How to Use ESP32-S3 WROOM Cam Devboard: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The ESP32-S3 WROOM Cam Devboard is a versatile development board designed by Freenove, featuring the powerful ESP32-S3 chip. This board integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for IoT applications. Additionally, it includes a camera interface, enabling image processing and computer vision tasks. Its compact design and robust features make it suitable for a wide range of projects, from smart home devices to AI-powered applications.

• IoT devices with wireless connectivity
• Smart home automation systems
• Image recognition and processing
• Surveillance and security systems
• AI and machine learning applications
• Educational and prototyping projects

Below are the key technical details of the ESP32-S3 WROOM Cam Devboard:

The ESP32-S3 WROOM Cam Devboard features a variety of pins for interfacing with peripherals. Below is the pinout description:

1. Powering the Board:

   • Connect the board to a 5V power source using the USB-C port. This will also allow programming and debugging.
   • Ensure the power supply provides sufficient current (at least 500 mA).

2. Connecting Peripherals:

   • Use the GPIO pins to connect sensors, actuators, or other peripherals. Refer to the pin configuration table for specific pin functions.
   • For camera applications, connect a compatible camera module (e.g., OV2640) to the designated camera interface pins.

3. Programming the Board:

   • Install the Arduino IDE or ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) on your computer.
   • Add the ESP32-S3 board support package to your development environment.
   • Connect the board to your computer via USB-C and select the appropriate COM port.

4. Uploading Code:

   • Write or load your program in the IDE.
   • Press the "Upload" button to flash the code to the board. If required, hold the BOOT button during the upload process.

• Power Supply: Ensure a stable 5V power source to avoid unexpected resets or malfunctions.
• GPIO Voltage Levels: The GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic levels. Avoid applying higher voltages to prevent damage.
• Camera Module: Use only compatible camera modules to ensure proper operation.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Avoid placing the board in metal enclosures, as this may interfere with wireless signals.

Below is an example code snippet to capture an image using the camera module and save it to SPIFFS (internal storage):

#include "esp_camera.h"
#include "FS.h"
#include "SPIFFS.h"

// Camera pin configuration
#define PWDN_GPIO_NUM    -1 // Power down pin not used
#define RESET_GPIO_NUM   -1 // Reset pin not used
#define XCLK_GPIO_NUM    0  // XCLK pin
#define SIOD_GPIO_NUM    21 // I2C SDA
#define SIOC_GPIO_NUM    22 // I2C SCL
#define Y9_GPIO_NUM      36 // D0
#define Y8_GPIO_NUM      39 // D1
#define Y7_GPIO_NUM      35 // D2
#define Y6_GPIO_NUM      34 // D3
#define Y5_GPIO_NUM      33 // D4
#define Y4_GPIO_NUM      32 // D5
#define Y3_GPIO_NUM      25 // D6
#define Y2_GPIO_NUM      26 // D7
#define VSYNC_GPIO_NUM   27 // VSYNC
#define HREF_GPIO_NUM    23 // HREF
#define PCLK_GPIO_NUM    19 // PCLK

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);

  // Initialize SPIFFS
  if (!SPIFFS.begin(true)) {
    Serial.println("Failed to mount SPIFFS");
    return;
  }

  // Camera configuration
  camera_config_t config;
  config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
  config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
  config.pin_d0 = Y9_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d1 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d2 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d3 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d4 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d5 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d6 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_d7 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_xclk = XCLK_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_pclk = PCLK_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_vsync = VSYNC_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_href = HREF_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_sscb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_sscb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_pwdn = PWDN_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_reset = RESET_GPIO_NUM;
  config.xclk_freq_hz = 20000000;
  config.pixel_format = PIXFORMAT_JPEG;

  // Initialize the camera
  if (esp_camera_init(&config) != ESP_OK) {
    Serial.println("Camera initialization failed");
    return;
  }

  Serial.println("Camera initialized successfully");
}

void loop() {
  // Capture an image
  camera_fb_t *fb = esp_camera_fb_get();
  if (!fb) {
    Serial.println("Failed to capture image");
    return;
  }

  // Save the image to SPIFFS
  File file = SPIFFS.open("/image.jpg", FILE_WRITE);
  if (!file) {
    Serial.println("Failed to open file for writing");
    esp_camera_fb_return(fb);
    return;
  }
  file.write(fb->buf, fb->len);
  file.close();
  esp_camera_fb_return(fb);

  Serial.println("Image saved to SPIFFS as /image.jpg");
  delay(5000); // Wait 5 seconds before capturing the next image
}

1. Board Not Detected by Computer:

   • Ensure the USB-C cable is data-capable (not just for charging).
   • Check if the correct COM port is selected in the IDE.

2. Camera Initialization Fails:

   • Verify the camera module is properly connected to the board.
   • Ensure the camera pins are correctly configured in the code.

3. Wi-Fi Connection Issues:

   • Check the Wi-Fi credentials in your code.
   • Ensure the board is within range of the Wi-Fi router.

4. Code Upload Fails:

   • Hold the BOOT button while uploading the code.
   • Verify the correct board and