How To Locate The Tcp Of A Camera Mounted On A Robot

We have worked with the ESP32 module already, it's a powerful yet inexpensive microcontroller from Espressif and A-Thinker with advanced features like Bluetooth, WiFi, and multipurpose GPIO ports.

Today nosotros'll look at another member of the ESP32 module family, the ESP32-CAM board.

This astonishing little module packs a lot of ability and features into a small package. Read on and meet how you lot can put it to utilise.

Introduction

The ESP32-CAM is a full-featured microcontroller that likewise has an integrated video camera and microSD bill of fare socket. It'south inexpensive and easy to use, and is perfect for IoT devices requiring a camera with advanced functions like image tracking and recognition.

ESP32-CAM

The sample software distributed by Espressif includes a sketch that allows you to build a web-based camera with a sophisticated control console. Afterward you go the hang of programming the device you'll find that information technology is very easy to utilize.

Not bad for a board that costs most x dollars, including the camera!

Examining the ESP32-CAM

The ESP32-CAM module has fewer I/O pins than the previous ESP-32 module nosotros looked at. Many of the GPIO pins are used internally for the camera and the microSD card port.

Another thing missing from the ESP32-CAM module is a USB port. In order to programme this device you'll need to make apply of an FTDI adapter. This will be described further on in this commodity.

Hither is the pinout of the ESP32-CAM Module:

ESP32-CAM Pinouts

I affair to note well-nigh this module is that it has components on both sides of the printed circuit board. The "acme" of the board has the connector for the camera module, as well equally the microSD (sometimes called "TF") card socket.

ESP32-CAM Module - Top

You'll also annotation a square white LED on the top of the module, this tin can deed as a "wink" for illuminating the field of study you are trying to view with the photographic camera.

The underside of the circuit board has the ESP32-S module. It besides has a connector for an external antenna, also as an internal antenna that is etched onto the circuit lath. I'll explicate how to employ the external antenna before long.

ESP32-CAM Module - Bottom

Another key component located underneath the board is the reset switch.

Because there are so many components on the bottom of the module you may find it easier not to employ a solderless breadboard when experimenting with the ESP32-CAM module. The use of jumpers with female person Dupont connectors is recommended.

ESP32-CAM Specifications

The ESP32-CAM is based upon the ESP32-Due south module, so it shares the aforementioned specifications. It has the following features:

802.11b/g/northward Wi-Fi
Bluetooth iv.two with BLE
UART, SPI, I2C and PWM interfaces
Clock speed upwardly to 160 MHz
Computing power upward to 600 DMIPS
520 KB SRAM plus 4 MB PSRAM
Supports WiFi Paradigm Upload
Multiple Sleep modes
Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) upgrades possible
9 GPIO ports
Born Flash LED

Photographic camera Specifications

The ESP32-CAM includes an OV2640 camera module. The device also supports OV7670 cameras. The OV2640 has the following specifications:

two Megapixel sensor
Array size UXGA 1622×1200
Output formats include YUV422, YUV420, RGB565, RGB555 and 8-bit compressed information
Image transfer charge per unit of 15 to lx fps

Working with the ESP32-Cam

Using the ESP32-CAM is similar to using the ESP32 modules we looked at previously, with one major deviation. The ESP32-CAM lath has no USB port, and then you tin can't but connect information technology up to your computer and start loading programs.

Instead you will need to add together an external FTDI adapter. This is the same adapter you would use programming an Arduino Pro Mini, and so if you've worked with the Pro Mini and so you probably already accept i of these.

Hooking up the FTDI Adapter

Hither is the hookup diagram for connecting the FTDI adapter to the ESP32-CAM module:

ESP32-CAM FTDI Hookup

It is important to annotation that the FTDI adapter must be set for a three.3-volt VCC output, non 5-volts, equally we are powering the ESP32-CAM using the 3.3-volt power pin. You could also keep the FTDI adapter at five-volts and use the 5-volt power pivot instead.

