutorials on maximizing WLED and the ANAVI Miracle Emitter for your next LED lighting setup.

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