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ESP32-C6 module

Espressif's Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth LE + Thread/Zigbee (802.15.4) module. The MINI-1 is small, with native USB on GPIO12/13.

What it does#

The ESP32-C6-MINI-1 adds Wi-Fi 6 and an 802.15.4 radio (Thread, Zigbee: Matter devices) to the C3’s recipe. USB Serial/JTAG is on GPIO12 (D−) and GPIO13 (D+).

What it needs#

  • 3.3 V, at least 500 mA, 10 µF + 100 nF at the module (3.0–3.6 V).
  • EN (CHIP_PU): 10 kΩ / 1 µF RC and a RESET button. Not floating.
  • Strapping: GPIO9 = 1 for normal boot (pull-up), GPIO9 = 0 with GPIO8 = 1 for download mode. GPIO8 = 0 and GPIO9 = 0 together is invalid. So: pull-ups on GPIO8 and GPIO9, BOOT button on GPIO9. GPIO15, MTMS and MTDI are strapping pins too: MTMS/MTDI pick the SDIO slave clock edges, GPIO15 the JTAG source, and GPIO8 can gate UART boot messages. With the eFuses unburnt (as shipped) GPIO15 and the GPIO8 message function are ignored and MTMS/MTDI only matter for SDIO, so they need no parts.
Example circuit: The C6-MINI-1 with decoupling, EN RC + RESET, GPIO9 BOOT, GPIO8 pull-up and USB on GPIO12/13 (to the USB-C block).
The C6-MINI-1 with decoupling, EN RC + RESET, GPIO9 BOOT, GPIO8 pull-up and USB on GPIO12/13 (to the USB-C block). Open the esp32c6_minimal example from this page in PCB Canvas: “Insert into my schematic”.

Pitfalls#

  • Antenna: the MINI-1’s antenna is at one short end; no copper there.
  • Battery boards: sleep current is in the µA range only if the regulator and everything else on 3V3 are low-power too (see LDO, RT9080).
  • The catalog does not list this module yet (low JLCPCB stock on 2026-10-24); the example uses C6553337.

Sources: Espressif ESP32-C6 Hardware Design Guidelines, schematic checklist (power, CHIP_PU RC, strapping GPIO8/GPIO9, USB GPIO12/13); module pins from the KiCad symbol, which follows Espressif’s pin table.

Footprint#

SMD module with ground pads underneath: JLCPCB assembly recommended.