> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.protonverse.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Proton AI Core FAQ: Setup, Power, and Compatibility

> Answers to common questions about Proton AI Core: IDE support, power options, camera modules, OTA updates, and the Proton AI Platform.

If you are just getting started with Proton AI Core or have a quick question about compatibility, power, or supported tools, this page has you covered. For issues and error messages, see the [Troubleshooting guide](/resources/troubleshooting). For board setup instructions, start with the [Quick Start guide](/getting-started/quickstart).

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What IDE should I use?">
    Both **Arduino IDE 2.x** and **PlatformIO** are fully supported for developing with Proton AI Core.

    * **Arduino IDE** is the recommended starting point for beginners. It is easy to install, has a large community, and most Proton AI Core examples are written with it in mind.
    * **PlatformIO** (available as a VS Code extension) offers better dependency management, faster builds, and more advanced project configuration. It is the preferred choice for larger or production-grade projects.

    You can start with Arduino IDE and migrate to PlatformIO later without rewriting your code — the two environments use the same underlying Arduino-compatible framework.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use MicroPython or CircuitPython?">
    The ESP32-S3 chip at the heart of Proton AI Core does support **MicroPython**, and you can flash a standard ESP32-S3 MicroPython build onto the board. However, official Proton AI Core support for MicroPython — including board-specific configuration files and tested examples — is **To be confirmed**.

    **CircuitPython** support is also **To be confirmed**. Check back at protonverse.io or contact [support@protonverse.io](mailto:support@protonverse.io) for the latest status.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which camera module should I buy?">
    Proton AI Core supports both the **OV2640** and **OV3660** camera modules.

    * The **OV2640** (2 MP) is more widely available, lower cost, and has broader library support across the Arduino and ESP-IDF ecosystems. It is the best choice if you are unsure.
    * The **OV3660** (3 MP) offers higher resolution, which can improve the accuracy of computer vision models at the cost of larger frame buffers and more PSRAM usage.

    If you are starting out, pick up an **OV2640** — all the camera examples in this documentation are tested against it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I power Proton AI Core from a battery?">
    Proton AI Core can be powered through its **USB-C port at 5 V**, which makes it straightforward to use with a USB power bank during prototyping.

    For LiPo battery-powered operation, you can use a 5 V boost converter between the battery and the USB-C input. Native on-board battery connector support (e.g. a JST connector with integrated charging) is **To be confirmed** — check the [Downloads](/resources/downloads) page for the schematic once it is published.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the maximum current draw?">
    The maximum current draw of Proton AI Core under full load (Wi-Fi active, camera capturing, AI inference running) is **To be confirmed**. As a planning baseline, budget at least **500 mA** for your power supply when Wi-Fi transmission and camera capture are running simultaneously. USB ports that supply only 100 mA may cause instability.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the board support Over-the-Air (OTA) updates?">
    Yes. The ESP32-S3 Arduino core includes the **ArduinoOTA** library, which lets you push firmware updates to Proton AI Core over Wi-Fi without a USB connection. This is especially useful for devices that are already deployed.

    Refer to the [ESP32 OTA documentation](https://docs.espressif.com/projects/arduino-esp32/en/latest/ota_web_update.html) for setup instructions. The upcoming **Proton AI Platform** will also support OTA model and firmware deployment at scale — see the [Platform Overview](/platform/overview) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the Proton AI Platform?">
    The **Proton AI Platform** is a coming-soon cloud dashboard designed for developers managing Proton AI Core devices in production. Planned features include:

    * **OTA AI model deployment** — push updated TFLite models to devices wirelessly
    * **Device monitoring** — track uptime, health metrics, and inference statistics
    * **Fleet management** — manage firmware updates across multiple devices from a single interface
    * **Model library** — browse and deploy pre-trained models optimised for ESP32-S3

    You can preview the planned feature set on the [Platform Overview](/platform/overview) page and sign up for early access at **protonverse.io**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where can I buy Proton AI Core?">
    Visit **[protonverse.io](https://protonverse.io)** for purchasing information, pricing, and availability in your region.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a community or forum?">
    Community channels — such as a Discord server or forum — are **To be confirmed**. In the meantime, you can reach the Proton AI Core team directly at **[support@protonverse.io](mailto:support@protonverse.io)** for technical questions and feedback.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the ESP-IDF directly instead of Arduino?">
    Yes. The ESP32-S3 is fully supported by Espressif's **ESP-IDF** (IoT Development Framework), which gives you lower-level access to the chip's peripherals, FreeRTOS tasks, and power management features. If you need fine-grained control beyond what the Arduino abstraction layer offers, ESP-IDF is a good choice.

    Official Proton AI Core ESP-IDF examples and a recommended project template are **To be confirmed**. The standard Espressif ESP-IDF documentation and camera examples at [github.com/espressif/esp-idf](https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf) are a solid starting point in the meantime.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>