The IoTT Stick hardware is an M5 Stick C device developed by M5 Stack (www.m5stack.com).
Buy this item on Tindie: https://www.tindie.com/products/20457
It the core it features an ESP32 microcontroller from espressif. What makes it interesting for using it as IoTT Stick core device is the packaging with peripheral components that adds to user friendliness.
Integrated into that tiny enclosure of only 48.2 x 25.5 x 13.7mm and a weight of 14grams we find all these components:
ESP32 | 240MHz dual core, 600 DMIPS, 520KB SRAM, Wi-Fi, dual mode Bluetooth |
Flash Memory | 4MB |
Power Input | 5V @ 500mA |
Port | TypeC x 1, GROVE(I2C+I/0+UART) x 1 |
LCD screen | 0.96 inch, 80*160 Colorful TFT LCD, ST7735S |
Button | Custom button x 2 |
LED | RED LED |
MEMS | MPU6886 |
IR | Infrared transmission |
MIC | SPM1423 |
RTC | BM8563 |
PMU | AXP192 |
Battery | 95 mAh @ 3.7V |
Antenna | 2.4G 3D Antenna |
Based on that core, IoTT has added a customizable software that allows to use the IoTT Stick for various applications around model railroad layout control.
To make it work, you typically have to add two modules to the stick:
- a communication module on the left side, that receives commands from the DCC track or the layout command system
- a function module on the right side, which takes the commands and turns them into action, like switching a turnout, setting a signal, reading a block detector, etc.
- optionally, commands can also be received and sent via Wifi and MQTT. In this case, no communication module is needed.
The M5 Stick C is using an open hardware concept, which means that schematics are publicly available. Take a look: (or download as PDF)