Summary of CH32 RISC-V MCUS GET OFFICIAL ARDUINO SUPPORT
Summary (under 100 words): WCH Electronics has released an official Arduino core for its CH32 family of RISC-V microcontrollers, supporting CH32V00x, CH32V10x, CH32V20x, CH32V30x, and CH32X035 chips. The core works on Windows, Linux, and Mac and is installed via the Arduino IDE Boards Manager URL, though Linux may need extra steps. Official Arduino support should broaden hobbyist adoption, increase library and demo development, and boost use of low-cost CH32 parts.
Parts used in the CH32 Arduino core project:
- CH32V003 microcontroller
- CH32V00x series microcontrollers
- CH32V10x series microcontrollers
- CH32V20x series microcontrollers
- CH32V30x series microcontrollers
- CH32X035 microcontroller
- Arduino IDE (Boards Manager)
- WCH Electronics Arduino core (URL for Boards Manager)
- Linux, Windows, or Mac host computer
Like many of you, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the CH32 family of RISC-V microcontrollers from WCH Electronics. You can get the CH32V003, featuring 2 kB RAM and 16 kB of flash for under fifteen cents, and the higher-end models include impressive features like onboard Ethernet. But while the hardware is definitely interesting, the software side of things has been a little rocky compared to what we’ve come to expect from modern MCUs.
Things should start looking up a bit though with the release of an Arduino core for the CH32 direct from WCH themselves. It’s been tested on Windows, Linux, and Mac, and supports the CH32V00x, CH32V10x, CH32V20x, CH32V30x, and CH32X035 chips. Getting it installed is as easy as adding the URL to the Arduino IDE’s Boards Manager interface, though as the video below shows, running it on Linux does require an extra step or two.
So far, we’ve seen several projects, like this temperature sensor or this holiday gizmo that use [cnlohr]’s open-source toolchain. But there’s no question that plenty of hobbyists out there feel more comfortable in the Arduino environment, and if those folks are now able to pick up a CH32 and do something cool, that means more people jumping on board, more libraries developed, more demo code written…you get the idea.
Just like the ESP8266’s popularity exploded when it was added to the Arduino IDE, we’ve got high hopes for the CH32 family in the coming months.
Source: CH32 RISC-V MCUS GET OFFICIAL ARDUINO SUPPORT
- What CH32 chips does the official Arduino core support?
It supports CH32V00x, CH32V10x, CH32V20x, CH32V30x, and CH32X035 chips. - How do you install the CH32 Arduino core?
Install by adding the provided URL to the Arduino IDE Boards Manager interface. - Does the CH32 Arduino core work on Linux?
Yes, it has been tested on Linux but may require an extra step or two. - Is the CH32 Arduino core tested on Mac and Windows?
Yes, it has been tested on both Mac and Windows. - Can hobbyists use CH32 parts with Arduino libraries and demos now?
Yes, official Arduino support should enable hobbyists to use CH32 parts with Arduino libraries and demos. - Why is Arduino support important for CH32 adoption?
Arduino support makes it easier for hobbyists to develop libraries, demos, and projects, increasing adoption. - Are CH32V003 chips low cost?
Yes, the CH32V003 with 2 kB RAM and 16 kB flash is available for under fifteen cents. - Have CH32 projects been done before the Arduino core?
Yes, projects have used cnlohr’s open-source toolchain prior to the Arduino core release.
