Group Assignment

1. Comprehensive Analysis of Microcontrollers: Arduino Uno vs ESP32-CAM

Team: Manuel Ayala-Chauvin, Sandra Nuñez-Torres
Institution: Fablab - Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica
Year: 2025

Introduction

This comparative project explores the key specifications, connectivity features, and performance differences between Arduino Uno and ESP32-CAM. It includes pinout analysis, practical implementation, and performance tests to help beginners and makers understand how to choose the right board for a project.

Microcontroller Pinouts

Arduino Uno

ESP32-CAM

Comparative Table

2. Practical Experiment

This experiment involved LED blinking with Arduino Uno and image streaming with ESP32-CAM to illustrate typical use cases.

Step-by-Step Guide to Replicate the Experiment

Step 1: Materials Required

• Arduino Uno + USB cable
• ESP32-CAM module + FTDI programmer
• LEDs, 220Ω resistors, jumper wires, breadboard
• Power supply (5V for Uno, 3.3V for ESP32-CAM)
• MicroSD card (for testing ESP32 image capture)

Step 2: Circuit Setup

• Arduino Uno: Connect an LED in series with a 220Ω resistor to pin 13.
• ESP32-CAM: Connect the FTDI programmer to TX/RX and GND/3.3V. Plug camera module if not already onboard.

Step 3: Code Upload

Arduino Uno Code:

void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

Wokwi simulation

ESP32-CAM:

Upload the CameraWebServer example from the Arduino IDE (ESP32 board package must be installed). Set WiFi credentials in the sketch before uploading. Use GPIO 0 grounded during flashing.

Step 4: Test and Observe

• Observe LED blinking with 1s interval on Arduino Uno.
• ESP32-CAM opens a web server and streams video. Access the IP shown in Serial Monitor.

Wokwi simulation

Observations

• Arduino Uno: Reliable for simple, real-time digital I/O. No wireless capabilities.
• ESP32-CAM: Offers wireless connectivity and camera interface but requires more care in flashing and powering.

Conclusion

While Arduino Uno is excellent for simple embedded projects, ESP32-CAM is more powerful and ideal for IoT and computer vision tasks. This experiment highlights their differences in use case, connectivity, and real-world performance.

Individual Assignment

Servo Motor Control with ESP32

Introduction

This project demonstrates how to control a servo motor using an ESP32 microcontroller. We utilize the ESP32Servo.h library to interface with the servo.

Objective

The goal is to program an ESP32 to control a servo motor, moving it from 0° to 180° in increments of 10° and resetting to 0°.

Materials Required

• ESP32 development board
• Servo motor (SG90 or similar)
• Breadboard and jumper wires
• Power supply (5V from ESP32 or external source)
• Wokwi simulation

Circuit Diagram

The following wiring scheme is used:

• Servo signal (orange) → ESP32 GPIO18
• Servo VCC (red) → 5V
• Servo GND (black) → GND

Simulation & Testing

The circuit was tested on Wokwi. The servo motor successfully moves in 10° increments until reaching 180°, then resets.

ESP32 Servo Control – Code and Setup

This screenshot shows the Arduino IDE with a simple sketch designed to control a servo motor using an ESP32 microcontroller. The project is developed within the context of FabLab INDOAMÉRICA by Ignacio Ayala.

Code Explanation

// FABlab INDOAMÉRICA
// Ignacio Ayala

#include <ESP32Servo.h>

int control = 18, p = 0;    // control pin and angle variable
Servo motor;

void setup() {
    motor.attach(control, 500, 2400);  // Attach servo with pulse width range
    Serial.begin(115200);              // Start serial communication
}

void loop() {
    p = p + 10;            // Increase angle by 10 degrees
    motor.write(p);        // Send new position to the servo

    if (p == 180) {
        p = 0;             // Reset to 0° after full sweep
    }

    delay(1000);           // Wait 1 second before next move
}

Behavior

• The servo gradually moves in steps of 10° from 0° to 180°.
• Once it reaches 180°, it resets to 0° and restarts the cycle.
• This cycle creates a smooth, looped motion—ideal for testing rotation limits or creating timed gestures.

Educational Use

This exercise is a great introduction to PWM control, timing, and servo calibration on the ESP32 platform. It reinforces concepts like incremental movement, pin configuration, and loop logic.

Observations

• Current implementation does not return smoothly to 0°.
• External power may be needed to avoid jitter.

Conclusion

This project showcases basic servo control with ESP32, which can be further expanded for robotics and automation.

Files

Wokwi simulation