ESP32-DevKitC

Getting Started Guide

Version 1.2
Copyright © 2016
 About This Guide
This user guide introduces the basic features and operations of the ESP32-DevKitC.
The document is structured as follows:

Chapter Title Content

Chapter 1 Overview Introduction to the ESP32-DevKitC.

Chapter 2 Download Process Introduction to the boot modes and download operations.

Release Notes

Date Version Release notes

2016.09 V1.0 Initial release.

2016.10 V1.1 Updated figure “ESP32-DevKitC Layout” in Chapter 1.

Updated figure “ESP32-DevKitC Layout” in Chapter 1.

2016.11 V1.2
Added figure “ESP32-CoreBoard Dimensions” in Chapter 1.
 Table of Contents
1. Overview ................................................................................................................................ 1

2. Download Process .................................................................................................................2

2.1. Create Serial Communication ....................................................................................................2

2.2. Set Download Mode and SPI Boot Mode ..................................................................................2

2.3. Download Methods ....................................................................................................................2

2.3.1. Use ESP32 DOWNLOAD TOOL ...................................................................................2

2.3.2. Use Python Scripts .......................................................................................................3

2.4. Check the Serial Output .............................................................................................................4

 1. Overview
!

1. Overview
ESP32-DevKitC is a small-sized ESP32-based development board produced by Espressif.
Most of the I/O pins are led out to the pin headers on both sides for easy interfacing.
Developers can connect these pins to peripherals as needed. Standard headers also make
development easy and convenient when using a breadboard.

48.2 mm

18.0 mm 27.9 mm

55.0 mm

Figure 1-1. ESP32-CoreBoard Dimensions

3V3 GND
EN IO23

SVP IO22

SVN TXD0

IO34 RXD0

IO35 IO21

IO32 GND

IO33 IO19

IO25 IO18

IO26 IO5

IO27 IO17

IO14 IO16

IO12 IO4
GND IO0

IO13 IO2

SD2 IO15

SD3 SD1

GND SD0

5V CLK

!
Figure 1-2. ESP32-DevKitC Layout


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 2. Download Process
!

2. Download Process
You will need the hardware listed below:

• 1 × ESP32-DevKitC
• 1 × PC (with Windows OS as an example in this document)
• 1 × USB cable

2.1. Create Serial Communication

Connect the ESP32-DevKitC to the PC using the USB cable. Check the list of identified
external COM ports in the Windows Device Manager and confirm the COM port number of
the ESP32-DevKitC.

2.2. Set Download Mode and SPI Boot Mode

As shown in Figure 1-1, the ESP32-DevKitC features two buttons: one marked as “EN”,
which is the reset button and is located on the bottom left corner, and another one marked
“Boot” on the bottom right corner, which is the download button.
• Download mode:

While pressing the “Boot” button, also press the “EN” button to initiate the download
mode. The system should then enter the download mode and output the following on
the terminal:

!
Figure 2-1. Download Mode Output

• SPI boot mode:

Simply press the “EN” button and the ESP32-DevKitC will enter the SPI boot mode. If
download operation is completed successfully, the system will output some information
on the terminal, as shown in Figure 2-3.

2.3. Download Methods

2.3.1. Use ESP32 DOWNLOAD TOOL
Please download the latest ESP32 DOWNLOAD TOOL from Espressif website.

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 2. Download Process
!

Open the ESP32 DOWNLOAD TOOL. Select bootloader.bin, paritions_singeapp.bin, and

testje.bin to be downloaded to addresses 0x1000, 0x4000, and 0x10000, respectively.
Press “START” and wait for the prompt that indicates the download result.

Figure 2-2. ESP32 DOWNLOAD TOOL Interface

2.3.2. Use Python Scripts

Get Python scripts from esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py in the ESP-
IDF.
The download process will require the system to have a command terminal. For the
Windows System, open the “Windows PowerShell” or “Windows Command Terminal”.
On the terminal, set the current directory to where the downloaded Python scripts are
saved, and then type in the following commands:

python esptool.py -b 115200 -p COM3 write_flash -ff 40m -fm qio -ih
0x0 -il 0x00 0x1000 bootloader.bin 0x4000 partitions_singleapp.bin
0x10000 testje.bin

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 2. Download Process
!

📖 Notes:
• The parameters highlighted in blue represent the baud rate, serial port, flash frequency, and the flash
mode, respectively. You can change these parameters as necessary.

• Only DIO mode is currently supported. Further updates of download tools and scripts will allow support
for both the QIO and DIO modes.

• To retrieve “help information”, input python esptool.py -h. For information on download commands,
input python esptool.py write_flash -h.

2.4. Check the Serial Output

Launch the serial terminal on the PC and press the “EN” button on the development board.
The system is now expected to enter the SPI boot mode and output the following:

!
Figure 2-3. SPI Boot Mode Output


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