Over 40 Fully Tested ESP32 Projects Using Arduino IDE and the LVGL Graphics Library
This bundle includes the ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) – a compact development board combining a standard ESP32 microcontroller with a 320x240 pixel TFT color display. The board also features multiple connectors for GPIO, serial communication (TX/RX), power, and ground. The built-in display is a major advantage, allowing users to create complex, graphics-based projects without the need for external LCDs or displays.
The accompanying book introduces the CYD board's hardware and on-board connectors in detail. It provides a range of beginner to intermediate-level projects developed using the popular Arduino IDE 2.0. Both basic graphics functions and the powerful LVGL graphics library are covered, with practical projects illustrating each approach.
All included projects have been fully tested and are ready to use. The book provides block diagrams, circuit schematics, complete code listings, and step-by-step explanations. With the LVGL library, readers can create modern, full-color graphical interfaces using widgets such as buttons, labels, sliders, calendars, keyboards, charts, tables, menus, animations, and more.
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board
This development board (also known as "Cheap Yellow Display") is powered by the ESP-WROOM-32, a dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It operates at a main frequency of up to 240 MHz, with 520 KB SRAM, 448 KBROM, and a 4 MB Flash memory. The board features a 2.8-inch display with a resolution of 240x320 and resistive touch.
Furthermore, the board includes a backlight control circuit, touch control circuit, speaker drive circuit, photosensitive circuit, and RGB-LED control circuit. It also provides a TF card slot, serial interface, DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor interface, and additional IO ports.
The module supports development in Arduino IDE, ESP-IDE, MicroPython, and Mixly.
Applications
Image transmission for Smart Home device
Wireless monitoring
Smart agriculture
QR wireless recognition
Wireless positioning system signal
And other IoT applications
Specifications
Microcontroller
ESP-WROOM-32 (Dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
Frequency
Up to 240 MHz (computing power is up to 600 DMIPS)
SRAM
520 KB
ROM
448 KB
Flash
4 MB
Operating voltage
5 V
Power consumption
approx. 115 mA
Display
2.8-inch color TFT screen (240 x 320)
Touch
Resistive Touch
Driver chip
ILI9341
Dimensions
50 x 86 mm
Weight
50 g
Downloads
GitHub
This bundle contains:
The ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Book (normal price: €35)
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board (normal price: €25)
1x ESP32 Dev Board with 2.8" Display and acrylic Shell
1x Touch pen
1x Connector cable
1x USB cable
A Hands-on Guide to Crafting Your Own Power Plant
The book you are about to read provides a step-by-step guide for building a renewable energy power plant at home. Our goal was to make the book as practical as possible. The material is intended for immediate application with a small amount of theory. Yet, the theory is important as a foundation that saves time and effort by disabusing the readers of potential misconceptions. Specifically, upon having a firm understanding of photovoltaic physics, you will not be inclined to fruitlessly search for 90% efficient solar panels!
We want our readers to be the “doers”. If the book gets covered in grime and some pages become torn while you are building your power plant – this is the best compliment to us. The book covers solar and wind energy. Also, a curious power source based on manure is discussed as well, giving the doers an opportunity to further develop the manure fuel cell.
It is important to note that there are many companies offering installation of complete solar solutions. Upon installing the panels, the system is not owned by the customer. Therefore, there is no freedom for experimentation and optimization. Also, none can beat the cost of a DIY solution as well as the ultimate satisfaction.
All that is written here is a result of us building a renewable energy solution in Southern California. As the book was completed, the energy began flowing!
Develop your own custom home automation devices
Espressif's ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers have brought DIY home automation to the masses. However, not everyone is fluent in programming these microcontrollers with Espressif's C/C++ SDK, the Arduino core, or MicroPython. This is where ESPHome comes into its own: with this project, you don’t program your microcontroller but configure it.
This book demonstrates how to create your own home automation devices with ESPHome on an ESP32 microcontroller board. You’ll learn how to combine all kinds of electronic components and automate complex behaviours. Your devices can work completely autonomously, and connect over Wi-Fi to your home automation gateways such as Home Assistant or MQTT broker.
By the end of this book, you will be able to create your own custom home automation devices the way you want. Thanks to ESPHome and the ESP32, this is within everyone’s grasp.
Set up an ESPHome development environment and create maintainable configurations
Use buttons and LEDs
Sound a buzzer and play melodies
Read measurements from various types of sensors
Communicate over a short distance with NFC, infrared light, and Bluetooth Low Energy
Show information on various types of displays
Downloads
Software
Secure, Modular, Open-Source and Self-Sufficient
Ever since the Raspberry Pi was introduced, it has been used by enthusiasts to automate their homes. The Raspberry Pi is a powerful computer in a small package, with lots of interfacing options to control various devices. This book shows you how you can automate your home with a Raspberry Pi. You’ll learn how to use various wireless protocols for home automation, such as Bluetooth, 433.92 MHz radio waves, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. Soon you’ll automate your home with Python, Node-RED, and Home Assistant, and you’ll even be able to speak to your home automation system. All this is done securely, with a modular system, completely open-source, without relying on third-party services. You’re in control of your home, and no one else.
