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Important Information
Thank you for choosing Freenove products!

Getting Started

First, please read the Start Here.pdf document in the unzipped folder you created.
If you have not yet downloaded the zip file, associated with this kit, please do so now and unzip it.

Get Support and Offer Input

Freenove provides free and responsive product and technical support, including but not limited to:
⚫ Product quality issues
⚫ Product use and build issues
⚫ Questions regarding the technology employed in our products for learning and education
⚫ Your input and opinions are always welcome
⚫ We also encourage your ideas and suggestions for new products and product improvements
For any of the above, you may send us an email to:

support@freenove.com
Safety and Precautions

Please follow the following safety precautions when using or storing this product:
⚫ Keep this product out of the reach of children under 6 years old.
⚫ This product should be used only when there is adult supervision present as young children lack
necessary judgment regarding safety and the consequences of product misuse.
⚫ This product contains small parts and parts, which are sharp. This product contains electrically conductive
parts. Use caution with electrically conductive parts near or around power supplies, batteries and
powered (live) circuits.
⚫ When the product is turned ON, activated or tested, some parts will move or rotate. To avoid injuries
to hands and fingers keep them away from any moving parts!
⚫ It is possible that an improperly connected or shorted circuit may cause overheating. Should this happen,
immediately disconnect the power supply or remove the batteries and do not touch anything until
it cools down! When everything is safe and cool, review the product tutorial to identify the cause.
⚫ Only operate the product in accordance with the instructions and guidelines of this tutorial, otherwise
parts may be damaged or you could be injured.
⚫ Store the product in a cool dry place and avoid exposing the product to direct sunlight.
⚫ After use, always turn the power OFF and remove or unplug the batteries before storing.

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About Freenove

Freenove provides open source electronic products and services worldwide.

Freenove is committed to assist customers in their education of robotics, programming and electronic circuits
so that they may transform their creative ideas into prototypes and new and innovative products. To this end,
our services include but are not limited to:

⚫ Educational and Entertaining Project Kits for Robots, Smart Cars and Drones
⚫ Educational Kits to Learn Robotic Software Systems for Arduino, Raspberry Pi and micro: bit
⚫ Electronic Component Assortments, Electronic Modules and Specialized Tools
⚫ Product Development and Customization Services

You can find more about Freenove and get our latest news and updates through our website:

http://www.freenove.com

sale@freenove.com

Copyright

All the files, materials and instructional guides provided are released under Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. A copy of this license can be found in the folder containing
the Tutorial and software files associated with this product.

This means you can use these resource in your own derived works, in part or completely but NOT for the
intent or purpose of commercial use.

Freenove brand and logo are copyright of Freenove Creative Technology Co., Ltd. and cannot be used without
written permission.

TM

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Remove the Chips

Some chips and modules are inserted into the breadboard to protect their pins.
You need to remove them from breadboard before use. (There is no need to remove GPIO Extension Board.)
Please find a tool (like a little screw driver) to handle them like below:

Step 1, lift one end slightly.

Step 2, lift another end slightly.

Step 3, take off the chip with hand.

Avoid lifting one end with big angle directly.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 1

Contents

Important Information....................................................... 1
Remove the Chips............................................................... 3
Contents ................................................................................. 1
Preface .................................................................................... 1
ESP32-WROVER ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Extension board of the ESP32-WROVER .......................................................................................................................... 5
CH340 (Importance) ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Programming Software ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Environment Configuration ................................................................................................................................................. 19
Notes for GPIO......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Chapter 0 LED ................................................................... 26

Project 0.1 Blink ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Chapter 1 LED ................................................................... 31

Project 1.1 Blink ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Chapter 2 Button & LED ................................................ 37

Project 2.1 Button & LED ...................................................................................................................................................... 37
Project 2.2 MINI table lamp ................................................................................................................................................. 42

Chapter 3 LED Bar ........................................................... 45

Project 3.1 Flowing Light ...................................................................................................................................................... 45

Chapter 4 Analog & PWM ............................................ 50

Project 4.1 Breathing LED ..................................................................................................................................................... 50
Project 4.2 Meteor Flowing Light....................................................................................................................................... 57

Chapter 5 RGB LED.......................................................... 60

Project 5.1 Random Color Light ......................................................................................................................................... 60
Project 5.2 Gradient Color Light......................................................................................................................................... 66

Chapter 6 Buzzer.............................................................. 68
Project 6.1 Doorbell................................................................................................................................................................ 68
Project 6.2 Alertor ................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Project 6.3 Alertor (use timer) ............................................................................................................................................. 77

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Chapter 7 Serial Communication................................ 81

Project 7.1 Serial Print............................................................................................................................................................ 81
Project 7.2 Serial Read and Write ...................................................................................................................................... 86

Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter ........................................ 89

Project 8.1 Read the Voltage of Potentiometer............................................................................................................ 89

Chapter 9 Touch Sensor ................................................ 96

Project 9.1 Read Touch Sensor........................................................................................................................................... 96
Project 9.2 Touch Lamp ......................................................................................................................................................101

Chapter 10 Potentiometer & LED............................. 106

Project 10.1 Soft Light .........................................................................................................................................................106

Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED ............................... 109

Project 11.1 NightLamp ......................................................................................................................................................109

Chapter 12 Thermistor ................................................. 113

Project 12.1 Thermometer .................................................................................................................................................113

Chapter 13 Bluetooth ................................................... 118

Project 13.1 Bluetooth Passthrough ...............................................................................................................................118
Project 13.2 Bluetooth Low Energy Data Passthrough.............................................................................................124
Project 13.3 Bluetooth Control LED ................................................................................................................................136

Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard ................. 142

Project 14.1 SDMMC Test ..................................................................................................................................................142

Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes ............................. 153

Project 15.1 Station mode..................................................................................................................................................153
Project 15.2 AP mode ..........................................................................................................................................................157
Project 14.3 AP+Station mode .........................................................................................................................................162

Chapter 16 TCP/IP ......................................................... 166

Project 16.1 As Client ...........................................................................................................................................................166
Project 16.2 As Server ..........................................................................................................................................................178

Chapter 17 Camera Web Server ............................... 184

Project 17.1 Camera Web Server .....................................................................................................................................184
Project 17.2 Video Web Server.........................................................................................................................................193

What’s next? .................................................................... 199

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End of the Tutorial ......................................................... 199

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 1

Preface
ESP32 is a micro control unit with integrated Wi-Fi launched by Espressif, which features strong properties
and integrates rich peripherals. It can be designed and studied as an ordinary Single Chip Micyoco(SCM) chip,
or connected to the Internet and used as an Internet of Things device.

ESP32 can be developed using the Arduino platform, which will definitely make it easier for people who have
learned arduino to master. Moreover, the code of ESP32 is completely open-source, so beginners can quickly
learn how to develop and design IOT smart household products including smart curtains, fans, lamps and
clocks.

Generally, ESP32 projects consist of code and circuits. Don't worry even if you've never learned code and
circuits, because we will gradually introduce the basic knowledge of C programming language and electronic
circuits, from easy to difficult. Our products contain all the electronic components and modules needed to
complete these projects. It's especially suitable for beginners.

We divide each project into four parts, namely Component List, Component Knowledge, Circuit and Code.
Component List helps you to prepare material for the experiment more quickly. Component Knowledge allows
you to quickly understand new electronic modules or components, while Circuit helps you understand the
operating principle of the circuit. And Code allows you to easily master the use of SEP32 and accessory kit.
After finishing all the projects in this tutorial, you can also use these components and modules to make
products such as smart household, smart cars and robots to transform your creative ideas into prototypes
and new and innovative products.

In addition, if you have any difficulties or questions with this tutorial or toolkit, feel free to ask for our quick
and free technical support through support@freenove.com

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2 Preface www.freenove.com █

ESP32-WROVER

ESP32-WROVER has launched a total of two antenna packages, PCB on-board antenna and IPEX antenna
respectively. The PCB on-board antenna is an integrated antenna in the chip module itself, so it is convenient
to carry and design. The IPEX antenna is a metal antenna derived from the integrated antenna of the chip
module itself, which is used to enhance the signal of the module.
PCB on-board antenna IPEX antenna

In this tutorial, the ESP32-WROVER is designed based on the PCB on-board antenna-packaged ESP32-
WROVER module.
ESP32-WROVER

or
The version on the left is no longer mass-produced, and we mainly maintain the version on the right.
Please note that there are many pirated versions of the ESP32 WROVER that look very similar to the version
on the left. None of them will carry our logo and Freenove font.
We do not sell pirated ESP32 WROVER, nor do we provide after-sales service for pirated.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 3

The hardware interfaces of ESP32-WROVER are distributed as follows:

Compare the left and right images. We've boxed off the resources on the ESP32-WROVER in different colors
to facilitate your understanding of the ESP32-WROVER.
Box color Corresponding resources introduction
GPIO pin

LED indicator

Camera interface

Reset button, Boot mode selection button

USB port

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For more information, please visit: https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32-

wrover_datasheet_en.pdf

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Extension board of the ESP32-WROVER

And we also design an extension board, so that you can use the ESP32 more easily in accordance with the
circuit diagram provided. The followings are their photos.
The hardware interfaces of ESP32-WROVER are distributed as follows:

We've boxed off the resources on the ESP32-WROVER in different colors to facilitate your understanding of
the ESP32-WROVER.
Box color Corresponding resources introduction
GPIO pin
LED indicator
GPIO interface of development board
power supplied by the extension board
External power supply
In ESP32, GPIO is an interface to control peripheral circuit. For beginners, it is necessary to learn the
functions of each GPIO. The following is an introduction to the GPIO resources of the ESP32-WROVER
development board.
In the following projects, we only use USB cable to power ESP32-WROVER by default.
In the whole tutorial, we don’t use T extension to power ESP32-WROVER. So 5V and 3.3V (including EXT 3.3V)
on the extension board are provided by ESP32-WROVER.
We can also use DC jack of extension board to power ESP32-WROVER.In this way, 5v and EXT 3.3v on
extension board are provided by external power resource.

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CH340 (Importance)

ESP32 uses CH340 to download codes. So before using it, we need to install CH340 driver in our computers.

Windows

Check whether CH340 has been installed

1. Connect your computer and ESP32 with a USB cable.

2. Turn to the main interface of your computer, select “This PC” and right-click to select “Manage”.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 7

3. Click “Device Manager”. If your computer has installed CH340, you can see“USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx)”.
And you can click here to move to the next step.

CH340 Port

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Installing CH340
1. First, download CH340 driver, click http://www.wch-ic.com/search?q=CH340&t=downloads to download
the appropriate one based on your operating system.

Windows

Linux

MAC

If you would not like to download the installation package, you can open
“Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32/CH340”, we have prepared the installation package.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 9

2. Open the folder “Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32/CH340/Windows/”

3. Double click “CH341SER.EXE”.

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4. Click “INSTALL” and wait for the installation to complete.

5. Install successfully. Close all interfaces.

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6. When ESP32 is connected to computer, select “This PC”, right-click to select “Manage” and click “Device
Manager” in the newly pop-up dialog box, and you can see the following interface.

7. So far, CH340 has been installed successfully. Close all dialog boxes.

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MAC

First, download CH340 driver, click http://www.wch-ic.com/search?q=CH340&t=downloads to download the

appropriate one based on your operating system.

Windows

Linux

MAC

If you would not like to download the installation package, you can open
“Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32/CH340”, we have prepared the installation package.
Second, open the folder “Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32/CH340/MAC/”

Run it.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 13

Third, click Continue.

Fourth, click Install.

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Then, waiting Finsh.

Finally, restart your PC.

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If you still haven't installed the CH340 by following the steps above, you can view readme.pdf to install it.

ReadMe

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16 Preface www.freenove.com █

Programming Software

Arduino Software (IDE) is used to write and upload the code for Arduino Board.
First, install Arduino Software (IDE): visit https://www.arduino.cc, click "Download" to enter the download page.

Select and download corresponding installer according to your operating system. If you are a windows user,
please select the "Windows Installer" to download to install the driver correctly.

After the download completes, run the installer. For Windows users, there may pop up an installation dialog
box of driver during the installation process. When it popes up, please allow the installation.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 17

After installation is complete, an Arduino Software shortcut will be generated in the desktop. Run the Arduino
Software.

The interface of Arduino Software is as follows:

Menus

Toolbar

Text editor

Message area

Console

Configured board
and serial port

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Programs written with Arduino Software (IDE) are called sketches. These sketches are written in the text
editor and saved with the file extension.ino. The editor has features for cutting/pasting and
searching/replacing text. The message area gives feedback while saving and exporting and also displays
errors. The console displays text output by the Arduino Software (IDE), including complete error messages
and other information. The bottom right-hand corner of the window displays the configured board and
serial port. The toolbar buttons allow you to verify and upload programs, create, open, and save sketches,
and open the serial monitor.

Verify
Check your code for compile errors .
Upload
Compile your code and upload them to the configured board.
Debug
With a debugger or USB port, debug the code.
Serial Plotter
Open the serial plotter.
Serial Monitor
Open the serial monitor.

Additional commands are found within the five menus: File, Edit, Sketch, Tools, Help. The menus are context
sensitive, which means only those items relevant to the work currently being carried out are available.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 19

Environment Configuration

First, open the software platform arduino, and then click File in Menus and select Preferences.

Second, click on the symbol behind "Additional Boards Manager URLs"

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20 Preface www.freenove.com █

Third, fill in https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json in the new window,

click OK, and click OK on the Preferences window again.

Fourth, click "BOARDS MANAGER" on the left and type "ESP32" in the search box.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 21

Fifth, select Espressif Systems' ESP32 and select version 3.0.x. Click "INSTALL" to install esp32.

Note: it takes a while to install the ESP32, make sure your network is stable.

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When finishing installation, click Tools in the Menus again and select Board: "Arduino Uno", and then you
can see information of ESP32 Wrover Module. Click " ESP32 Wrover Module" so that the ESP32
programming development environment is configured.

Select the board name.

Select the board Port.

Configuring partition scheme.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 23

Notes for GPIO

Strapping Pin

There are five Strapping pins for ESP32：MTDI、GPIO0、GPIO2、MTDO、GPIO5。

With the release of the chip's system reset (power-on reset, RTC watchdog reset, undervoltage reset), the
strapping pins sample the level and store it in the latch as "0" or "1" ", and keep it until the chip is powered
off or turned off.
Each Strapping pin is connecting to internal pull-up/pull-down. Connecting to high-impedance external
circuit or without an external connection, a strapping pin's default value of input level will be determined by
internal weak pull-up/pull-down. To change the value of the Strapping, users can apply an external pull-
down/pull-up resistor, or use the GPIO of the host MCU to control the level of the strapping pin when the
ESP32's power on reset is released.
When releasing the reset, the strapping pin has the same function as a normal pin.
The followings are default configurations of these five strapping pins at power-on and their functions under
the corresponding configuration.

If you have any questions about the information of GPIO, you can click here to go back to ESP32-WROVER
to view specific information about GPIO.
If you have any difficulties or questions with this tutorial or toolkit, feel free to ask for our quick and free
technical support through support@freenove.com at any time.
or check: https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32-wrover_datasheet_en.pdf

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24 Preface www.freenove.com █

Strapping Pin

GPIO5

MTDI GPIO0

GPIO2

MTDO

Flash Pin

GPIO6-11 has been used to connect the integrated SPI flash on the module, and is used when GPIO 0 is
power on and at high level. Flash is related to the operation of the whole chip, so the external pin GPIO6-11
cannot be used as an experimental pin for external circuits, otherwise it may cause errors in the operation of
the program.
In older versions, the flash pin looks like the image below.

In the new release, we no longer introduce GPIO6-11.

GPIO16-17 has been used to connect the integrated PSRAM on the module.
Because of external pull-up, MTDI pin is not suggested to be used as a touch sensor. For details, please refer
to Peripheral Interface and Sensor chapter in "ESP32 Data_Sheet".
For more relevant information, please check:
https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32-wrover_datasheet_en.pdf.

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 █ www.freenove.com Preface 25

Cam Pin

When using the camera of our ESP32-WROVER, please check the pins of it.
Pins with underlined numbers are used by the camera function, if you want to use other functions
besides it, please avoid using them.

CAM_Pin GPIO_pin
I2C_SDA GPIO26
I2C_SCL GPIO27
CSI_VYSNC GPIO25
CSI_HREF GPIO23
CSI_Y9 GPIO35
XCLK GPIO21
CSI_Y8 GPIO34
CSI_Y7 GPIO39
CSI_PCLK GPIO22
CSI_Y6 GPIO36
CSI_Y2 GPIO4
CSI_Y5 GPIO19
CSI_Y3 GPIO5
CSI_Y4 GPIO18
If you have any questions about the information of GPIO, you can click here to go back to ESP32-WROVER
to view specific information about GPIO.
or check: https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32-wrover_datasheet_en.pdf.

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26 Chapter 0 LED www.freenove.com █

Chapter 0 LED
This chapter is the Start Point in the journey to build and explore ESP32 electronic projects. We will start with
simple “Blink” project.

Project 0.1 Blink

In this project, we will use ESP32 to control blinking a common LED.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 USB cable

Power
ESP32-WROVER needs 5v power supply. In this tutorial, we need connect ESP32-WROVER to computer via
USB cable to power it and program it. We can also use other 5v power source to power it.

