Welcome

Thank you for choosing Freenove products!

Getting Started

When reading this, you should have downloaded the ZIP file for this product.
Unzip it and you will get a folder containing tutorials and related files. Please start with this PDF tutorial.

! Unzip the ZIP file instead of opening the file in the ZIP file directly.
! Do not move, delete or rename files in the folder just unzipped.

Get Support

Encounter problems? Don't worry! Refer to “[Link]” or contact us.

When there are packaging damage, quality problems, questions encountering in use, etc., just send us an
email. We will reply to you within one working day and provide a solution.

support@[Link]
Safety and Precautions

Please follow the following safety precautions when using or storing this product:
⚫ Keep this product out of the reach of children under 6 years old.
⚫ This product should be used only when there is adult supervision present as young children lack necessary
judgement regarding safety and the consequences of product misuse.
⚫ This product contains small parts and parts, which are sharp. This product contains electrically conductive
parts. Use caution with electrically conductive parts near or around power supplies, batteries and
powered (live) circuits.
⚫ When the product is turned ON, activated or tested, some parts will move or rotate. To avoid injuries to
hands and fingers, keep them away from any moving parts!
⚫ It is possible that an improperly connected or shorted circuit may cause overheating. Should this happen,
immediately disconnect the power supply or remove the batteries and do not touch anything until it
cools down! When everything is safe and cool, review the product tutorial to identify the cause.
⚫ Only operate the product in accordance with the instructions and guidelines of this tutorial, otherwise
parts may be damaged or you could be injured.
⚫ Store the product in a cool dry place and avoid exposing the product to direct sunlight.
⚫ After use, always turn the power OFF and remove or unplug the batteries before storing.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

About Freenove

Freenove provides open source electronic products and services worldwide.

Freenove is committed to assist customers in their education of robotics, programming and electronic circuits
so that they may transform their creative ideas into prototypes and new and innovative products. To this end,
our services include but are not limited to:

⚫ Educational and Entertaining Project Kits for Robots, Smart Cars and Drones
⚫ Educational Kits to Learn Robotic Software Systems for Arduino, Raspberry Pi and micro: bit
⚫ Electronic Component Assortments, Electronic Modules and Specialized Tools
⚫ Product Development and Customization Services

You can find more about Freenove and get our latest news and updates through our website:

[Link]

Copyright

All the files, materials and instructional guides provided are released under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. A copy of this license can be found in the folder containing
the Tutorial and software files associated with this product.

This means you can use these resource in your own derived works, in part or completely, but NOT for the
intent or purpose of commercial use.
Freenove brand and logo are copyright of Freenove Creative Technology Co., Ltd. and cannot be used without
written permission.

TM

Other registered trademarks and their owners appearing in this document:

Arduino® is a trademark of Arduino LLC ([Link]
Raspberry Pi® is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation ([Link]
Raspberry Pi Pico® is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation ([Link]
micro:bit® is a trademark of Micro:bit Educational Foundation ([Link]
ESPRESSIF® and ESP32® are trademarks of ESPRESSIF Systems (Shanghai) Co, Ltd
([Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Contents 1

Contents

Welcome...................................................................................................... 1
Contents ...................................................................................................... 1
Preface.......................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board .................................................. 3
Introduction to Freenove Breakout Board ........................................................................................................................ 3
Installation of Freenove Breakout Board ........................................................................................................................... 5
Freenove Breakout Board Power Choice .......................................................................................................................... 7

Chapter 2 ESP32........................................................................................ 8
Introduction to Freenove ESP32 Series ............................................................................................................................. 8
ESP32 Installation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Chapter 3 ESP8266 ................................................................................ 14

Resources for ESP8266 .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Installing ESP8266 ................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico ............................................................... 20

Resources for Raspberry Pi Pico ........................................................................................................................................ 20
Installing Raspberry Pi Pico .................................................................................................................................................. 21

Chapter 5 Other Development Boards ........................................... 26

Installing Development Board ............................................................................................................................................ 26

What's Next? ........................................................................................... 31

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

2 Preface [Link] █

Preface
Freenove Breakout Board is specially designed for various microcontrollers (MC), including but not limited to
the Raspberry Pi Pico series, ESP32 WROOM, and ESP32 WROVER. It excels in both versatility and practicality,
making it an ideal choice for developers and enthusiasts to carry out project development.

