stepSENSE132 – ESP32-S3 Room Intelligence Hub
stepSENSE132
ESP32-S3 Room Intelligence Hub
One device for an entire room. Integrates radar presence detection, digital microphone, WLED LED output, and IrDA control — alongside full compatibility with the stepSENSE sensor module ecosystem. Built on ESP32-S3, Ethernet-capable, wall or ceiling mounted in Hammond 1551V4.
Overview
stepSENSE132 is the advanced member of the stepSENSE family. Where stepSENSE32 is a focused single-sensor carrier, stepSENSE132 is designed to be the single intelligent node for an entire room — handling presence detection, voice trigger, environmental monitoring, IR blasting, and LED control from one wall or ceiling mounted Hammond 1551V4 enclosure.
Built on the ESP32-S3 with native USB, it runs ESPHome natively and integrates with Home Assistant out of the box.
Everything in one device:
- 🌡️ Environmental sensing — via stepSENSE sensor module (CO₂, T, RH, IAQ...)
- 📡 Radar presence + motion — reliable occupancy, no false triggers
- 🎙️ Digital MEMS microphone — voice assistant, acoustic detection
- 💡 WLED output — addressable LED strip control
- 🔴 IrDA transceiver — IR blaster + receiver for appliance control
- 🌐 Ethernet — wired LAN for reliable uptime
Built-in Features
📡 Radar Presence & Motion Detection
Integrated radar sensor (LD2410 or equivalent mmWave module) for reliable occupancy detection — works through non-metallic enclosure walls, no line of sight required.
- Distinguishes between moving and stationary presence
- Configurable detection zones and sensitivity
- No false triggers from open windows, pets, or HVAC airflow
- Response time < 1 second
Supported natively in ESPHome:
uart:
tx_pin: GPIO17
rx_pin: GPIO18
baud_rate: 256000
sensor:
- platform: ld2410
moving_distance:
name: "Moving Distance"
still_distance:
name: "Still Distance"
binary_sensor:
- platform: ld2410
has_moving_target:
name: "Motion"
has_still_target:
name: "Presence"
🎙️ Digital MEMS Microphone
Onboard I²S digital MEMS microphone for:
- Voice assistant — ESPHome
voice_assistantcomponent, wake word detection - Acoustic event detection — glass break, alarm sound, loud noise trigger
- Sound level monitoring — continuous dB measurement
i2s_audio:
i2s_lrclk_pin: GPIO46
i2s_bclk_pin: GPIO9
microphone:
- platform: i2s_audio
i2s_din_pin: GPIO10
adc_type: external
pdm: false
voice_assistant:
microphone: mic_id
on_wake_word_detected:
- light.toggle: room_led
💡 WLED Output
Direct output for addressable RGB / RGBW LED strips. Compatible with WS2812B, SK6812, WS2815, APA102 and all common chipsets.
Run full WLED firmware for 100+ effects and a web UI, or use ESPHome light component for tight Home Assistant automation integration.
light:
- platform: neopixelbus
type: GRB
variant: WS2812
pin: GPIO48
num_leds: 60
name: "Room LED Strip"
id: room_led
effects:
- pulse:
name: "Breathe"
transition_length: 2s
- addressable_rainbow:
name: "Rainbow"
speed: 10
width: 50
🔴 IrDA Transceiver
Integrated IR transmitter and receiver for full appliance control — air conditioners, TVs, projectors, blinds.
- Learn mode — capture and store IR codes from existing remotes
- Replay — send stored codes on trigger from Home Assistant
- All major IR protocols supported via ESPHome
remote_transmitter/remote_receiver
remote_transmitter:
pin: GPIO38
carrier_duty_percent: 50%
remote_receiver:
pin: GPIO39
dump: all
button:
- platform: template
name: "AC Power Toggle"
on_press:
- remote_transmitter.transmit_raw:
carrier_frequency: 38000 Hz
code: [9000, 4500, 560, 560, 560, 1680, ...]
🌐 Ethernet
Wired LAN for environments where Wi-Fi is not suitable — high RF noise, strict network segmentation, or uptime requirements. Wi-Fi remains available as a fallback or secondary interface.
ethernet:
type: LAN8720
mdc_pin: GPIO23
mdio_pin: GPIO18
clk_mode: GPIO17_OUT
phy_addr: 0
🌡️ Sensor Module Connector
Full compatibility with all stepSENSE sensor modules — same 12-pin 2.54mm interface as stepSENSE32. Snap on a CO₂, IAQ, or temperature + humidity module and it appears as ESPHome entities automatically.