In the following projects, we only use USB cable to power ESP32-WROVER by default.
In the whole tutorial, we don’t use T extension to power ESP32-WROVER. So 5V and 3.3V (includeing EXT
3.3V) on the extension board are provided by ESP32-WROVER.
We can also use DC jack of extension board to power ESP32-WROVER.In this way, 5v and EXT 3.3v on
extension board are provided by external power resource.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 0 LED 27

Sketch

According to the circuit, when the GPIO2 of ESP32-WROVER output level is low, the LED turns ON.
Conversely, when the GPIO2 ESP32-WROVER output level is high, the LED turns OFF. Therefore, we can let
GPIO2 circularly output high and low level to make the LED blink.
Upload the following Sketch:
Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketch_01.1_Blink.
Before uploading the code, click "Tools", "Board" and select "ESP32 Wrover Module".

Select the serial port.

Note: For macOS users, if the uploading fails, please set the baud rate to 115200 before clicking

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28 Chapter 0 LED www.freenove.com █

“Upload Speed”.

Sketch_01.1_Blink

Click “Upload”，Download the code to ESP32-WROVER and your LED in the circuit starts Blink.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 0 LED 29

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_LED 2
2 // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
3 void setup() {
4 // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
5 pinMode(PIN_LED, OUTPUT);
6 }
7
8 // the loop function runs over and over again forever
9 void loop() {
10 digitalWrite(PIN_LED, HIGH); // turn the LED off (HIGH is the voltage level)
11 delay(1000); // wait for a second
12 digitalWrite(PIN_LED, LOW); // turn the LED on by making the voltage LOW
13 delay(1000); // wait for a second
14 }

The Arduino IDE code usually contains two basic functions: void setup() and void loop().
After the board is reset, the setup() function will be executed firstly, and then the loop() function.
setup() function is generally used to write code to initialize the hardware. And loop() function is used to write
code to achieve certain functions. loop() function is executed repeatedly. When the execution reaches the end
of loop(), it will jump to the beginning of loop() to run again.

Reset 1 // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
2 void setup() {
… …
5 }
6
7 // the loop function runs over and over again forever
8 void loop() {
… …
13 }

Reset
Reset operation will lead the code to be executed from the beginning. Switching on the power, finishing
uploading the code and pressing the reset button will trigger reset operation.
In the circuit, ESP32-WROVER's GPIO2 is connected to the LED, so the LED pin is defined as 2.
1 #define PIN_LED 2
This means that after this line of code, all PIN_LED will be treated as 2.
In the setup () function, first, we set the PIN_LED as output mode, which can make the port output high level
or low level.
4 // initialize digital pin PIN_LED as an output.
5 pinMode(PIN_LED, OUTPUT);
Then, in the loop () function, set the PIN_LED to output high level to make LED light off.
10 digitalWrite(PIN_LED, HIGH); // turn the LED off (HIGH is the voltage level)

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Wait for 1000ms, that is 1s. Delay () function is used to make control board wait for a moment before executing
the next statement. The parameter indicates the number of milliseconds to wait for.
11 delay(1000); // wait for a second
Then set the PIN_LED to output low level, and LED light up. One second later, the execution of loop () function
will be completed.
12 digitalWrite(PIN_LED, LOW); // turn the LED on by making the voltage LOW
13 delay(1000); // wait for a second
The loop() function is constantly being executed, so LED will keep blinking.

Reference
void pinMode(int pin, int mode);
Configures the specified pin to behave either as an input or an output.
Parameters
pin: the pin number to set the mode of.
mode: INPUT, OUTPUT, INPUT_PULLDOWM, or INPUT_PULLUP.
void digitalWrite (int pin, int value);
Writes the value HIGH or LOW (1 or 0) to the given pin which must have been previously set as an output.
For more related functions, please refer to https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 1 LED 31

Chapter 1 LED
This chapter is the Start Point in the journey to build and explore ESP32 electronic projects. We will start with
simple “Blink” project.

Project 1.1 Blink

In this project, we will use ESP32 to control blinking a common LED.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

LED x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 Jumper M/M x2

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Component knowledge

LED
A LED is a type of diode. All diodes only work if current is flowing in the correct direction and have two poles.
A LED will only work (light up) if the longer pin (+) of LED is connected to the positive output from a power
source and the shorter pin is connected to the negative (-). Negative output is also referred to as Ground
(GND). This type of component is known as “diodes” (think One-Way Street).
All common 2 lead diodes are the same in this respect. Diodes work only if the voltage of its positive electrode
is higher than its negative electrode and there is a narrow range of operating voltage for most all common
diodes of 1.9 and 3.4V. If you use much more than 3.3V the LED will be damaged and burn out.

Note: LEDs cannot be directly connected to a power supply, which usually ends in a damaged component. A
resistor with a specified resistance value must be connected in series to the LED you plan to use.
Resistor
Resistors use Ohms (Ω) as the unit of measurement of their resistance (R). 1MΩ=1000kΩ, 1kΩ=1000Ω.
A resistor is a passive electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of current in an electronic circuit.
On the left, we see a physical representation of a resistor, and the right is the symbol used to represent the
presence of a resistor in a circuit diagram or schematic.

The bands of color on a resistor is a shorthand code used to identify its resistance value. For more details of
resistor color codes, please refer to the appendix of this tutorial.
With a fixed voltage, there will be less current output with greater resistance added to the circuit. The
relationship between Current, Voltage and Resistance can be expressed by this formula: I=V/R known as
Ohm’s Law where I = Current, V = Voltage and R = Resistance. Knowing the values of any two of these
allows you to solve the value of the third.
In the following diagram, the current through R1 is: I=U/R=5V/10kΩ=0.0005A=0.5mA.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 1 LED 33

WARNING: Never connect the two poles of a power supply with anything of low resistance value (i.e. a metal
object or bare wire) this is a Short and results in high current that may damage the power supply and electronic
components.
Note: Unlike LEDs and diodes, resistors have no poles and re non-polar (it does not matter which direction
you insert them into a circuit, it will work the same)
Breadboard
Here we have a small breadboard as an example of how the rows of holes (sockets) are electrically attached.
The left picture shows the way to connect pins. The right picture shows the practical internal structure.

Power
ESP32-WROVER needs 5v power supply. In this tutorial, we need connect ESP32-WROVER to computer via
USB cable to power it and program it. We can also use other 5v power source to power it.

In the following projects, we only use USB cable to power ESP32-WROVER by default.
In the whole tutorial, we don’t use T extension to power ESP32-WROVER. So 5V and 3.3V (includeing EXT
3.3V) on the extension board are provided by ESP32-WROVER.
We can also use DC jack of extension board to power ESP32-WROVER.In this way, 5v and EXT 3.3v on
extension board are provided by external power resource.

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34 Chapter 1 LED www.freenove.com █

Circuit

First, disconnect all power from the ESP32-WROVER. Then build the circuit according to the circuit and
hardware diagrams. After the circuit is built and verified correct, connect the PC to ESP32-WROVER.

CAUTION: Avoid any possible short circuits (especially connecting 5V or GND, 3.3V and GND)! WARNING: A
short circuit can cause high current in your circuit, generate excessive component heat and cause permanent
damage to your hardware!
Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

Longer Pin

Don't rotate ESP32-WROVER 180° for connection.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 1 LED 35

Sketch

According to the circuit, when the GPIO2 of ESP32-WROVER output level is high, the LED turns ON.
Conversely, when the GPIO2 ESP32-WROVER output level is low, the LED turns OFF. Therefore, we can let
GPIO2 circularly output high and low level to make the LED blink.
Upload the following Sketch:
Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketch_01.1_Blink.
Before uploading the code, click "Tools", "Board" and select "ESP32 Wrover Module".

Select the serial port.

Note: For macOS users, if the uploading fails, please set the baud rate to 115200 before clicking

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36 Chapter 1 LED www.freenove.com █

“Upload Speed”.

Sketch_01.1_Blink

Click “Upload”，Download the code to ESP32-WROVER and your LED in the circuit starts Blink.

If you have any concerns, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 2 Button & LED 37

Chapter 2 Button & LED

Usually, there are three essential parts in a complete automatic control device: INPUT, OUTPUT, and CONTROL.
In last section, the LED module was the output part and ESP32 was the control part. In practical applications,
we not only make LEDs flash, but also make a device sense the surrounding environment, receive instructions
and then take the appropriate action such as LEDs light up, make a buzzer turn ON and so on.

Control:
ESP32,
RPI, Arduino,
MCU and etc.

Input: Output:
switches, sensors LED, buzzer,
and etc. motor and etc.

Next, we will build a simple control system to control a LED through a push button switch.

Project 2.1 Button & LED

In the project, we will control the LED state through a Push Button Switch. When the button is pressed, our
LED will turn ON, and when it is released, the LED will turn OFF.

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38 Chapter 2 Button & LED www.freenove.com █

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Jumper M/M x4 LED x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 Resistor 10kΩ x2 Push button x1

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 2 Button & LED 39

Component knowledge

Push button
This type of push button switch has 4 pins (2 Pole Switch). Two pins on the left are connected, and both left
and right sides are the same per the illustration:

When the button on the switch is pressed, the circuit is completed (your project is powered ON).

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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40 Chapter 2 Button & LED www.freenove.com █

Sketch

This project is designed for learning how to use push button switch to control a LED. We first need to read
the state of switch, and then determine whether to turn the LED ON in accordance to the state of the switch.
Upload following sketch:
Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketch_02.1_ButtonAndLed.
Sketch_02.1_ButtonAndLed

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, then press the key, the LED turns ON, release the switch, the LED
turns OFF.

If you have any concerns, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 2 Button & LED 41

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_LED 2
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 13
3 // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
4 void setup() {
5 // initialize digital pin PIN_LED as an output.
6 pinMode(PIN_LED, OUTPUT);
7 pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
8 }
9
10 // the loop function runs over and over again forever
11 void loop() {
12 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
13 digitalWrite(PIN_LED,LOW);
14 }else{
15 digitalWrite(PIN_LED,HIGH);
16 }
17 }

In the circuit connection, LED and button are connected with GPIO2 and GPIO13 respectively, so define ledPin
and buttonPin as 2 and 13 respectively.
1 #define PIN_LED 2
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 13
In the while cycle of main function, use digitalRead(buttonPin) to determine the state of button. When the
button is pressed, the function returns low level, the result of “if” is true, and then turn on LED. Otherwise,
turn off LED.
11 void loop() {
12 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
13 digitalWrite(PIN_LED,LOW);
14 }else{
15 digitalWrite(PIN_LED,HIGH);
16 }
17 }

Reference
int digitalRead (int pin);
This function returns the value read at the given pin. It will be “HIGH” or “LOW”(1 or 0) depending on the
logic level at the pin.

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42 Chapter 2 Button & LED www.freenove.com █

Project 2.2 MINI table lamp

We will also use a push button switch, LED and ESP32 to make a MINI table lamp but this will function
differently: Press the button, the LED will turn ON, and pressing the button again, the LED turns OFF. The ON
switch action is no longer momentary (like a door bell) but remains ON without needing to continually press
on the Button Switch.
First, let us learn something about the push button switch.

Debounce for Push Button

The moment when a push button switch is pressed, it will not change from one state to another state
immediately. Due to tiny mechanical vibrations, there will be a short period of continuous buffeting before it
completely reaches another state too fast for humans to detect but not for computer microcontrollers. The
same is true when the push button switch is released. This unwanted phenomenon is known as “bounce”.
press stable release stable

Ideal state

Virtual state

Therefore, if we can directly detect the state of the push button switch, there are multiple pressing and
releasing actions in one pressing cycle. This buffeting will mislead the high-speed operation of the
microcontroller to cause many false decisions. Therefore, we need to eliminate the impact of buffeting. Our
solution: to judge the state of the button multiple times. Only when the button state is stable (consistent) over
a period of time, can it indicate that the button is actually in the ON state (being pressed).
This project needs the same components and circuits as we used in the previous section.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 2 Button & LED 43

Sketch

Sketch_02.2_Tablelamp

Download the code to the ESP32-WROVER, press the button, the LED turns ON, and press the button again,
the LED turns OFF.

If you have any concerns, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

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44 Chapter 2 Button & LED www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_LED 2
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 13
3 // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
4 void setup() {
5 // initialize digital pin PIN_LED as an output.
6 pinMode(PIN_LED, OUTPUT);
7 pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
8 }
9
10 // the loop function runs over and over again forever
11 void loop() {
12 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
13 delay(20);
14 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
15 reverseGPIO(PIN_LED);
16 }
17 while (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW);
18 delay(20);
19 while (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW);
20 }
21 }
22
23 void reverseGPIO(int pin) {
24 digitalWrite(pin, ! digitalRead(pin));
25 }

When judging the push button state, if it is detected as "pressed down", wait for a certain time to detect again
to eliminate the effect of bounce. When confirmed, flip the LED on and off. Then it starts to wait for the
pressed button to be released, and waits for a certain time to eliminate the effect of bounce after it is released.
12 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
13 delay(20);
14 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
15 reverseGPIO(PIN_LED);
16 }
17 while (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW);
18 delay(20);
19 while (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW);
20 }
The subfunction reverseGPIO() means reading the state value of the specified pin, taking the value back and
writing it to the pin again to achieve the function of flipping the output state of the pin.
23 void reverseGPIO(int pin) {
24 digitalWrite(pin, ! digitalRead(pin));
25 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 3 LED Bar 45

Chapter 3 LED Bar

We have learned how to control a LED blinking, next we will learn how to control a number of LEDs.

Project 3.1 Flowing Light

In this project, we use a number of LEDs to make a flowing light.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Jumper M/M x10 LED bar graph x1 Resistor 220Ω x10

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46 Chapter 3 LED Bar www.freenove.com █

Component knowledge

Let’s learn about the basic features of these components to use and understand them better.
LED bar
A LED bar graph has 10 LEDs integrated into one compact component. The two rows of pins at its bottom
are paired to identify each LED like the single LED used earlier.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 3 LED Bar 47

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

If LED bar does not work, try to rotate it for 180°. The label is random.

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48 Chapter 3 LED Bar www.freenove.com █

Sketch

This project is designed to make a flowing water lamp. Which are these actions: First turn LED #1 ON, then
turn it OFF. Then turn LED #2 ON, and then turn it OFF... and repeat the same to all 10 LEDs until the last LED
is turns OFF. This process is repeated to achieve the “movements” of flowing water.
Upload following sketch:
Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketch_03.1_FlowingLight.
Sketch_03.1_FlowingLight

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER and LED bar graph will light up from left to right and from right to
left.

If you have any concerns, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 3 LED Bar 49

The following is the program code:

1 byte ledPins[] = {15, 2, 0, 4, 5, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23};
2 int ledCounts;
3
4 void setup() {
5 ledCounts = sizeof(ledPins);
6 for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) {
7 pinMode(ledPins[i], OUTPUT);
8 }
9 }
10
11 void loop() {
12 for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) {
13 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
14 delay(100);
15 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
16 }
17 for (int i = ledCounts - 1; i > -1; i--) {
18 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
19 delay(100);
20 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
21 }
22 }
Use an array to define 10 GPIO ports connected to LED bar graph for easier operation.
1 byte ledPins[] = {15, 2, 0, 4, 5, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23};
In setup(), use sizeof() to get the number of array, which is the number of LEDs, then configure the GPIO port
to output mode.
5 ledCounts = sizeof(ledPins);
6 for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) {
7 pinMode(ledPins[i], OUTPUT);
8 }
Then, in loop(), use two “for” loop to realize flowing water light from left to right and from right to left.
12 for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) {
13 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
14 delay(100);
15 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
16 }
17 for (int i = ledCounts - 1; i > -1; i--) {
18 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], HIGH);
19 delay(100);
20 digitalWrite(ledPins[i], LOW);
21 }

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50 Chapter 4 Analog & PWM www.freenove.com █

Chapter 4 Analog & PWM

In previous study, we have known that one button has two states: pressed and released, and LED has light-
on/off state, then how to enter a middle state? How to output an intermediate state to let LED "semi bright"?
That's what we're going to learn.
First, let’s learn how to control the brightness of a LED.

Project 4.1 Breathing LED

Breathing light, that is, LED is turned from off to on gradually, and gradually from on to off, just like "breathing".
So, how to control the brightness of a LED? We will use PWM to achieve this target.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

LED x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 Jumper M/M x2

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 4 Analog & PWM 51

Related knowledge

Analog & Digital

An analog signal is a continuous signal in both time and value. On the contrary, a digital signal or discrete-
time signal is a time series consisting of a sequence of quantities. Most signals in life are analog signals. A
familiar example of an analog signal would be how the temperature throughout the day is continuously
changing and could not suddenly change instantaneously from 0℃ to 10℃. However, digital signals can
instantaneously change in value. This change is expressed in numbers as 1 and 0 (the basis of binary code).
Their differences can more easily be seen when compared when graphed as below.

