Quick Start Guide ESP-C3-12F

Step 1: Configure the Arduino IDE - References

Click [File] [right arrow] [Preferences].

Click the button to add an additional board manager.

Add the following line:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_dev_index.json

A detailed image of the ESP-C3-12F microcontroller board is shown. It features a micro USB port for power and data, two push buttons labeled "BOOT" and "RESET", and the ESP32-C3 chip prominently displayed with its FCC ID and other markings. Several other integrated circuits and components are visible on the PCB.

Step 2: Configure the Arduino IDE - Board Manager

Click [Tools] [right arrow] [Board: xxxxx] [right arrow] [Board manager].

In the search-box, enter "esp32".

Click on the [Install] button for the esp32 from Espressif Systems.

Restart the Arduino IDE.

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's Preferences window is displayed. It shows fields for Sketchbook location, Editor language, Editor font size, Interface scale, Theme, and Compiler warnings. A key section is "Additional Boards Manager URLs", where the URL for the ESP32 package is entered. A red arrow points to the "OK" button.

Step 3: Configure the Arduino IDE - Select Board

Click [Tools] [right arrow] [Board: xxxx] [right arrow] [Arduino ESP32] and select "ESP32C3 Dev Module".

Click [Tools] [right arrow] [Port: COMx] and select the communication port belonging to the module.

Click [Tools] [right arrow] [Upload Speed: 921600] and change to 115200.

Leave the other settings as they are.

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's Boards Manager window is shown. The search box contains "esp32", and the "esp32" package by Espressif Systems is listed with version 2.0.2. A red arrow points to the "Install" button for this package.

Step 4: Serial Monitor

Starting the monitor will result in the board to be unresponsive. This is due to the CTS and RTS levels of the serial interface. Disabling the control lines prevents the board to become unresponsive.

Edit the file “boards.txt" from the definition of the board. The file is located in the following directory, where xxxxx is the user name:

C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\2.0.2

To get to this location, click on the “Preferences” to open the file explorer, then click through to the above location.

Change the following lines (lines 35 and 36):

esp32c3.serial.disableDTR=false
esp32c3.serial.disableRTS=false

to

esp32c3.serial.disableDTR=true
esp32c3.serial.disableRTS=true

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's menu is shown, highlighting options like "Serial Monitor" and "Serial Plotter". Below this, a section lists the current board settings, including "Board: 'ESP32C3 Dev Module'", "Upload Speed: '115200'", and "Port: 'COM7'".

Step 5: Load/create a Sketch

Create a new sketch, or select a sketch from the examples:

Click [File] [right arrow] [Examples] [right arrow] [WiFi] [right arrow] [WiFiScan].

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's "Preferences" window is shown again, similar to Step 2, indicating the location of the preferences.txt file. Below this, a screenshot of the Arduino IDE's "File" menu is displayed, showing the "Examples" submenu. The "WiFi" category is expanded, and "WiFiScan" is highlighted, indicating the example to be selected.

Step 6: Upload the Sketch

Before the upload starts, push the "Boot" button and keep it down. Push and hold the "Reset" button. Release the "Boot" button. Release the "Reset" button. This sets the board in programming mode.

Check for the board to be ready from the serial monitor: the message "waiting for download" should be displayed.

Click [Sketch] [right arrow] [Upload] to upload the sketch.

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's menu is shown, with the "Examples for ESP32C3 Dev Module" list visible. "WiFiScan" is highlighted.

A close-up image of the ESP-C3-12F board is shown, with the "BOOT" and "RESET" buttons clearly labeled.

A screenshot of the Arduino IDE's Serial Monitor window is displayed. It shows the connection status and a message indicating "waiting for download", confirming the board is ready for uploading. The serial port is identified as COM8, and the baud rate is 115200.