Instructions for flashing MicroPython on the ESP32CAM
The current instructions support Linux users only, later revisions will include Windows and macOS

• ESP32CAM
• FT232RL
• USB to Mini-b cable
• Breadboard
• Male to male breadboard connectors

For the instructions to work you will need the following programs installed:

• Python3
• GIT (To install git use sudo apt-get install git)

Libraries used to interface with the ESP32CAM include:

• esptool (Command line interface to connect and flash the microcontroller)
• rshell (Command line interface to enable repl access and file transfer)
• thonny (Graphical IDE for flashing, loading files and repl access to the microcontroller)

All libraries and dependancies will be installed after following the setup instructions

To use this project to setup your ESP32CAM with MicroPython, first clone the repository using git.

git clone [email protected]:vwhack/esp32cam_setup.git

Navigate into the esp32cam_setup folder

cd esp32cam_setup

Create a Python3 virtual environment

python3 -m venv myvenv

Activate the virtual environment

source myvenv\bin\activate

Install Python libraries

pip install -r requirements.txt

Before you can flash and communicate with the microcontroller, you will need USB serial access. This is done by connecting the FT232RL (USB to serial interface) with the ESP32CAM board.

The pin connections are

It is important to ensure your FT232RL voltage output is set to 5V

ESP32CAM pins

Connect the ESP32CAM to the FT232RL

Make sure the ESP32CAM pins go to the correct FT232RL pins. The example above is for a generic board. Below are the pins of a FT232RL board that allows you to set the voltage output. It is also important to connect the GPIO0 pin with GND (Shown in grey) on the ESP32CAM to allow flashing.

There are two methods for flashing the ESP32CAM with MicroPython using your installed Python libraries. One is graphical and the other uses CLI commands (Command line interface).

To run Thonny, type

thonny

From the Tools menu selct Options. In the options window select the Interpreter tab.

Set the interpreter to ESP32 and the Port or WebREPL to FT232R USB UART as shown below

To flash the ESP32CAM with MicroPython, click on the hyperlink in the interpreter window Install or update firmware

Select the port and browse to the firmware folder in this project and select the .bin file. Select From image file (keep) in the Flash mode options. Also make sure to have Erase flash before installing selected.
Next, click on the install button.

To check you have access to the ESP32CAM board, using esptool, run the following command.

esptool.py chip_id

If you have a successfull connection, you should see a similar output to

esptool.py v3.0
Found 2 serial ports
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting....
Detecting chip type... ESP32
Chip is ESP32-D0WDQ6 (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 24:0a:c4:60:50:d4
Uploading stub...
Running stub...
Stub running...
Warning: ESP32 has no Chip ID. Reading MAC instead.
MAC: 24:0a:c4:60:50:d4
Hard resetting via RTS pin...

One thing to note, each time I have run a command against the ESP32CAM, I've needed to re-set the power. As yet I've not identfied why but it's worth being aware in case any command or action does not complete. It's possible you can use the reset button on the ESP32CAM board but I've not tested.

After testing the connection it is best practice to erase the existing flash. To do this type

esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash

To flash the ESP32CAM, we use the updated MicroPython firmware created by lemariva found at his Github repository. I have included the .bin file in the firmware folder in ths project.

esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 115200 write_flash -z 0x1000 <Your folder location>/esp32cam_setup/firmware/micropython_b7883ce_esp32_idf4.x_ble_camera.bin

To interface with the ESP32CAM, you first need to remove the connector between the GPIO0 pin and GND pin. See grey connection in the FT232RL to ESP32CAM image.

To connect and enable the rshell type

rshell --buffer-size=30 -p /dev/ttyUSB0 

To enable the repl type

repl

Make sure the options / Interpreter are set the same as for flashing.
Restart the ESP32CAM or press the reset button. You should now see the repl window shown below.

Some original images used can be found in the tutorial written for Arduino here
The updated firmware with driver by by lemariva can be found at https://github.com/lemariva/micropython-camera-driver