In practical application, we often use binary as the digital signal, that is a series of 0’s and 1’s. Since a binary
signal only has two values (0 or 1), it has great stability and reliability. Lastly, both analog and digital signals
can be converted into the other.
PWM
PWM, Pulse-Width Modulation, is a very effective method for using digital signals to control analog circuits.
Common processors cannot directly output analog signals. PWM technology makes it very convenient to
achieve this conversion (translation of digital to analog signals)
PWM technology uses digital pins to send certain frequencies of square waves, that is, the output of high
levels and low levels, which alternately last for a while. The total time for each set of high levels and low levels
is generally fixed, which is called the period (Note: the reciprocal of the period is frequency). The time of high
level outputs are generally called “pulse width”, and the duty cycle is the percentage of the ratio of pulse
duration, or pulse width (PW) to the total period (T) of the waveform.
The longer the outputs of high levels last, the longer the duty cycle and the higher the corresponding voltage
in the analog signal will be. The following figures show how the analog signal voltages vary between 0V-5V
(high level is 5V) corresponding to the pulse width 0%-100%:

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52 Chapter 4 Analog & PWM www.freenove.com █

The longer the PWM duty cycle is, the higher the output power will be. Now that we understand this
relationship, we can use PWM to control the brightness of a LED or the speed of DC motor and so on.
It is evident from the above that PWM is not real analog, and the effective value of the voltage is equivalent
to the corresponding analog. Therefore, we can control the output power of the LED and other output
modules to achieve different effects.

ESP32 and PWM

On ESP32, the LEDC(PWM) controller has 16 separate channels, each of which can independently control
frequency, duty cycle, and even accuracy. Unlike traditional PWM pins, the PWM output pins of ESP32 are
configurable, with one or more PWM output pins per channel. The relationship between the maximum
frequency and bit precision is shown in the following formula, where the maximum value of bit is 31.

80,000,000
Freqmax =
1≪𝑏𝑖𝑡
8
For example, generate a PWM with an 8-bit precision (2 =256. Values range from 0 to 255) with a maximum
frequency of 80,000,000/256 = 312,500Hz.）

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 4 Analog & PWM 53

Circuit

This circuit is the same as the one in engineering Blink.

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

Any concerns?  support@freenove.com

54 Chapter 4 Analog & PWM www.freenove.com █

Sketch

This project is designed to make PWM output GPIO2 with pulse width increasing from 0% to 100%, and then
reducing from 100% to 0% gradually.
Sketch_04.1_BreathingLight

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, and you'll see that LED is turned from on to off and then from off to
on gradually like breathing.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 4 Analog & PWM 55

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_LED 2 //define the led pin
2 #define CHN 0 //define the pwm channel
3 #define FRQ 1000 //define the pwm frequency
4 #define PWM_BIT 8 //define the pwm precision
5 void setup() {
6 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_LED, FRQ, PWM_BIT, CHN); //attach the led pin to pwm channel
7 }
8
9 void loop() {
10 for (int i = 0; i < 255; i++) { //make light fade in
11 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, i);
12 delay(10);
13 }
14 for (int i = 255; i > -1; i--) { //make light fade out
15 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, i);
16 delay(10);
17 }
18 }

The PWM pin output mode of ESP32 is not the same as the traditional controller. It controls each parameter
of PWM by controlling the PWM channel. Any number of GPIO can be connected with the PWM channel to
output PWM. In ledcAttachChannal(), you first configure a PWM channel and set the frequency and precision.
Then the GPIO is associated with the PWM channel.
6 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_LED, FRQ, PWM_BIT, CHN); //attach the led pin to pwm channel

In the loop(), There are two “for” loops. The first makes the ledPin output PWM from 0% to 100% and the
second makes the ledPin output PWM from 100% to 0%. This allows the LED to gradually light and extinguish。
11 for (int i = 0; i < 255; i++) { //make light fade in
12 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, i);
13 delay(10);
14 }
15 for (int i = 255; i > -1; i--) { //make light fade out
16 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, i);
17 delay(10);
18 }
You can also adjust the rate of the state change of LED by changing the parameters of the delay() function in
the “for” loop.

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56 Chapter 4 Analog & PWM www.freenove.com █

bool ledcAttachChannel(uint8_t pin, uint32_t freq, uint8_t resolution, uint8_t channel)

Set the pin, frequency and accuracy of a PWM channel.

Parameters
pip: The pin of PWM.
freq: Frequency value of PWM.
resolution：Pwm precision control bit.
channal: channel index. Value range :0-15

void ledcAttach(uint8_t pin, uint32_t freq, uint8_t resolution);

void ledcDetach(uint8_t pin);
Bind/unbind a GPIO to a PWM channel.
void ledcWrite(uint8_t pin, uint32_t duty);
Writes the pulse width value to a PWM channel.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 4 Analog & PWM 57

Project 4.2 Meteor Flowing Light

After learning about PWM, we can use it to control LED bar graph and realize a cooler flowing light.
The component list, circuit, and hardware are exactly consistent with the project Flowing Light.

Sketch

Meteor flowing light will be implemented with PWM.

Sketch_04.2_FlowingLight2

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, and LED bar graph will gradually light up and out from left to right,
then light up and out from right to left.

The following is the program code:

1 const byte ledPins[] = {15, 2, 0, 4, 5, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23}; //define led pins
2 const byte chns[] = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}; //define the pwm channels
3 const int dutys[] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
4 1023, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2,
5 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
6 }; //define the pwm dutys
7 int ledCounts; //led counts
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58 Chapter 4 Analog & PWM www.freenove.com █

8 int delayTimes = 50; //flowing speed ,the smaller, the faster

9 void setup() {
10 ledCounts = sizeof(ledPins); //get the led counts
11 for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) { //setup the pwm channels
12 ledcAttachChannal(ledPins[i], 1000, 10, chns[i]);
13 }
14 }
15
16 void loop() {
17 for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++) { //flowing one side to other side
18 for (int j = 0; j < ledCounts; j++) {
19 ledcWrite(ledPins[j], dutys[i + j]);
20 }
21 delay(delayTimes);
22 }
23 for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++) { //flowing one side to other side
24 for (int j = ledCounts - 1; j > -1; j--) {
25 ledcWrite(ledPins[j], dutys[i + (ledCounts - 1 - j)]);
26 }
27 delay(delayTimes);
28 }
29 }

First we defined 10 GPIO, 10 PWM channels, and 30 pulse width values.

const byte ledPins[] = {15, 2, 0, 4, 5, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23}; //define led pins
const byte chns[] = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}; //define the pwm channels
const int dutys[] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
1023, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2,
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
}; //define the pwm dutys

In setup(), set the frequency of 10 PWM channels to 1000Hz, the accuracy to 10bits, and the maximum
pulse width to 1023. Attach GPIO to these PWM channels.
for (int i = 0; i < ledCounts; i++) { //setup the pwm channels
ledcWrite(ledPins[j], dutys[i + j]);
}

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 4 Analog & PWM 59

In loop(), a nested for loop is used to control the pulse width of the PWM, and LED bar graph moves one grid
after each 1 is added in the first for loop, gradually changing according to the values in the array duties. As
shown in the table below, the value of the second row is the value in the array duties, and the 10 green
squares in each row below represent the 10 LEDs on the LED bar graph. Every 1 is added to I, the value of the
LED bar graph will move to the right by one grid, and when it reaches the end, it will move from the end to
the starting point, achieving the desired effect.
0 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
d 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 5 2 1 6 3 1 8 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 1 5 2 4 2 6
i 2 6 8
0
1
2
3
…
1
8
1
9
2
0

In the code, two nested for loops are used to achieve this effect.
for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++) { //flowing one side to other side
for (int j = 0; j < ledCounts; j++) {
ledcWrite(ledPins[j], dutys[i + j]);
}
delay(delayTimes);
}
for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++) { //flowing from one side to the other
for (int j = ledCounts - 1; j > -1; j--) {
ledcWrite(ledPins[j], dutys[i + (ledCounts - 1 - j)]);
}
delay(delayTimes);
}

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60 Chapter 5 RGB LED www.freenove.com █

Chapter 5 RGB LED

In this chapter, we will learn how to control a RGB LED. It can emit different colors of light. Next, we will use
RGB LED to make a multicolored light.

Project 5.1 Random Color Light

In this project, we will make a multicolored LED. And we can control RGB LED to switch different colors
automatically.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

RGBLED x1 Resistor 220Ω x3 Jumper M/M x4

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 5 RGB LED 61

Related knowledge

RGB LED has integrated 3 LEDs that can respectively emit red, green and blue light. And it has 4 pins. The
long pin (1) is the common port, that is, 3 LED 's positive or negative port. The RGB LED with common positive
port and its symbol is shown below. We can make RGB LED emit various colors of light by controlling these 3
LEDs to emit light with different brightness,

Red, green, and blue are known as three primary colors. When you combine these three primary-color lights
with different brightness, it can produce almost all kinds of visible lights. Computer screens, single pixel of cell
phone screen, neon, and etc. are working under this principle.

RGB

8 8 8
If we use three 8-bit PWMs to control the RGB LED, in theory, we can create 2 *2 *2 =16777216 (16 million)
colors through different combinations.

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62 Chapter 5 RGB LED www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

Any concerns?  support@freenove.com

 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 5 RGB LED 63

Sketch

We need to create three PWM channels and use random duty cycle to make random RGB LED color.
Sketch_05.1_ColorfulLight

With the code downloaded to ESP32-WROVER, RGB LED begins to display random colors.

……

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64 Chapter 5 RGB LED www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 const byte ledPins[] = {4, 2, 15}; //define red, green, blue led pins
2 const byte chns[] = {0, 1, 2}; //define the pwm channels
3 int red, green, blue;
4 void setup() {
5 for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { //setup the pwm channels,1KHz,8bit
6 ledcAttachChannel(ledPins[i], 1000, 8, chns[i]);
7 }
8 }
9
10 void loop() {
11 red = random(0, 256);
12 green = random(0, 256);
13 blue = random(0, 256);
14 setColor(red, green, blue);
15 delay(200);
16 }
17
18 void setColor(byte r, byte g, byte b) {
19 ledcWrite(chns[0], 255 - r); //Common anode LED, low level to turn on the led.
20 ledcWrite(chns[1], 255 - g);
21 ledcWrite(chns[2], 255 - b);
22 }

Define the PWM channel and associate it with the pin connected to RGB LED, and define the variable to hold
the color value and initialize it in setup().
1 const byte ledPins[] = {4, 2, 15}; //define red, green, blue led pins
2 const byte chns[] = {0, 1, 2}; //define the pwm channels
3 int red, green, blue;
4 void setup() {
5 for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { //setup the pwm channels,1KHz,8bit
6 ledcAttachChannel(ledPins[i], 1000, 8, chns[i]);
7 }
8 }
In setColor(), this function controls the output color of RGB LED by the given color value. Because the circuit
uses a common anode, the LED lights up when the GPIO outputs low power. Therefore, in PWM, low level is
the active level, so 255 minus the given value is necessary.
19 void setColor(byte r, byte g, byte b) {
20 ledcWrite(ledPins[0], 255 - r); //Common anode LED, low level to turn on the led.
21 ledcWrite(ledPins[1], 255 - g);
22 ledcWrite(ledPins[2], 255 - b);
23 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 5 RGB LED 65

In loop(), get three random Numbers and set them as color values.
12 red = random(0, 256);
13 green = random(0, 256);
14 blue = random(0, 256);
15 setColor(red, green, blue);
16 delay(200);

The related function of software PWM can be described as follows:

long random(min, max);
This function will return a random number(min --- max-1).

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66 Chapter 5 RGB LED www.freenove.com █

Project 5.2 Gradient Color Light

In the previous project, we have mastered the usage of RGB LED, but the random display of colors is rather
stiff. This project will realize a fashionable light with soft color changes.

Component list and the circuit are exactly the same as the random color light.

Using a color model, the color changes from 0 to 255 as shown below.

In this code, the color model will be implemented and RGB LED will change colors along the model.
Sketch_05.2_SoftColorfulLight
The following is the program code:
1 const byte ledPins[] = {4, 2, 15}; //define led pins
2 const byte chns[] = {0, 1, 2}; //define the pwm channels
3
4 void setup() {
5 for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { //setup the pwm channels
6 ledcAttachChannel(ledPins[i], 1000, 8, chns[i]);
7 }
8 }
9
10 void loop() {
11 for (int i = 0; i < 256; i++) {
12 setColor(wheel(i));
13 delay(20);
14 }
15 }
16
17 void setColor(long rgb) {
18 ledcWrite(ledPins[0], 255 - (rgb >> 16) & 0xFF);
19 ledcWrite(ledPins[1], 255 - (rgb >> 8) & 0xFF);
20 ledcWrite(ledPins[2], 255 - (rgb >> 0) & 0xFF);
21 }
22
23 long wheel(int pos) {
24 long WheelPos = pos % 0xff;
25 if (WheelPos < 85) {
26 return ((255 - WheelPos * 3) << 16) | ((WheelPos * 3) << 8);
27 } else if (WheelPos < 170) {

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 5 RGB LED 67

28 WheelPos -= 85;
29 return (((255 - WheelPos * 3) << 8) | (WheelPos * 3));
30 } else {
31 WheelPos -= 170;
32 return ((WheelPos * 3) << 16 | (255 - WheelPos * 3));
33 }
34 }

In setColor(), a variable represents the value of RGB, and a hexadecimal representation of color is a common
representation, such as 0xAABBCC, where AA represents the red value, BB represents the green value, and
CC represents the blue value. The use of a variable can make the transmission of parameters more convenient,
in the split, only a simple operation can take out the value of each color channel
18 void setColor(long rgb) {
19 ledcWrite(ledPins[0], 255 - (rgb >> 16) & 0xFF);
20 ledcWrite(ledPins[1], 255 - (rgb >> 8) & 0xFF);
21 ledcWrite(ledPins[2], 255 - (rgb >> 0) & 0xFF);
22 }

The wheel() function is the color selection method for the color model introduced earlier. The pos parameter
ranges from 0 to 255 and outputs a color value in hexadecimal.

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68 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

Chapter 6 Buzzer
In this chapter, we will learn about buzzers that can make sounds.

Project 6.1 Doorbell

We will make this kind of doorbell: when the button is pressed, the buzzer sounds; and when the button is
released, the buzzer stops sounding.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Jumper M/M x6

NPN transistorx1 Active buzzer x1 Push button x1 Resistor 1kΩ x1 Resistor 10kΩ x2
(S8050)

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 69

Component knowledge

Buzzer
Buzzer is a sounding component, which is widely used in electronic devices such as calculator, electronic
warning clock and alarm. Buzzer has two types: active and passive. Active buzzer has oscillator inside, which
will sound as long as it is supplied with power. Passive buzzer requires external oscillator signal (generally use
PWM with different frequency) to make a sound.

Active buzzer Passive buzzer

Active buzzer is easy to use. Generally, it can only make a specific frequency of sound. Passive buzzer
requires an external circuit to make a sound, but it can be controlled to make a sound with different
frequency. The resonant frequency of the passive buzzer is 2kHz, which means the passive buzzer is loudest
when its resonant frequency is 2kHz.
Next, we will use an active buzzer to make a doorbell and a passive buzzer to make an alarm.

How to identify active and passive buzzer?

1. Usually, there is a label on the surface of active buzzer covering the vocal hole, but this is not an absolute
judgment method.
2. Active buzzers are more complex than passive buzzers in their manufacture. There are many circuits and
crystal oscillator elements inside active buzzers; all of this is usually protected with a waterproof coating
(and a housing) exposing only its pins from the underside. On the other hand, passive buzzers do not
have protective coatings on their underside. From the pin holes viewing of a passive buzzer, you can see
the circuit board, coils, and a permanent magnet (all or any combination of these components depending
on the model.
Active buzzer Passive buzzer

Transistor
Because the buzzer requires such large current that GPIO of ESP32 output capability cannot meet the
requirement, a transistor of NPN type is needed here to amplify the current.

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70 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

Transistor, the full name: semiconductor transistor, is a semiconductor device that controls current. Transistor
can be used to amplify weak signal, or works as a switch. It has three electrodes(PINs): base (b), collector (c)
and emitter (e). When there is current passing between "be", "ce" will allow several-fold current (transistor
magnification) pass, at this point, transistor works in the amplifying area. When current between "be" exceeds
a certain value, "ce" will not allow current to increase any longer, at this point, transistor works in the saturation
area. Transistor has two types as shown below: PNP and NPN,

PNP transistor NPN transistor

In our kit, the PNP transistor is marked with 8550, and the NPN transistor is marked with 8050.

Based on the transistor's characteristics, it is often used as a switch in digital circuits. As micro-controller's
capacity to output current is very weak, we will use transistor to amplify current and drive large-current
components.

When use NPN transistor to drive buzzer, we often adopt the following method. If GPIO outputs high level,
current will flow through R1, the transistor will get conducted, and the buzzer will sound. If GPIO outputs low
level, no current flows through R1, the transistor will not be conducted, and buzzer will not sound.

When use PNP transistor to drive buzzer, we often adopt the following method. If GPIO outputs low level,
current will flow through R1, the transistor will get conducted, and the buzzer will sound. If GPIO outputs high
level, no current flows through R1, the transistor will not be conducted, and buzzer will not sound.

NPN transistor to drive buzzer PNP transistor to drive buzzer

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 71

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

Note: in this circuit, the power supply for buzzer is 5V, and pull-up resistor of the button connected to the
power 3.3V. The buzzer can work when connected to power 3.3V, but it will reduce the loudness.

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72 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

Sketch

In this project, a buzzer will be controlled by a push button switch. When the button switch is pressed, the
buzzer sounds and when the button is released, the buzzer stops. It is analogous to our earlier project that
controlled a LED ON and OFF.

