ESP32-CAM

Products

The ESP32-CAM-MB WiFi Bluetooth Development Board is a multifunctional development board with an integrated ESP32 chip and camera module for IoT projects, especially those applications that require image capture and transmission.

The ESP32-CAM development board features an ESP32-S chip, an OV2640 camera, a micro SD card slot, and several GPIOs for connecting peripherals. The module is a small-sized camera module that can work independently as the smallest system. The new WiFi+Bluetooth dual-mode development board, designed based on ESP32, features an on-board PCB antenna, two high-performance 32-bit LX6 CPUs with a 7-stage pipeline architecture, and an adjustable main frequency range of 80MHz to 240MHz. ESP32-CAM is an 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi + BT/BLE SoC module with ultra-low power consumption. Deep sleep current is as low as 6mA, making it suitable for IoT applications with high power requirements. ESP32-CAM is a miniature module with camera function, equipped with an OV2640 camera, GPIO for connecting peripherals, and a micro-SD card for storing captured images, which can be directly plugged into the backplane.

As an IoT camera module based on the ESP32 chip, the ESP32-CAM-MB combines the functions of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and an image sensor, and is suitable for a wide range of application scenarios that require image capture and wireless transmission.

It can be widely used in a variety of IoT occasions, suitable for home smart devices, industrial wireless control, wireless monitoring, QR wireless identification, wireless positioning system signals, and other IoT applications. It is an ideal solution for IoT applications.

Performance

• Interface: Micro USB
• Processor: Dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor
• Main Frequency: Up to 240 MHz
• Computing power: Up to 600 DMIPS
• SPI Flash: 32mbit by default
• Internal SRAM: 520 KB
• External PSRAM: 4 MB/8 MB
• Wi-Fi: 802.11b/G/n/e/i
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2BR/EDR and BLE standards
• Interface support (2Mbps): UART, SPI, I2C, PWM
• TF card support: Maximum 4G
• IO ports: 9
• Serial Port Rate: Default 115200bps
• Spectrum range: 2400 ~ 2483.5 MHz

Camera Sensor:

• Sensor: OV2640 image sensor, 2MP
• Image Output Format: JPEG (only support OV2640), BMP, GRAYSCALE

Transmit power:

• 802.11b: 17 ± 2dBm (@ 11mbps)
• 802.11g: 14 ± 2dBm (@ 54mbps)
• 802.11n: 13 ± 2dBm (@ MCS7)

Receive sensitivity:

• CCK, 1mbps: -90dBm
• CCK, 11mbps: -85dBm
• 6Mbps (1 / 2BPSK): -88dBm
• 54Mbps (3/464-QAM): -70dBm
• MCS7 (65Mbps, 72.2 Mbps): -67dBm

Power Consumption

• Flash off: 180mA @ 5V
• Flash on and brightness set to max: 310mA @ 5V
• Deep sleep: Up to 6mA @ 5V minimum
• Modem sleep: 20mA @ 5V minimum
• Light sleep: Up to 6.7mA @ 5V minimum
• Security: VPA/VPA2/VPA2-Enterprise/VPS
• Operating temperature: -20°C ~ 70°C
• Storage environment: -40°C ~ 125°C, <90% RH

Product Pinout

The ESP32-CAM module has the following pinout:

Top View (WIFI+BT SoC side):

• I/O Pins: HS2_DATA1, HS2_DATA0, HS2_CLK, HS2_CMD, HS2_DATA3, HS2_DATA2
• Power Pins: GND, 5V, 3.3V
• Other Pins: GPIO4, GPIO2, GPIO14, GPIO15, GPIO13, GPIO12, GPIO0, GPIO16

Bottom View (WIFI+BT SoC inside):

• I/O Pins: GND, UOTXD, UORXD, 3.3V/5V Output, GND, CSI_MCLK, I016, 3.3V

Pin Mapping Table:

Product Size

The ESP32-CAM module has a compact form factor, with approximate dimensions of 27mm x 27mm. The diagram shows the placement of the antenna and the pinout on the board.

Instructions for use

Preparation Stage

1. Hardware preparation: Ensure you have the ESP32-CAM module, a USB to TTL module (for data transfer), a power adapter or battery, and necessary connecting cables such as Dupont cables.
2. Software preparation: Install Arduino IDE. If your version of Arduino IDE does not include ESP32 development support, you need to additionally install the ESP32 development board package. You can find this by navigating to 'Manage IDE Packages' in the Arduino IDE Preferences, then searching for and installing the 'ESP32' package.

Connecting ESP32-CAM

1. Connect to USB to TTL module: Use a Dupont cable to connect the TX, RX, GND, and VCC pins of the ESP32-CAM to the corresponding pins of the USB to TTL module.
2. Connect power supply: The ESP32-CAM requires a 3.3V power supply. You can use the power output from the USB to TTL module or connect it directly to an external power adapter.
3. Connect to computer: Connect the USB to TTL module to your computer via a USB cable.

Arduino IDE Setup

1. Select development board: Under the 'Tools' menu of Arduino IDE, select the development board type as 'AI Thinker ESP32-CAM'.
2. Select Serial Port: Again under the 'Tools' menu, select the correct serial port, which is typically the USB port the ESP32-CAM is connected to.

Code Configuration

The following code snippet shows how to configure the camera model in the Arduino IDE. Uncomment the line corresponding to your camera model. For the ESP32-CAM, it is typically:

#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER // Has PSRAM

Ensure you include the necessary header file, for example:

#include "camara nine h"

Burning Sample Programs

Arduino IDE comes with sample programs. To use the webcam example, select 'File' -> 'Examples' -> 'ESP32' -> 'CameraWebServer'.

Upload Code

After confirming the hardware connections and IDE settings are correct, click the 'Upload' button to upload the sample program to the ESP32-CAM.

Test ESP32-CAM

1. Find the IP address: After the upload is complete, use the serial monitor of Arduino IDE to find the IP address assigned by the ESP32-CAM.
2. Access the web interface: Enter the ESP32-CAM's IP address into your computer's web browser. You should see a simple web interface displaying live images captured by the camera.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced features such as face detection, object recognition, cloud storage, and mobile device control.

Caution

• Make sure the IO0 pin of the ESP32-CAM is not pulled low before burning the code, otherwise the development board will enter Bootloader mode and the code cannot be uploaded properly.
• When connecting and disconnecting the ESP32-CAM, always disconnect the power supply first to avoid damaging the circuit.
• If the upload fails or the ESP32-CAM does not respond, check that the hardware connections are correct and that the correct development board and serial port are selected.

Keep in mind that the ESP32-CAM-MB may have specific hardware features or firmware versions. The steps above may need to be adapted to the specific product manual. If you encounter specific problems during use, consulting the official documentation or online forums can be very helpful.

FCC Compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body.