ESP32 By Example from Udemy

I designed this course to guide you through Arduino development, focusing on the ESP32 microprocessor family and using the Arduino IDE version 2.2.1 or newer. This course is ideal for learners eager to build real applications with kit hardware, regardless of their prior experience with the Arduino IDE or standard Arduino hardware.

ESP32 Microprocessors in Focus

In this course, I centre our learning on the ESP32 microprocessor, selecting at least 5 varieties that are compatible with our examples and mini-projects. If you already own an ESP32 development board, I'll show you how to make it work with our course content, although some customization might be necessary due to differences in pin numbering.

Learning Methodology and Content

I adopt an examples-based learning approach, starting with simple Arduino code and advancing to more complex examples. I cover breadboard construction and provide lessons on using LEDs, push-button switches, mini OLED displays, and an MPU with a gyroscope and accelerometer. We'll conclude the first part of the course with a project that integrates ESP32 WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities with a video game system controller.

Kit Options

I offer the option to purchase an all-inclusive, affordable hardware kit for this course, but it's not mandatory if you already have the necessary components. The kit options range from a basic version with a less-capable ESP32 to a more advanced kit featuring the Adafruit ESP32 Feather Huzzah and a LiPo battery, allowing your projects to operate wirelessly. I also provide PCB versions for a more stable assembly experience for those with soldering skills.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone who wants to explore the world of cyber-physical systems where the worlds of software and physical system control meet.

If you have seen a drone in flight and are curious about how the drone receives and executes commands, this course is for you. In part 2 of the course, the hardware of part 1 is used to control a drone and/or a drone simulator.

If the world of Arduino programming is one you want to learn but don't want to start at an over-simplified beginning, this course is for you.

If hands-on exploration of simple electronic circuits using LEDs, switches, and displays is something you want to try, this course is for you.

If you have used video game controllers (gamepads) and would like to explore how they work and how you can make them interact with your own hardware, this course is also for you.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn just enough microcontroller basics, starting with the well-regarded family of esp32 microcontrollers, that you understand how to read arduino programs for
Starting with simple examples, be able to create your own programs that leverage the built-in wireless capabilities of the esp32, including wifi and bluetooth.
Learn how to create your own basic hardware platform from simple parts that can become something as powerful as a drone controller.
Programming esp32 microprocessors using arduino ide version 2.2.1 or newer, including handling different varieties of esp32.

Constructing and using breadboards for project development, with a focus on integrating various components like leds, push-button switches, and mini oled displa
Implementing sensor-based operations using a multi-processor unit (mpu) with a gyroscope and accelerometer.
Integrating esp32's wifi and bluetooth capabilities with external devices, demonstrated through a project involving a video game system controller.

Learn just enough microcontroller basics, starting with the well-regarded family of esp32 microcontrollers, that you understand how to read arduino programs for
Starting with simple examples, be able to create your own programs that leverage the built-in wireless capabilities of the esp32, including wifi and bluetooth.
Learn how to create your own basic hardware platform from simple parts that can become something as powerful as a drone controller.
Programming esp32 microprocessors using arduino ide version 2.2.1 or newer, including handling different varieties of esp32.
Constructing and using breadboards for project development, with a focus on integrating various components like leds, push-button switches, and mini oled displa
Implementing sensor-based operations using a multi-processor unit (mpu) with a gyroscope and accelerometer.
Integrating esp32's wifi and bluetooth capabilities with external devices, demonstrated through a project involving a video game system controller.

Syllabus

Introduction

What this course is about

Needed Software

Needed Hardware and UsefulTools

This item describes some resources that will help you get the most out of this course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses the hardware from the first part of the course to control a drone or a drone simulator, appealing to those interested in drone technology and control systems

Starts with simple Arduino code and advances to more complex examples, making it suitable for both beginners and those with some experience

Integrates ESP32's WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities with external devices, demonstrated through a project involving a video game system controller

Teaches how to create a basic hardware platform from simple parts, which can be expanded into something as powerful as a drone controller

Requires Arduino IDE version 2.2.1 or newer, so learners may need to update their software if they are using older versions

Offers an optional hardware kit, which may be an additional cost for learners who do not already have the necessary components

Reviews summary

Practical esp32 development with hardware

According to learners, this course offers a hands-on approach to learning ESP32 microcontrollers, focusing on practical examples and integration with hardware. Students appreciate the structured progression and the focus on building a specific hardware kit (EEK) which helps solidify concepts. While the course provides a solid foundation for working with ESP32, covering topics like WiFi, Bluetooth, and sensors, some learners might find the hardware aspect a potential barrier if they don't purchase the recommended kit or already have the necessary components. The examples-based methodology is seen as a positive aspect for getting projects running quickly.

Setup requires attention, adaptation might be needed.

