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ESP32-C5 Covalent Firmware Installation Guide

ATOM Defense LLC

This page explains how to install the Covalent firmware onto the Node Duo 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. 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.


4. Select NODE 1 

Move the DIP selector switch to the "1" position.



5. Connect the USB to Your Node Duo

6. Flash the Firmware

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

Flash Node #1

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

7. Disconnect the USB from Your Node Duo


8. Select NODE 2

Move the DIP selector switch to the blank position.


9. Connect the USB to Your Node Duo


10. Flash the Firmware

Flash Node #2


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

After flashing completes, unplug and reconnect the USB cable.

8. Open the Covalent App

On your mobile 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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