I take found the 3.3-volt fix to exist more than reliable, which is why I am recommending information technology.

You'll besides need to notation that there is a connection betwixt the GPIO 0 pin and Ground. This connection is just required while you are programming the ESP32-CAM. One time you have finished programming the module y'all can ability it downward and remove this connection.

ESP32-CAM and FTDI Adapter

Equally you'll crave access to the Reset push yous may want to utilise female-to-female person Dupont jumpers, instead of a solderless breadboard, when working with the ESP32-CAM.

Programming with the Arduino IDE

In lodge to use the ESP32-CAM, or any ESP32, with the Arduino IDE you lot will demand to employ the Board Manager to add the ESP32 boards. This is accomplished by calculation a JSON file link to your Arduino IDE Preferences "Additional Boards URL" text box.

ESP32 Add Board Manager JSON

Consummate details for doing this tin can be constitute in the Getting Started with ESP32 article.

Once you have done this you lot will find a listing of ESP32 boards in your Arduino IDE Boards Director. Select the A-Thinker ESP32-CAM lath from this listing.

Loading the Sample Sketch

After y'all select the A-Thinker ESP32-CAM board you lot volition have a number of case sketches loaded into your Arduino IDE.

The sample sketch nosotros volition be using is the CameraWebServer sketch. You tin can load it equally follows:

Open up the Arduino IDE
Click on the File carte du jour item on the pinnacle menu bar.
Roll down and click on Examples . A sub-menu will open up.
Scroll down the sub-menu and look for Examples for A-Thinker ESP32-CAM .
Beneath this you'll see an entry for ESP32 . Click on it and another sub-menu will open up.
Select Camera from this sub-carte du jour.
Select CameraWebServer

The CameraWebServer sketch is very complicated and consists of 4 files, and then I won't get over the details here.

The sketch turns the ESPO32-CAM into a full-featured online photographic camera, complete with face detection capabilities and a wealth of controls. Information technology'south a very impressive demonstration of the ESP32-CAMs capabilities!

Before you lot can use the sketch you will demand to alter information technology for your network, and to select the right ESP32 module.

Nether the lines saying Select Camera Model you demand to select the correct entry for your lath. The one I used (and the most popular one) is CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER
Below that yous will see a line for your SSID. Enter your networks SSID here.
On the line below the SSID enter your network admission countersign.

Note that the ESP32-CAM but works with ii.4 GHz WiFi networks.

Save the sketch afterwards yous modify it.

Testing the ESP32-CAM

Load the sketch into your IDE and press the Upload button to compile and load it to the ESP32-CAM, via the FTDI connector. Be sure yous have the jumper connected betwixt GPIO 0 and Ground.

The sketch may take a while to compile, this is normal. When it is finished you tin disconnect the USB cable, remove the jumper wire, and and so reconnect the USB cable to power the board back up again.

Open your Series Monitor, making sure it is set to a baud rate of 115,200 bps. Then printing the Reset switch on the ESP32-CAM module.

You lot should see some initialization information, followed by a statement proverb that the board has continued to the network and has obtained an IP accost. The IP address will be in the course of a URL, such as http://192.168.1.67 (this is only an case URL, yours will be dissimilar)

Copy this address so paste it into the accost bar of a web browser. The web browser needs to be on the same network equally the ESP32-CAM is connected to.

ESP32-CAM Camera Web Server

You lot should now meet the webpage for the photographic camera, complete with a number of controls.

Click on the Offset Stream button to stream video. Y'all can alter the size and frame rate of the video using the drop-down at the top of the screen.

Experiment with the many features of the Camera Web Server, and endeavour to remember that this is all coming from a 10-dollar module!

Resolving ESP32-CAM Power Issues

If you lot take issues getting the ESP32-CAM to piece of work the first thing yous'll want to investigate is the power supply. This is also true with other ESP32 modules.