"Getting the Arduino IDE and board support set up correctly took a bit of time."

"The instructions for adapting to different ESP32 boards were helpful, but required some effort."

"I appreciate the guidance on identifying and using compatible components."

"Ensuring all the software tools are ready is a necessary first step."

Specific hardware kit is recommended for ease.

"Using the EEK kit made it much easier to follow along with the examples."

"I had to adapt some code because my ESP32 board wasn't exactly the one used in the demos."

"Purchasing the hardware kit adds to the overall cost of taking the course."

"The course clearly explains how to set up the recommended hardware."

Covers wireless features like WiFi and Bluetooth.

"Learning how to use the ESP32's WiFi and Bluetooth features was very useful."

"The WiFi web server example was a great demonstration of its network capabilities."

"Integrating with the Bluepad32 library for gamepad interaction was fascinating."

"I feel confident now in connecting my ESP32 projects wirelessly."

Strong emphasis on building and coding projects.

"I really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the course and building the EEK board."

"The mini-projects helped me understand how the different components work together practically."

"Building the gamepad integration project was a highlight and very engaging."

"It's great to actually wire circuits and see the code control physical hardware."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in ESP32 By Example with these activities:

Review Arduino Fundamentals

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Reviewing Arduino fundamentals will ensure a solid base for understanding the ESP32-specific code and concepts covered in the course.

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Review basic syntax and data types in Arduino C++.
Practice writing simple sketches for LED control and input reading.
Familiarize yourself with the Arduino IDE interface.

Review 'Getting Started with ESP32'

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Reading this book will provide a solid foundation for understanding the ESP32's architecture and capabilities, complementing the course's practical examples.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to the ESP32's architecture and peripherals.
Experiment with the code examples provided in the book.
Compare the book's explanations with the course's lectures.

Review 'Programming ESP32 with Arduino'

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Reading this book will provide a more in-depth understanding of the ESP32 and its capabilities, complementing the course's practical examples.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to WiFi and Bluetooth communication.
Experiment with the code examples provided in the book.
Compare the book's examples with the course's mini-projects.

Four other activities

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Practice with GPIO Control

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Practicing GPIO control will improve your ability to manipulate digital signals, which is essential for interfacing with various electronic components.

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Write code to control multiple LEDs with different patterns.
Implement a button-controlled LED dimmer using PWM.
Experiment with different resistor values to optimize LED brightness.

Document Your ESP32 Projects

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Creating documentation for your ESP32 projects will help solidify your understanding of the code and hardware, and also provide a valuable resource for others.

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Write a detailed description of your project's functionality.
Create a schematic diagram of the hardware connections.
Explain the code logic and key functions.
Share your documentation on a blog or online forum.

Build a Simple Weather Station

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Building a weather station will allow you to apply the knowledge gained in the course to a practical project, reinforcing your understanding of sensor integration, data processing, and wireless communication.

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Connect a temperature and humidity sensor to the ESP32.
Write code to read sensor data and display it on an OLED screen.
Implement WiFi connectivity to send data to a cloud service.
Create a simple web interface to visualize the sensor data.

Contribute to an ESP32 Library

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Contributing to an open-source ESP32 library will provide valuable experience in collaborative development and deepen your understanding of the ESP32's ecosystem.

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Find an open-source ESP32 library on GitHub.
Identify a bug or feature request to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Respond to feedback from the library maintainers.

Career center

Learners who complete ESP32 By Example will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Hobbyist Electronics Designer

A Hobbyist Electronics Designer creates electronic devices as a hobby rather than for commercial purposes. This course is a perfect fit for those who wish to pursue this hobby, since it provides the necessary experience to design and build electronic devices using microcontrollers. Learning to program the ESP32, and the hands-on projects with hardware components like LEDs, switches, and sensors will help build a foundation in independent project design. The course's focus on making devices work with wireless and other control methods is also directly applicable.

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Cyber Physical Systems Engineer

Cyber Physical Systems Engineers work on systems that integrate computation, networking, and physical processes. This course is designed for individuals interested in exploring cyber-physical systems, offering practical experience with microcontrollers like the ESP32. The course focuses on projects that combine software and hardware, using sensors and actuators for physical control. This combination of practical experience using the ESP32 to create working systems and an explanation of the intersection of software and the physical world makes this a good preparation for a cyber physical systems engineer.

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Firmware Engineer

A Firmware Engineer works on the low-level software that controls hardware devices, often using microcontrollers like the ESP32. This course is tailored to developing skills in this area, since it is focused on programming the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE, and emphasizes practical development of hardware interaction. By working through projects that involve integrating components and implementing control logic, you will gain the skills necessary for a role as a firmware engineer. This course helps you to develop and test software that directly interacts with hardware, a core responsibility in this role.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

An Embedded Systems Engineer develops and tests software and hardware for devices like drones, industrial automation systems, and wearable technology. This course will help you build a foundation in microcontroller programming using the ESP32 family, which is at the heart of many embedded systems. The hands-on experience gained through building projects with LEDs, switches, displays, and sensors will prepare you to design, prototype, and test embedded system solutions, using techniques like breadboard construction and hardware integration.