Sketch_06.1_Doorbell

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, press the push button switch and the buzzer will sound. Release the
push button switch and the buzzer will stop.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 73

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_BUZZER 13
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 4
3
4 void setup() {
5 pinMode(PIN_BUZZER, OUTPUT);
6 pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
7 }
8
9 void loop() {
10 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
11 digitalWrite(PIN_BUZZER,HIGH);
12 }else{
13 digitalWrite(PIN_BUZZER,LOW);
14 }
15 }
The code is logically the same as using button to control LED.

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74 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

Project 6.2 Alertor

Next, we will use a passive buzzer to make an alarm.

Component list and the circuit is similar to the last section. In the Doorbell circuit only the active buzzer needs
to be replaced with a passive buzzer.

Sketch

In this project, the buzzer alarm is controlled by the button. Press the button, then buzzer sounds. If you
release the button, the buzzer will stop sounding. It is logically the same as using button to control LED, but
in the control method, passive buzzer requires PWM of certain frequency to sound.

Sketch_06.2_Alertor

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 75

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, press the button, then alarm sounds. And when the button is released,
the alarm will stop sounding.

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_BUZZER 13
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 4
3 #define CHN 0 //define the pwm channel
4
5 void setup() {
6 pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
7 pinMode(PIN_BUZZER, OUTPUT);
8 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_BUZZER, 0, 10, CHN); //attach the led pin to pwm channel
9 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, 2000); //Sound at 2KHz for 0.3 seconds
10 delay(300);
11 }
12
13 void loop() {
14 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
15 alert();
16 } else {
17 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, 0);
18 }
19 }
20
21 void alert() {
22 float sinVal; // Define a variable to save sine value
23 int toneVal; // Define a variable to save sound frequency
24 for (int x = 0; x < 360; x += 10) { // X from 0 degree->360 degree
25 sinVal = sin(x * (PI / 180)); // Calculate the sine of x
26 toneVal = 2000 + sinVal * 500; //Calculate sound frequency according to the sine of x
27 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, toneVal);
28 delay(10);
29 }
30 }

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76 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

The code is the same as the active buzzer logically, but the way to control the buzzer is different. Passive
buzzer requires PWM of certain frequency to control, so you need to create a PWM channel through
ledcAttachChannal(). Here ledcWriteTone() is designed to generating square wave with variable frequency and
duty cycle fixed to 50%, which is a better choice for controlling the buzzer.
8 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_BUZZER, 0, 10, CHN); //attach the led pin to pwm channel
9 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, 2000); //Sound at 2KHz for 0.3 seconds
In the while cycle of main function, when the button is pressed, subfunction alert() will be called and the alertor
will issue a warning sound. The frequency curve of the alarm is based on the sine curve. We need to calculate
the sine value from 0 to 360 degree and multiply a certain value (here is 500) and plus the resonant frequency
of buzzer.
21 void alert() {
22 float sinVal; // Define a variable to save sine value
23 int toneVal; // Define a variable to save sound frequency
24 for (int x = 0; x < 360; x += 10) { // X from 0 degree->360 degree
25 sinVal = sin(x * (PI / 180)); // Calculate the sine of x
26 toneVal = 2000 + sinVal * 500; //Calculate sound frequency according to the sine of x
27 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, toneVal);
28 delay(10);
29 }
30 }
If you want to close the buzzer, just set PWM frequency of the buzzer pin to 0.
17 ledcWriteTone(PIN_BUZZER, 0);
Reference
double ledcWriteTone(uint8_t channel, double freq);
This updates the tone frequency value on the given channel.

This function has some bugs in the current version (V1.0.4): when the call interval is less than 20ms, the
resulting PWM will have an exception. We will get in touch with the authorities to solve this problem and
give solutions in the following two projects.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 77

Project 6.3 Alertor (use timer)

Due to some bugs in the function ledcWriteTone(), this project uses timer to generate software PWM to
control the buzzer. The circuit is exactly the same as the last project.

Sketch

The core of the code of this project is to create a timer to change the GPIO state to generate 50% pulse width
PWM, and change the PWM frequency by changing the timing time of the timer.
Sketch_06.3_Alertor

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, press the button, then the alarm sounds. And when the button is
released, the alarm will stop sounding.

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78 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 #define BUZZER_PIN 13
2 #define PIN_BUTTON 4
3 hw_timer_t * timer = NULL;
4
5 bool isAlerting = false;
6
7 void IRAM_ATTR onTimer() {
8 digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, ! digitalRead(BUZZER_PIN));
9 }
10
11 void setup() {
12 pinMode(PIN_BUTTON, INPUT);
13 pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
14 // Set the timer frequency to 1MHz.(see ESP32 Technical Reference Manual for more info).
15 timer = timerBegin(1000000);
16 // Attach onTimer function to our timer.
17 timerAttachInterrupt(timer, &onTimer);
18 }
19 void loop() {
20 if (digitalRead(PIN_BUTTON) == LOW) {
21 if (!isAlerting) {
22 isAlerting = true;
23 // Set alarm, 1ms, repeat, auto-reload value.
24 timerAlarmWrite(timer, 1000, true, 0);
25 // Start an alarm
26 timerAlarmEnable(timer);
27 }
28 alert();
29 } else {
30 if (isAlerting) {
31 isAlerting = false;
32 timerAlarmDisable(timer);
33 digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
34 }
35 }
36 }
37
38 void alert() {
39 float sinVal;
40 int toneVal;
41 for (int x = 0; x < 360; x += 1) {
42 sinVal = sin(x * (PI / 180));
43 toneVal = 2000 + sinVal * 500;

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 6 Buzzer 79

44 timerAlarmWrite(timer, 500000 / toneVal, true, 0);

45 delay(1);
46 }
47 }

In the code, first define a timer variable, timer, and then create the timer in setup(), setting the function
onTimer() that the timer will execute.
3 hw_timer_t * timer = NULL;
4
5 Set the timer frequency to 1MHz.(see ESP32 Technical Reference Manual for more info).
6 timer = timerBegin(1000000);
7 // Attach onTimer function to our timer.
8 timerAttachInterrupt(timer, &onTimer);

In the loop(), use the timerAlarmWrite() to set the timer time and use timerAlarmEnable() to start the timer.
Using the flag bit isAlerting, the code to set and start the timer is executed only when the key is pressed.
22 if (! isAlerting) {
23 isAlerting = true;
24 // Set alarm, 1ms, repeat
25 timerAlarmWrite(timer, 1000, true, 0);
26 // Start an alarm
27 timerAlarmEnable(timer);
28 }

After the key is released, stop the timer and make the buzzer's GPIO output low.
31 if (isAlerting) {
32 isAlerting = false;
33 timerAlarmDisable(timer);
34 digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
35 }

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80 Chapter 6 Buzzer www.freenove.com █

Reference
typedef struct hw_timer_s hw_timer_t;
Timer type, used to define a timer variable.
hw_timer_t * timerBegin(uint32_t frequency);
Initialize the timer.
parameters
frequency: Frequency of the timer.
void timerAttachInterrupt(hw_timer_t *timer, void (*fn)(void));
Bind the function to execute when the interrupt is generated for the timer.
void timerAlarm(hw_timer_t *timer, uint64_t interruptAt, bool autoreload, uint64_t reload_count);
Set the timer time.
void timerStart(hw_timer_t *timer);
void timerStop(hw_timer_t *timer);
void timerRestart(hw_timer_t *timer);
void timerEnd(hw_timer_t *timer);
Start/stop the timer.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 7 Serial Communication 81

Chapter 7 Serial Communication

Serial Communication is a means of communication between different devices/devices. This section describes
ESP32's Serial Communication.

Project 7.1 Serial Print

This project uses ESP32's serial communicator to send data to the computer and print it on the serial monitor.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Micro USB Wire x1

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82 Chapter 7 Serial Communication www.freenove.com █

Related knowledge

Serial communication
Serial communication generally refers to the Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), which is
commonly used in electronic circuit communication. It has two communication lines, one is responsible for
sending data (TX line) and the other for receiving data (RX line). The serial communication connections of
two devices is as follows:
Device 1 Device 2
RX RX
TX TX

Before serial communication starts, the baud rate of both sides must be the same. Communication between
devices can work only if the same baud rate is used. The baud rates commonly used is 9600 and 115200.

Serial port on ESP32

Freenove ESP32 has integrated USB to serial transfer, so it could communicate with computer connecting to
USB cable.
ESP32 USB to Serial Computer

UART
UART COM
USB

Arduino Software also uploads code to Freenove ESP32 through the serial connection.
Your computer identifies serial devices connecting to it as COMx. We can use the Serial Monitor window of
Arduino Software to communicate with Freenove ESP32, connect Freenove ESP32 to computer through the
USB cable, choose the correct device, and then click the Serial Monitor icon to open the Serial Monitor
window.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 7 Serial Communication 83

Interface of serial monitor window is as follows. If you can't open it, make sure Freenove ESP32 has been
connected to the computer, and choose the right serial port in the menu bar "Tools".

Data-
sending Configure
area bar

Data-
receiving
area

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer with USB cable

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84 Chapter 7 Serial Communication www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_07.1_SerialPrinter

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial port monitor, set the baud rate to 115200, and press
the reset button. As shown in the following figure:

Set the relevant information

Above the trip is the system

information, and below is
the result of the code.

As shown in the image above, "ESP32 initialization completed! " The previous is the printing message when
the system is started, it uses the baud rate of 120,000, which is incorrect, so the garbled code is displayed.
The user program is then printed at a baud rate of 115200.

How do I disable messages printed at system startup?

Use a jumper wire and connect one of its ends to GPIO5 of development board and the other to GND, so
that we can disable the system to print out startup messages.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 7 Serial Communication 85

For more information, click here.

The following is the program code:
1 void setup() {
2 Serial.begin(115200);
3 Serial.println("ESP32 initialization completed! ");
4 }
5
6 void loop() {
7 Serial.printf("Running time : %.1f s\n", millis() / 1000.0f);
8 delay(1000);
9 }

Reference
void begin(unsigned long baud, uint32_t config=SERIAL_8N1, int8_t rxPin=-1,
int8_t txPin=-1, bool invert=false, unsigned long timeout_ms = 20000UL);
Initializes the serial port. Parameter baud is baud rate, other parameters generally use the default value.
size_t println( arg );
Print to the serial port and wrap. The parameter arg can be a number, a character, a string, an array of
characters, etc.
size_t printf(const char * format, ...) __attribute__ ((format (printf, 2, 3)));
Print formatted content to the serial port in the same way as print in standard C.
unsigned long millis();
Returns the number of milliseconds since the current system was booted.

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86 Chapter 7 Serial Communication www.freenove.com █

Project 7.2 Serial Read and Write

From last section, we use serial port on Freenove ESP32 to send data to a computer, now we will use that to
receive data from computer.

Component and circuit are the same as in the previous project.

Sketch

Sketch_07.2_SerialRW

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor, and set the bottom to Newline, 115200. As
shown in the following figure:

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 7 Serial Communication 87

Newline, 115200 baud

Type characters such as 'ABCDEFG' at the top, then press Enter to send the data to the ESP32, and the serial
port monitor will print out the data received and forwarded back by the ESP32.

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88 Chapter 7 Serial Communication www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 String inputString = ""; //a String to hold incoming data
2 bool stringComplete = false; // whether the string is complete
3
4 void setup() {
5 Serial.begin(115200);
6 Serial.println(String("\nESP32 initialization completed! \n")
7 + String("Please input some characters,\n")
8 + String("select \"Newline\" below and click send button. \n"));
9 }
10
11 void loop() {
12 if (Serial.available()) { // judge whether data has been received
13 char inChar = Serial.read(); // read one character
14 inputString += inChar;
15 if (inChar == '\n') {
16 stringComplete = true;
17 }
18 }
19 if (stringComplete) {
20 Serial.printf("inputString: %s \n", inputString);
21 inputString = "";
22 stringComplete = false;
23 }
24 }

In loop(), determine whether the serial port has data, if so, read and save the data, and if the newline
character is read, print out all the data that has been read.

Reference
String();
Constructs an instance of the String class.
For more information, please visit
https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/variables/data-types/stringobject/
int available(void);
Get the number of bytes (characters) available for reading from the serial port. This is data that’s already
arrived and stored in the serial receive buffer.
Serial.read();
Reads incoming serial data.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter 89

Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter

We have learned how to control the brightness of LED through PWM and understood that PWM is not the
real analog before. In this chapter, we will learn how to read analog, convert it into digital and convert the
digital into analog output. That is, ADC and DAC.

Project 8.1 Read the Voltage of Potentiometer

In this project, we will use the ADC function of ESP32 to read the voltage value of potentiometer. And then
output the voltage value through the DAC to control the brightness of LED.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Rotary potentiometer x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 LED x1 Jumper M/M x5

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90 Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter www.freenove.com █

Related knowledge

ADC
An ADC is an electronic integrated circuit used to convert analog signals such as voltages to digital or binary
form consisting of 1s and 0s. The range of our ADC on ESP32 is 12 bits, that means the resolution is
2^12=4096, and it represents a range (at 3.3V) will be divided equally to 4096 parts. The rage of analog values
corresponds to ADC values. So the more bits the ADC has, the denser the partition of analog will be and the
greater the precision of the resulting conversion.

Subsection 1: the analog in rang of 0V---3.3/4095 V corresponds to digital 0;

Subsection 2: the analog in rang of 3.3/4095 V---2*3.3 /4095V corresponds to digital 1;
…
The following analog will be divided accordingly.
The conversion formula is as follows:

Analog Voltage
𝐴𝐷𝐶 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 = ∗ 4095
3.3
DAC
The reversing of this process requires a DAC, Digital-to-Analog Converter. The digital I/O port can output
high level and low level (0 or 1), but cannot output an intermediate voltage value. This is where a DAC is
useful. ESP32 has two DAC output pins with 8-bit accuracy, GPIO25 and GPIO26, which can divide VDD
(here is 3.3V) into 2*8=256 parts. For example, when the digital quantity is 1, the output voltage value is
3.3/256 *1 V, and when the digital quantity is 128, the output voltage value is 3.3/256 *128=1.65V, the higher
the accuracy of DAC, the higher the accuracy of output voltage value will be.

The conversion formula is as follows:

DAC Value
𝐴𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = ∗ 3.3 (V)
255

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter 91

ADC on ESP32
ESP32 has two digital analog converters with successive approximations of 12-bit accuracy, and a total of 16
pins can be used to measure analog signals. GPIO pin sequence number and analog pin definition are
shown in the following table.
Pin number in Arduino GPIO number ADC channel
A0 GPIO 36 ADC1_CH0
A3 GPIO 39 ADC1_CH3
A4 GPIO 32 ADC1_CH4
A5 GPIO 33 ADC1_CH5
A6 GPIO 34 ADC1_CH6
A7 GPIO 35 ADC1_CH7
A10 GPIO 4 ADC2_CH0
A11 GPIO 0 ADC2_CH1
A12 GPIO 2 ADC2_CH2
A13 GPIO 15 ADC2_CH3
A14 GPIO 13 ADC2_CH4
A15 GPIO 12 ADC2_CH5
A16 GPIO 14 ADC2_CH6
A17 GPIO 27 ADC2_CH7
A18 GPIO 25 ADC2_CH8
A19 GPIO 26 ADC2_CH9
The analog pin number is also defined in ESP32's code base. For example, you can replace GPIO36 with A0
in the code.
Note: ADC2 is disabled when ESP32's WiFi function is enabled.
DAC on ESP32
ESP32 has two 8-bit digital analog converters to be connected to GPIO25 and GPIO26 pins, respectively, and
it is immutable. As shown in the following table.
Simulate pin number GPIO number
DAC1 25
DAC2 26
The DAC pin number is already defined in ESP32's code base; for example, you can replace GPIO25 with DAC1
in the code.
Note: In this ESP32, GPIO26 is used as the camera's IIC-SDA pin, which is connected to 3.3V through a
resistor.Therefore, DAC2 cannot be used.

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92 Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter www.freenove.com █

Component knowledge

Potentiometer
A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor. Unlike the resistors that we have used thus far in our project
which have a fixed resistance value, the resistance value of a potentiometer can be adjusted. A potentiometer
is often made up by a resistive substance (a wire or carbon element) and movable contact brush. When the
brush moves along the resistor element, there will be a change in the resistance of the potentiometer’s output
side (3) (or change in the voltage of the circuit that is a part). The illustration below represents a linear sliding
potentiometer and its electronic symbol on the right.

What between potentiometer pin 1 and pin 2 is the resistor body, and pins 3 is connected to brush. When
brush moves from pin 1 to pin 2, the resistance between pin 1 and pin 3 will increase up to body resistance
linearly, and the resistance between pin 2 and pin 3 will decrease down to 0 linearly.
In the circuit. The both sides of resistance body are often connected to the positive and negative electrode of
the power. When you slide the brush pin 3, you can get a certain voltage in the range of the power supply.

