How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Mr-Techtron
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Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:20 am

How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby Mr-Techtron » Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:12 am

This might sounds quite stupid but I was wondering if esp32 can be used as an external RAM for other micro-controllers? Please, can someone shed some light on this topic, is there any way that I could achieve this? Thank you.

ESP_Sprite
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Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby ESP_Sprite » Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:47 am

That depends, what RAM interface does the other microcontroller have? In general, what are you trying to do, what problem are you trying to solve?

Mr-Techtron
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Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:20 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby Mr-Techtron » Tue Dec 31, 2019 4:05 am

Thank you @ESP_Sprite for your response, this is just a general question as a hobby project if this could be achieved. I'm thinking of using SPI if that is not possible could it be possible with FSMC of stm32f407?

ESP_Sprite
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Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby ESP_Sprite » Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:26 am

If you're thinking of using something with an SPI interface and code you can presumably control yourself, why not put a dedicated RAM chip (like an ESP-PSRAM64H or so) there instead of trying to abuse an ESP32?

Mr-Techtron
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Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:20 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby Mr-Techtron » Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:04 am

Yes, you're absolutely right but I want to use the wifi/ethernet/BlueTooth capability of esp32 too as a communication interface. If I could use it as an external RAM, it would be an icing on the cake. I just want to know if this could be achieved and to what extent. With this, I can extend the capability of our older boards we've without having to change the hardware design.

ESP_Sprite
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Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby ESP_Sprite » Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:38 am

Well, you have a whole heap of external interfaces (SDIO, UART, I2C, SPI, ...) you can use to communicate with the ESP32; as long as you write the software and the other side knows what protocol to speak, there's nothing stopping you from implementing a communication protocol that also allows you to save a few bytes on the ESP32.

Mr-Techtron
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:20 am

Re: How do I use esp32 as an external RAM for other microcontroller?

Postby Mr-Techtron » Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:57 am

Thank your for your concern. I think I've to do some more digging myself then.

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