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Internet of Things Developer

An Internet of Things Developer creates connected devices and systems that communicate through the internet. This course directly helps develop the skill set needed for this role, as it specifically focuses on using the ESP32's WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities to connect and control devices. Projects in the course that integrate sensors and control hardware via web servers and wireless protocols make this course a relevant choice for aspiring Internet of Things developers. The course teaches practical skills including how to make devices communicate with each other, which is essential for this role.

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Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs, develops, and tests robotic systems, often requiring a deep understanding of both the hardware and software aspects of control. This course is directly relevant, as it introduces the use of ESP32 microprocessors to control physical systems. The learning experience, which includes integrating sensors such as the MPU6050 and using wireless communication, helps build practical skills applicable to robotics. A robotics engineer will appreciate the course's focus on building real, functioning devices and integrating hardware with software and wireless communication.

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Mobile Robotics Developer

A Mobile Robotics Developer designs, develops, and tests robots that move in their environment. This course is a good fit since it can build a foundation in programming microcontrollers for robotic control. Learning to integrate sensors, use wireless communication, and work with control systems is important for mobile robotics development. The course's projects in controlling hardware, sensors, and wireless connectivity will help someone looking to be a mobile robotics developer. Furthermore, the course includes projects related to drone simulators.

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Product Development Engineer

A Product Development Engineer is involved in the design and development of new products. The practical experience of this course in working with a variety of hardware components, and how they interface with software, will be directly useful. The course's focus on working through a variety of mini-projects, including a drone controller, is directly relevant to product design. This course is a good fit for those looking to transition into product development, as it provides the skills needed to understand working models of different product designs.

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Hardware Engineer

A Hardware Engineer designs and develops the physical components of electronic devices. This course may be useful in understanding how microprocessors interact with hardware. The course's emphasis on hands-on projects using breadboards, LEDs, switches, displays, and sensors helps a hardware engineer understand how physical designs translate to working products. The course projects in hardware assembly and testing provides a hands-on way to learn hardware principles through building real examples and testing their functions.

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Research Engineer

A Research Engineer often works on developing and testing new technologies or improving existing ones. This course's hands-on approach to microcontroller programming and hardware interfaces helps a research engineer prototype different device concepts quickly and efficiently. The course introduces an array of sensors, actuators, and wireless communication methods that are critical in experimentation and product development. This experience with building and testing physical systems helps a research engineer better understand the technologies they are investigating.

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Control Systems Engineer

A Control Systems Engineer designs and maintains systems that manage and regulate dynamic processes, such as those in robotics, automation, and aerospace. This course may be useful as it introduces practical implementation of feedback loops and control logic with microcontrollers, using hardware projects that involve controlling LEDs, switches, and motors. The course's focus on using sensors to provide feedback and using microprocessors to control hardware systems will help in understanding control systems. The course's projects, which includes a drone controller, directly relate to the kind of work a control systems engineer does.

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Automation Engineer

An Automation Engineer designs builds and implements systems that control industrial and other processes. This course helps build a foundation in the use of microcontrollers, such as the ESP32. The many projects in the course that involve sensing the physical world and responding to it will provide practical experience and build confidence. This course may be useful for someone who wishes to learn more about how devices interact and how such interactions can be automated.

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Technical Consultant

A Technical Consultant provides expertise on technical matters, often working with clients to solve technical problems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in microcontrollers and practical hardware experience that helps you provide insight into issues regarding embedded systems and hardware. This course's focus on hands-on projects, using various hardware components and communication protocols, will provide a comprehensive view of a variety of technical topics. Knowledge in hardware and microcontrollers, such as those provided by this course, can be helpful to a technical consultant.

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Educational Content Creator

An Educational Content Creator designs learning materials like courses, tutorials, and educational videos. The course's focus on hands-on learning with the ESP32 and practical projects with breadboards, LEDs, displays, and sensors gives you the background to create similar content for others, yourself. You would benefit from the course by learning to explain complex concepts through examples and step-by-step projects. The course also teaches the basics of making a drone controller, which can be used in educational content.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for testing products and systems to guarantee their reliability and performance. This course may be helpful in understanding the importance of testing and debugging in the context of embedded systems. The course's emphasis on hardware assembly and testing is useful for a quality assurance engineer. By working through each module, you will encounter situations that require testing and debugging. A quality assurance engineer may find the hands-on work using breadboards and sensors relevant to their daily work.

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ESP32 By Example

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical esp32 development with hardware

Activities

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