Hello! I had a previous topic pertaining to programming the esp32-c3-mini-1 where someone suggested an analoglamb programmer.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to purchase that particular programmer so I was looking at some other options. Since size is limited in my design, I wanted a programmer that I could use header pins with so that I can put my esp module and programmer on a breadboard for flashing purposes (instead of adding components onto a custom pcb).
Has anyone used this or could tell me that this programmer does in fact work with the esp32-c3-mini-1 for the purposes of reading and writing code via arduino ide? If not, are there other programmers that you may recommend (from common sites such as digikey, mouser, sparkfun, etc.)
esp32-c3 doesn't require a programmer and there is no programmer for esp32. it has a Serial bootloader.. any USB-to-TTL_Serial adapter will do the transfer.
The usb to serial chip number is used for downloading the correct driver?
Also, If you have the time of course, could you explain why I only need TXD, RXD, and GND? I asked a similar question to stackoverflow and was discussing with someone on there that I would need TX, RX, RTS, DTR and GND, similar to what the https://www.analoglamb.com/product/esp32-esp82-programmer-ch340c-breakout/ offers.
From my understanding, GPIO9 (the strapping pin) would connect to DTR and RTS would connect to the enable. Is there a reason that those two are not needed? Thank you so much in advance for helping me understand!
Also, espressif designed the esp-prog for the application of programming esp chips. The prog contains those pinouts (i.e. enable and esp_io). What is the difference between why I would use the prog vs something simpler like the one I found and suggested above?
have a look at production-programming and for ESP32 programming-hardware
you need to be able to connect the USB-UART bridge programmer module to the ESP32 U0RXD, U0TXD, GPIO0 and EN
we have a socket on the ESP32 PCB for this but you can use pins and jumper leads
looking on EBAY ESP32 programmers are only a few £
From the IC package of the chip shown in the image, and from the information on other listings for products with the same design, it looks like it is a Silicon Labs CP2102.
The odd lack of labeling on the chip that is for some reason common practice in this type of Chinese product raises some doubt about the provenance of the chip. You can sometimes see by looking carefully at the product photo in this type of listing that there was labeling but the seller photoshopped it off the chip. My experience with buying things from the sketchy Chinese sellers on eBay and Aliexpress (I never used Walmart marketplace to make such purchases, but the same class of sellers use all the major marketplaces) is that when the hardware arrives, the label is there on the chip (though of course that is no guarantee of authenticity and quality control. But I have seen pictures shared by customers of some boards where the physical chip actually didn't have the labeling either, and without the look of it being sanded off as is common practice even from reputable manufacturers trying to prevent reverse engineering of their hardware (obviously not applicable here). Maybe those chips failed a QA check done before they reached the labeling stage of the manufacturing process? Or maybe the manufacturer offers legitimate unlabeled chips at a small discount due to the cost savings of skipping the labeling process?
Yeah, which is why I am trying to steer away from analoglamb and try to find something via digikey. But even before I can do such, I need to understand the proper knowledge of what I need in order to accomplish my goal, but I am confused between my post on stackexchange stating oe thing and this forum stating another.
Great to talk to you again! I did take a look for the analoglamb board that you had sent me, but earlier in this post, it was stated that I only need a RXD, TXD, and GND in order to flash the esp32-c3. I do like the board you sent me, but I am a little swayed by the fact that I am unable to locate the board elsewhere such as digikey.
Anyhow, you said that I need to connect the ESP32 U0RXD, U0TXD, GPIO0, and enable, another person said it is only the RXD, TXD. I am just confused on which is correct and why it is correct so that I know for certain. Could you maybe explain why the GPIO0 and enable are needed to be included in the connections?
Sorry, I didn't do a good job of communicating in my previous reply. I was referring to the product you linked to on the Walmart marketplace, not the one sold by analoglamb. I was talking about this module:
Ah no worries! I am just misguided and not sure where to go so I apologize. Thank you for the reply thoough, I didn't know walmart marketplace could be a little sketchy
if all you require is the serial interface RXD and TXD are OK
to program you require UORXD U0TXD GPIO0 and EN - see Introduction to the ESP-Prog Board section 3.2.2 Communications interface (which it also gives details of the JTAG interface)
see section 3.2.3. Automatic Downloading Function for details of how GPIO0 and EN are used