Here are main features of the Freenove Breakout Board:

⚫ Wide Compatibility: It supports Raspberry Pi Pico series, ESP32 WROOM, ESP32 WROVER, ESP8266, and
other development boards, meeting diversed project needs.
⚫ Easy to Use: The simple design of the board allows you to quickly starter project development by simply
plugging the development board to the breakout board.
⚫ Abundant Interfaces: With headers leading out the signal pins of the development and wiring terminals
inregrated, peripheral devices and sensors are easy to connect, thus greatly expanding the function of
the projects.
⚫ Each signal line is connected to an LED indicator light, which displays the signal status in real-time,
allowing you to quickly understand the working condition of the circuit. This design not only helps with
troubleshooting but also provides immediate feedback, enhancing the user experience.
⚫ Adjustable Power Input: It is equipped with a DC power interface that supports 5~24V voltage input and
includes a built-in voltage regulator module, making it convenient to provide a stable power supply for
the development board and peripherals.

Whether you are an electronics enthusiast, a student, or a professional developer, this breakout board will
provide strong support for your creativity. Let's explore more possibilities and embark on your maker journey
together!

You can download the tutorial and related resources for various development boards with the links listed in
the following table:
Development Boards Download link
ESP32 WROOM [Link]
ESP32 WROVER [Link]
ESP32 S3 WROOM Lite [Link]
ESP32 S3 WROOM [Link]
ESP8266 [Link]
Raspberry Pi Pico [Link]

After completing the projects in this tutorial, you can also combine the components in different projects to
make your own smart homes, smart car, robot, etc., bringing your imagination and creativity to life with
Freenove Breakout Board.

If you have any problems or difficulties using this product, please contact us for quick and free technical
support: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board 3

Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board

Introduction to Freenove Breakout Board

The hardware interfaces are distributed as follows:

Interface for Interface for

Development Development Wiring
VC1 Positve
Board Board Terminals
-red headers

GPIOs of MC
-yellow headers

Negative of
External
power suuply
Power Input
-black headers

VC1 Power Supply VC2 Power

Options Supply Options

Usage Notes:

1. The Freenove Breakout Board is compatible with various development boards, but the width of the
development board should be between 600mil and 1000mil. If the development board does not meet the
installation requirements, do not force it into place to avoid damaging the Freenove Breakout Board.

2. The Freenove Breakout Board includes two voltage regulator circuits. One circuit steps down the external
input power to 5V at 3A, while the other steps it down to 3.3V at 3A. The external power input voltage
range is 4-24V. We recommend using a power supply device with at least 12V at 3A to power the Freenove
Breakout Board.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

4 Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board [Link] █

3. Please note that the red pins on the Freenove Breakout Board represent the positive power supply (VCC),
and the black pins represent the negative power supply (GND). When connecting external circuits, do not
short-circuit the red and black pins, as this may damage the Freenove Breakout Board or your development
board.

4. Connect VC1 to the red pins on the left side of the Freenove Breakout Board, and VC2 to the red pins on
the right side. VC1 and VC2 can be freely chosen to be either 5V or 3.3V.

If you have any problems or difficulties using this product, please contact us for quick and free technical
support: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board 5

Installation of Freenove Breakout Board

Our Breakout Board is designed for great convenience and can accommodate a wide range of development
boards. Regardless of the type of development board, the installation process remains consistent. For
illustration purposes, we will use the Freenove ESP32 Wrover Board as an example.

When installing the development board, ensure that the pin headers and sockets are securely aligned.
Failure to do so may result in poor contact, potentially affecting the device's normal operation.

1. When installing the development board, please be patient. Forceful disassembly or installation may cause
the board's pins to be bent or even damaged.
2. The wiring terminals, S pins, and sockets on the Freenove Breakout Board are interconnected, as shown
in the figure below:

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

6 Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board [Link] █

3. The Freenove Breakout Board does not restrict the installation direction of the development board,
allowing you to choose different orientations for installation.

4. The Freenove Breakout Board does not restrict the installation position of the development board,
enabling you to select an appropriate location for installation, as shown in the figure below:

If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 1 Freenove Breakout Board 7

Freenove Breakout Board Power Choice

The Freenove Breakout Board allows you to select the appropriate power supply using jumper caps. As shown
in the figure below, we use a jumper cap to connect VC1 to 5V0 and another jumper cap to connect VC2 to
3.3V.

The voltage of the red

header is 5V

The voltage of the red

header is 3.3V

Select 3.3V for

Select 5V for
VC2
VC1

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

8 Chapter 2 ESP32 [Link] █

Chapter 2 ESP32
The Freenove Breakout Board is compatible with a variety of development boards, including our Freenove
ESP32 series boards as well as those from other manufacturers.
However, please note that the distance between the pin headers on the left and right sides of the development
board should be between 600mil and 1000mil. If the development board does not meet the installation
requirements, do not force it into place to avoid damaging the Freenove Breakout Board or your development
board.

Introduction to Freenove ESP32 Series

ESP32 WROOM ESP32 WROVER ESP32 S3 WROOM Lite ESP32 S3 WROOM

In this section, we take the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board as an example. The usage of other development
boards is the same.

We will not go into the programming process of ESP32 here. If you want to learn about ESP32 WROVER,
ESP32 WROOM, ESP32 S3 WROOM, and ESP32 S3 WROOM Lite, you can refer to the following resources:
Development Board Link to tutorial and code
ESP32 WROOM [Link]
ESP32 WROVER [Link]
ESP32 S3 WROOM Lite [Link]
ESP32 S3 WROOM [Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 2 ESP32 9

ESP32 Installation

Step1: Select the Power Input and GND Pins for the Microcontroller

Regardless of the type of development board, it typically features external power input pins, which are
commonly situated near the data line connection area on the board. It is important to note that when both
VIN/VCC/5V and 3.3V power options are present on the development board, it is advisable to prioritize the
use of VIN/VCC/5V for powering the board.

Taking the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board as an example, this board is marked with both 5V and 3.3V silk
screen labels. This indicates the presence of a voltage regulator circuit on the board that steps down the 5V
input to a 3.3V output. Generally, the 3.3V is intended for use as an output power supply, while the 5V serves
as the input power supply. Consequently, when powering the board, the 5V pin should be used as the positive
terminal of the input power supply, and the GND pin should be used as the negative terminal. This is illustrated
in the figure below.

Use 5V as Use GND as

positive of negative of
power supply power supply

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

10 Chapter 2 ESP32 [Link] █

Step2: Power the Development Board

In the first step, the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board utilizes 5V for the positive power supply terminal and
GND for the negative power supply terminal. Consequently, it is necessary to set VC1 to 5V.

Set VC1 to
5V

As illustrated below:
Conect the yellow header aligned with the 5V pin of the microcontroller to the red header on the left of the
breakout board.
Connect the yellow header aligned with the GND pin of the microcontroller to the black header on the right
of the breakout board.

Connect the Connect the

yellow and red yellow and black
header header

Please note: The red header pin represents the positive power terminal, and the black header pin represents
the negative power terminal. During use, under no circumstances should the red and black header pins be
short-circuited, as doing so will damage the Freenove Breakout Board.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 2 ESP32 11

Step3: Power Supply Precautions

Freenove Breakout Board DC005 Jack

The interface for external power supply to Freenove Breakout board is a DC005 interface, whose size is
5.5x2.1mm. Please pay attention to its positive and negative terminals, as shown in the figures below.

+
+

The Freenove Breakout Board features a reverse power protection circuit. This design ensures that the board
is safeguarded from damage in the event of an improperly connected external power supply. If, after
connecting the external power, the Freenove Breakout Board fails to power the development board, it is
likely due to a polarity mismatch in the DC interface being used. The positive and negative terminals may be
reversed. It is crucial to verify the specifications of the DC interface to confirm that it is correctly aligned with
the board's requirements.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

12 Chapter 2 ESP32 [Link] █

If the external power supply is connected correctly, the power indicator on the development board will light
up.

Usage Recommendations:

1. During experiments, if the development board is connected to USB for power supply or code downloading,
and the Freenove Breakout Board is powered by an external power source, we recommend that you
disconnect the positive connection between the development board and the Freenove Breakout Board.
This can better protect your development board. As shown in the figure below.

Remove the
jumping cap
from 5V

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 2 ESP32 13

2. If you are powering the development board using only a data cable, be aware that the combined power
consumption of the ESP32 and any external circuits should not be excessive. Generally, a computer's USB
port can only supply 5V at 0.5A to 1A. If your total power consumption exceeds the USB port's capacity, it
may cause the development board to operate abnormally or even damage your computer's USB port.

3. If you are using an external power source to power the development board, ensure that the positive and
negative terminals of the development board are correctly connected to the Freenove Breakout Board.
4. Each pin on the Freenove Breakout Board is equipped with an indicator LED, which is used to indicate the
voltage level state of the development board's pins. If you control a pin to output high or low voltage levels,
the indicator LED will change accordingly. Similarly, if some pins on your development board are not in use,
they will be in a floating state, which could be either high or low voltage. The corresponding indicator LED
on the board will light up or turn off accordingly. If you do not want the indicator LED to light up or turn off,
you can control it to output a high or low voltage level through programming.

If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

14 Chapter 3 ESP8266 [Link] █

Chapter 3 ESP8266
The Freenove Breakout Board is compatible with a variety of development boards. However, the width of the
development board should be between 600mil and 1000mil. If the development board does not meet the
installation requirements, do not force the installation, as this may cause damage to the Freenove Breakout
Board.

This section will use the ESP8266 as an example.

Resources for ESP8266

Download link for Freenove ESP8266

[Link]
Or you can visit our github to download:
[Link]
Regarding the programming instructions for the Freenove ESP8266, we won't delve into them here.

If you're interested, please refer to the following resources:

For For C Programming Tutorial, you can check
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_ESP8266\C\C_Tutorial.pdf
For Python Programming Tutorial, you can refer to
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_ESP8266\Python\Python_Tutorial.pdf
For Processing Programming Tutorial, you can refer to
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_ESP8266\Processing\Processing_Tutorial.pdf

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 3 ESP8266 15

Installing ESP8266

Step1: Select the Power Input and GND Pins for the Microcontroller

Regardless of the type of development board, it typically features external power input pins, which are
commonly situated near the data line connection area on the board. It is important to note that when both
VIN/VCC/5V and 3.3V power options are present on the development board, it is advisable to prioritize the
use of VIN/VCC/5V for powering the board.

Taking the Freenove ESP8266 Board as an example, this board is marked with both 5V and 3.3V silk screen
labels. This indicates the presence of a voltage regulator circuit on the board that steps down the 5V input to
a 3.3V output. Generally, the 3.3V is intended for use as an output power supply, while the 5V serves as the
input power supply. Consequently, when powering the board, the 5V pin should be used as the positive
terminal of the input power supply, and the GND pin should be used as the negative terminal. This is illustrated
in the figure below.

Use 5V as
Use GND as
positive of
negative of
power supply
power supply

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

16 Chapter 3 ESP8266 [Link] █

Step2: Power the Development Board

In the first step, the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board utilizes 5V for the positive power supply terminal and
GND for the negative power supply terminal. Consequently, it is necessary to set VC1 to 5V.

Set VC1 to
5V

As illustrated below:
Conect the yellow header aligned with the 5V pin of the microcontroller to the red header on the left of the
breakout board.
Connect the yellow header aligned with the GND pin of the microcontroller to the black header on the right
of the breakout board.

Connect the Connect the

yellow and red yellow and black
header header

Please note: The red header pin represents the positive power terminal, and the black header pin represents
the negative power terminal. During use, under no circumstances should the red and black header pins be
short-circuited, as doing so will damage the Freenove Breakout Board.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 3 ESP8266 17

Step3: Power Supply Precautions

Freenove Breakout Board DC005 Jack

The interface for external power supply to Freenove Breakout board is a DC005 interface, whose size is
5.5x2.1mm. Please pay attention to its positive and negative terminals, as shown in the figures below.

+
+

The Freenove Breakout Board features a reverse power protection circuit. This design ensures that the board
is safeguarded from damage in the event of an improperly connected external power supply. If, after
connecting the external power, the Freenove Breakout Board fails to power the development board, it is
likely due to a polarity mismatch in the DC interface being used. The positive and negative terminals may be
reversed. It is crucial to verify the specifications of the DC interface to confirm that it is correctly aligned with
the board's requirements.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

18 Chapter 3 ESP8266 [Link] █

If the external power supply is connected correctly, the power indicator on the development board will light
up.

Usage Recommendations:

1. During experiments, if the development board is connected to USB for power supply or code downloading,
and the Freenove Breakout Board is powered by an external power source, we recommend that you
disconnect the positive connection between the development board and the Freenove Breakout Board.
This can better protect your development board. As shown in the figure below.

Remove the
jumping cap
from 5V

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 3 ESP8266 19

2. If you are powering the development board using only a data cable, be aware that the combined power
consumption of the ESP8266 and any external circuits should not be excessive. Generally, a computer's USB
port can only supply 5V at 0.5A to 1A. If your total power consumption exceeds the USB port's capacity, it
may cause the development board to operate abnormally or even damage your computer's USB port.

3. If you are using an external power source to power the development board, ensure that the positive and
negative terminals of the development board are correctly connected to the Freenove Breakout Board.
4. Each pin on the Freenove Breakout Board is equipped with an indicator LED, which is used to indicate the
voltage level state of the development board's pins. If you control a pin to output high or low voltage levels,
the indicator LED will change accordingly. Similarly, if some pins on your development board are not in use,
they will be in a floating state, which could be either high or low voltage. The corresponding indicator LED
on the board will light up or turn off accordingly. If you do not want the indicator LED to light up or turn off,
you can control it to output a high or low voltage level through programming.

If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

20 Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico [Link] █

Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico

The Freenove Breakout Board is compatible with a variety of development boards. However, please note that
the distance width between the header pins on both sides of the development board should be between
600mil and 1000mil. If the development board does not meet the installation requirements, do not force the
installation, as this may cause damage to the Freenove Breakout Board or your development board.
Raspberry Pi Pico Raspberry Pi Pico W Raspberry Pi Pico 2

Resources for Raspberry Pi Pico

This section will use the Raspberry Pi Pico W as an example; the usage method is the same for other
development boards.

Regarding the programming process of the Raspberry Pi Pico, we will not delve into it here. If you are
interested in learning about the Raspberry Pi Pico, Raspberry Pi Pico W, or Raspberry Pi Pico 2, the following
resource links can assist you in your learning journey:
[Link]
Or you can visit our github to download:
[Link]
Regarding the programming instructions for the Freenove Raspberry Pi Pico, we won't delve into them here.
If you're interested, please refer to the following resources:
For For C Programming Tutorial, you can check
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_Raspberry_Pi_Pico \C\C_Tutorial.pdf
For Python Programming Tutorial, you can refer to
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_Raspberry_Pi_Pico \Python\Python_Tutorial.pdf
For Processing Programming Tutorial, you can refer to
Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_Raspberry_Pi_Pico \Processing\Processing_Tutorial.pdf

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico 21

Installing Raspberry Pi Pico

Step1: Select the Power Input and GND Pins for the Microcontroller

Regardless of the type of development board, it typically features external power input pins, which are
commonly situated near the data line connection area on the board. It is important to note that when both
VIN/VCC/5V and 3.3V power options are present on the development board, it is advisable to prioritize the
use of VIN/VCC/5V for powering the board.

Taking the Raspberry Pi Pico W as an example, this board is marked with both 5V and 3.3V silk screen labels.
This indicates the presence of a voltage regulator circuit on the board that steps down the 5V input to a 3.3V
output. Generally, the 3.3V is intended for use as an output power supply, while the 5V serves as the input
power supply. Consequently, when powering the board, the 5V pin should be used as the positive terminal of
the input power supply, and the GND pin should be used as the negative terminal. This is illustrated in the
figure below.
Use 5V as
positive of
power supply

Use GND as
negative of
power supply

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

22 Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico [Link] █

Step2: Power the Development Board

In the first step, the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board utilizes 5V for the positive power supply terminal and
GND for the negative power supply terminal. Consequently, it is necessary to set VC1 to 5V.

Set VC1 to
5V

As illustrated below:
Conect the yellow header aligned with the 5V pin of the microcontroller to the red header.
Connect the yellow header aligned with the GND pin of the microcontroller to the black header.

Connect the
yellow and black
header

Connect the
yellow and red
header

Please note: The red header pin represents the positive power terminal, and the black header pin represents
the negative power terminal. During use, under no circumstances should the red and black header pins be
short-circuited, as doing so will damage the Freenove Breakout Board.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico 23

Step3: Power Supply Precautions

Freenove Breakout Board DC005 Jack

The interface for external power supply to Freenove Breakout board is a DC005 interface, whose size is
5.5x2.1mm. Please pay attention to its positive and negative terminals, as shown in the figures below.

+
+

The Freenove Breakout Board features a reverse power protection circuit. This design ensures that the board
is safeguarded from damage in the event of an improperly connected external power supply. If, after
connecting the external power, the Freenove Breakout Board fails to power the development board, it is
likely due to a polarity mismatch in the DC interface being used. The positive and negative terminals may be
reversed. It is crucial to verify the specifications of the DC interface to confirm that it is correctly aligned with
the board's requirements.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

24 Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico [Link] █

If the external power supply is connected correctly, the signal indicator on the breakout board will light up.

Usage Recommendations:

1. During experiments, if the development board is connected to USB for power supply or code downloading,
and the Freenove Breakout Board is powered by an external power source, we recommend that you
disconnect the positive connection between the development board and the Freenove Breakout Board.
This can better protect your development board. As shown in the figure below.

Remove the
jumping cap
from 5V

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 4 Raspberry Pi Pico 25

2. If you are powering the development board using only a data cable, be aware that the combined power
consumption of the Raspberry Pi Pico W and any external circuits should not be excessive. Generally, a
computer's USB port can only supply 5V at 0.5A to 1A. If your total power consumption exceeds the USB
port's capacity, it may cause the development board to operate abnormally or even damage your
computer's USB port.

3. If you are using an external power source to power the development board, ensure that the positive and
negative terminals of the development board are correctly connected to the Freenove Breakout Board.

4. Each pin on the Freenove Breakout Board is equipped with an indicator LED, which is used to indicate the
voltage level state of the development board's pins. If you control a pin to output high or low voltage levels,
the indicator LED will change accordingly. Similarly, if some pins on your development board are not in use,
they will be in a floating state, which could be either high or low voltage. The corresponding indicator LED
on the board will light up or turn off accordingly. If you do not want the indicator LED to light up or turn off,
you can control it to output a high or low voltage level through programming.

If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

26 Chapter 5 Other Development Boards [Link] █

Chapter 5 Other Development Boards

The Freenove Breakout Board is compatible with a variety of development boards, whether they are from our
company or other manufacturers. However, please note that the distance between the header pins on both
sides of the development board should be between 600mil and 1000mil. If the dimensions of the development
board do not meet the installation requirements, do not force the installation, as this may cause damage to
the Freenove Breakout Board or your development board.

Installing Development Board

Step1: Select the Power Input and GND Pins for the Microcontroller

Regardless of the type of development board, it typically features external power input pins, which are
commonly situated near the data line connection area on the board. It is important to note that when both
VIN/VCC/5V and 3.3V power options are present on the development board, it is advisable to prioritize the
use of VIN/VCC/5V for powering the board.