See stepSENSE sensor module catalog for all available modules.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-S3 |
| USB | USB-C native (direct to ESP32-S3) |
| Service connector | JST — emergency serial access |
| Cable connection | Screw terminal block |
| Sensor connector | 2.54mm pin header (I²C + SPI + 4× GPIO) |
| Ethernet | Built-in |
| Microphone | Digital MEMS (I²S) |
| Radar sensor | mmWave — presence + motion |
| WLED output | Addressable LED strip (GPIO) |
| IrDA | Transmitter + receiver |
| Power input | 6–28V DC |
| Enclosure | Hammond 1551V4 (80 × 40 × 20 mm) |
| Mount | Wall / ceiling |
| Certification | CE (orders 500+ units) |
Communication Variants
| Model | Interfaces | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| stepSENSE132-W | Wi-Fi + BLE | Standard |
| stepSENSE132-E | Wi-Fi + Ethernet | Wired LAN |
| stepSENSE132-R | Wi-Fi + Ethernet + RS485 | Building automation |
| stepSENSE132-X | All interfaces | Gateway / flagship |
ESPHome — Full Room Configuration
A complete room node configuration combining all onboard features plus a CO₂ sensor module:
esphome:
name: stepsense132-living-room
friendly_name: Living Room Hub
esp32:
board: esp32-s3-devkitc-1
framework:
type: esp-idf
ethernet:
type: LAN8720
mdc_pin: GPIO23
mdio_pin: GPIO18
clk_mode: GPIO17_OUT
phy_addr: 0
# --- Sensor module: SCD40 CO2 + T + RH ---
sensor:
- platform: scd4x
co2:
name: "CO2"
temperature:
name: "Temperature"
humidity:
name: "Humidity"
update_interval: 30s
# --- Radar presence ---
uart:
tx_pin: GPIO43
rx_pin: GPIO44
baud_rate: 256000
binary_sensor:
- platform: ld2410
has_moving_target:
name: "Motion"
has_still_target:
name: "Presence"
# --- Microphone + voice assistant ---
i2s_audio:
i2s_lrclk_pin: GPIO46
i2s_bclk_pin: GPIO9
microphone:
- platform: i2s_audio
id: room_mic
i2s_din_pin: GPIO10
adc_type: external
pdm: false
# --- LED strip ---
light:
- platform: neopixelbus
type: GRB
variant: WS2812
pin: GPIO48
num_leds: 60
name: "Room LED Strip"
id: room_led
# --- IR blaster ---
remote_transmitter:
pin: GPIO38
carrier_duty_percent: 50%
remote_receiver:
pin: GPIO39
dump: all
logger:
api:
ota:
Use Cases
- →Replaces 4–5 separate sensors with one device
- →Presence triggers lighting and HVAC
- →Voice wake word via onboard microphone
- →IR blaster controls AC, TV, projector
- →Occupancy detection for HVAC and booking systems
- →CO₂ monitoring for ventilation control
- →IR control for projector, screen, blinds
- →Wired Ethernet — no Wi-Fi dependency
- →Ceiling-mounted occupancy and ambient monitoring
- →WLED accent lighting control per zone
- →IAQ monitoring for guest comfort
- →Ethernet backbone, Wi-Fi fallback
- →Integrates into existing Modbus infrastructure
- →Reports simultaneously to HA and MQTT broker
- →6–28V DC from building power rail
- →CE certified at volume
Comparison
| Parameter | stepSENSE132 | ESPHome Voice PE | AirGradient ONE | Custom ESP32-S3 build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-S3 | ESP32-S3 | ESP32-C3 | ESP32-S3 |
| Radar presence | Yes | Yes | No | Add-on only |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes | No | Add-on only |
| WLED output | Yes | No | No | Manual wiring |
| IrDA | Yes | No | No | Add-on only |
| Ethernet | Yes | No | No | Add-on only |
| Sensor modules | 2.54mm — full catalog | Fixed | Fixed | Manual |
| Enclosure | Hammond 1551V4 | Custom plastic | Custom plastic | — |
| Power input | 6–28V DC | 5V USB | 5V USB | — |
| ESPHome | Native | Native | Partial | Manual |
| CE certification | Yes (volume) | No | No | No |
Downloads
- Datasheet PDF (coming soon)
- 3D model STEP file (coming soon)
- GPIO pinout diagram (coming soon)
- Full ESPHome YAML example — github.com/inovaea
- Arduino library bundle — github.com/inovaea
Ordering
| stepSENSE132 | |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 10 units |
| Volume pricing | On request |
| CE certification | Orders 500+ units |
| Custom configuration | On request |
| Lead time | 4–8 weeks |
Contact: hello@inovaea.com