ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 Pinout and Setup

The ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 is a development board based on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, which features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and support for AI acceleration, making it suitable for IoT and AI-related projects. This guide will walk you through the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 pinout and setup process, and usage, providing a solid starting point for your projects.

ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 Pinout Diagram

The ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 comes with 49 pins arranged on two rows, featuring power pins, GPIO, ADC, DAC, and communication interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART). Below is a labeled ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 pinout diagram showing all the pins and their functions.

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ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 Pinout Overview

Here’s a detailed explanation of each type of pin available on the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1:

Pin Name GPIO Number Function Description
3V3 Power Supply Provides 3.3V output to power external components.
GND Ground Common ground connection for the board.
VIN Power Input Accepts 5V input to power the board via the VIN pin.
GPIO0 0 Boot Mode / I/O Used to enter programming mode (boot mode) when pulled low.
GPIO1 1 UART TX Default transmit pin for serial communication.
GPIO2 2 I/O / Special Functions Used for general I/O and other special functions.
GPIO3 3 UART RX Default receive pin for serial communication.
GPIO4-11 4-11 I/O / Special Functions Can be used for various general-purpose input/output tasks.
GPIO12 12 ADC / Digital I/O Supports analog-to-digital conversion.
GPIO13-14 13-14 I/O / ADC / Special Functions Capable of analog input and special functions.
GPIO15-16 15-16 I/O / Communication Can be used for communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, etc.
GPIO17-21 17-21 I2C / ADC / Communication Suitable for I2C, ADC, and general communication tasks.
GPIO22 22 I2C SCL Clock line for I2C communication.
GPIO23 23 I2C SDA Data line for I2C communication.
GPIO24-27 24-27 Digital I/O General-purpose I/O.
GPIO28-39 28-39 Digital I/O / Analog Input Can be used for digital tasks or as analog inputs.
GPIO40 40 ADC / DAC / Touch Sensor Capable of analog input, DAC output, or touch sensing.
GPIO41-48 41-48 Digital I/O / Touch Sensing Supports touch sensing and general I/O tasks.
EN Enable Pull high to enable the board. Pull low to disable.

Powering the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1

The board can be powered in the following ways:

  1. Via USB Cable: Plug the USB cable into the micro USB port to connect the board to a computer or USB power adapter.
  2. Using the VIN Pin (5V): The VIN pin allows you to power the board with a 5V external supply.
  3. Through the 3V3 Pin: Supplies 3.3V to the board, useful when using a regulated power source.

Warning: Ensure that you only supply 3.3V to GPIO pins, as they are not 5V tolerant.

Setup Guide for ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1

Step 1: Install the Required Software

  1. Arduino IDE or PlatformIO: Use either platform for programming the ESP32.
  2. ESP32 Board Manager Installation: Follow these steps to add ESP32 board support:
    • Open Arduino IDE.
    • Go to File > Preferences.

Add the following URL in the Additional Board Manager URLs field:
bash
Copy code
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json

  • Navigate to Tools > Board > Board Manager and search for “ESP32” to install the board package.

Step 2: Select the Board and Port

  1. Go to Tools > Board and select ESP32S3 Dev Module.
  2. Select the correct Port under Tools > Port to connect to your board.

Step 3: Uploading a Sample Code

Try uploading a simple “Blink” example to ensure everything is working correctly:

  1. Open the Blink Example:
    • Go to File > Examples > 01.Basics > Blink.
  2. Modify the Pin Number (if necessary):
    • The onboard LED is typically connected to GPIO2. Update the code to reflect this.
  3. Upload the Code:
    • Click the Upload button in the Arduino IDE.

Note: If the upload fails, hold down the BOOT button on the board during the upload process.

Using GPIO Pins for Digital I/O

Controlling an LED

  1. Connect an LED’s anode to a GPIO pin (e.g., GPIO2).
  2. Connect the LED’s cathode to GND through a 220-ohm resistor.

Reading a Button Press

  1. Connect one leg of the button to a GPIO pin (e.g., GPIO16).
  2. Connect the other leg to GND.
  3. Enable internal pull-up resistor in the code to avoid floating states.

Working with Analog Pins (ADC)

The ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 supports multiple ADC channels for reading analog values (0V to 3.3V).

Connecting an Analog Sensor

  1. Power the sensor using the 3V3 pin.
  2. Connect the sensor’s output to an ADC-compatible GPIO pin (e.g., GPIO36).

Tip: For accurate readings, avoid using Wi-Fi when reading from ADC2 channels, as they share internal resources.

I2C Communication Setup

The I2C protocol uses two wires, SDA and SCL, for data transfer:

  1. SDA (Data Line): Connect to GPIO23.
  2. SCL (Clock Line): Connect to GPIO22.

Optional: Use 4.7kΩ pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL lines for stable communication.

SPI Communication

The SPI protocol allows for high-speed communication with devices like SD cards and displays.

  1. SCK (Clock Line): Connect to GPIO18.
  2. MISO (Data In): Connect to GPIO19.
  3. MOSI (Data Out): Connect to GPIO23.
  4. SS (Chip Select): Connect to any available GPIO pin (e.g., GPIO5).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 Not Powering On

  • Ensure a reliable USB cable or external power source.
  • Verify connections to the VIN or 3V3 pins if using external power.

2. Uploading Code Fails

  • Press the BOOT button while uploading to enter programming mode.
  • Double-check the correct COM port is selected.

3. Wi-Fi Connection Issues

  • Verify the SSID and password are correct.
  • Ensure the ESP32 is within range of the Wi-Fi router.

4. Unstable Analog Readings

  • Use a capacitor (e.g., 10µF) across the ADC pin to filter noise.
  • Avoid using ADC2 channels while Wi-Fi is active.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 handle 5V signals?

  • No, the GPIO pins are 3.3V tolerant. Use level shifters for 5V devices.

2. How can I power the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1?

  • Power via USB, the VIN pin (5V), or the 3V3 pin.

3. Is there a way to enter programming mode manually?

  • Yes, hold the BOOT button while uploading code.

Conclusion: ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 Pinout and Setup Guide

This ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 pinout and setup guide provides a complete overview of the board’s pins and setup process. By following this guide, you can confidently start using the ESP32 S3 DevKitC-1 for your IoT or AI projects.