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ESP32-Cam Programmer

An easy way to upload code to your ESP32-Cam

insan-sainsInsan Sains
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I build this project to solve common issues of ESP32-Cam. Uploading code to ESP32-Cam is a bit tricky using external programmer. We have to make sure GPIO0 is connected to GND and then press RST button if we want to enter the flashing mode. After that, we disconnect GPIO0 from GND to enter running mode. We need to do this sequence everytime we upload the code.

With this add-ons, we just plug in the ESP32-Cam on it. Connect USB cable, and there you go, we can start upload code and reupload as much as we want with easy and fast.

This is my initial design. It based on Bitluni's Cam-Prog (https://bitluni.net/camprog) with some modifications. There are two main parts of the schematic. First, is a common auto-program for ESP32 / ESP2866 which is control GPIO0 and RESET of ESP32. And second, is a N-Channel MOSFET to turn-on and off the ESP32 for replacing the function of RESET, since the developer forgot to breakout the RESET pin.

Please take a look the github link for this project. It contains PCB schematic and board layout in Eagle format. Also there are a Bill of Materials and production file in gerber format. Simply send the gerber file to your pcb manufacturer like pcbway, jlcpcb, or other local pcb manufacturers. Most of components are 0603 package, so it's able to solder by hand.

For some one who needs the 3D model of this design, please take a look my grabcad link for this project : ESP32-Cam Programmer | 3D CAD Model Library | GrabCAD

Hope this helps.

ESP32Cam-Programmer-Public-V2.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 89.56 kB - 03/15/2022 at 07:33

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ESP32Cam-Programmer-Public.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 73.19 kB - 02/22/2021 at 08:36

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  • 3D Model Released

    Insan Sains • 05/08/2022 at 13:48 • 0 comments

    Couple weeks ago, I had made the 3D model of this board. Feel free to use it. The 3D model has uploaded to this project files also into grabcad community : ESP32-Cam Programmer V3 by Insan Sains

    Here is the rendered image 

  • Version 3.0

    Insan Sains • 03/15/2022 at 07:24 • 0 comments

    This is the newest revision of our ESP32-Cam Programmer. The major difference from the previous version is that support dual working voltage (5V and 3.3V). Here is the details of revisions :

    • Added a 3.3V Voltage Regulator
    • Added voltage selector switch (5V or 3.3V compatible)

    One of the nice feature of this new board is a slide switch that allow the board to be configured to either 5V or 3.3V. When it used to program the ESP32-Cam it highly recommended to set to 3.3V. It's saver voltage for the ESP32 as datasheet said. If you want to use this board as a general serial applications such as programming another MCU's like Arduino, there are 6-pins breakout you can use for that purpose

    • Compatible with both older and newer ESP32-Cam. 

    Since there are two kind of ESP32-Cam in the market, so the first design didn't support the newer ESP32-Cam.

    Above is shown the old version of ESP32-Cam. The red marker is GND pin, it is near the LED. As you know this version for some manufacturer reason, they didn't breakout RST pin from ESP32-Cam. As the result we need any tricks to make ESP32 enter the programming mode. Which is why this project was created.  But in early 2021, I noticed that the manufacturer has resolved the Reset issue by changing "the red marked pin". That pin can configured as a GND or as a RST pin by moving the resistor jumper into the right position (blue marker) as shown in the image below. The default setting is connected to RST of ESP32.

    The newest ESP32-Cam Programmer are compatible both old and new ESP32-Cam. This is done by keep the associated pin from being connected to any traces.

    • changes PCB shape and color

    Here is the bottom side of this board

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Jolly Tinkerer wrote 04/06/2022 at 14:21 • point

Thank you for this! I didn't notice the reset button on my newer esp32-cams and thought my programmer was broken, but I just had to connect it to a real ground connection...

  Are you sure? yes | no

Gigi wrote 09/06/2021 at 10:34 • point

Hi, here is my simplified version of your programmer. Only the A03400 needs to be an SMD component and the USB-TTL part is covered by an CH340G module.

https://sites.google.com/site/gigimysite/home/esp32-cam/programmer

  Are you sure? yes | no

Gigi wrote 04/08/2021 at 14:29 • point

Hi, I'm trying to build your programmer but I'm not sure where the Q3's Collector (refer to the PDF schematic) has to be connected. It is labeled as EN. Thanks

  Are you sure? yes | no

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