In this tutorial, we will create a real-time weather station using the ESP32 and its camera extension. This project will enable the ESP32 to display weather data such as temperature and humidity on an LCD screen, while also streaming video over Wi-Fi. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional weather station that updates every 10 seconds, providing valuable weather information at your fingertips. For more clarity, refer to the video (in video at 00:00).
extension_bopard_camera
Hardware Explained
The main components of this project include the ESP32 microcontroller, an LCD display, and a camera module. The ESP32 is a powerful microcontroller that features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing it to connect to the internet and communicate with other devices. The camera module enables video streaming, while the LCD display presents weather information to the user.
The LCD used in this project is a 20x4 character display, which can show a significant amount of information at once. It is connected to the ESP32 for displaying the temperature, humidity, and other weather data fetched from an online API. The ESP32 also includes a battery management system, allowing it to operate wirelessly.
Datasheet Details
Manufacturer
Espressif
Part number
ESP32-WROOM-32
Logic/IO voltage
3.3 V
Supply voltage
3.0 - 3.6 V
Output current (per GPIO)
12 mA
Peak current (per GPIO)
40 mA
PWM frequency guidance
1 kHz
Input logic thresholds
0.3 * VDD to 0.7 * VDD
Voltage drop / RDS(on) / saturation
0.1 V (typ.)
Thermal limits
125 °C
Package
QFN48
Notes / variants
Includes PSRAM options
Ensure proper power supply (3.0 - 3.6 V).
Use heat sinks for high current applications.
Be cautious with GPIO current limits (12 mA per pin).
Connect the LCD and camera properly to avoid miscommunication.
Check Wi-Fi credentials and API keys for connectivity issues.
Wiring Instructions
To wire the ESP32 with the LCD and camera module, start by connecting the power and ground pins. Connect the ground pin of the ESP32 to the ground of the LCD and camera. Then, connect the 5V pin of the ESP32 to the VCC of the LCD. For the camera, connect the brown wire to the ground, the red wire to 5V, the yellow wire to GPIO 21, and the orange wire to GPIO 22. Ensure that the connections are secure to avoid any issues during operation.
Next, connect the LCD to the appropriate GPIO pins. The specific pins may vary based on your setup, but typically, you will connect the control pins to designated GPIOs on the ESP32. Make sure to refer to the datasheet or pinout diagram for your specific LCD model to confirm the correct wiring. After completing these connections, double-check all wiring for any loose or incorrect connections.
Code Examples & Walkthrough
In the code, we first include the necessary libraries for handling the camera and Wi-Fi functionalities. The essential identifiers are declared, including ssid and password for Wi-Fi credentials. The configuration for the camera is set up using the camera_config_t structure, where we define various parameters such as pixel format and frame size.
This snippet initializes the camera and checks for any errors during setup. If the camera fails to initialize, an error message is printed to the serial monitor.
Next, we handle the Wi-Fi connection and start the camera server. The connection loop continues until a successful Wi-Fi connection is established, which is crucial for fetching weather data from the API.
In this section, we initiate the Wi-Fi connection and print dots to the serial monitor until the connection is established. Once connected, the camera server is started, allowing video streaming.
The complete code will load below the article, where you can see how all parts come together.
Demonstration / What to Expect
Once everything is wired and the code is uploaded, you can expect the ESP32 to connect to the Wi-Fi network and start fetching weather data every 10 seconds. The temperature and humidity readings will be displayed on the LCD screen. Additionally, the camera will stream video over Wi-Fi, which can be accessed via the local IP address printed in the serial monitor. If the Wi-Fi connection fails, the ESP32 will notify you through the serial output (in video at 10:00).
Video Timestamps
00:00 Start
1:42 Introduction to the ESP32-Cam
4:30 Arduino code explained
7:35 Selecting ESP32 Board and COM port in Arduino IDE
9:17 Demonstration
12:06 Demonstration on Mobile Phone
图像
ESP32-40-micro-sd-card-2
extension_bopard_camera
ESP32-40-micro-sd-card-2
extension_bopard_camera
845-ESP32 Tutorial 44/55- Arduino code for camera web sever