Gateway hardware details
The first BBQKees EMS interface boards were hand-soldered into existence in 2018, EMS Gateways have been around since 2019. Below an overview of all Gateway boards over the years.
Each Gateway edition is based on a particular circuit board version. Some Gateway products use the same circuit board. Since the S32 V2.0 everything is integrated on one circuit board. Older boards were a modular system consisting of a circuit board, a seperate buck voltage regulator and an ESP microcontroller board all inside an enclosure.
Gateway feature matrix
Gateway type |
Availability |
PCB version |
EMS circuit version |
Jack power |
EMS Bus power |
USB power [2] |
Ethernet |
12V DC adapter |
ESP type |
Flash |
PSRAM |
ESP board |
USB chip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E32 V2 (ESP32 Ethernet + WiFi edition V2) |
≥01-2024 |
1.0 |
Gen 3a |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ESP32 |
16MB |
8MB (4MB used) |
internal |
Espressif |
S3(-LR) (Standard edition V3) |
≥09-2023 |
1.0/1.1 |
Gen 3 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
ESP32-S3 |
16MB |
8MB |
internal |
Espressif |
E32 (ESP32 Ethernet edition) |
≥12-2021 ≤06-2023 |
1.5 |
Gen 2 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
ESP32 |
4MB |
No |
ESP32 Eth |
CH340 |
E32 (ESP32 Ethernet edition) |
≥04≤12-2021 |
1.0/1.3/1.4 |
Gen 2 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
ESP32 |
4MB |
No |
ESP32 Eth |
CH340 |
S32 (ESP32 Standard edition V2.0) |
≥02-2022 |
2.0 |
Gen 3 |
Yes |
No |
Yes [3] |
No |
Yes |
ESP32 |
16MB |
No |
internal |
CH340 |
S32 (ESP32 Standard edition V1.0) |
≥02-2021 ≤02-2022 |
1.1 |
Gen 2 |
Yes |
No |
Yes [3] |
No |
Yes |
ESP32 |
4MB |
No |
NodeMCU 32S |
CP2102 |
P2 (Premium II) |
≥01≤05-2021 |
1.7 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
Lolin V3.1 |
CH340 |
Premium II |
≥12-2019 |
1.5/1.6 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
Lolin V3.1 |
CH340 |
Standard |
≥12-2019 |
1.5 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
No [1] |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
Lolin V3.1 |
CH340 |
Premium |
≥10≤12-2019 |
1.3 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
No [1] |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
Lolin V3.1 |
CH340 |
Regular |
≥07≤12-2019 |
1.3 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
clone V2 |
CH340 |
First version |
≥06≤07-2019 |
0.2 |
Gen 1 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
ESP8266 |
4MB |
No |
clone V2 |
CH340 |
Tip
You can upgrade all ESP8266 based Gateways to an ESP32 (or even the ESP32-S3). See HERE.
Pinout
Which GPIO is mapped to which function:
Gateway type |
LED |
Dallas |
RX |
TX |
Button |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S3(-LR) V1.0 |
2 |
18 |
5 |
17 |
0 |
S32 V1.1/V2.0 |
2 |
18 |
23 |
5 |
0 |
E32 V1.0-V1.5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
17 |
33 |
Details on the current Gateway editions
Gateway board version E32 V2.0
In January 2024 the successor of the E32 V1.5 was introduced. A complete new redesign in a larger enclosure to accomodate for the RJ45 connector and the Ethernet electronics. The low-memory default ESP32 chip of its predecessor was replaced by a bigger ESP32 module with 16MB Flash and massive 8MB PSRAM. The rest of the internals are still based around the excellent third generation BBQKees EMS circuit from the S32, but have some additional filters on the bus.
Gateway board version ESP32-S3 V1.0/1.1 (S3)
In September 2023 the successor of the S32 was introduced. It looks the same from the outside as the S32, but it has an additional USB-C connector on the outside for easy firmware upgrades. The ESP32 chip was replaced by an ESP32-S3 with 16MB Flash and massive 8MB PSRAM. The rest of the internals are still based on the excellent third generation BBQKees EMS circuit from the S32. The wide input range to 3,3V voltage regulator is now an integrated solution on the PCB itself instead of a soldered module.
The S3 is also available as the S3-LR with an external antenna.
