The ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, making it a popular choice for Internet of Things (IoT) projects. MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python programming language that is well-suited for embedded systems. Together, the ESP32 and MicroPython offer a powerful combination for building IoT projects.
In this blog post, we will explore the features of the ESP32 and MicroPython and demonstrate how to use them to build a simple IoT project.
ESP32: A Versatile Microcontroller for IoT
The ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It is based on the ESP32 chip, which features a dual-core processor, 512 KB of ROM, and 4 MB of flash memory. The ESP32 also has a number of built-in peripherals, including a touch sensor, a hall sensor, and a temperature sensor, making it well-suited for a wide range of IoT applications.
The ESP32 also features a number of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Wi-Fi capabilities of the ESP32 make it well-suited for IoT projects that require a connection to the internet, such as sending data to a cloud platform or controlling devices remotely. The Bluetooth capabilities of the ESP32 make it well-suited for IoT projects that require wireless communication with other devices, such as smartphones or other microcontrollers.
MicroPython: A Lean and Efficient Implementation of Python
MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python programming language that is well-suited for embedded systems. It is designed to be compatible with the Python programming language and has a subset of the Python standard library. MicroPython is also designed to be memory-efficient, making it well-suited for embedded systems with limited memory.
One of the key advantages of using MicroPython for IoT projects is its simplicity. Python is a high-level programming language that is easy to learn and use, making it well-suited for beginners and non-technical users. MicroPython also has a simple and easy-to-use API that makes it easy to interact with the peripherals of the ESP32.
Building a Project with ESP32 and MicroPython using thonny IDE for blinking led and serial port
Building a project with the ESP32 and MicroPython using the Thonny IDE can be a great way to get started with IoT development. In this article, we will be creating a simple project that demonstrates how to blink an LED and use the serial port on the ESP32 board.
Install Thonny IDE
Thonny is a Python IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that is designed for beginners. It is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Here are the steps to install Thonny on your computer:
- Download the latest version of Thonny from the official website.
- Once the download is complete, locate the installer file and double-click to run it.
- Follow the prompts to install Thonny on your computer. This may include selecting a destination folder and agreeing to the terms of use.
- Once the installation is complete, you can launch Thonny from the Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (MacOS and Linux).
Note: Thonny requires Python 3 to be installed on your computer. If you do not have Python 3 installed, Thonny will prompt you to install it during the setup process.
Thonny is a simple, easy-to-use IDE, with a user-friendly interface, making it perfect for beginners, but it also includes advanced features for more experienced programmers. It's a great tool for learning and experimenting with Python and MicroPython.
Setting up the ESP32
The first step in building our project is to set up the ESP32 board. This includes connecting the board to a computer using a USB cable and configuring the Thonny IDE to work with the ESP32.
In Thonny, go to the "Tools" menu and select "Options". Under the "Interpreter" tab, select "MicroPython (ESP32)" as the interpreter. Then, under the "Serial" tab, select the correct serial port for the ESP32 board.
Installing MicroPython on the ESP32
The next step is to install MicroPython on the ESP32. This can be done directly within the Thonny IDE by going to the "Tools" menu and selecting "Upload MicroPython firmware to device". Thonny will then automatically download and install the latest version of MicroPython on the ESP32.
Blinking an LED
A classic example of interacting with the ESP32 using MicroPython is to blink an LED. This can be done by using the machine module, which provides access to the ESP32's low-level functions such as the GPIO pins. In this example, we will be using the built-in LED on the ESP32 board which is connected to the pin 2.
The following code snippet demonstrates how to blink an LED connected to the pin 2 using MicroPython in Thonny:
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from machine import Pin
import time
led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
while True:
led.on()
time.sleep(1)
led.off()
time.sleep(1)
Serial Communication
Another great feature of the ESP32 is its built-in support for serial communication. This allows us to send and receive data to and from the ESP32 using the UART interface. In this example, we will use the uart module to send a message from the ESP32 to the Thonny IDE's Serial Monitor.
The following code snippet demonstrates how to send a message from the ESP32 to the Serial Monitor using MicroPython in Thonny:
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import machine
uart = machine.UART(0, 115200)
uart.write("Hello from ESP32!")
In the Thonny IDE, you can open the Serial Monitor by going to the "Tools" menu and selecting "Serial Monitor" and set the baudrate to 115200.
With these simple steps, you now have a basic project that demonstrates how to blink an LED and use the serial port on the ESP32 board using MicroPython and the Thonny IDE. From here, you can continue to expand upon this project and develop more complex IoT applications.
Esp32 micropython wifi example
The ESP32 has built-in support for wifi connectivity using the network module. In this example, we will use the WLAN class to connect the ESP32 to a wifi network. The following code snippet demonstrates how to connect to a wifi network using MicroPython in Thonny:
import network
wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
wlan.active(True)
wlan.connect('YOUR_WIFI_SSID', 'YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD')
while not wlan.isconnected():
pass
print('Connection successful')
print('Network config:', wlan.ifconfig())
Replace YOUR_WIFI_SSID and YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD with the appropriate values for your wifi network. The code above will activate the wifi interface and connect to the specified wifi network. It will then check if the connection is successful and print the network configuration.
With these simple steps, you now have a basic project that demonstrates how to connect the ESP32 to a wifi network using MicroPython and the Thonny IDE. This is an essential step in many IoT projects as it allows the ESP32 to communicate with other devices on the network and access the internet. From here, you can continue to expand upon this project and develop more complex IoT applications.
Conclusion
ESP32 and MicroPython are powerful tools for building IoT projects. The ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power microcontroller with built-in wifi and Bluetooth capabilities, making it ideal for a wide range of IoT applications. MicroPython is a lightweight and efficient programming language that can run on the ESP32, providing a simple and easy-to-use development environment.
Using the Thonny IDE, it is straightforward to set up, install MicroPython on the ESP32 and to connect it to wifi network. It also allows for easy debugging and uploading of code to the ESP32.
With the combination of the ESP32 and MicroPython, developers can quickly and easily create powerful IoT projects with minimal code and low power consumption. From simple projects such as connecting to a wifi network to more complex applications such as data collection and processing, the ESP32 and MicroPython provide a solid foundation for building IoT solutions.