The ESP-01 is a compact, low-cost Wi-Fi module based on the SoC, widely used to add wireless connectivity to microcontroller projects . Despite its small size, it integrates a full TCP/IP stack and a 32-bit MCU capable of running standalone applications. Technical Specifications
The following table summarizes the core hardware capabilities found in a standard ESP-01 datasheet: ESP-01 WiFi Module - CBA
: It had its own RAM and flash memory (initially 512KB, later 1MB).
When the ESP-01 first appeared on markets like eBay and AliExpress around 2014, it was essentially a "black box". The initial datasheets were primarily in Chinese, and the module was marketed as a simple . It was intended to be a cheap accessory that gave an Arduino internet access via AT commands. 2. The Great Revelation