Although the ESP32 can operate at a very low standby current it as well consumes big bursts of electric current when operating its radio, and this can affect both WiFi and Bluetooth operation.

One mode to decide if y'all have a power consequence is to observe the Serial Monitor when starting your ESP32-CAM. If you see a message saying a "Brownout Condition" has been detected then information technology'due south likely that the ESP32-CAM is trying to draw more current than you're able to supply for information technology.

There are a few ways to go around this issue.

Using an Active USB Hub

The FTDI module that supplies power and communications for the ESP32-CAM gets its power from the USB cablevision connected to information technology. The power source hither is your computer.

Most USB2 computer ports practice have enough electric current capability to satisfy the requirements of the ESP32-CAM, but some do non.

Another gene tin be the length and quality of the USB cable. These cables employ very thin wire, and sometimes the voltage drop is pretty significant. Frequently yous can resolve the brownout result by simply replacing the cable.

Another mode, and ane that worked for me in the workshop, is to employ a powered USB hub. This allows you lot to place the hub close to the ESP32-CAM and employ a shorter USB cable to drive the FTDI adapter.

Powered USB Hub

A USB2 hub is sufficient, it doesn't need to exist USB3. The hub allows the communications signals to pass through to the FTDI adapter while powering it from its own power supply.

It is of import to use a POWERED hub here, as using a passive USB hub only defeats the purpose and would probably make things worse!

Using a v-volt Power Supply

Another mode to resolve the brownout condition is to ability the ESP32-CAM with the 5-volt power pivot, instead of the 3.iii-volt pin.

If you are using the FTDI adapter and are having bug running the ESP32-CAM effort switching the power to 5-volts and using the 5-volt power pin.

Oddly plenty I establish that the ESP32-CAM seems to RUN better with 5-volts, but it is easier to Program using 3.iii-volts! This might exist unique to my setup, however, and so I urge you to experiment.

ESP32-CAM on Breadboard

The to a higher place prototype shows an ESP32-CAM on a solderless breadboard with a 5-volt breadboard ability supply. The ESP32-CAM was already programmed using female-to-female jumper cables and iii.3-volts.

The breadboard power supply is powered by a standard 9-volt bombardment, allowing for a portable setup.

Ane upshot with mounting the module on a breadboard is it prevents like shooting fish in a barrel admission to the reset switch, however, you lot can access the switch from the front using a toothpick or other insulated object.

Using an External Antenna

Another problem you might meet using the ESP32-CAM is WiFi Signal force.

The ESP32-CAM has an antenna etched on its printed excursion lath. The specification sail from A-Thinker claims a gain of ii.1dBi for the onboard antenna.

If you are in shut proximity to your router or WiFi access point this should be sufficient, even so as you move the module farther from the signal source you lot can experience dropouts or loss of signal.

The solution for this is to add an external antenna.

Selecting an External Antenna

There are many unlike external antennas that would exist suitable for use with the ESP32-CAM. The requirements for the external antenna are as follows:

It needs to piece of work in the 2.4GHz band.
Information technology needs to have a U.FL or IPEX MHF or MHF1 connector.

Otherwise you lot tin can use either a flexible "stick-on" or a dipole antenna.

ESP32-CAM Antenna Connector

Using the antenna is non just only a thing of plugging it into the socket nonetheless. Y'all volition demand to make a modification to the ESP32-CAM lath, and this will require a bit of soldering. So heat upward your soldering fe and follow these instructions.

Modifying the ESP32-CAM for External Antenna

The ESP32 board has a minor antenna connexion on the bottom of the module, very shut to the built-in antenna.

Next to the antenna connector, and between the built-in antenna and the metal case of the ESP32S module, are a trio of solder pads. There is a 0-ohm (yep, you read that correctly) resistor beyond two of the pads, as illustrated here:

ESP32-CAM Antenna - Internal Strapping

In the above diagram y'all can see the position of this resistor when using the internal antenna.

