Components

Quantity	Description	Cost (USD)	Photo
1	ESP32-CAM	$11.11
5	jumpers	$11.11
1	USBFT232 USB	$10

Programming ESP32-CAM with FT232 USB without a Programming Board

Connections

Connections between FT232 and ESP32-CAM:

• FT232 VCC to ESP32-CAM 3.3V
• FT232 GND to ESP32-CAM GND
• FT232 TX to ESP32-CAM U0R
• FT232 RX to ESP32-CAM U0T
• FT232 RTS to ESP32-CAM IO0 (for programming mode)
• FT232 DTR to ESP32-CAM RST

Additional Connection for Programming Mode:

To put the ESP32-CAM in programming mode, connect the IO0 pin to GND during the reset. You can do this temporarily with a jumper:

• ESP32-CAM IO0 to ESP32-CAM GND (temporarily during reset)

Software

Make sure you have the Arduino IDE installed and the ESP32 library added to it.

Installing ESP32 Library in Arduino IDE:

1. Open Arduino IDE.
2. Go to File > Preferences.
3. In the Additional Board Manager URLs field, add the following URL:

https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json

4. Go to Tools > Board > Board Manager.
5. Search for ESP32 and install the library.

Arduino IDE Configuration:

1. Select Tools > Board > ESP32 Arduino > AI Thinker ESP32-CAM.
2. Configure the following options in the Tools menu:
   • Flash Mode: QIO
   • Flash Frequency: 40MHz
   • Upload Speed: 115200
   • Port: Select the COM port corresponding to the FT232 USB

Example Code:

        
#include "esp_camera.h"
#include 

// Replace with your network credentials
const char* ssid = "your_SSID";
const char* password = "your_PASSWORD";

void startCameraServer();

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }
  Serial.println("");
  Serial.println("WiFi connected");

  startCameraServer();
}

void loop() {
  delay(10000);
}
        
    

Programming

1. Connect ESP32-CAM IO0 to GND (temporarily for programming mode).
2. Connect the FT232 to the USB port of your computer.
3. Upload the code from the Arduino IDE.
4. Once the upload is complete, disconnect the jumper between ESP32-CAM IO0 and GND.
5. Reset the ESP32-CAM (by disconnecting and reconnecting the power or using a reset button if available).

Completion

Once you have uploaded the code, your ESP32-CAM should be ready and connected to your Wi-Fi network, accessible according to the functions provided in your code.

Programming

Arduino ESP CAM

This Arduino code uses an ESP32 to connect to a WiFi network, initialize a camera, and send data to a web server.

						
				// Included Libraries
				#include "esp_camera.h"             // Library to handle the ESP32 camera
				#include <WiFi.h>                   // Library to connect to WiFi networks
				#include <HTTPClient.h>             // Library to make HTTP requests
				#include <WiFiClientSecure.h>       // Library to handle secure WiFi connections
			
				// WiFi Network and Server Configuration
				const char* ssid = "frank";                 // WiFi network SSID
				const char* password = "franlopez";         // WiFi network password
			
				const char* serverName = "https://7b1bd7318-bc4d-4740-a62d-d7195741dcee-00-2biv5sob6tgpp.spock.replit.dev/upload2.php"; // HTTPS server URL
			
				// Camera Model Definition
				#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER
				#include "camera_pins.h"   // Includes the configuration of the camera pins
			
				void setup() {
				Serial.begin(115200);  // Start serial communication at 115200 baud
			
				camera_config_t config;
				config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
				config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
				config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d1 = Y3_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d2 = Y4_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d3 = Y5_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d4 = Y6_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d5 = Y7_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d6 = Y8_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_d7 = Y9_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_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
				config.pin_sccb_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;
			
				// Start the camera with the defined configuration
				esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config);
				if (err != ESP_OK) {
				Serial.printf("Camera error: %s\n", esp_err_to_name(err));
				return;
								}
			
				// Start WiFi
				WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
				while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
				delay(500);
				Serial.print(".");
								}
				Serial.println("Connected to WiFi");
							}
						
					

Detailed Explanation

Included Libraries: The code includes several essential libraries to handle the ESP32 camera, connect to WiFi networks, and make HTTP requests.

WiFi Network and Server Configuration: The WiFi network credentials and the server URL to which the data will be sent are defined.

Camera Model Definition: The model of the camera used is defined, and the file containing the configuration of the specific pins for that model is included.

Setup Function: Initializes serial communication, configures the camera pins, initializes the camera, and connects the ESP32 to the WiFi network.

additional information

Additionally, I gave myself the task of making this schematic for a PCB to make the programming mode easier. However, I did not manufacture it due to time and economic issues.