Rotary potentiometer
Rotary potentiometer and linear potentiometer have similar function; their only difference is: the resistance
is adjusted by rotating the potentiometer.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter 93

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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94 Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_08.1_ADC_DAC

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor, and set the baud rate to 115200. As shown
in the following figure,

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 8 AD/DA Converter 95

The serial monitor prints ADC values, DAC values, and the output voltage of the potentiometer. In the code,
we made the voltage output from the DAC pin equal to the voltage input from the ADC pin. Rotate the handle
of the potentiometer and the print will change. When the voltage is greater than 1.6V (voltage needed to turn
on red LED), LED starts emitting light. If you continue to increase the output voltage, the LED will become
more and more brighter. When the voltage is less than 1.6v, the LED will not light up, because it does not
reach the voltage to turn on LED, which indirectly proves the difference between DAC and PWM. (if you have
an oscilloscope, you can check the waveform of the DAC output through it.)
The following is the code:
1 #define PIN_ANALOG_IN 4
2
3 void setup() {
4 Serial.begin(115200);
5 }
6
7 void loop() {
8 int adcVal = analogRead(PIN_ANALOG_IN);
9 int dacVal = map(adcVal, 0, 4095, 0, 255);
10 double voltage = adcVal / 4095.0 * 3.3;
11 dacWrite(DAC1, dacVal);
12 Serial.printf("ADC Val: %d, \t DAC Val: %d, \t Voltage: %.2fV\n", adcVal, dacVal, voltage);
13 delay(200);
14 }
In loop()，the analogRead() function is used to obtain the ADC value, and then the map() function is used to
convert the value into an 8-bit precision DAC value. The function dacWrite() is used to output the value. The
input and output voltage are calculated according to the previous formula, and the information is finally
printed out.
8 int adcVal = analogRead(PIN_ANALOG_IN);
9 int dacVal = map(adcVal, 0, 4095, 0, 255);
10 double voltage = adcVal / 4095.0 * 3.3;
11 dacWrite(DAC1, dacVal);
12 Serial.printf("ADC Val: %d, \t DAC Val: %d, \t Voltage: %.2fV\n", adcVal, dacVal, voltage);

Reference
uint16_t analogRead(uint8_t pin);
Reads the value from the specified analog pin. Return the analog reading on the pin. (0-4095 for 12 bits).
void dacWrite(uint8_t pin, uint8_t value);
This writes the given value to the supplied analog pin.
long map(long value,long fromLow,long fromHigh,long toLow,long toHigh);
Re-maps a number from one range to another. That is, a value of fromLow would get mapped to toLow, a
value of fromHigh to toHigh, values in-between to values in-between, etc.

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96 Chapter 9 Touch Sensor www.freenove.com █

Chapter 9 Touch Sensor

ESP32 offers up to 10 capacitive touch GPIO, and as you can see from the previous section, mechanical
switches are prone to jitter that must be eliminated when used, which is not the case with ESP32's built-in
touch sensor. In addition, on the service life, the touch switch also has advantages that mechanical switch is
completely incomparable.

Project 9.1 Read Touch Sensor

This project reads the value of the touch sensor and prints it out.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Jumper M/M x1

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 9 Touch Sensor 97

Related knowledge

Touch sensor
ESP32's touch sensor supports up to 10 GPIO channels as capacitive touch pins. Each pin can be used
separately as an independent touch switch or be combined to produce multiple touch points. The following
table is a list of available touch pins on ESP32.
Name of touch sensing signal Functions of pins GPIO number
T0 GPIO4 GPIO4
T1 GPIO0 GPIO0
T2 GPIO2 GPIO2
T3 MTDO GPIO15
T4 MTCK GPIO13
T5 MTDI GPIO12
T6 MTMS GPIO14
T7 GPIO27 GPIO27
T8 32K_XN GPIO33
T9 32K_XP GPIO32
The touch pin number is already defined in ESP32's code base. For example, in the code, you can use T0 to
represent GPIO4.
The electrical signals generated by touch are analog data, which are converted by an internal ADC converter.
You may have noticed that all touch pins have ADC functionality.
The hardware connection method is shown in the following figure.

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98 Chapter 9 Touch Sensor www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 9 Touch Sensor 99

Sketch

Sketch_09.1_TouchRead

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100 Chapter 9 Touch Sensor www.freenove.com █

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor, and set the baud rate to 115200. As shown
in the following figure.

Press

Touched by hands, the value of the touch sensor will change. The closer the value is to zero, the more
obviously the touch action will be detected. The value detected by the sensor may be different in different
environments or when different people touch it. The code is very simple, just look at Reference.
Reference
uint16_t touchRead(uint8_t pin);
Read touch sensor value. (values close to 0 mean touch detected)

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 9 Touch Sensor 101

Project 9.2 Touch Lamp

In this project, we will use ESP32's touch sensor to create a touch switch lamp.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Jumper M/M x3 LED x1 Resistor 220Ω x1

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102 Chapter 9 Touch Sensor www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 9 Touch Sensor 103

Sketch

Sketch_09.2_TouchLamp

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor, and set the baud rate to 115200. As shown
in the following figure,

With a touch pad, the state of the LED changes with each touch, and the detection state of the touch sensor
is printed in the serial monitor.

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104 Chapter 9 Touch Sensor www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 #define PIN_LED 2
2 #define PRESS_VAL 14 //Set a threshold to judge touch
3 #define RELEASE_VAL 25 //Set a threshold to judge release
4
5 bool isProcessed = false;
6 void setup() {
7 Serial.begin(115200);
8 pinMode(PIN_LED, OUTPUT);
9 }
10 void loop() {
11 if (touchRead(T0) < PRESS_VAL) {
12 if (! isProcessed) {
13 isProcessed = true;
14 Serial.println("Touch detected! ");
15 reverseGPIO(PIN_LED);
16 }
17 }
18
19 if (touchRead(T0) > RELEASE_VAL) {
20 if (isProcessed) {
21 isProcessed = false;
22 Serial.println("Released! ");
23 }
24 }
25 }
26
27 void reverseGPIO(int pin) {
28 digitalWrite(pin, ! digitalRead(pin));
29 }

The closer the return value of the function touchRead() is to 0, the more obviously the touch is detected. This
is not a fixed value, so you need to define a threshold that is considered valid (when the value of the sensor
is less than this threshold). Similarly, a threshold value is to be defined in the release state, and a value in
between is considered an invalid disturbance value.
2 #define PRESS_VAL 14 //Set a threshold to judge touch
3 #define RELEASE_VAL 25 //Set a threshold to judge release

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 9 Touch Sensor 105

In loop(), first determine whether the touch was detected. If yes, print some messages, flip the state of the
LED, and set the flag bit isProcessed to true to avoid repeating the program after the touch was successful.
11 if (touchRead(T0) < PRESS_VAL) {
12 if (! isProcessed) {
13 isProcessed = true;
14 Serial.println("Touch detected! ");
15 reverseGPIO(PIN_LED);
16 }
17 }
It then determines if the touch key is released, and if so, prints some messages and sets the isProcessed to
false to avoid repeating the process after the touch release and to prepare for the next touch probe.
19 if (touchRead(T0) > RELEASE_VAL) {
20 if (isProcessed) {
21 isProcessed = false;
22 Serial.println("Released! ");
23 }
24 }

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106 Chapter 10 Potentiometer & LED www.freenove.com █

Chapter 10 Potentiometer & LED

We have learned how to use ADC and DAC before. When using DAC output analog to drive LED, we found
that, when the output voltage is less than led turn-on voltage, the LED does not light; when the output analog
voltage is greater than the LED voltage, the LED lights. This leads to a certain degree of waste of resources.
Therefore, in the control of LED brightness, we should choose a more reasonable way of PWM control. In this
chapter, we learn to control the brightness of LED through a potentiometer.

Project 10.1 Soft Light

In this project, we will make a soft light. We will use an ADC Module to read ADC values of a potentiometer
and map it to duty cycle of the PWM used to control the brightness of a LED. Then you can change the
brightness of a LED by adjusting the potentiometer.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Rotary potentiometer x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 LED x1 Jumper M/M x5

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 10 Potentiometer & LED 107

Circuit

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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108 Chapter 10 Potentiometer & LED www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_10.1_Softlight

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, by turning the adjustable resistor to change the input voltage of
GPIO25, ESP32 changes the output voltage of GPIO4 according to this voltage value, thus changing the
brightness of the LED.
The following is the code:
1 #define PIN_ANALOG_IN 4
2 #define PIN_LED 25
3 #define CHAN 0
4 void setup() {
5 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_LED, 1000, 12, CHAN);
6 }
7
8 void loop() {
9 int adcVal = analogRead(PIN_ANALOG_IN); //read adc
10 int pwmVal = adcVal; // adcVal re-map to pwmVal
11 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, pwmVal); // set the pulse width.
12 delay(10);
13 }
In the code, read the ADC value of potentiometer and map it to the duty cycle of PWM to control LED
brightness.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED 109

Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED

In this chapter, we will learn how to use a photoresistor.

Project 11.1 NightLamp

A photoresistor is very sensitive to the amount of light present. We can take advantage of the characteristic
to make a nightlight with the following function: when the ambient light is less (darker environment) the LED
will automatically become brighter to compensate and when the ambient light is greater (brighter
environment) the LED will automatically dim to compensate.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Photoresistor x1 Resistor LED x1 Jumper M/M x4

220Ω x1 10KΩ x1

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110 Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED www.freenove.com █

Component knowledge

Photoresistor
A photoresistor is simply a light sensitive resistor. It is an active component that decreases resistance with
respect to receiving luminosity (light) on the component's light sensitive surface. A photoresistor’s resistance
value will change in proportion to the ambient light detected. With this characteristic, we can use a
photoresistor to detect light intensity. The photoresistor and its electronic symbol are as follows.

The circuit below is used to detect the change of a photoresistor’s resistance value:

In the above circuit, when a photoresistor’s resistance vale changes due to a change in light intensity, the
voltage between the photoresistor and resistor R1 will also change. Therefore, the intensity of the light can
be obtained by measuring this voltage.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED 111

Circuit

The circuit of this project is similar to project Soft Light. The only difference is that the input signal is changed
from a potentiometer to a combination of a photoresistor and a resistor.
Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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112 Chapter 11 Photoresistor & LED www.freenove.com █

Sketch

The circuit used is similar to the project Soft Light. The only difference is that the input signal of the AIN0 pin
of ADC changes from a potentiometer to a combination of a photoresistor and a resistor.
Sketch_11.1_Nightlamp

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, if you cover the photoresistor or increase the light shining on it, the
brightness of the LED changes accordingly.
The following is the program code:
1 #define PIN_ANALOG_IN 4
2 #define PIN_LED 12
3 #define CHAN 0
4 #define LIGHT_MIN 372
5 #define LIGHT_MAX 2048
6 void setup() {
7 ledcAttachChannal(PIN_LED, 1000, 12, CHAN);
8 }
9
10 void loop() {
11 int adcVal = analogRead(PIN_ANALOG_IN); //read adc
12 // adcVal re-map to pwmVal
13 int pwmVal = map(constrain(adcVal, LIGHT_MIN, LIGHT_MAX), LIGHT_MIN, LIGHT_MAX, 0, 4095);
14 ledcWrite(PIN_LED, pwmVal); // set the pulse width.
15 delay(10);
16 }
Reference
constrain(amt,low,high)
#define constrain(amt,low,high) ((amt)<(low)? (low):((amt)>(high)? (high):(amt)))
Constrain the value amt between low and high.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 12 Thermistor 113

Chapter 12 Thermistor
In this chapter, we will learn about thermistors which are another kind of resistor

Project 12.1 Thermometer

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance value is dependent on temperature and changes in
temperature. Therefore, we can take advantage of this characteristic to make a thermometer.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Breadboard x1

Thermistor x1 Resistor 10kΩ x1 Jumper M/M x3

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114 Chapter 12 Thermistor www.freenove.com █

Component knowledge

Thermistor
A thermistor is a temperature sensitive resistor. When it senses a change in temperature, the resistance of the
thermistor will change. We can take advantage of this characteristic by using a thermistor to detect
temperature intensity. A thermistor and its electronic symbol are shown below.

The relationship between resistance value and temperature of a thermistor is:

1 1
Rt = R ∗ EXP[ B ∗ ( − ) ]
T2 T1
Where:
Rt is the thermistor resistance under T2 temperature;
R is the nominal resistance of thermistor under T1 temperature;
EXP[n] is nth power of E;
B is for thermal index;
T1, T2 is Kelvin temperature (absolute temperature). Kelvin temperature=273.15 + Celsius temperature.
For the parameters of the thermistor, we use: B=3950, R=10k, T1=25.
The circuit connection method of the thermistor is similar to photoresistor, as the following:

We can use the value measured by the ADC converter to obtain the resistance value of thermistor, and then
we can use the formula to obtain the temperature value.
Therefore, the temperature formula can be derived as:

1 𝑅𝑡
T2 = 1/( + ln ( )/𝐵)
T1 R

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 12 Thermistor 115

Circuit

The circuit of this project is similar to the one in the last chapter. The only difference is that the photoresistor
is replaced by the thermistor.
Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please feel free to contact us via: support@freenove.com

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116 Chapter 12 Thermistor www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_12.1_Thermometer

Download the code to ESP32-WROVER, the terminal window will display the current ADC value, voltage value
and temperature value. Try to “pinch” the thermistor (without touching the leads) with your index finger and
thumb for a brief time, you should see that the temperature value increases.
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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 12 Thermistor 117

The following is the code:

1 #define PIN_ANALOG_IN 4
2 void setup() {
3 Serial.begin(115200);
4 }
5
6 void loop() {
7 int adcValue = analogRead(PIN_ANALOG_IN); //read ADC pin
8 double voltage = (float)adcValue / 4095.0 * 3.3;// calculate voltage
9 double Rt = 10 * voltage / (3.3 - voltage); //calculate resistance value of thermistor
10 double tempK = 1 / (1/(273.15 + 25) + log(Rt / 10)/3950.0);//calculate temperature (Kelvin)
11 double tempC = tempK - 273.15; //calculate temperature (Celsius)
12 Serial.printf("ADC value : %d,\tVoltage : %.2fV, \tTemperature : %.2fC\n", adcValue,
voltage, tempC);
13 delay(1000);
14 }

In the code, the ADC value of ADC module A0 port is read, and then calculates the voltage and the resistance
of thermistor according to Ohms Law. Finally, it calculates the temperature sensed by the thermistor,
according to the formula.

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118 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Chapter 13 Bluetooth
This chapter mainly introduces how to make simple data transmission through Bluetooth of ESP32-WROVER
and mobile phones.
Project 13.1 is classic Bluetooth and Project 13.2 is low power Bluetooth.If you are an iPhone user, please start
with Project 13.2.

Project 13.1 Bluetooth Passthrough

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 Micro USB Wire x1

In this tutorial we need to use a Bluetooth APP called Serial Bluetooth Terminal to assist in the experiment. If
you've not installed it yet, please do so by clicking: https://www.appsapk.com/serial-bluetooth-terminal/ The
following is its logo.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 119

Component knowledge

ESP32's integrated Bluetooth function Bluetooth is a short-distance communication system, which can be
divided into two types, namely Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) and Classic Bluetooth. There are two modes for
simple data transmission: master mode and slave mode.
Master mode
In this mode, works are done in the master device and it can connect with a slave device. And we can search
and select slave devices nearby to connect with. When a device initiates connection request in master mode,
it requires information of the other Bluetooth devices including their address and pairing passkey. After
finishing pairing, it can connect with them directly.
Slave mode
The Bluetooth module in slave mode can only accept connection request from a host computer, but cannot
initiate a connection request. After connecting with a host device, it can send data to or receive from the host
device.
Bluetooth devices can make data interaction with each other, as one is in master mode and the other in slave
mode. When they are making data interaction, the Bluetooth device in master mode searches and selects
devices nearby to connect to. When establishing connection, they can exchange data. When mobile phones
exchange data with ESP32, they are usually in master mode and ESP32 in slave mode.

Slave

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120 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

Sketch

Sketch_13.1_SerialToSerialBT

Compile and upload the code to the ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor, and set the baud rate to
115200. When you see the serial printing out the character string as below, it indicates that the Bluetooth of
ESP32 is ready and waiting to connect with the mobile phone.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 121

Make sure that the Bluetooth of your phone has been turned on and Serial Bluetooth Terminal has been
installed.

Click "Search" to search Bluetooth devices nearby and select "ESP32 test" to connect to.

Turn on software APP, click the left of the terminal. Select "Devices"

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122 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Select ESP32test in classic Bluetooth mode, and a successful connecting prompt will appear as shown on the
right illustration.

And now data can be transferred between your mobile phone and computer via ESP32-WROVER.

Send 'Hello!'' from your phone, when the computer receives it, reply "Hi" to your phone.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 123

Reference
Class BluetoothSerial
This is a class library used to operate BluetoothSerial, which can directly read and set BluetoothSerial.
Here are some member functions:
begin(localName,isMaster): Initialization function of the Bluetooth
name: name of Bluetooth module; Data type: String
isMaster: bool type, whether to set Bluetooth as Master. By default, it is false.
available(): acquire digits sent from the buffer, if not, return 0.
read(): read data from Bluetooth, data type of return value is int.
readString(): read data from Bluetooth, data type of return value is String.
write(val): send an int data val to Bluetooth.
write(str): send an Srtring data str to Bluetooth.
write(buf, len): Sends the first len data in the buf Array to Bluetooth.
setPin(const char *pin): set a four-digit Bluetooth pairing code. By default, it is 1234
connet(remoteName): connect a Bluetooth named remoteName, data type: String
connect(remoteAddress[]): connect the physical address of Bluetooth, data type: uint8-t.
disconnect():disconnect all Bluetooth devices.
end(): disconnect all Bluetooth devices and turn off the Bluetooth, release all occupied space

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124 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Project 13.2 Bluetooth Low Energy Data Passthrough

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 Micro USB Wire x1

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 125

Sketch

Sketch_13.2_BLE

Serial Bluetooth
Compile and upload code to ESP32, the operation is similar to the last section.
First, make sure you've turned on the mobile phone Bluetooth, and then open the software.