Details on discontinued Gateway editions
Gateway board version ESP32 V2.0 (S32)
In March 2022 a completely redesigned S32 V2.0 board was introduced. It keeps the same functions and connectors as the V1.1 circuit board but it now integrates the ESP32 and USB chip directly on-board instead of using a separate NodeMCU-32 dev board on it. It has 16MB flash.
The 3,5mm jack connector has been changed to one that has a tighter fit.
This model also has some additional EMS bus circuit protection, improved noise handling and improved ground plane. As a hardware circuit building block for future EMS products the EMS circuit is now the third generation.
It runs completely on 3V3.
Gateway board version ESP32 V1.5 (E32)
In December 2021 a minor revision of the ESP32 based Gateway model E32 (Ethernet edition) was introduced. It now has an internal USB port, CH340 USB chip and an on-board screw connector. There is no functional difference with the older revisions of the E32. The E32 has been discontued in June 2023 because the EMS-ESP firmware became too big for the non-upgradeable flash chip.
Gateway board version ESP32 V1.0/V1.3/V1.4 (E32)
In April 2021 the new ESP32 based Gateway model E32 (Ethernet edition) was introduced. It has the same features as the S32 model, but it also has a RJ45 Ethernet port. This model can be powered via the service jack or a 12V DC adapter. Because the ESP32 uses more power than the ESP8266 with EMS-ESP, parasitic bus power is not possible with this Gateway model. Additionally GPIO 32 is exposed on an internal header (together with GND and 3.3V) on the top next to the button. The flash size is 4MB.
To make room for the Ethernet port, the screw terminal has been removed. With each E32 Gateway a screw terminal plug is included so you can connect to the EMS bus wires as well.
This model has an external CH340 USB programmer included (which you will likely never need).
There is no functional difference between revisions 1.0/1.3/1.4 of the E32, only a few minor adjustments in the ground plane and the PCB silkscreen.
Gateway board version ESP32 V1.1 (S32)
In March 2021 the new ESP32-based Gateway model S32 (Standard edition) was introduced. It keeps the same dimensions and EMS interface circuit as the ESP8266 V1.7 board. This model can be powered via the service jack or a 12V DC adapter. Because the ESP32 uses more power than the ESP8266 with EMS-ESP, parasitic bus power is not possible with this Gateway model.
On the Gateway board the Lolin D1 Mini has been upgraded to an original Ai-Thinker NodeMCU-32 dev board with 4MB flash and a Silabs CP2102 USB to serial chip. To accomodate for the 5,5mm DC barrel jack the JST connector (for connecting optional Dallas temperature sensors) has been changed from a 2,5mm JST XH connector to a much smaller 1,5mm JST ZH connector. Additionally GPIO 22, 25, 36 and 39 are exposed on internal headers.
Gateway board version ESP8266 V1.7 (P2/Premium II)
Since January 2021 the P2 (Premium II) has a slightly updated circuit board version 1.7. In 1.7 the fixed screw terminal has been replaced by a removable screw terminal so you can unplug the EMS but wires without opening the case. Also pins A0, D0 and D6 from the Wemos are now exposed on a four pin header. Header J20 with 3V3 and GND is now free to use as well. Depending on the batch there might be a different voltage regulator on the board. The EMS interface circuit is identical to the 1.5 and 1.6 board. There is no difference in performance.
Gateway board version V1.6 (Premium II)
Since July 2020 the Premium II has a slightly updated circuit board version 1.6. In 1.6 a reboot button has been added and the power source selection between jack and EMS bus is now a jumper switch. Also depending on the batch there might be a different buck voltage regulator on the board, and a SMD capacitor instead of a THT. The EMS interface circuit is identical to the 1.5 board. There is no difference in performance.
Gateway board version V1.5 (Premium II and Standard edition)
Both the Premium II (until July 2020) and the Standard edition use the V1.5 circuit board. The difference between the Premium II and the Standard edition is that the Premium II has additional circuitry so it can be powered from the EMS bus itself.
Below the internals of the Premium II.
Below the internals of the Standard edition.
Gateway board version V1.3 (Premium I and Regular)
Both the Premium I and the Regular edition used the V1.3 circuit board. The only difference between the two editions is that the Regular edition has a Wemos V2 module inserted and the Premium I has a Lolin Wemos V3 inserted.
Below the internals of the Premium I.
The V1.3 board has the following headers:
Gateway board version V0.2 (First edition)
The very first edition of the Gateway used the V0.2 board. Below the internals:
The V0.2 board has the following headers:
