Use nano as FTDI Controller

Projects Programming
1

Hi, I am pretty new to this community and just bought a nano 2 days ago along with a few other things to experiment with (ESP32 Cam, Some Equipment, LCD Display, 4 LED Display in 1, and more). I wanted to turn my ESP32 cam into a Wifi security cam so I hooked up a youtube video and started following. Skip forward to 2 days later, I now realize I bought an UART USB chip thing instead of a FTDI one, so now in order to save a few bucks,

is there any way to use my newly bought Nano as a FTDI converter?

2

Is it an official Arduino nano or a clone?

4

It looks like this

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgeekbotelectronics.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FArduino-Nano-Generico.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=4c5e23d805cb79076ff1d41aaa7b1610035e71e14e54a6dca7bb5107ddae250f&ipo=images

5

It's a clone.
The official Arduino nano has the FTDI FT232RL on it that you could actually use as a USB to UART TTL converter. Most clones have a CH340.

Why do you think you need an FTDI device??

6
  1. Connect the Arduino Nano to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Install the Arduino IDE if you haven't already done so. You can download it from the official Arduino website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software).
  3. Open the Arduino IDE.
  4. Go to the "Tools" menu and select the appropriate board and port for your Arduino Nano.
  5. Open a new sketch by selecting "File" -> "New".
  6. In the Arduino IDE, write a simple sketch that initializes the serial communication. For
7

This "UART USB chip thing" should work. Wire it up like this: Getting Started With ESP32-CAM: A Beginner's Guide see " Programming the ESP32-CAM". FTDI is a brand name for a USB/UART adapter. Show a picture of it to be sure.

8

My UART USB Has the following pins-
DTR
RXD
TXD
+5V
GND
3V3

I first did
RX -> RXD
TX -> TXD
+5V -> +5V
GND -> GND

then I swapped 5V for 3v3 but the IDE is still not detecting the Board

@6v6gt @gpaspot13

9

That is not correct if you are using an FTDI or USB/UART adapter. It would be correct, however, if you were using a Nano or Uno etc. as a USB/UART adapter.

10

So what should I do if I have some thing like this

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.todomicro.com.ar%2F6404-large_default%2Fusb-20-a-uart-ttl-6-pines-cp2102.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=52e46d735e75b760c9f1b23a5dd5a1bd4cf2f4d23937084650bf40d033705f11&ipo=images

@6v6gt

11

RX -> TXD
TX -> RXD
+5V -> +5V
GND -> GND

The transmit pin of one is connected to the receive pin of the other.

12

Thanks a lot bro,
It started working (The LED kind of dimly glowed on the first try, can't tell if it is on on the second try)
Anyways, thanks for helping out a newbie like me

13

@6v6gt
Uh hi, The IDE is still not able to detect the board

14

From the picture it looks like an adapter with a CP2102 USB to RS232/TTL interface chip.

When you plug this into a USB socket on your PC do you see a new device listed under Tools --> Port in the Arduino IDE ?

15

Listen, I have connected all the pins now, when i touch the io4 pin the led glows, I get an error like -> Error compiling for AI Thinker ESP32 or ESP Dev Module and sometimes Port not detected, What do I do now?
@6v6gt

16

I can't say much more than follow the guide here: https://lastminuteengineers.com/getting-started-with-esp32-cam/
Ensure that you select the correct board (Probably Ai Thinker ESP32-CAM).
If you get compilation errors, then supply a link to the code you have found and copy the error messages into your post (as text, not pictures).

17

You need to download and install the CP210x drivers.

If you can't get it to work, and you value your sanity, I'd buy an FTDI module

18

@6v6gt Nothing is wrong with the code but still here you go https://github.com/s60sc/ESP32-CAM_MJPEG2SD
@jim-p What? and how are those drivers actually gonna help me
And don't worry I have already been driven to insanity as I have been stuck on this for the past 2 days.

Latest Error - Board not detected =(
PS. I am using a raspberry pi for my programming & internet purposes

19

As @6v6gt pointed out the USB-TTL thing you have uses the CP210x chip and unless your computer already has the drivers for that chip installed, you will need them.

20

So do I do smthing like Sudo apt install CP210x?
PS. E: Unable to locate package CP210x

21

Sorry, I'm a windows guy