How to Use Arduino Nano ESP32: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Arduino Nano ESP32 is a compact and versatile microcontroller board developed by Arduino, featuring the powerful ESP32-S3 microcontroller. This board combines the ease of use of the Arduino ecosystem with the advanced wireless capabilities of the ESP32, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Its small form factor makes it ideal for IoT applications, wearable devices, and other projects requiring wireless connectivity.

• Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• Home automation systems
• Wireless sensor networks
• Wearable technology
• Robotics and automation
• Prototyping and educational projects

The following table outlines the key technical details of the Arduino Nano ESP32:

The Arduino Nano ESP32 has a total of 30 pins. Below is the pinout description:

1. Powering the Board:

   • Use the USB-C port to power the board (5V input).
   • Alternatively, supply 5V to the VIN pin and connect GND to the ground of your circuit.

2. Programming the Board:

   • Install the Arduino IDE and add the ESP32 board package via the Board Manager.
   • Select "Arduino Nano ESP32" as the board type.
   • Connect the board to your computer using a USB-C cable and upload your code.

3. Connecting Peripherals:

   • Use the digital I/O pins (D0-D7) for controlling LEDs, relays, or other digital devices.
   • Use the analog input pins (A0-A7) to read sensor data.
   • Utilize the I2C (SDA, SCL) or SPI (SCK, MISO, MOSI) pins for communication with external modules.

• Ensure the input voltage does not exceed 5V to avoid damaging the board.
• Use level shifters when interfacing with 5V logic devices, as the board operates at 3.3V.
• Avoid drawing excessive current from the 3.3V pin, as it is limited by the onboard regulator.
• Use proper decoupling capacitors when connecting sensors or modules to reduce noise.

The following example demonstrates how to blink an LED connected to pin D2:

// Define the pin where the LED is connected
const int ledPin = 2;

void setup() {
  // Set the LED pin as an output
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Turn the LED on
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

  // Turn the LED off
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}

The following example demonstrates how to connect the Arduino Nano ESP32 to a Wi-Fi network:

#include <WiFi.h>

// Replace with your network credentials
const char* ssid = "Your_SSID";
const char* password = "Your_PASSWORD";

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200); // Start serial communication
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password); // Connect to Wi-Fi

  // Wait for the connection to establish
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }

  Serial.println("\nWi-Fi connected!");
  Serial.print("IP Address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP()); // Print the IP address
}

void loop() {
  // Add your main code here
}

1. The board is not detected by the Arduino IDE:

   • Ensure the correct USB driver is installed for the ESP32.
   • Check that the USB-C cable supports data transfer (some cables are power-only).
   • Select the correct COM port in the Arduino IDE.

2. Wi-Fi connection fails:

   • Double-check the SSID and password for your network.
   • Ensure the Wi-Fi network is within range and not using unsupported security protocols.

3. Code upload fails:

   • Press and hold the "BOOT" button on the board while uploading the code.
   • Verify that the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.

4. Board resets unexpectedly:

   • Check for power supply issues or excessive current draw from connected peripherals.
   • Ensure proper grounding in your circuit.

Q: Can I use the Arduino Nano ESP32 with 5V sensors?
A: Yes, but you will need level shifters to safely interface 5V sensors with the 3.3V logic of the board.

Q: Does the board support OTA (Over-The-Air) updates?
A: Yes, the ESP32-S3 supports OTA updates, which can be implemented using the Arduino IDE or other tools.

Q: What is the maximum current output of the 3.3V pin?
A: The 3.3V pin can supply up to 500mA, depending on the input power source.

Q: Can I use the board for Bluetooth communication?
A: Yes, the ESP32-S3 supports Bluetooth 5.0 (LE), which can be used for BLE applications.