To employ the external antenna you lot need to remove the resistor and identify it in the gap between the bottom pads, equally illustrated here:

ESP32-CAM Antenna - External Strapping

The surface-mount resistor can exist difficult to work with, especially if y'all are unaccustomed to working with SMD components. Simply as this is a 0-ohm resistor you can but utilize a small piece of wire instead, in fact that'south what I did and information technology worked fine.

Note that you tin can't put a wire there and keep the original resistor, you can only use one antenna at a fourth dimension.

Afterwards yous have modified the board you can install the external antenna.

Antenna Test Sketch

Here is a simple sketch that you tin can use to examination the antenna performance, you can use it with both the internal or external antenna.

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ESP32 WiFi Signal Test

esp32-wifi-point-test.ino

Tests WiFi signal strength

*Requires WiFi SSID and Password

DroneBot Workshop 2020

https://dronebotworkshop.com

// Include WiFi library

#include "WiFi.h"

// SSID and Countersign - modify for your WiFi network

const char* ssid = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_SSID" ;

const char* countersign = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_PASSWORD" ;

void setup ( ) {

// Setup serial monitor

Series . begin ( 115200 ) ;

// Starting time WiFi and conect to network

WiFi . begin ( ssid , password ) ;

// Await while connection established

while ( WiFi . status ( ) != WL_CONNECTED ) {

delay ( 500 ) ;

Serial . print ( "-" ) ;

}

// WiFi is connected

Serial . println ( "" ) ;

Serial . impress ( "Continued to network " ) ;

Series . println ( ssid ) ;

delay ( 100 ) ;

}

void loop ( ) {

Serial . print ( ssid ) ;

Series . print ( " Signal Level: " ) ;

Serial . println ( WiFi . RSSI ( ) ) ;

filibuster ( 2000 ) ;

}

This is a very bones sketch and nigh of its functionality comes from the WiFi Library that Espressif installs with the ESP32 board manager.

You'll need to change this sketch with your SSID and WiFi password, just equally you did for the CameraWebServer example sketch. These values are assigned to a couple of constants.

In the Setup the serial monitor is initialized so an effort is fabricated to connect to the WiFi access point using the credentials you lot supplied.

Assuming you get a successful connection we motion on to the Loop.

In the Loop we merely use the WiFi library to read the point strength and we and then display this on the serial monitor. After a 2-2nd delay we exercise it all over again.

ESP32-CAM with External Antenna

Load the sketch, remember to strap the GPIO 0 pivot to ground while you are uploading the code. After that you can remove the jumper and hitting the reset key.

You should observe the signal strength on your series monitor.

In my example I constitute a substantial difference between the internal antenna and the external one. I was getting readings of about -60dBm with the internal antenna, and -48dBM or improve with the external one, a major comeback.

Keep this sketch handy for testing out your other ESP32 installations.

Determination

The ESP32-CAM module is an amazing value. At less than ten dollars y'all become a full-featured microcontroller that includes both a video camera and a microSD carte du jour socket.

The supplied case sketch may be all that you need in order to create a useful product with this device. Of course y'all tin take it much further and create sketches to use this versatile module in a number of IoT projects.

I hope you enjoyed this article and that it inspires yous to create your own camera-enabled devices. And if yous meet problems with it in that location is an ESP32-ESP8266 section on the DroneBot Workshop Forums where y'all tin discuss this with other enthusiasts like yourself.

Summary

Getting started with the ESP32-CAM

Article Name

Getting started with the ESP32-CAM

Description

The ESP32-CAM is an cheap microcontroller that comes with a built-in camera and microSD card interface - all for less than x dollars! In this article, I'll show you lot how to become started with the ESP32-CAM and use it to create a Camera Web Server. We'll also go over some troubleshooting tips you can use if yous have problems getting your ESP32-CAM to work.

Author

DroneBot Workshop

Publisher Name

DroneBot Workshop

Publisher Logo

Source: https://dronebotworkshop.com/esp32-cam-intro/

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