At the end of this book, you can install and configure your Raspberry Pi as a highly flexible home automation gateway for protocols of your choice, and link various services with MQTT to make it your own system. This DIY (do it yourself) approach is a bit more laborious than just installing an off-the-shelf home automation system, but in the process, you can learn a lot, and in the end, you know exactly what’s running your house and how to tweak it. This is why you were interested in the Raspberry Pi in the first place, right?
Turn your Raspberry Pi into a reliable gateway for various home automation protocols.
Make your home automation setup reproducible with Docker Compose.
Secure all your network communication with TLS.
Create a video surveillance system for your home.
Automate your home with Python, Node-RED, Home Assistant and AppDaemon.
Securely access your home automation dashboard from remote locations.
Use fully offline voice commands in your own language.
Download the software and view the errata for the book on GitHub.
There are many so-called 'Arduino compatible' platforms on the market. The ESP8266 – in the form of the WeMos D1 Mini Pro – is one that really stands out. This device includes WiFi Internet access and the option of a flash file system using up to 16 MB of external flash memory. Furthermore, there are ample in/output pins (though only one analogue input), PWM, I²C, and one-wire. Needless to say, you are easily able to construct many small IoT devices!
This book contains the following builds:
A colourful smart home accessory
refrigerator controller
230 V power monitor
door lock monitor
and some further spin-off devices.
All builds are documented together with relevant background information for further study. For your convenience, there is a small PCB for most of the designs; you can also use a perf board. You don’t need to be an expert but the minimum recommended essentials include basic experience with a PC, software, and hardware, including the ability to surf the Internet and assemble PCBs.
And of course: A handle was kept on development costs. All custom software for the IoT devices and PCB layouts are available for free download from at Elektor.com.
ESP32-C3-WROOM-02U is a general-purpose Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE module. The rich set of peripherals and high performance make the module an ideal choice for smart homes, industrial automation, health care, consumer electronics, etc.
ESP32-C3-WROOM-02U features an external SPI flash and comes with a connector for an external antenna.
ESP32-C3-WROOM-02U has an operating ambient temperature option of –40∼85°C, embedded with the ESP32-C3 chip. ESP32-C3 has a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor. It integrates a rich set of peripherals, ranging from UART, I²C, I²S, remote control peripheral, LED PWM controller, general DMA controller, TWAI controller, USB Serial/JTAG controller, temperature sensor, ADC, etc. It also includes SPI, Dual SPI and Quad SPI interfaces.
Features
Flash: 4 MB (Quad SPI)
Dimensions: 18.0 x 20.0 x 3.2 mm
Downloads
Datasheet
A Hands-on Guide to Crafting Your Own Power Plant
The book you are about to read provides a step-by-step guide for building a renewable energy power plant at home. Our goal was to make the book as practical as possible. The material is intended for immediate application with a small amount of theory. Yet, the theory is important as a foundation that saves time and effort by disabusing the readers of potential misconceptions. Specifically, upon having a firm understanding of photovoltaic physics, you will not be inclined to fruitlessly search for 90% efficient solar panels!
We want our readers to be the “doers”. If the book gets covered in grime and some pages become torn while you are building your power plant – this is the best compliment to us. The book covers solar and wind energy. Also, a curious power source based on manure is discussed as well, giving the doers an opportunity to further develop the manure fuel cell.
It is important to note that there are many companies offering installation of complete solar solutions. Upon installing the panels, the system is not owned by the customer. Therefore, there is no freedom for experimentation and optimization. Also, none can beat the cost of a DIY solution as well as the ultimate satisfaction.
All that is written here is a result of us building a renewable energy solution in Southern California. As the book was completed, the energy began flowing!
Using the RFID Starter Kit
An Arduino board has now become ‘the’ basic component in the maker community. No longer is an introduction to the world of microcontrollers the preserve of the expert. When it comes to expanding the capabilities of the basic Arduino board however, the developer is still largely on his own. If you really want to build some innovative projects it’s often necessary to get down to component level. This can present many beginners with major problems. That is exactly where this book begins.
This book explains how a wide variety of practical projects can be built using items supplied in a single kit together with the Arduino board. This kit, called the 'RFID Starter Kit for Arduino' (SKU 17240) is not just limited to RFID applications but contains more than 30 components, devices and modules covering all areas of modern electronics.
