ESP32 with external antenne (U.FL or IPX)

[ssinfod]

Is there a version of the STM32 board which offers the option for an external antenna ?

I am looking at the EVB or WROVER but it is not clear if they have this option or not...

https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/ESP32-EVB/open-source-hardware
https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/ESP32-WROVER-KIT/
https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/ESP32-GATEWAY/open-source-hardware
https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/ESP32-CoreBoard/

If this is not available ? Is there any reason why ?
Can it be modified to add support for external antenna ?

Otherwise, do you know any ESP32 board with an external antenna ?

Thanks

[LubOlimex]

>>> Is there a version of the STM32 board which offers the option for an external antenna ?

Boards that use ESP32-WROVER module. Like the ESP32-WROVER-KIT board. Some boards that don't use both modules but only the ESP32 chip also have the option for antenna.

This availability mainly depends on the ESP32 module used in a board (and whether the board doesn't use ESP32 module but only the ESP32 chip). There are two modules frequently used ESP-WROOM-32 and ESP32-WROVER. The ESP-WROOM-32 module has no provision for external antenna and ESP32-WROVER has provision for external antenna (the pads for the connector are on the edge of the chip itself). The ESP32-WROVER-KIT has pads for U.FL connector, but no connector placed (you can place it yourself tho).

>>> If this is not available ? Is there any reason why ?

One chip has it, one doesn't.

>>> Can it be modified to add support for external antenna ?

ESP32-WROVER-KIT can easily be modified. The rest of the boards that come with ESP-WROOM-32 without provision for antenna.

>>> Otherwise, do you know any ESP32 board with an external antenna ?

Go to http://esp32.net/ and search for "U.FL".