ESP32-CAM doesn't receive the code

Projects General Guidance
1

Simple code to identify the color red.

My hardware connections via jumper wires are:

  • GND of the Arduino Uno to the GND of the ESP32-CAM;
  • 5V output of the Arduino Uno to the 5V input of the ESP32-CAM;
  • TXD pin of the ESP32-CAM to the pin 1 on the Arduino Uno;
  • RXD pin of the ESP32-CAM to the pin 0 on the Arduino Uno.

The code:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <esp_camera.h>

// Define the pins for ESP32-CAM
#define ESP_TX 1  // Connect ESP32-CAM TX to Arduino Uno RX (pin 1)
#define ESP_RX 0  // Connect ESP32-CAM RX to Arduino Uno TX (pin 0)

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);       // Initialize serial communication with the computer
  Serial1.begin(115200);      // Initialize serial communication with ESP32-CAM
  
  Serial.println("Arduino setup");
  // Wait for serial communication to be established
  while (!Serial) {
    delay(10);
  }

  Serial.println("ESP32-CAM Serial Communication Initialized");

  // Camera setup
  camera_config_t config;
  config.pin_d0 = 21;
  config.pin_d1 = 22; 
  config.frame_size = FRAMESIZE_VGA;  // Adjust frame size as needed

  esp_err_t err = esp_camera_init(&config);
  if (err != ESP_OK) {
    Serial.printf("Camera init failed with error 0x%x", err);
    return;
  }
}

void loop() {
  // Your code goes here
  
  // Example: Send a message from Arduino Uno to ESP32-CAM
  Serial1.println("Hello from Arduino Uno!");

   // Capture an image
  camera_fb_t *fb = esp_camera_fb_get();
  if (!fb) {
    Serial.println("Capture failed");
    return;
  }

  // Process the captured image
  int redPixelCount = 0;

  for (int i = 0; i < fb->len; i += 3) {
    // Check if the pixel is red (adjust thresholds as needed)
    if (fb->buf[i] > 100 && fb->buf[i + 1] < 50 && fb->buf[i + 2] < 50) {
      redPixelCount++;
    }
  }

  // Print the result to the Serial Monitor
  if (redPixelCount > 100) {
    Serial.println("Red detected!");
  } else {
    Serial.println("No red detected.");
  }

  // Release the frame buffer
  esp_camera_fb_return(fb);

  delay(1000); // Adjust delay as needed
}

Board:
AI Thinker ESP32-CAM;

Error:

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.

2

Try this tutorial.

3

This connects a 5V output (Uno TX) to a 3.3V input (ESP32 RX), which will not function, and can actually damage one or both devices. A logic level shifter is required for that connection.

4

Check the GND connection on the ESP32CAM as well, on some ESP32CAMs one of the GND pins is actually connected to the ESP32 EN\Reset pin.

5

Follow post #11 @GolamMostafa of the following thread:

6

So I just need to get a logic level shifter for a proper connection, and supposedly the message "Red detected!" will show up on the serial monitor if the capture taken by the ESP32-CAM has red?

7

I'm sorry, I'm quite new to this forums so I'm not sure if you got notified by my other comment.

Would a logic level shifter allow the serial monitor to showcase the message "Red detected!", if the esp32-cam capture has red? Or would other hardware/code changes be required?

8

The level shifter is required for communication.

I have no idea whether your program will run and do as you wish.

9

Alright, thanks for the help.

10

I'm having problems, the error remains the same after I used a logical level shifter.
I'm utilizing a "Voltage Converter / Level Shifter, TXB0104".

11

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