ESP32-NanoCam Quick Start Guide

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Prerequisites

• NanoCam core board + base board (ESP32-S3 N16R8 + CH340K)
• USB Type-C data cable (data transfer supported)
• Computer (Windows / Mac / Linux)
• GC2145 camera module (connected at the factory)

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Step 1: Flash the Firmware (3 minutes)

Method A: No Development Environment (Recommended)

1. Open your browser and visit esptool-js
2. Connect the NanoCam to your computer with a Type-C cable
3. Select the serial port, baud rate 115200
4. Find the firmware file nanocam_xxx.bin inside the extracted archive
5. Select the firmware file nanocam_xxx.bin, address 0x0
6. Click "START" and wait for completion

Method B: Command Line (Advanced)

pip install esptool
esptool.py --chip esp32s3 --port COM3 write_flash 0x0 nanocam.bin

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Step 2: Connect to WiFi (2 minutes)

By default the NanoCam runs AP+STA dual mode simultaneously — no switching required:

• The AP hotspot is always on: connect your phone directly to NanoCam-AP (password 12345678), then open http://192.168.4.1 in a browser
• STA to a router: configure the WiFi once Connect to the NanoCam's Type-C port with a serial tool (baud rate 115200 8N1):

sta_ssid:your WiFi name
sta_pd:your WiFi password

Receiving OK means the configuration succeeded. The device reboots automatically after the password is changed. To switch WiFi modes (usually not necessary):

Command	Mode	Description
wifi_mode:0	AP only	Disables STA, keeps only the hotspot
wifi_mode:1	STA only	Disables the hotspot, connects only to the router
wifi_mode:2	AP+STA	Default; both work simultaneously

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Step 3: View the Video (1 minute)

1. Send sta_ip over serial to get the STA IP
2. Enter http://<IP address> in your browser (or http://192.168.4.1 in AP mode)
3. The web page shows the live video

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Step 4: Explore the AI (2 minutes)

Send the following commands over serial to switch modes:

Command	Mode	Effect
ai_mode:0	Normal streaming	Real-time MJPEG video
ai_mode:1	Cat face detection	Cat face detection boxes appear on screen
ai_mode:2	Face detection	Face detection boxes appear on screen
ai_mode:3	Color recognition	Select a color → real-time tracking
ai_mode:4	Face recognition	Enroll → identify → delete
ai_mode:5	QR code scanning	Aim at a QR code → content output to serial
ai_mode:6	LLM agent	Voice wake-up "你好小智" (XiaoZhi AI)
ai_mode:7	ESP-Claw	ESP-Claw AI Agent (official Espressif framework)

Each mode switch requires a manual reboot — press the module's RST button to reboot; the new mode takes effect after the restart.

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Step 5: Integrate Into Your Project

Arduino Control

Serial.begin(115200);
Serial.print("ai_mode:2");  // Switch to face detection

Python Control

import serial
ser = serial.Serial("COM3", 115200)
ser.write(b"ai_mode:1\r\n")  # Switch to cat face detection

View the Complete Command List

→ Serial Protocol Manual

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FAQ

Problem	Solution
Flashing fails	Check that the Type-C cable supports data; hold S2(BOOT) on the base board while powering on
No video	Send sta_ip over serial to confirm the IP; check that both devices are on the same subnet
Camera stays dark	Check that the FPC cable is fully seated with the metal contacts facing down; check PWDN(IO12)/RESET(IO14)
Cannot connect to WiFi	Send wifi_reset to restore factory settings, then configure again

More questions → FAQ

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Next Steps

• 📖 Serial Protocol Manual — complete AT command reference
• 🎓 Tutorial Outline — progressive tutorial (11 chapters covered in this wiki)
• 🔧 Hardware Spec — complete GPIO pin mapping
• 🤖 ROS2 Integration Guide — micro-ROS wireless teleoperation tutorial

Related Products

ESP32-S3 WiFi Video Module→