ZeroTrace AirLeak
Hardware
The ESP32-S3 board you supply for ZeroTrace AirLeak, and what the firmware needs from it.
Hardware
AirLeak is a firmware-only product. There is no ZeroTrace-made circuit board for it, you run it on a standard ESP32-S3 development board that you supply. That keeps the entry cost low: if you already own a suitable board, AirLeak is just the firmware and a license.
| Board (user-supplied) | |
|---|---|
| Processor | ESP32-S3 (dual-core) |
| Reference target | ESP32-S3 with 16 MB flash and 8 MB PSRAM |
| Also supported | 16 MB / 32 MB flash variants of the ESP32-S3 |
| Radio | Bluetooth Low Energy (built into the ESP32-S3) |
| Connection for flashing | USB-C (or your board's USB port) |
| What AirLeak uses | |
| Control | ZeroTrace mobile app over Bluetooth LE |
| Status light | On-board RGB LED, if your board has one |
| Wi-Fi | Not used, AirLeak is Bluetooth-LE only |
| GPS / memory card | Not used |
Choosing a board
The firmware is built and tested for the ESP32-S3 with 16 MB of flash and 8 MB of PSRAM, this is the recommended board to buy if you are starting from scratch. Builds also exist for other flash sizes (16 MB and 32 MB variants). What matters is that it is an ESP32-S3 (not an older ESP32, ESP32-C3 or similar) with enough flash, boards sold as "ESP32-S3 N16R8" match the reference target exactly.
AirLeak relies on features specific to the ESP32-S3. An ESP32, ESP32-C3, ESP32-S2 or other family board will not run this firmware. When buying, look for ESP32-S3 and, ideally, the N16R8 memory designation (16 MB flash / 8 MB PSRAM).
What is optional
- Status light. Many ESP32-S3 boards include a single addressable RGB LED, AirLeak uses it as a status indicator. If your board has no such LED, AirLeak still works fully; you simply lose the on-board light and rely on the app.
- Battery. AirLeak has no battery of its own, power depends entirely on the board you choose. A board with a battery connector and charger lets you run AirLeak untethered; a bare board runs from USB power. This is your choice of hardware, not part of the firmware.
- No GPS, no memory card, no Wi-Fi. AirLeak does not use any of these even if your board happens to have them. Location for wardriving-style logging comes from your phone through the app, not from the board.
Unlike Echo or AirLeak Pro, AirLeak has no dedicated ZeroTrace-designed board, it is intentionally a bring-your-own-hardware product. If you want a purpose-built, fully-featured device with Wi-Fi surveying, on-board GPS and a battery system, see AirLeak Pro.