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126 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Click "Search" to search Bluetooth devices nearby and select "ESP32 test" to connect to.

Turn on software APP, click the left of the terminal. Select "Devices"

Select BLUETOOTHLE, click SCAN to scan Low Energy Bluetooth devices nearby.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 127

Select"ESP32-Bluetooth"

Lightblue
If you can't install Serial Bluetooth on your phone, try LightBlue.If you do not have this software installed on
your phone, you can refer to this link：
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lightblue/id557428110#?platform=iphone.

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128 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Step1. Upload the code of Project27.2 to ESP32.

Step2. Click on serial monitor.

1 2

Step3. Set baud rate to 115200.

Turn ON Bluetooth on your phone, and open the Lightblue APP.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 129

In the Scan page, swipe down to refresh the name of Bluetooth that the phone searches for. Click
ESP32_Bluetooth.

Receive

Click “Receive”. Select the appropriate Data format in the box to the right of Data Format. For example, HEX
for hexadecimal, utf-string for character, Binary for Binary, etc. Then click SUBSCRIBE.

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130 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Back to the serial monitor on your computer. You can type anything in the left border of Send, and then click
Send.

And then you can see the mobile Bluetooth has received the message.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 131

Similarly, you can select “Send” on your phone. Set Data format, and then enter anything in the sending box
and click Write to send.

Send

And the computer will receive the message from the mobile Bluetooth.

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132 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

And now data can be transferred between your mobile phone and computer via ESP32-WROVER.
The following is the program code:
1 #include <BLEDevice.h>
2 #include <BLEServer.h>
3 #include <BLEUtils.h>
4 #include <BLE2902.h>
5 #include <String.h>
6
7 BLECharacteristic *pCharacteristic;
8 bool deviceConnected = false;
9 uint8_t txValue = 0;
10 long lastMsg = 0;
11 String rxload="Test\n";
12
13 #define SERVICE_UUID "6E400001-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"
14 #define CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_RX "6E400002-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"
15 #define CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_TX "6E400003-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"
16
17 class MyServerCallbacks: public BLEServerCallbacks {
18 void onConnect(BLEServer* pServer) {
19 deviceConnected = true;
20 };
21 void onDisconnect(BLEServer* pServer) {
22 deviceConnected = false;
23 }
24 };
25
26 class MyCallbacks: public BLECharacteristicCallbacks {
27 void onWrite(BLECharacteristic *pCharacteristic) {
28 std::string rxValue = pCharacteristic->getValue();
29 if (rxValue.length() > 0) {
30 rxload="";
31 for (int i = 0; i < rxValue.length(); i++){
32 rxload +=(char)rxValue[i];
33 }
34 }
35 }
36 };
37
38 void setupBLE(String BLEName){
39 const char *ble_name=BLEName.c_str();
40 BLEDevice::init(ble_name);
41 BLEServer *pServer = BLEDevice::createServer();
42 pServer->setCallbacks(new MyServerCallbacks());

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 133

43 BLEService *pService = pServer->createService(SERVICE_UUID);

44 pCharacteristic=
pService->createCharacteristic(CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_TX,BLECharacteristic::PROPERTY_NOTIFY);
45 pCharacteristic->addDescriptor(new BLE2902());
46 BLECharacteristic *pCharacteristic =
pService->createCharacteristic(CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_RX,BLECharacteristic::PROPERTY_WRITE);
47 pCharacteristic->setCallbacks(new MyCallbacks());
48 pService->start();
49 pServer->getAdvertising()->start();
50 Serial.println("Waiting a client connection to notify...");
51 }
52
53 void setup() {
54 Serial.begin(9600);
55 setupBLE("ESP32_Bluetooth");
56 }
57
58 void loop() {
59 long now = millis();
60 if (now - lastMsg > 1000) {
61 if (deviceConnected&&rxload.length()>0) {
62 Serial.println(rxload);
63 rxload="";
64 }
65 if(Serial.available()>0){
66 String str=Serial.readString();
67 const char *newValue=str.c_str();
68 pCharacteristic->setValue(newValue);
69 pCharacteristic->notify();
70 }
71 lastMsg = now;
72 }
73 }
Define the specified UUID number for BLE vendor.
13 #define SERVICE_UUID "6E400001-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"
14 #define CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_RX "6E400002-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"
15 #define CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_TX "6E400003-B5A3-F393-E0A9-E50E24DCCA9E"

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134 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Write a Callback function for BLE server to manage connection of BLE.

17 class MyServerCallbacks: public BLEServerCallbacks {
18 void onConnect(BLEServer* pServer) {
19 deviceConnected = true;
20 };
21 void onDisconnect(BLEServer* pServer) {
22 deviceConnected = false;
23 }
24 };
Write Callback function with BLE features. When it is called, as the mobile terminal send data to ESP32, it will
store them into reload.
26 class MyCallbacks: public BLECharacteristicCallbacks {
27 void onWrite(BLECharacteristic *pCharacteristic) {
28 std::string rxValue = pCharacteristic->getValue();
29 if (rxValue.length() > 0) {
30 rxload="";
31 for (int i = 0; i < rxValue.length(); i++){
32 rxload +=(char)rxValue[i];
33 }
34 }
35 }
36 };
Initialize the BLE function and name it.
55 setupBLE("ESP32_Bluetooth");
When the mobile phone send data to ESP32 via BLE Bluetooth, it will print them out with serial port; When
the serial port of ESP32 receive data, it will send them to mobile via BLE Bluetooth.
59 long now = millis();
60 if (now - lastMsg > 1000) {
61 if (deviceConnected&&rxload.length()>0) {
62 Serial.println(rxload);
63 rxload="";
64 }
65 if(Serial.available()>0){
66 String str=Serial.readString();
67 const char *newValue=str.c_str();
68 pCharacteristic->setValue(newValue);
69 pCharacteristic->notify();
70 }
71 lastMsg = now;
72 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 135

The design for creating the BLE server is:

1. Create a BLE Server
2. Create a BLE Service
3. Create a BLE Characteristic on the Service
4. Create a BLE Descriptor on the characteristic
5. Start the service.
6. Start advertising.
38 void setupBLE(String BLEName){
39 const char *ble_name=BLEName.c_str();
40 BLEDevice::init(ble_name);
41 BLEServer *pServer = BLEDevice::createServer();
42 pServer->setCallbacks(new MyServerCallbacks());
43 BLEService *pService = pServer->createService(SERVICE_UUID);
44 pCharacteristic=
pService->createCharacteristic(CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_TX,BLECharacteristic::PROPERTY_NOTIFY);
45 pCharacteristic->addDescriptor(new BLE2902());
46 BLECharacteristic *pCharacteristic =
pService->createCharacteristic(CHARACTERISTIC_UUID_RX,BLECharacteristic::PROPERTY_WRITE);
47 pCharacteristic->setCallbacks(new MyCallbacks());
48 pService->start();
49 pServer->getAdvertising()->start();
50 Serial.println("Waiting a client connection to notify...");
51 }

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136 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Project 13.3 Bluetooth Control LED

In this section, we will control the LED with Bluetooth.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 GPIO Extension Board x1

Micro USB Wire x1 LED x1 Resistor 220Ω x1 Jumper M/M x2

Breadboard x1

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 137

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using a USB cable.

Schematic diagram

Hardware connection. If you need any support, please contact us via: support@freenove.com

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138 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_13.3_Bluetooth_Control_LED

Compile and upload code to ESP32. The operation of the APP is the same as 27.1, you only need to change
the sending content to "led_on" and "led_off" to operate LEDs on the ESP32-WROVER.
Data sent from mobile APP:

Display on the serial port of the computer:

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 139

The phenomenon of LED

Send: “led_on”

Send: “led_off”

Attention: If the sending content isn't "led-on' or "led-off", then the state of LED will not change. If the LED is
on, when receiving irrelevant content, it keeps on; Correspondingly, if the LED is off, when receiving irrelevant
content, it keeps off.

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140 Chapter 13 Bluetooth www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 #include "BluetoothSerial.h"
2 #include "string.h"
3 #define LED 2
4 BluetoothSerial SerialBT;
5 char buffer[20];
6 static int count = 0;
7 void setup() {
8 pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
9 SerialBT.begin("ESP32test"); //Bluetooth device name
10 Serial.begin(115200);
11 Serial.println("\The device started, now you can pair it with Bluetooth! ");
12 }
13
14 void loop() {
15 while(SerialBT.available())
16 {
17 buffer[count] = SerialBT.read();
18 count++;
19 }
20 if(count>0){
21 Serial.print(buffer);
22 if(strncmp(buffer,"led_on",6)==0){
23 digitalWrite(LED,LOW);
24 }
25 if(strncmp(buffer,"led_off",7)==0){
26 digitalWrite(LED,HIGH);
27 }
28 count=0;
29 memset(buffer,0,20);
30 }
31 }
Use character string to handle function header file.
1 #include "string.h"
Define a buffer to receive data from Bluetooth, and use "count" to record the bytes of data received.
17 char buffer[20];
18 static int count = 0;
Initialize the classic Bluetooth and name it as "ESP32test"
26 SerialBT.begin("ESP32test"); //Bluetooth device name

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 13 Bluetooth 141

When receive data, read the Bluetooth data and store it into buffer array.
15 while(SerialBT.available()){
16 buffer[count] = SerialBT.read();
17 count++;
18 }
Compare the content in buffer array with "led_on" and "led_off" to see whether they are the same. If yes,
execute the corresponding operation.
22 if(strncmp(buffer,"led_on",6)==0){
23 digitalWrite(LED,LOW);
24 }
25 if(strncmp(buffer,"led_off",7)==0){
26 digitalWrite(LED,HIGH);
27 }
After comparing the content of array, to ensure successful transmission next time, please empty the array
and set the count to zero.
28 count=0;
29 memset(buffer,0,20);

Reference
strncmp() functions are often used for string comparisons, which are accurate and stable.
int strncmp(const char *str1, const char *str2, size_t n)
str1: the first string to be compared
str2: the second string to be compared
n: the biggest string to be compared
Return value: if stir1>str2, then return value>0.
If return value is 0, then the contents of str1 and str2 are the same.
If str1< str2, then return value<0.
Function memset is mainly used to clean and initialize the memory of array
void *memset(void *s, int c, unsigned long n)
Function memset() is to set the content of a certain internal storage as specified value.
*s: the initial address of the content to clear out.
c:to be replaced as specified value
n: the number of byte to be replaced

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142 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard

Note: The SD card chapter only applies to the ESP32 WROVER development board with an SD card slot on
the back. If your ESP32 WROVER does not have an SD card slot on the back, please skip this chapter.
An SDcard slot is integrated on the back of the ESP32 WROVER. In this chapter we learn how to use ESP32 to
read and write SDcard.

Project 14.1 SDMMC Test

Component List

ESP32 WROVER x1 USB cable x1 SDcard reader x1 (random color) SDcard x1

(Not a USB flash drive.)

Component knowledge

SD card read and write method

ESP32 has two ways to use SD card, one is to use the SPI interface to access the SD card, and the other is to
use the SDMMC interface to access the SD card. SPI mode uses 4 IOs to access SD card. The SDMMC has
one-bit bus mode and four-bit bus mode. In one-bit bus mode, SDMMC use 3 IOs to access SD card. In four-
bit bus mode, SDMMC uses 6 IOs to access the SD card.

The above three methods can all be used to access the SD card, the difference is that the access speed is
different.

In the four-bit bus mode of SDMMC, the reading and writing speed of accessing the SD card is the fastest. In
the one-bit bus mode of SDMMC, the access speed is about 80% of the four-bit bus mode. The access speed
of SPI is the slowest, which is about 50% of the four-bit bus mode of SDMMC.

Usually, we recommend using the one-bit bus mode to access the SD card, because in this mode, we only
need to use the least pin IO to access the SD card with good performance and speed.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard 143

Format SD card

Before starting the tutorial, we need to create a drive letter for the blank SD card and format it. This step
requires a card reader and SD card. Please prepare them in advance. Below we will guide you to do it on
different computer systems. You can choose the guide that matches your computer.
Windows
Insert the SD card into the card reader, then insert the card reader into the computer.
In the Windows search box, enter "Disk Management" and select "Create and format hard disk partitions".

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144 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

In the new pop-up window, find an unallocated volume close to 1G in size.

Click to select the volume, right-click and select "New Simple Volume".

Click Next.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard 145

You can choose the drive letter on the right, or you can choose the default. By default, just click Next.

File system is FAT(or FAT32). The Allocation unit size is 16K, and the Volume label can be set to any name.
After setting, click Next.

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146 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

Click Finish. Wait for the SD card initialization to complete.

At this point, you can see the SD card in This PC.

MAC
Insert the SD card into the card reader, then insert the card reader into the computer. Some computers will
prompt the following information, please click to ignore it.

Find "Disk Utility" in the MAC system and click to open it.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard 147

Select "Generic MassStorageClass Media", note that its size is about 1G. Please do not choose wrong item.
Click "Erase".

Select the configuration as shown in the figure below, and then click "Erase".

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148 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

Wait for the formatting to complete. When finished, it will look like the picture below. At this point, you can
see a new disk on the desktop named "SD".

Circuit

Before connecting the USB cable, insert the SD card into the SD card slot on the back of the ESP32.

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard 149

Sketch

Sketch_14.1_SDMMC_Test

Compile and upload the code to ESP32, open the serial monitor, and press the RST button on the board.
You can see the printout as shown below.

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150 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

The following is the program code:

1 #include "sd_read_write.h"
2 #include "SD_MMC.h"
3
4 #define SD_MMC_CMD 15 //Please do not modify it.
5 #define SD_MMC_CLK 14 //Please do not modify it.
6 #define SD_MMC_D0 2 //Please do not modify it.
7
8 void setup(){
9 Serial.begin(115200);
10 SD_MMC.setPins(SD_MMC_CLK, SD_MMC_CMD, SD_MMC_D0);
11 if (!SD_MMC.begin("/sdcard", true, true, SDMMC_FREQ_DEFAULT, 5)) {
12 Serial.println("Card Mount Failed");
13 return;
14 }
15 uint8_t cardType = SD_MMC.cardType();
16 if(cardType == CARD_NONE){
17 Serial.println("No SD_MMC card attached");
18 return;
19 }
20 Serial.print("SD_MMC Card Type: ");
21 if(cardType == CARD_MMC){
22 Serial.println("MMC");
23 } else if(cardType == CARD_SD){
24 Serial.println("SDSC");
25 } else if(cardType == CARD_SDHC){
26 Serial.println("SDHC");
27 } else {
28 Serial.println("UNKNOWN");
29 }
30
31 uint64_t cardSize = SD_MMC.cardSize() / (1024 * 1024);
32 Serial.printf("SD_MMC Card Size: %lluMB\n", cardSize);
33
34 listDir(SD_MMC, "/", 0);
35
36 createDir(SD_MMC, "/mydir");
37 listDir(SD_MMC, "/", 0);
38
39 removeDir(SD_MMC, "/mydir");
40 listDir(SD_MMC, "/", 2);
41
42 writeFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "Hello ");
43 appendFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "World!\n");

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard 151

44 readFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt");
45
46 deleteFile(SD_MMC, "/foo.txt");
47 renameFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "/foo.txt");
48 readFile(SD_MMC, "/foo.txt");
49
50 testFileIO(SD_MMC, "/test.txt");
51
52 Serial.printf("Total space: %lluMB\r\n", SD_MMC.totalBytes() / (1024 * 1024));
53 Serial.printf("Used space: %lluMB\r\n", SD_MMC.usedBytes() / (1024 * 1024));
54 }
55
56 void loop(){
57 delay(10000);
58 }
Add the SD card drive header file.
1 #include "sd_read_write.h"
2 #include "SD_MMC.h"
Defines the drive pins of the SD card. Please do not modify it. Because these pins are fixed.
4 #define SD_MMC_CMD 15 //Please do not modify it.
5 #define SD_MMC_CLK 14 //Please do not modify it.
6 #define SD_MMC_D0 2 //Please do not modify it.
Initialize the serial port function. Sets the drive pin for SDMMC one-bit bus mode.
9 Serial.begin(115200);
10 SD_MMC.setPins(SD_MMC_CLK, SD_MMC_CMD, SD_MMC_D0);
Set the mount point of the SD card, set SDMMC to one-bit bus mode, and set the read and write speed to
20MHz.
11 if (!SD_MMC.begin("/sdcard", true, true, SDMMC_FREQ_DEFAULT, 5)) {
12 Serial.println("Card Mount Failed");
13 return;
14 }
Get the type of SD card and print it out through the serial port.
15 uint8_t cardType = SD_MMC.cardType();
16 if(cardType == CARD_NONE){
17 Serial.println("No SD_MMC card attached");
18 return;
19 }
20 Serial.print("SD_MMC Card Type: ");
21 if(cardType == CARD_MMC){
22 Serial.println("MMC");
23 } else if(cardType == CARD_SD){
24 Serial.println("SDSC");
25 } else if(cardType == CARD_SDHC){
26 Serial.println("SDHC");

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152 Chapter 14 Read and Write the Sdcard www.freenove.com █

27 } else {
28 Serial.println("UNKNOWN");
29 }
Call the listDir() function to read the folder and file names in the SD card, and print them out through the
serial port. This function can be found in "sd_read_write.cpp".
34 listDir(SD_MMC, "/", 0);
Call createDir() to create a folder, and call removeDir() to delete a folder.
36 createDir(SD_MMC, "/mydir");
39 removeDir(SD_MMC, "/mydir");
Call writeFile() to write any content to the txt file. If there is no such file, create this file first.
Call appendFile() to append any content to txt.
Call readFile() to read the content in txt and print it via the serial port.
42 writeFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "Hello ");
43 appendFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "World!\n");
44 readFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt");
Call deleteFile() to delete a specified file.
Call renameFile() to copy a file and rename it.
46 deleteFile(SD_MMC, "/foo.txt");
47 renameFile(SD_MMC, "/hello.txt", "/foo.txt");
Call the testFileIO() function to test the time it takes to read 512 bytes and the time it takes to write 2048*512
bytes of data.
50 testFileIO(SD_MMC, "/test.txt");
Print the total size and used size of the SD card via the serial port.
52 Serial.printf("Total space: %lluMB\r\n", SD_MMC.totalBytes() / (1024 * 1024));
53 Serial.printf("Used space: %lluMB\r\n", SD_MMC.usedBytes() / (1024 * 1024));

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 153

Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes

In this chapter, we'll focus on the WiFi infrastructure for ESP32-WROVER.
ESP32-WROVER has 3 different WiFi operating modes: station mode, AP mode and AP+station mode. All
WiFi programming projects must be configured with WiFi operating mode before using WiFi, otherwise WiFi
cannot be used.