Taking the Freenove ESP8266 Board as an example, this board is marked with both 5V and 3.3V silk screen
labels. This indicates the presence of a voltage regulator circuit on the board that steps down the 5V input to
a 3.3V output. Generally, the 3.3V is intended for use as an output power supply, while the 5V serves as the
input power supply. Consequently, when powering the board, the 5V pin should be used as the positive
terminal of the input power supply, and the GND pin should be used as the negative terminal. This is illustrated
in the figure below.

Use VIN as
positive of
power supply

Use GND as
negative of
power supply

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 5 Other Development Boards 27

Step2: Power the Development Board

In the first step, the Freenove ESP32 WROVER Board utilizes 5V for the positive power supply terminal and
GND for the negative power supply terminal. Consequently, it is necessary to set VC2 to 5V.

Set VC2 to
5V

As illustrated below:
Conect the yellow header aligned with the 5V pin of the microcontroller to the red header
Connect the yellow header aligned with the GND pin of the microcontroller to the black header

Connect the
yellow and red
header

Connect the
yellow and black
header

Please note: The red header pin represents the positive power terminal, and the black header pin represents
the negative power terminal. During use, under no circumstances should the red and black header pins be
short-circuited, as doing so will damage the Freenove Breakout Board.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

28 Chapter 5 Other Development Boards [Link] █

Step3: Power Supply Precautions

Freenove Breakout Board DC005 Jack

The interface for external power supply to Freenove Breakout board is a DC005 interface, whose size is
5.5x2.1mm. Please pay attention to its positive and negative terminals, as shown in the figures below.

+
+

The Freenove Breakout Board features a reverse power protection circuit. This design ensures that the board
is safeguarded from damage in the event of an improperly connected external power supply. If, after
connecting the external power, the Freenove Breakout Board fails to power the development board, it is
likely due to a polarity mismatch in the DC interface being used. The positive and negative terminals may be
reversed. It is crucial to verify the specifications of the DC interface to confirm that it is correctly aligned with
the board's requirements.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] Chapter 5 Other Development Boards 29

If the external power supply is connected correctly, the power indicator of the development board and the
signal indicators on the breakout board will light up.

Usage Recommendations:

1. During experiments, if the development board is connected to USB for power supply or code downloading,
and the Freenove Breakout Board is powered by an external power source, we recommend that you
disconnect the positive connection between the development board and the Freenove Breakout Board.
This can better protect your development board. As shown in the figure below.

Remove the
jumping cap
from 5V

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

30 Chapter 5 Other Development Boards [Link] █

2. If you are powering the development board using only a data cable, be aware that the combined power
consumption of the development board and any external circuits should not be excessive. Generally, a
computer's USB port can only supply 5V at 0.5A to 1A. If your total power consumption exceeds the USB
port's capacity, it may cause the development board to operate abnormally or even damage your
computer's USB port.

3. If you are using an external power source to power the development board, ensure that the positive and
negative terminals of the development board are correctly connected to the Freenove Breakout Board.

4. Each pin on the Freenove Breakout Board is equipped with an indicator LED, which is used to indicate the
voltage level state of the development board's pins. If you control a pin to output high or low voltage levels,
the indicator LED will change accordingly. Similarly, if some pins on your development board are not in use,
they will be in a floating state, which could be either high or low voltage. The corresponding indicator LED
on the board will light up or turn off accordingly. If you do not want the indicator LED to light up or turn off,
you can control it to output a high or low voltage level through programming.

If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@[Link]

Any concerns?  support@[Link]

 █ [Link] What's Next? 31

What's Next?
THANK YOU for participating in this learning experience!

We have reached the end of this Tutorial. If you find errors, omissions or you have suggestions and/or
questions about the Tutorial or component contents of this kit, please feel free to contact us:
We will make every effort to make changes and correct errors as soon as feasibly possible and publish a
revised version.

If you want to learn more about Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Smart Cars, Robotics and other interesting products
in science and technology, please continue to visit our website. We will continue to launch fun, cost-effective,
innovative and exciting products.

[Link]
[Link]

Thank you again for choosing Freenove products.

Any concerns?  support@[Link]