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Week 10: Input Devices

Summary

This week I explored input devices by working with two sensors: the TCS34725 color sensor and the integrated camera module of the XIAO ESP32S3. I learned how to interface I²C digital sensors and how to initialize and stream data from a visual sensor via WiFi.

Group Assignment

group assignment

Task:

• Probe an input device(s)'s analog levels and digital signals.

Individual Assignment

Task:

• Measure something: add a sensor to a microcontroller board that you have designed and read it.

Sensor 1: TCS34725 - Color Sensor

Code:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_TCS34725.h>

Adafruit_TCS34725 tcs = Adafruit_TCS34725();

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  if (!tcs.begin()) {
    Serial.println("No TCS34725 found");
    while (1);
  }
}

void loop() {
  uint16_t r, g, b, c;
  tcs.getRawData(&r, &g, &b, &c);
  Serial.printf("R:%d G:%d B:%d C:%d\n", r, g, b, c);
  delay(1000);
}

Sensor 2: Camera - XIAO ESP32S3

• Board: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 with integrated OV2640 camera
• Communication: Digital input via camera interface + WiFi stream
• Software: PlatformIO / Arduino IDE using esp32-camera library

Setup & Code:

#include "esp_camera.h"
#include 

const char* ssid = "YOUR_SSID";
const char* password = "YOUR_PASS";

void startCameraServer();  // Declared below

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

  camera_config_t config;
  config.ledc_channel = LEDC_CHANNEL_0;
  config.ledc_timer = LEDC_TIMER_0;
  config.pin_d0 = Y2_GPIO_NUM;
  // [setup remaining pins and parameters for XIAO ESP32S3]

  if (!esp_camera_init(&config)) {
    Serial.println("Camera init failed");
    return;
  }

  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) delay(500);

  startCameraServer();
  Serial.println("Camera ready! Stream at http://");
}

void loop() { delay(1); }

// Implement camera web server using esp32-camera example

We can stream the video directly via the ESP32S3's local IP address. This allows reading and interpreting visual data from the environment.

What I Learned:

• How to connect and read color values using an I²C digital sensor (TCS34725).
• How to stream camera input using the XIAO ESP32S3's built-in OV2640 module.
• How sensor data can be transmitted and interpreted for real-time applications.

Files

• Color sensor sketch
• TCS34725 Datasheet

Reflections

This week pushed my understanding of both digital communication and visual data processing. The color sensor helped me grasp I²C, while the ESP32S3 camera expanded my knowledge on WiFi data streaming and camera interfacing. I feel more confident exploring other input devices such as IMUs, microphones or rangefinders in the future.