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ESP32-C5 Covalent Firmware Installation Guide

ATOM Defense LLC

This page explains how to install the Covalent firmware onto two ESP32-C5 devices and connect using the Covalent application for AndroidTM.

1. Download Required Files

Download the pre-compiled firmware binaries (.zip) based on size of your ESP32-C5 flash:


ESP32C5-4MB

ESP32C5-8MB

ESP32C5-16MB

ESP32C5-32MB


These are merged, ready-to-flash images that contain:

  • Bootloader
  • Partition table
  • Application firmware


Each .bin file is intended for a separate ESP32-C5 board.

2. Install the Covalent App

Install Covalent from the Google Play Store:

ATOM - Covalent

This app connects to both ESP32-C5 boards over Bluetooth and provides scanning, capture, and control functions.


3. Connect esp32c5 NODE 1 to NODE 2 (ESP32-C5 UART Bridge)

To link NODE 1 and NODE 2 so they can communicate over UART, connect the following pins directly between the two ESP32-C5 boards:

Required Connections

NODE 1 PinConnects ToNODE 2 PinPurpose
GPIO 4 (TX)→GPIO 5 (RX)UART transmit → receive
GPIO 5 (RX)→GPIO 4 (TX)UART receive ← transmit
GND→GNDShared electrical ground

Wiring Notes

  • TX always connects to RX on the opposite board.
  • Use short wires (<10-15 cm) to reduce signal noise.
  • Both boards must share a common ground or communication will fail.
  • No resistors or level shifters are needed — both devices use 3.3V logic.


4. Install ESP-IDF (Required to Flash Firmware)

To flash the firmware, you must install Espressif ESP-IDF on your computer.
Choose ONE of the following options:

Option A — Install ESP-IDF Full Toolchain (recommended)

Official instructions:
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32c5/get-started/

Option B — Install ESP-IDF Visual Studio Code Extension

If you use VSCode, you can install the ESP-IDF extension:
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32c5/get-started/vscode-setup.html

Either option gives you access to the idf.py and esptool.py flashing tools.

5. Connect Your ESP32-C5 Boards

  1. Flash each ESP32-C5 individually.
  2. Plug your first ESP32-C5 module into your computer by USB-C
  3. Confirm the serial port (COMx on Windows, /dev/ttyUSBx or /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux)

6. Flash the Firmware (One Board at a Time)

Run the following command from your terminal or VSCode ESP-IDF terminal:

Flash Board #1

esptool.py --chip esp32c5 write_flash 0x0 ESP32C5-1.bin

Flash Board #2


esptool.py --chip esp32c5 write_flash 0x0 ESP32C5-2.bin

After flashing completes, unplug and reconnect each board.


7. Power On Both Boards

Once the two boards are flashed:

  1. Power both ESP32-C5 modules (USB or battery)
  2. They will automatically broadcast over Bluetooth
  3. LED or serial output will indicate successful boot
  4. The two boards operate as a paired Node1/Node2 configuration

8. Open the Covalent App

On your device:

  1. Open Covalent
  2. Grant the required Bluetooth permissions
  3. The app will automatically scan for Node 1
  4. Select "ATOM" to pair (if pairing fails the first time, close the app and try again)

When connected, you can begin:

  • Setting the Bluetooth name
  • Wi-Fi access point scanning
  • Client device enumeration
  • EAPOL M1-M4 capture
  • Exporting to .22000 file format

Your setup is now complete.

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