In addition to more simple components such as LEDs and resistors there are also complex and sophisticated modules that employ the latest technology such as:
A humidity sensor
A multicolor LED
A large LED matrix with 64 points of light
A 4-character 7-segment LED display
An infra red remote-controller unit
A complete LC-display module
A servo
A stepper motor and controller module
A complete RFID reader module and security tag
On top of that you will get to build precise digital thermometers, hygrometers, exposure meters and various alarm systems. There are also practical devices and applications such as a fully automatic rain sensor, a sound-controlled remote control system, a multifunctional weather station and so much more.
All of the projects described can be built using the components supplied in the Elektor kit.
Plot, Cut, Drill, Mill and Laser with the Z99
This book covers the construction, hardware, software, and operation of the Z99 – CNC machine. This is a multifunctional 4-axis machine for home construction.
The capabilities of the Z99 machine include:
large-format schematic plotting
PCB plotting with etch-resist pens
schematic plotting with conductive-ink pens
letter cutting out of vinyl
paper cutting
PCB/substrate drilling
PCB/substrate milling
text milling
laser engraving
laser cutting of solder paste masks
By making the support software available as freeware, readers of the book are challenged and encouraged to develop new applications for the Z99.
The machine would not be of much use if the user has no option to create suitable files for the designs in mind. A large part of this book is dedicated to creating source files in a variety of freeware software packages, including Inkscape, DesignSpark PCB, KiCad, and FlatCAM.
The book is also useful for readers keen to comprehend and then master the basic structure of HPGL, Gerber, Drill, and G-code files, as well as to have a go at deciphering them using software.
As demand for solar panel installation has risen sharply, especially for installations larger than balcony power plants, the order books of solar companies are full. If you ask for a quote today, you may have to wait a while, if your request isn't simply postponed indefinitely. Another consequence of the solar boom is that some companies are charging very high prices for installations.
Yet there is an obvious and radical solution to the problem of excessive prices: Do it yourself, as the English say. The price of materials is currently affordable, and it's the ideal time for those who do the work themselves. They couldn't save more. Add to this the satisfaction of doing something useful, both economically and ecologically, and the pleasure of building yourself.
In this special issue, you'll find a wide selection of Elektor assemblies, from solar panel controllers to solar water heaters and solar panel orientation systems. The issue also contains practical information on solar panel installation and the technology behind them. Finally, there are a number of articles on the subject of balcony power plants, from how to install them to how to connect them to the Internet...
Contents
BASICS
Dimensioning Photovoltaic Panel ArraysAn introduction to photovoltaic energy and the commonest techniques,followed by simplified calculation models and setup guidelines.
Light Sensor TechnologyMeasuring daylight using LEDs.
Solar Power Made SimpleSolar charging with and without a controller.
Cable Cross-sections and Energy Losses in Solar SystemsKey considerations on the minimum values to respect for electricalcurrent in solar panel cabling.
Solar ModulesEverything you always wanted to know about solar panels...
Ideal Diode ControllerDiode Circuits with Low Power Dissipation.
TIPS
Tracking for Solar Modules
zBot Solar/Battery Power Supply
Solar Cell Array Charger with Regulator
Solar Cell Voltage Regulator
Solar-Powered Night Light
Alternative Solar Battery Charger
PROJECTS
Energy LoggerMeasuring and Recording Power Consumption.
Tiny Solar SupplySunlight In, 3.3 V Out.
A Do-It-Yourself DTURead Data from Small Inverters by μC.
Solar ChargerPortable energy for people on the move.
Solar Thermal Energy RegulatorMaximum power point tracking explored.
2-amp Maximum Power Tracking ChargerSolar Power To The Max.
Computer-driven HeliostatFollow the sun or the stars.
Garden LightingUsing solar cells.
Solar Panel Voltage Converter for IoT DevicesYes we CAN exploit indoor lighting.
Travel ChargerFree power in the mountains.
Solar Cell Battery Charger/MonitorWith protection against deep discharge.
Solar-powered Battery ChargerPIC12C671 avoids overcharging and deep charging.
Converters for Photovoltaic PanelsContributed by TME (Transfer MultisortElektronik).
Solar Charging RegulatorFor panels up to 53 watts.
Solar-Powered ChargerFor lead-acid batteries.
CAN Bus + Arduino for Solar PV Cell MonitoringDetect and locate serviceable panels in large arrays.
Balcony Power Plant 2.0The latest: solar panels, installation and inverters
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by Saad Imtiaz
SparkFun Thing Plus Matter (MGM240P): A Versatile Matter-Based IoT Development Board (Review)
The SparkFun Thing Plus Matter (MGM240P) is a versatile and feature-rich development board designed for creating Matter-based IoT devices. Matter, formerly known as Project CHIP...