ESP32 Development: Rapid Prototyping Of Product Development
ESP32 development has emerged as a pivotal aspect of crafting innovative and connected solutions. This is largely due to the ESP32’s powerful and cost-effective microcontroller design, which incorporates built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It has gained immense popularity among makers, engineers, and IoT enthusiasts. Designed by Espressif Systems, the ESP32 is recognized for its versatility and performance. Its robust software framework supports a range of development approaches, including CircuitPython, MicroPython, and C/C++ (Arduino, ESP-IDF), which have made rapid prototyping and product development more accessible than ever.
ESP32 Development Methods
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CircuitPython is a programming language designed to simplify coding tests and learning on low-cost microcontroller boards. It is an open-source derivative of the MicroPython programming language, primarily aimed at students and beginners. CircuitPython development and maintenance are supported by Adafruit Industries.
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You can refer to development documentation for CircuitPython-related applications development.
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The GitHub library for CircuitPython allows for recompilation for custom development.
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MicroPython is an efficient implementation of the Python 3 programming language. It includes a small subset of the Python standard library and has been optimized to run on microcontrollers and resource-constrained environments.
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You can refer to development documentation for MicroPython-related application development.
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The GitHub library for MicroPython allows for recompilation for custom development.
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The official libraries and support from Espressif Systems for C/C++ development make it convenient for rapid installation.
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Arduino development manual for ESP32 series
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ESP-IDF development manual for ESP32 series
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The environment is set up under Windows 10. Users can choose to use Arduino or Visual Studio Code (ESP-IDF) as IDE for development. For Mac/Linux OS users, please refer to the official instructions.
Arduino
Install Arduino IDE
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Open the official software download webpage, and according to the corresponding system and system bits to download.
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You can choose "Just Download", or "Contribute & Download".
- Run to install the program and install it all by default.
Install Package: Using Nano ESP32 as an Example
- Install Nano ESP32: Open Boards Manger -> Search "Nano ESP32" and install the latest version (or the version to use).
Create Example
- The following example is about how to make LED blinking. (File -> examples -> Blink under 01.Basics)
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Select the development board and COM ports.
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Search "Nano ESP32", select "Arduino Nano ESP32", and then click on OK (the following picture is for reference only, you need to select the corresponding board.)
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Click ✓ in the menu bar to compile and → to burn the compiled demo to the board.
Open Example
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Open the existing example, it is easier to operate. Directly run the ".ino" demo and refer to the operation above, and select the corresponding board and COM port to compile, download, and burn.
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ESP32-S3-Nano opens the Arduino demo: Open File -> Examples. These demos can be directly used without other external libraries.
MicroPython
- Download and install the latest Thonny IDE, open Thonny IDE -> Configure interpreter... as shown below:
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Press the BOOT key on the board, connect to the USB cable, and find the Device Manager or the corresponding COM port. Download or run the demo, and you can see the Hardware Description chapter for more details.
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According to the steps below, download the online MPY firmware of the ESP32 series, and clean the Flash content of the development board before downloading, and the whole download process lasts about 1 minute.
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If the Tonny IDE needs to download the local firmware, you can operate it by following the steps below. Select Step 3 or Step 4, and Step 4 is recommended.
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Please refer to MicroPython Documentation, releases note for programming.
Sample Demo
- For the Arduino example demo, please refer to arduino-esp32 or File -> examples in Arduino IDE. These examples can be used directly without external libraries.
- For mpy example, you can refer to MicroPython documentation and the sample demo.
Related Articles
Document
Demo
Software
Datasheet
FAQ
What programming language does ESP32 use?
You can program ESP32 in a variety of languages and programming environments, including C/C++, Micropython, Lua, and more.
Is ESP32 better than Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi and ESP32 boards are two of the most important and popular platforms for electronics and programming projects. While Raspberry Pi may be a better choice for users seeking a full-fledged microcomputer with extensive processing power and advanced specifications, the ESP32 shines in areas where cost efficiency, low power consumption, and integrated wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) are critical.
What software is used to program ESP32?
Programming ESP32 with Arduino IDE. To program your boards, you need an IDE to write your code. For beginners, we recommend using Arduino IDE.