Project 15.1 Station mode

Component List

Micro USB Wire x1 ESP32-WROVER x1

Component knowledge

Station mode
When ESP32 selects Station mode, it acts as a WiFi client. It can connect to the router network and
communicate with other devices on the router via WiFi connection. As shown below, the PC is connected to
the router, and if ESP32 wants to communicate with the PC, it needs to be connected to the router.

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154 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

Sketch

Sketch_15.1_Station_mode

Enter the correct Router

name and password.

Because the names and passwords of routers in various places are different, before the Sketch runs, users
need to enter the correct router’s name and password in the box as shown in the illustration above.
After making sure the router name and password are entered correctly, compile and upload codes to ESP32-
WROVER, open serial monitor and set baud rate to 115200. And then it will display as follows:

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 155

When ESP32-WROVER successfully connects to “ssid_Router”, serial monitor will print out the IP address
assigned to ESP32-WROVER by the router.
The following is the program code:
1 #include <WiFi.h>
2
3 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_Router = "********"; //Enter the router password
5
6 void setup(){
7 Serial.begin(115200);
8 delay(2000);
9 Serial.println("Setup start");
10 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
11 Serial.println(String("Connecting to ")+ssid_Router);
12 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
13 delay(500);
14 Serial.print(".");
15 }
16 Serial.println("\nConnected, IP address: ");
17 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
18 Serial.println("Setup End");
19 }
20
21 void loop() {
22 }
Include the WiFi Library header file of ESP32.
1 #include <WiFi.h>

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156 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

Enter correct router name and password.

3 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_Router = "********"; //Enter the router password
Set ESP32 in Station mode and connect it to your router.
10 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
Check whether ESP32 has connected to router successfully every 0.5s.
12 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
13 delay(500);
14 Serial.print(".");
15 }
Serial monitor prints out the IP address assigned to ESP32-WROVER
17 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
Reference
Class Station
Every time when using WiFi, you need to include header file "WiFi.h.".
begin(ssid, password,channel, bssid, connect): ESP32 is used as Station to connect hotspot.
ssid: WiFi hotspot name
password: WiFi hotspot password
channel: WiFi hotspot channel number; communicating through specified channel; optional parameter
bssid: mac address of WiFi hotspot, optional parameter
connect: blloean optional parameter, defaulting to true. If set as false, then ESP32 won't connect WiFi.
config(local_ip, gateway, subnet, dns1, dns2): set static local IP address.
local_ip: station fixed IP address.
subnet：subnet mask
dns1,dns2: optional parameter. define IP address of domain name server
status: obtain the connection status of WiFI
local IP(): obtian IP address in Station mode
disconnect(): disconnect wifi
setAutoConnect(boolen): set automatic connection Every time ESP32 is power on, it will connect WiFi
aitomatically.
setAutoReconnect(boolen): set automatic reconnection Every time ESP32 disconnects WiFi, it will
reconnect to WiFi automatically.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 157

Project 15.2 AP mode

Component List & Circuit

Component List & Circuit are the same as in Section 30.1.

Component knowledge

AP mode
When ESP32 selects AP mode, it creates a hotspot network that is separate from the Internet and waits for
other WiFi devices to connect. As shown in the figure below, ESP32 is used as a hotspot. If a mobile phone or
PC wants to communicate with ESP32, it must be connected to the hotspot of ESP32. Only after a connection
is established with ESP32 can they communicate.

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

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158 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Set a name and a

password for ESP32 AP.

Before the Sketch runs, you can make any changes to the AP name and password for ESP32 in the box as
shown in the illustration above. Of course, you can leave it alone by default.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 159

Compile and upload codes to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to 115200. And
then it will display as follows.

When observing the print information of the serial monitor, turn on the WiFi scanning function of your phone,
and you can see the ssid_AP on ESP32, which is called "WiFi_Name" in this Sketch. You can enter the password
"12345678" to connect it or change its AP name and password by modifying Sketch.

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160 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

Sketch_15.2_AP_mode
The following is the program code:
1 #include <WiFi.h>
2
3 const char *ssid_AP = "WiFi_Name"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_AP = "12345678"; //Enter the router password
5
6 IPAddress local_IP(192,168,1,100);//Set the IP address of ESP32 itself
7 IPAddress gateway(192,168,1,10); //Set the gateway of ESP32 itself
8 IPAddress subnet(255,255,255,0); //Set the subnet mask for ESP32 itself
9
10 void setup(){
11 Serial.begin(115200);
12 delay(2000);
13 Serial.println("Setting soft-AP configuration ... ");
14 WiFi.disconnect();
15 WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
16 Serial.println(WiFi.softAPConfig(local_IP, gateway, subnet) ? "Ready" : "Failed!");
17 Serial.println("Setting soft-AP ... ");
18 boolean result = WiFi.softAP(ssid_AP, password_AP);
19 if(result){
20 Serial.println("Ready");
21 Serial.println(String("Soft-AP IP address = ") + WiFi.softAPIP().toString());
22 Serial.println(String("MAC address = ") + WiFi.softAPmacAddress().c_str());
23 }else{
24 Serial.println("Failed!");
25 }
26 Serial.println("Setup End");
27 }
28
29 void loop() {
30 }
Include WiFi Library header file of ESP32.
1 #include <WiFi.h>
Enter correct AP name and password.
3 const char *ssid_AP = "WiFi_Name"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_AP = "12345678"; //Enter the router password
Set ESP32 in AP mode.
15 WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
Configure IP address, gateway and subnet mask for ESP32.
16 WiFi.softAPConfig(local_IP, gateway, subnet)
Turn on an AP in ESP32, whose name is set by ssid_AP and password is set by password_AP.
18 WiFi.softAP(ssid_AP, password_AP);

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 161

Check whether the AP is turned on successfully. If yes, print out IP and MAC address of AP established by
ESP32. If no, print out the failure prompt.
19 if(result){
20 Serial.println("Ready");
21 Serial.println(String("Soft-AP IP address = ") + WiFi.softAPIP().toString());
22 Serial.println(String("MAC address = ") + WiFi.softAPmacAddress().c_str());
23 }else{
24 Serial.println("Failed!");
25 }
26 Serial.println("Setup End");
Reference
Class AP
Every time when using WiFi, you need to include header file "WiFi.h.".
softAP(ssid, password, channel, ssid_hidden, max_connection):
ssid: WiFi hotspot name
password: WiFi hotspot password
channel: Number of WiFi connection channels, range 1-13. The default is 1.
ssid_hidden: Whether to hide WiFi name from scanning by other devices. The default is not hide.
max_connection: Maximum number of WiFi connected devices. The range is 1-4. The default is 4.
softAPConfig(local_ip, gateway, subnet): set static local IP address.
local_ip: station fixed IP address.
Gateway: gateway IP address
subnet：subnet mask
softAP(): obtian IP address in AP mode
softAPdisconnect (): disconnect AP mode.

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162 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

Project 14.3 AP+Station mode

Component List

Micro USB Wire x1 ESP32-WROVER x1

Component knowledge

AP+Station mode
In addition to AP mode and station mode, ESP32 can also use AP mode and station mode at the same time.
This mode contains the functions of the previous two modes. Turn on ESP32's station mode, connect it to the
router network, and it can communicate with the Internet via the router. At the same time, turn on its AP
mode to create a hotspot network. Other WiFi devices can choose to connect to the router network or the
hotspot network to communicate with ESP32.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 163

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using the USB cable.

Sketch

Sketch_15.3_AP_Station_mode

Please enter the correct

names and passwords of
Router and AP.

It is analogous to Project 15.1 and Project 15.2. Before running the Sketch, you need to modify ssid_Router,
password_Router, ssid_AP and password_AP shown in the box of the illustration above.

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164 Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes www.freenove.com █

After making sure that Sketch is modified correctly, compile and upload codes to ESP32-WROVER, open serial
monitor and set baud rate to 115200. And then it will display as follows:

When observing the print information of the serial monitor, turn on the WiFi scanning function of your phone,
and you can see the ssid_AP on ESP32.

The following is the program code:

1 #include <WiFi.h>
2
3 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_Router = "********"; //Enter the router password
5 const char *ssid_AP = "WiFi_Name"; //Enter the AP name
6 const char *password_AP = "12345678"; //Enter the AP password
7
8 void setup(){
9 Serial.begin(115200);
10 Serial.println("Setting soft-AP configuration ... ");
11 WiFi.disconnect();

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 15 WiFi Working Modes 165

12 WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
13 Serial.println("Setting soft-AP ... ");
14 boolean result = WiFi.softAP(ssid_AP, password_AP);
15 if(result){
16 Serial.println("Ready");
17 Serial.println(String("Soft-AP IP address = ") + WiFi.softAPIP().toString());
18 Serial.println(String("MAC address = ") + WiFi.softAPmacAddress().c_str());
19 }else{
20 Serial.println("Failed!");
21 }
22
23 Serial.println("\nSetting Station configuration ... ");
24 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
25 Serial.println(String("Connecting to ")+ ssid_Router);
26 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
27 delay(500);
28 Serial.print(".");
29 }
30 Serial.println("\nConnected, IP address: ");
31 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
32 Serial.println("Setup End");
33 }
34
35 void loop() {
36 }

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166 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Chapter 16 TCP/IP
In this chapter, we will introduce how ESP32 implements network communications based on TCP/IP protocol.
There are two roles in TCP/IP communication, namely Server and Client, which will be implemented
respectively with two projects in this chapter.

Project 16.1 As Client

In this section, ESP32 is used as Client to connect Server on the same LAN and communicate with it.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 Micro USB Wire x1

Component knowledge

TCP connection
Before transmitting data, TCP needs to establish a logical connection between the sending end and the
receiving end. It provides reliable and error-free data transmission between the two computers. In the TCP
connection, the client and the server must be clarified. The client sends a connection request to the server,
and each time such a request is proposed, a "three-times handshake" is required.

Three-times handshake: In the TCP protocol, during the preparation phase of sending data, the client and the
server interact three times to ensure the reliability of the connection, which is called "three-times handshake".
The first handshake, the client sends a connection request to the server and waits for the server to confirm.
The second handshake, the server sends a response back to the client informing that it has received the
connection request.
The third handshake, the client sends a confirmation message to the server again to confirm the connection.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 167

the first handshake

the second handshake

the third handshake

TCP is a connection-oriented, low-level transmission control protocol. After TCP establishes a connection, the
client and server can send and receive messages to each other, and the connection will always exist as long
as the client or server does not initiate disconnection. Each time one party sends a message, the other party
will reply with an ack signal.

The client sends a data

message, and the server
replies with a
confirmation signal.

The server sends a data

message, and the client
replies with a
confirmation signal.

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168 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Install Processing
In this tutorial, we use Processing to build a simple TCP/IP communication platform.
If you've not installed Processing, you can download it by clicking https://processing.org/download/. You can
choose an appropriate version to download according to your PC system.

Unzip the downloaded file to your computer. Click "processing.exe" as the figure below to run this software.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 169

Use Server mode for communication

Install ControlP5.

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170 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Open the “Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketches\Sketch_16.1_WiFiClient\

sketchWiFi\sketchWiFi.pde”, and click "Run".

Stop

Run

The new pop-up interface is as follows. If ESP32 is used as client, select TCP SERVER mode for sketchWiFi.

Server mode

Receiving
Local IP address
box

Local port
number
Clear receive

Send box
Listening
Clear send

Send button

When sketchWiFi selects TCP SERVER mode, ESP32 Sketch needs to be changed according to sketchWiFi's
displaying of LOCAL IP or LOCAL PORT.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 171

If ESP32 serves as server, select TCP CLIENT mode for sketchWiFi.

Client mode

Remote IP
address

Remote port
number

When sketchWiFi selects TCP CLIENT mode, the LOCAL IP and LOCAL PORT of sketchWiFi need to be
changed according to the IP address and port number printed by the serial monitor.

Mode selection: select Server mode/Client mode.

IP address: In server mode, this option does not need to be filled in, and the computer will automatically
obtain the IP address.
In client mode, fill in the remote IP address to be connected.
Port number: In server mode, fill in a port number for client devices to make an access connection.
In client mode, fill in port number given by the Server devices to make an access connection.
Start button: In server mode, push the button, then the computer will serve as server and open a port number
for client to make access connection. During this period, the computer will keep monitoring.
In client mode, before pushing the button, please make sure the server is on, remote IP address
and remote port number is correct; push the button, and the computer will make access
connection to the remote port number of the remote IP as a client.
clear receive: clear out the content in the receiving text box
clear send: clear out the content in the sending text box
Sending button: push the sending button, the computer will send the content in the text box to others.

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172 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using USB cable.

Sketch

Before running the Sketch, please open “sketchWiFi.pde.” first, and click “Run”.

The newly pop up window will use the computer’s IP address by default and open a data monitor port.

Next, open Sketch_16.1_WiFiClient.ino. Before running it, please change the following information based on
"LOCAL IP" and "LOCAL PORT" in the figure above.

REMOTE_IP needs to be filled in according to the interface of sketchWiFi.pde. Taking this tutorial as an
example, its REMOTE_IP is “192.168.1.133”. Generally, by default, the ports do not need to change its value.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 173

Click LISTENING, turn on TCP SERVER's data listening function and wait for ESP32 to connect.

Click it

Compile and upload code to ESP32-WROVER, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to 115200. ESP32
connects router, obtains IP address and sends access request to server IP address on the same LAN till the
connection is successful. When connect successfully, ESP32 can send messages to server.

