A system of interconnected computing devices that can receive and send data via the internet and other devices as well as the cloud is known as the internet of things (IoT). Mechanical and digital machinery, as well as everyday items, might be considered IoT devices because of the technology, sensors and software that they often contain. From simple kitchen appliances to intricate machinery, these devices cover it all.
More and more businesses across many sectors are leveraging the IoT to boost productivity, customer service, decision-making and overall company value. With the IoT, data can be transmitted over a network without the need for human or computer involvement. Such devices often incorporate sensors to gather data from their surroundings. The collected data is then processed by the device's built-in processor or microcontroller, which will be discussed in this article.
What is an ESP32 Microcontroller?
For embedded or IoT devices, the ESP32 processor developed by Espressif Systems offers Wi-Fi and, in certain variants, Bluetooth connectivity. Although the ESP32 is only a chip, the manufacturer frequently refers to the modules and development boards that include this chip as "ESP32" as well. The first ESP32 module used a Tensilica Xtensa LX6 CPU, which only had one core. Data was processed relatively quickly by the processor, which had a clock rate of more than 240 MHz.
When powered on, the ESP32 initializes its components and loads the necessary software. It can then use its analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to read data from temperature, humidity, light and other sensors. The collected data is processed by the ESP32's processor, which can perform calculations, make decisions or send the data to other devices or the cloud.
The ESP32's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules enable it to connect to the internet and other devices, allowing it to send and receive data. In addition to its connectivity features, the ESP32 also includes a variety of peripherals, such as pulse-width modulation (PWM) outputs, which can be used to control motors or LEDs. This makes it suitable for a wide range of IoT applications, from smart home devices to industrial automation systems. After processing, the data might be either stored locally or transmitted to a cloud-based platform. Insightful analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making are all possible with this data. In a smart factory, for instance, IoT sensors may track equipment health and alert operators to impending maintenance needs.
Examples of IoT devices developed using ESP32
Let’s see three simple examples of how IoT devices can be made using ESP32 microcontroller:
Environmental monitoring station
These systems collect and display real-time data on temperature, humidity and air quality, and can also send notifications when predefined thresholds are exceeded and store historical data for analysis. Such stations can monitor crop health, soil moisture and temperature to optimize farming practices. Additionally, they can track air quality, water pollution and climate change to assess environmental impacts and implement conservation measures.
- Hardware: ESP32 development board, temperature, humidity and gas sensors, power supply and enclosure.
- Software: Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
- Coding: Use the Arduino or PlatformIO libraries for ESP32 to read sensor data. Send the data to a cloud platform like ThingSpeak or Blynk for visualization.
- Burning the code: Connect the ESP32 development board to a computer using a USB cable. Open the code in the IDE and click the upload button.
Smart irrigation system
Let’s see the procedure to make a system that automatically activates or deactivates irrigation based on soil moisture levels and weather conditions, helping to conserve water. It can be customized with different settings and controlled remotely. This can come in handy to automate irrigation for lawns, gardens and other outdoor spaces to conserve water and reduce maintenance. Furthermore, it can monitor soil moisture, temperature and weather conditions to determine irrigation needs and optimize crop yields.
- Hardware: ESP32 development board, soil moisture sensor, solenoid valve, power supply and enclosure.
- Software: Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
- Coding: Use the Arduino or PlatformIO libraries for ESP32 to read soil moisture data. Set thresholds for irrigation based on the data. Control the solenoid valve to activate or deactivate irrigation.
- Burning the code: Connect the ESP32 development board to a computer and upload the code as described above.
Pet feeder
A device can be designed that automatically dispenses food at predetermined times and allows users to set portion sizes. It can be monitored and controlled remotely and has customizable schedules to accommodate different pet needs.
- Hardware: ESP32 development board, servo motor, food dispenser, power supply, and enclosure.
- Software: Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
- Coding: Use the Arduino or PlatformIO libraries for ESP32 to control the servo motor. Set feeding schedules and use a timer or real-time clock to trigger the feeding mechanism.
- Burning the code: Connect the ESP32 development board to a computer and upload the code as described above.
Conclusion
With the ESP32 microcontroller, the primary application processor doesn't have to worry about the communication stack because it can function as either a full system on its own or a slave device to a host microcontroller. ESP32's SPI/SDIO and I2C/UART interfaces make it ideal for embedded or IoT devices, since they allow for the provision of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality.