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The ESP32-CAM is a small, inexpensive camera module that can be used to build a video streaming server. It features an OV2640 camera, GPIO pins, microSD card slot, and WiFi connectivity. To use it, load a camera streaming example onto the ESP32-CAM using an FTDI programmer connected to the serial pins. This will create a local web server displaying the camera feed once the board receives an IP address over WiFi.

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165 views9 pages

31

The ESP32-CAM is a small, inexpensive camera module that can be used to build a video streaming server. It features an OV2640 camera, GPIO pins, microSD card slot, and WiFi connectivity. To use it, load a camera streaming example onto the ESP32-CAM using an FTDI programmer connected to the serial pins. This will create a local web server displaying the camera feed once the board receives an IP address over WiFi.

Uploaded by

ALNATRON GROUPS
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The 

ESP32-CAM is a very small camera module with the ESP32-S chip that costs
approximately $10. Besides the OV2640 camera, and several GPIOs to connect
peripherals, it also features a microSD card slot that can be useful to store images
taken with the camera or to store files to serve to clients.

Image source – Seeed Studio


The ESP32-CAM doesn’t come with a USB connector, so you need an FTDI
programmer to upload code through the U0R and U0T pins (serial pins).

Features

Here is a list with the ESP32-CAM features:

 The smallest 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi BT SoC module


 Low power 32-bit CPU,can also serve the application processor
 Up to 160MHz clock speed, summary computing power up to 600
DMIPS
 Built-in 520 KB SRAM, external 4MPSRAM
 Supports UART/SPI/I2C/PWM/ADC/DAC
 Support OV2640 and OV7670 cameras, built-in flash lamp
 Support image WiFI upload
 Support TF card
 Supports multiple sleep modes
 Embedded Lwip and FreeRTOS
 Supports STA/AP/STA+AP operation mode
 Support Smart Config/AirKiss technology
 Support for serial port local and remote firmware upgrades (FOTA)
ESP32-CAM Pinout

The following figure shows the ESP32-CAM pinout (AI-Thinker module).

Image
source – Seeed Studio
There are three GND pins and two pins for power: either 3.3V or 5V.
GPIO 1 and GPIO 3 are the serial pins. You need these pins to upload code to your
board. Additionally, GPIO 0 also plays an important role, since it determines
whether the ESP32 is in flashing mode or not. When GPIO 0 is connected to GND,
the ESP32 is in flashing mode.
The following pins are internally connected to the microSD card reader:

 GPIO 14: CLK


 GPIO 15: CMD
 GPIO 2: Data 0
 GPIO 4: Data 1 (also connected to the on-board LED)
 GPIO 12: Data 2
 GPIO 13: Data 3

Video Streaming Server

Follow the next steps to build a video streaming web server with the ESP32-CAM
that you can access on your local network.

Important: Make sure you have your Arduino IDE updated as well as the latest
version of the ESP32 add-on.
1. Install the ESP32 add-on
In this example, we use Arduino IDE to program the ESP32-CAM board. So, you
need to have Arduino IDE installed as well as the ESP32 add-on. Follow one of the
next tutorials to install the ESP32 add-on, if you haven’t already:

 Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE (Windows instructions)


 Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE (Mac and Linux
instructions)

2. CameraWebServer Example Code


In your Arduino IDE, go to File > Examples > ESP32 > Camera and open
the CameraWebServer example.

The following code should load.


Before uploading the code, you need to insert your network credentials in the
following variables:

const char* ssid = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_SSID";


const char* password = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_PASSWORD";
Then, make sure you select the right camera module. In this case, we’re using the
AI-THINKER Model.
So, comment all the other models and uncomment this one:

// Select camera model


//#define CAMERA_MODEL_WROVER_KIT
//#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE
//#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_PSRAM
//#define CAMERA_MODEL_M5STACK_WIDE
#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER
If none of these correspond to the camera you’re using, you need to add the pin
assignment for your specific board in the camera_pins.h tab.

Now, the code is ready to be uploaded to your ESP32.

3. ESP32-CAM Upload Code


Connect the ESP32-CAM board to your computer using an FTDI programmer.
Follow the next schematic diagram:
Many FTDI programmers have a jumper that allows you to select 3.3V or 5V.
Make sure the jumper is in the right place to select 5V.

Important: GPIO 0 needs to be connected to GND so that you’re able to upload


code.
ESP32-CAM FTDI Programmer

GND GND

5V VCC (5V)

U0R TX

U0T RX

GPIO 0 GND
To upload the code, follow the next steps:

1) Go to Tools > Board and select AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM.


2) Go to Tools > Port and select the COM port the ESP32 is connected to.
3) Then, click the upload button to upload the code.

4) When you start to see these dots on the debugging window as shown below,
press the ESP32-CAM on-board RST button.
After a few seconds, the code should be successfully uploaded to your board.

Getting the IP address

After uploading the code, disconnect GPIO 0 from GND.


Open the Serial Monitor at a baud rate of 115200. Press the ESP32-CAM on-board
Reset button.

The ESP32 IP address should be printed in the Serial Monitor.

Accessing the Video Streaming Server

Now, you can access your camera streaming server on your local network. Open a
browser and type the ESP32-CAM IP address. Press the Start Streaming button to
start video streaming.
Troubleshooting

 Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header


 Camera init failed with error 0x20001 or similar
 Brownout detector or Guru meditation error
 Sketch too big error – Wrong partition scheme selected
 Board at COMX is not available – COM Port Not Selected
 Psram error: GPIO isr service is not installed
 Weak Wi-Fi Signal
 No IP Address in Arduino IDE Serial Monitor
 Can’t open web server
 The image lags/shows lots of latency

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