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174 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

ESP32 connects with TCP SERVER, and TCP SERVER receives messages from ESP32, as shown in the figure
below.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 175

Sketch_16.1_As_Client
The following is the program code:
1 #include <WiFi.h>
2
3 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_Router = "********"; //Enter the router password
5 #define REMOTE_IP "********" //input the remote server which is you want to connect
#define REMOTE_PORT 8888 //input the remote port which is the remote provide
6 WiFiClient client;
7
8 void setup() {
9 Serial.begin(115200);
10 delay(10);
11
12 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
13 Serial.print("\nWaiting for WiFi... ");
14 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
15 Serial.print(".");
16 delay(500);
17 }
18 Serial.println("");
19 Serial.println("WiFi connected");
20 Serial.println("IP address: ");
21 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
22 delay(500);
23
24 Serial.print("Connecting to ");
25 Serial.println(REMOTE_IP);
26
27 while (!client.connect(REMOTE_IP, REMOTE_PORT)) {
28 Serial.println("Connection failed.");
29 Serial.println("Waiting a moment before retrying...");
30 }
31 Serial.println("Connected");
32 client.print("Hello\n");
33 client.print("This is my IP.\n");
34 }
35
36 void loop() {
37 if (client.available() > 0) {
38 delay(20);
39 //read back one line from the server
40 String line = client.readString();
41 Serial.println(REMOTE_IP + String(":") + line);

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176 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

42 }
43 if (Serial.available() > 0) {
44 delay(20);
45 String line = Serial.readString();
46 client.print(line);
47 }
48 if (client.connected () == 0) {
49 client.stop();
50 WiFi.disconnect();
51 }
52 }
Add WiFi function header file.
1 #include <WiFi.h>
Enter the actual router name, password, remote server IP address, and port number.
3 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //Enter the router name
4 const char *password_Router = "********"; //Enter the router password
5 #define REMOTE_IP "********" //input the remote server which is you want to connect
6 #define REMOTE_PORT 8888 //input the remote port which is the remote provide
Apply for the method class of WiFiClient.
7 WiFiClient client;
Connect specified WiFi until it is successful. If the name and password of WiFi are correct but it still fails to
connect, please push the reset key.
13 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
14 Serial.print("\nWaiting for WiFi... ");
15 while (WiFi.status() ! = WL_CONNECTED) {
16 Serial.print(".");
17 delay(500);
18 }
Send connection request to remote server until connect successfully. When connect successfully, print out the
connecting prompt on the serial monitor and send messages to remote server.
28 while (!client.connect(REMOTE_IP, REMOTE_PORT)) {//Connect to Server
29 Serial.println("Connection failed.");
30 Serial.println("Waiting a moment before retrying...");
31 }
32 Serial.println("Connected");
33 client.print("Hello\n");
When ESP32 receive messages from servers, it will print them out via serial port; Users can also send messages
to servers from serial port.
37 if (client.available() > 0) {
38 delay(20);
39 //read back one line from the server
40 String line = client.readString();
41 Serial.println(REMOTE_IP + String(":") + line);
42 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 177

43 if (Serial.available() > 0) {
44 delay(20);
45 String line = Serial.readString();
46 client.print(line);
47 }
If the server is disconnected, turn off WiFi of ESP32.
48 if (client.connected () == false) {
49 client.stop();
50 WiFi.disconnect();
51 }
Reference
Class Client
Every time when using Client, you need to include header file "WiFi.h."
connect(ip, port, timeout)/connect(*host, port, timeout): establish a TCP connection.
ip, *host：ip address of target server
port: port number of target server
timeout: connection timeout
connected(): judge whether client is connecting. If return value is 1, then connect successfully; If return
value is 0, then fail to connect.
stop(): stop tcp connection
print(): send data to server connecting to client
available(): return to the number of bytes readable in receive buffer, if no, return to 0 or -1.
read(): read one byte of data in receive buffer
readString(): read string in receive buffer

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178 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Project 16.2 As Server

In this section, ESP32 is used as a server to wait for the connection and communication of client on the same
LAN.

Component List

ESP32-WROVER x1 Micro USB Wire x1

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using a USB cable.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 179

Sketch

Before running Sketch, please modify the contents of the box below first.
Sketch_16.2_As_Server

Compile and upload code to ESP32-WROVER board, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to
115200. Turn on server mode for ESP32, waiting for the connection of other devices on the same LAN. Once
a device connects to server successfully, they can send messages to each other.
If the ESP32 fails to connect to router, press the reset button as shown below and wait for ESP32 to run again.

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180 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

Serial Monitor

IP address and
IP port

Processing：
Open the “Freenove_Basic_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32\Sketches\Sketches\Sketch_16.2_WiFiServer\
sketchWiFi\sketchWiFi.pde”.
Based on the messages printed by the serial monitor, enter correct IP address and serial port in Processing to
establish connection and make communication.

Enter IP address and

serial port of the serial
monitor.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 181

The following is the program code:

1 #include <WiFi.h>
2
3 #define port 80
4 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //input your wifi name
5 const char *password_Router = "********"; //input your wifi passwords
6 WiFiServer server(port);
7
8 void setup()
9 {
10 Serial.begin(115200);
11 Serial.printf("\nConnecting to ");
12 Serial.println(ssid_Router);
13 WiFi.disconnect();
14 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
15 delay(1000);
16 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
17 delay(500);
18 Serial.print(".");
19 }
20 Serial.println("");
21 Serial.println("WiFi connected.");
22 Serial.print("IP address: ");
23 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
24 Serial.printf("IP port: %d\n",port);
25 server.begin(port);
26 WiFi.setAutoReconnect(true);
27 }
28
29 void loop(){
30 WiFiClient client = server.accept(); // listen for incoming clients
31 if (client) { // if you get a client
32 Serial.println("Client connected.");
33 while (client.connected()) { // loop while the client's connected
34 if (client.available()) { // if there's bytes to read from the
client
35 Serial.println(client.readStringUntil('\n')); // print it out the serial monitor
36 while(client.read()>0); // clear the wifi receive area cache
37 }
38 if(Serial.available()){ // if there's bytes to read from the
serial monitor
39 client.print(Serial.readStringUntil('\n')); // print it out the client.
40 while(Serial.read()>0); // clear the wifi receive area cache
41 }

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182 Chapter 16 TCP/IP www.freenove.com █

42 }
43 client.stop(); // stop the client connecting.
44 Serial.println("Client Disconnected.");
45 }
46 }
Apply for method class of WiFiServer.
6 WiFiServer server(port); //Apply for a Server object whose port number is 80
Connect specified WiFi until it is successful. If the name and password of WiFi are correct but it still fails to
connect, please push the reset key.
13 WiFi.disconnect();
14 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
15 delay(1000);
16 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
17 delay(500);
18 Serial.print(".");
19 }
20 Serial.println("");
21 Serial.println("WiFi connected.");
Print out the IP address and port number of ESP32.
22 Serial.print("IP address: ");
23 Serial.println(WiFi.localIP()); //print out IP address of ESP32
24 Serial.printf("IP port: %d\n",port); //Print out ESP32's port number
Turn on server mode of ESP32, turn on automatic reconnection.
25 server.begin(); //Turn ON ESP32 as Server mode
26 WiFi.setAutoReconnect(true);
When ESP32 receive messages from servers, it will print them out via serial port; Users can also send messages
to servers from serial port.
34 if (client.available()) { // if there's bytes to read from the
client
35 Serial.println(client.readStringUntil('\n')); // print it out the serial monitor
36 while(client.read()>0); // clear the wifi receive area cache
37 }
38 if(Serial.available()){ // if there's bytes to read from the
serial monitor
39 client.print(Serial.readStringUntil('\n')); // print it out the client.
40 while(Serial.read()>0); // clear the wifi receive area cache
41 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 16 TCP/IP 183

Reference
Class Server
Every time use Server functionality, we need to include header file"WiFi.h".
WiFiServer(uint16_t port=80, uint8_t max_clients=4): create a TCP Server.
port: ports of Server; range from 0 to 65535 with the default number as 80.
max_clients: maximum number of clients with default number as 4.
begin(port): start the TCP Server.
port: ports of Server; range from 0 to 65535 with the default number as 0.
setNoDelay(bool nodelay): whether to turn off the delay sending functionality.
nodelay: true stands for forbidden Nagle algorithm.
close(): close tcp connection.
stop(): stop tcp connection.

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184 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

Chapter 17 Camera Web Server

In this section, we'll use ESP32's video function as an example to study.

Project 17.1 Camera Web Server

Connect ESP32 using USB and check its IP address through serial monitor. Use web page to access IP address
to obtain video and image data.

Component List

Micro USB Wire x1 ESP32-WROVER x1

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using USB cable.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 185

Sketch

Sketch_17.1_As_CameraWebServer

Before running the program, please modify your router’s name and password in the box shown in the
illustration above to make sure that your Sketch can compile and work successfully.

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186 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

If your Arduino IDE prompts you that your sketch is out of your project's storage space, compile the code
again as configured below.

Compile and upload codes to ESP32, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to 115200, and the serial
monitor will print out a network link address.

If your ESP32 has been in the process of connecting to router, but the information above has not been printed
out, please re-check whether the router name and password have been entered correctly and press the reset
key on ESP32-WROVER to wait for a successful connection prompt.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 187

Open a web browser, enter the IP address printed by the serial monitor in the address bar, and access it.
Taking the Google browser as an example, here's what the browser prints out after successful access to
ESP32's IP.
We recommend that the resolution not exceed VGA(640x480).

enter IP address

select pixel of the picture

adjust camera parameters

set camera left and

right, up and down

crop the picture turn on video

transmission

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188 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

Click on Start Stream. The effect is shown in the image below.

Note: If sketch compilation fails due to ESP32 support package, follow the steps of the image to open
the CameraWebServer. This sketch is the same as described in the tutorial above.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 189

The following is the main program code. You need include other code files in the same folder when write
your own code.
1 #include "esp_camera.h"
2 #include <WiFi.h>
3
4 // Select camera model
5 #define CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT
6 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE
7 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_PSRAM
8 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE
9 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER
10
11 #include "camera_pins.h"
12
13 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //input your wifi name
14 const char *password_Router = "********"; //input your wifi passwords
15 camera_config_t config;
16
17 void startCameraServer();
18 void camera_init();
19
20 void setup() {
21 Serial.begin(115200);
22 Serial.setDebugOutput(true);
23 Serial.println();
24
25 camera_init();
26 config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_VGA;
27 config.jpeg_quality = 10;
28
29 // camera init
30 esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config);
31 if (err != ESP_OK) {
32 Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err);
33 return;
34 }
35
36 sensor_t * s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
37 s->set_vflip(s, 1); //flip it back
38 s->set_brightness(s, 1); //up the blightness just a bit
39 s->set_saturation(s, -1); //lower the saturation
40
41 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
42 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {

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190 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

43 delay(500);
44 Serial.print(".");
45 }
46 Serial.println("");
47 Serial.println("WiFi connected");
48
49 startCameraServer();
50
51 Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://");
52 Serial.print(WiFi.localIP());
53 Serial.println("' to connect");
54 }
55
56 void loop() {
57 ;
58 }
59
60 void camera_init(){
61 config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
62 config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
63 config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
64 config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
65 config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
66 config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
67 config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
68 config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
69 config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
70 config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
71 config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
72 config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
73 config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
74 config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
75 config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
76 config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
77 config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
78 config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
79 config.xclk_freq_hz = 10000000;
80 config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;
81 config.fb_count = 1;
82 }

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 191

Add procedure files and API interface files related to ESP32 camera.
1 #include "esp_camera.h"
2 #include <WiFi.h>
3
4 // Select camera model
5 #define CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT
6 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE
7 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_PSRAM
8 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE
9 //#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER
10
11 #include "camera_pins.h"
Enter the name and password of the router
13 const char *ssid_Router = "********"; //input your wifi name
14 const char *password_Router = "********"; //input your wifi passwords
Initialize serial port, set baud rate to 115200; open the debug and output function of the serial.
21 Serial.begin(115200);
22 Serial.setDebugOutput(true);
23 Serial.println();
Configure parameters including interface pins of the camera. Note: It is generally not recommended to change
them.
60 void camera_init(){
61 config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
62 config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
63 config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
64 config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
65 config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
66 config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
67 config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
68 config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
69 config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
70 config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
71 config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
72 config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
73 config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
74 config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
75 config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
76 config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
77 config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
78 config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
79 config.xclk_freq_hz = 10000000;
80 config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;
81 config.fb_count = 1;
82 }

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ESP32 connects to the router and prints a successful connection prompt. If it has not been successfully
connected, press the reset key on the ESP32-WROVER.
41 WiFi.begin(ssid_Router, password_Router);
42 while (WiFi.status() ! = WL_CONNECTED) {
43 delay(500);
44 Serial.print(".");
45 }
46 Serial.println("");
47 Serial.println("WiFi connected");
Open the video streams server function of the camera and print its IP address via serial port.
49 startCameraServer();
50
51 Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://");
52 Serial.print(WiFi.localIP());
53 Serial.println("' to connect");
Configure the display image information of the camera.
The set_vflip() function sets whether the image is flipped 180°, with 0 for no flip and 1 for flip 180°.
The set_brightness() function sets the brightness of the image, with values ranging from -2 to 2.
The set_saturation() function sets the color saturation of the image, with values ranging from -2 to 2.
36 sensor_t * s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
37 s->set_vflip(s, 1); //flip it back
38 s->set_brightness(s, 1); //up the blightness just a bit
39 s->set_saturation(s, -1); //lower the saturation
Modify the resolution and sharpness of the images captured by the camera. The sharpness ranges from 10 to
63, and the smaller the number, the sharper the picture. The larger the number, the blurrier the picture. Please
refer to the table below.
26 config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_VGA;
27 config.jpeg_quality = 10;
Reference
Image resolution Sharpness Image resolution Sharpness
FRAMESIZE_96x96 96x96 FRAMESIZE_HVGA 480x320
FRAMESIZE_QQVGA 160x120 FRAMESIZE_VGA 640x480
FRAMESIZE_QCIF 176x144 FRAMESIZE_SVGA 800x600
FRAMESIZE_HQVGA 240x176 FRAMESIZE_XGA 1024x768
FRAMESIZE_240x240 240x240 FRAMESIZE_HD 1280x720
FRAMESIZE_QVGA 320x240 FRAMESIZE_SXGA 1280x1024
FRAMESIZE_CIF 400x296 FRAMESIZE_UXGA 1600x1200
We recommend that the resolution not exceed VGA(640x480).

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 193

Project 17.2 Video Web Server

Connect to ESP32 using USB and view its IP address through a serial monitor. Access IP addresses through
web pages to obtain real-time video data.

Component List

Micro USB Wire x1 ESP32-WROVER x1

Circuit

Connect Freenove ESP32 to the computer using USB cable.

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194 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

Sketch

Sketch_17.2_As_VideoWebServer

Before running the program, please modify your router’s name and password in the box shown in the
illustration above to make sure that your Sketch can compile and work successfully.

Compile and upload codes to ESP32, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to 115200, and the serial
monitor will print out a network link address.

If your ESP32 has been in the process of connecting to router, but the information above has not been printed
out, please re-check whether the router name and password have been entered correctly and press the reset
key on ESP32-WROVER to wait for a successful connection prompt.

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 195

Open a web browser, enter the IP address printed by the serial monitor in the address bar, and access it.
Taking the Google browser as an example, here's what the browser prints out after successful access to
ESP32's IP.

The effect is shown in the image below.

Enter IP address.

The following is the main program code. You need include other code files in the same folder when write
your own code.
1 #include "esp_camera.h"
2 #include <WiFi.h>
3 //
4 // WARNING!!! PSRAM IC required for UXGA resolution and high JPEG quality
5 // Ensure ESP32 Wrover Module or other board with PSRAM is selected
6 // Partial images will be transmitted if image exceeds buffer size
7 //
8
9 // Select camera model
10 #define CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT // Has PSRAM
11

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196 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

12 #include "camera_pins.h"
13
14 const char* ssid = "********"; //input your wifi name
15 const char* password = "********"; //input your wifi passwords
16
17 void startCameraServer();
18
19 void setup() {
20 Serial.begin(115200);
21 Serial.setDebugOutput(true);
22 Serial.println();
23
24 camera_config_t config;
25 config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
26 config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
27 config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
28 config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
29 config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
30 config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
31 config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
32 config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
33 config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
34 config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
35 config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
36 config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
37 config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
38 config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
39 config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
40 config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
41 config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
42 config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
43 config.xclk_freq_hz = 10000000;
44 config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;
45
46 // if PSRAM IC present, init with UXGA resolution and higher JPEG quality
47 // for larger pre-allocated frame buffer.
48 if(psramFound()){
49 config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_VGA;
50 config.jpeg_quality = 10;
51 config.fb_count = 2;
52 } else {
53 config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_HVGA;
54 config.jpeg_quality = 12;
55 config.fb_count = 1;

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 █ www.freenove.com Chapter 17 Camera Web Server 197

56 }
57
58 // camera init
59 esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config);
60 if (err != ESP_OK) {
61 Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err);
62 return;
63 }
64
65 sensor_t * s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
66 // drop down frame size for higher initial frame rate
67 s->set_framesize(s, FRAMESIZE_QVGA);
68
69 WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
70
71 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
72 delay(500);
73 Serial.print(".");
74 }
75 Serial.println("");
76 Serial.println("WiFi connected");
77
78 startCameraServer();
79
80 Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://");
81 Serial.print(WiFi.localIP());
82 Serial.println("' to connect");
83 }
84
85 void loop() {
86 // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
87 delay(10000);
88 }

Configure parameters including interface pins of the camera. Note: It is generally not recommended to change
them.
24 camera_config_t config;
25 config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
26 config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
27 config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
28 config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
29 config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
30 config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
31 config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;

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198 Chapter 17 Camera Web Server www.freenove.com █

32 config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
33 config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
34 config.pin_d7 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
35 config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
36 config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
37 config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
38 config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
39 config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
40 config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
41 config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
42 config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
43 config.xclk_freq_hz = 10000000;
44 config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;
ESP32 connects to the router and prints a successful connection prompt. If it has not been successfully
connected, press the reset key on the ESP32-WROVER.
69 WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
70
71 while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
72 delay(500);
73 Serial.print(".");
74 }
75 Serial.println("");
76 Serial.println("WiFi connected");
Open the video streams server function of the camera and print its IP address via serial port.
78 startCameraServer();
79
80 Serial.print("Camera Ready! Use 'http://");
81 Serial.print(WiFi.localIP());
82 Serial.println("' to connect");

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 █ www.freenove.com What’s next? 199

What’s next?
Thanks for your reading. This tutorial is all over here. If you find any mistakes, omissions or you have other
ideas and questions about contents of this tutorial or the kit and etc., please feel free to contact us:

support@freenove.com
We will check and correct it as soon as possible.

If you want learn more about ESP32, you view our ultimate tutorial:
https://github.com/Freenove/Freenove_Ultimate_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32/archive/master.zip

If you want to learn more about Arduino, Raspberry Pi, smart cars, robots and other interesting products in
science and technology, please continue to focus on our website. We will continue to launch cost-effective,
innovative and exciting products.

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End of the Tutorial

Thank you again for choosing Freenove products.

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