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Control ESP32 GPIO Pin

(Updated at 11/28/2022)

The functions to be used are the same as with an Arduino. We use the pinMode() method to configure a pin as a digital input or output, the digitalWrite() function to impose a voltage of 0V or 3.3V on the output and the digitalRead() function to read a logic level (either 0V or 3.3V) on the input.

Note

The pin numbers are those indicated in the grey “GPIO” insert on the board’s pinout. Even if there is a link between the number of GPIO pins of the ESP32 and those usually used on the Arduino, to avoid confusion, it is better not to use them and to use the native pins number of ESP32 exclusively. You should therefore avoid using A0, MOSI, SCK, SDA …

pin diagram of the complete ESP32

Pinout of the uPesy ESP32 Wroom Devkit board

Configuration of ESP32 input or output pins

  • Configuration of the GPIO2 pin as output:

    pinMode(2, OUTPUT);
    
  • Configuration of the GPIO15 pin as input:

    pinMode(15, INPUT);
    

A quick reminder on pull-up and pull-down resistors

The measured value is random if we measure a voltage from a pin that is not connected to the ground or a non-zero voltage. This is due to the electrical noise generated by several factors (the wire behaves in particular like an antenna). The most concrete example is when you use a push button.

Two ways to eliminate noise and get reliable measurements :

  • With a pull-up resistor

    Wiring of a pull-up push button

    Using a pullup resistor with a push button

    This circuit allows only two possible voltages: 0V when the button is pressed; otherwise +3.3V

    • When the switch is opened (button released), the + 3.3V feeds the pin of the ESP32, and the measured value of the pin will give HIGH (or 1).

    • When the switch is closed (button pressed), the +3.3V and the pin are absorbed by the mass. The pin measurement will give LOW (or 0).

  • With a pull-down resistor

    Wiring of a pull-down pushbutton

    Using a pulldown resistor with a push-button

    This circuit allows you to have only two possible voltages: +3.3V when you push the button; otherwise, 0V.

    • If the push button is pressed, the current goes from +3.3V to the pin of the ESP32. It will not take the path of the mass because the current always flows by the least resistive path. The ESP32 pin will receive +3.3V and indicate HIGH (or 1).

    • If the push button is released, the circuit is opened. The mass will absorb the very low residual current. The pin will therefore be in LOW (or 0).

    All GPIO pins (except GPIO36, GPIO39, GPIO34, and GPIO35 pins) have these two circuits internally in the ESP32.

Use ESP32 internal pull-up and pull-down resistors

  • Configuration of the GPIO15 pin as input with the internal pull-up resistor:

    pinMode(15, INPUT_PULLUP);
    
  • Configuration of the GPIO15 pin as input with the internal pull-down resistor :

    pinMode(15, INPUT_PULLDOWN);
    

    Note

    Unlike the Arduino, on the ESP32, there are internal pull-down resistors.

Set or read a voltage

  • To set a voltage of 3.3V at the output of pin 2 of the ESP32:

    pinMode(2, OUTPUT); // set the pin as output
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH)
    

    Note

    The output voltage of pins is 3.3V (and not 5V like on Arduino)

  • To read a voltage of a logic level of 0V or 3.3V on pin 15 of the ESP32:

    pinMode(15, INPUT); // set the pin as input
    digitalRead(15);
    

Mini-Project: Controlling an LED with a button

To show how to use the digital inputs/outputs of the ESP32, we will accomplish a short project that turns on the LED when a button is pressed.

Push button and led project

Electrical schematic

We will use the internal pull-up resistors to simplify the electronic schematic.

Wiring diagram ESP32 led push button

Electrical circuit

Warning

Do not forget to plug the push button deeply into the breadboard.

Wiring on prototyping plate of the push button and the led

Electrical circuit

Code to turn on the LED when the button is pushed

Solution

const int buttonPin = 32;
const int ledPin =  23;

// State of the push button
int buttonState = 0;

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);

    //Set the pin as an input pullup
    pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {

    buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);
    Serial.println(buttonState);

    if (buttonState == LOW) {
        // Switch on the led
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
    } else {
        // Switch off the led
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
    }
}

Final result

Wiring on prototyping plate of the push button and the led