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ESP32 - LED - Fade
This tutorial instructs you how to use:
- ESP32 fades LED by using delay() function
- ESP32 fades LED by using millis() function
- ESP32 fades LED by using ezLED library
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
Or you can buy the following sensor kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Additionally, some links direct you to products from our own brand, DIYables .
Introduction to LED
LED Pinout
LED includes two pins:
- Cathode(-) pin: connect this pin to GND (0V)
- Anode(+) pin: is used to control LED's state
How LED Works
After connecting the cathode(-) to GND:
- If We connect GND to the anode(+), LED is OFF.
- If We connect VCC to the anode(+), LED is ON.
- If We generate a PWM signal to the anode(+) pin, the LED's brightness is in proportion to PWM duty cycle. PWM duty cycle varies from 0 to 255. The bigger the PWM duty cycle is, the brighter the LED is.
- If PWM value is 0, it is equivalent to GND ⇒ LED is OFF
- If PWM value is 255, it is equivalent to VCC ⇒ LED is ON at the highest brightness.
※ NOTE THAT:
Usually, it requires a resistor to protect LED from burning. The resistance's value depends on the LED's specification.
ESP32 - fade LED
The ESP32's digital output pins can be programmed to generate PWM signal. By connecting LED's anode(+) pin to an ESP32's pin, LED's cathode(-) to GND, and then programming ESP32 to change the duty cytle of PWM, we We can fade LED.
Wiring Diagram between LED and ESP32
This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: The best way to Power ESP32 and sensors/displays.
How To Program
- Configure an ESP32's pin as a digital output pin by using pinMode() function. For example, pin GPIO18:
pinMode(18, OUTPUT);
- Set brightness of LED by generating PWM signal with corresponding duty cycle by using analogWrite() function:
analogWrite(18, brightness);
Where brightness is a value from 0 to 255.
ESP32 Code - Simple Fade Example
Quick Instructions
- If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
- Do the wiring as above image.
- Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
- Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
- Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
- Copy the below code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-led-fade
*/
#define LED_PIN 18 // ESP32 pin GPIO18 connected to LED
int brightness = 0; // how bright the LED is
int fadeAmount = 5; // how many points to fade the LED by
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {
// declare pin GPIO18 to be an output:
pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
// set the brightness of pin GPIO18:
analogWrite(LED_PIN, brightness);
// change the brightness for next time through the loop:
brightness = brightness + fadeAmount;
// reverse the direction of the fading at the ends of the fade:
if (brightness <= 0 || brightness >= 255) {
fadeAmount = -fadeAmount;
}
// wait for 30 milliseconds to see the dimming effect
delay(30);
}
- Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
- See the brightness of LED
Line-by-line Code Explanation
The above ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!
How to fade-in LED in a period without using delay()
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-led-fade
*/
#define LED_PIN 18 // ESP32 pin GPIO18 connected to LED
#define FADE_PEDIOD 3000 // fade time is 3 seconds
unsigned long fadeStartTime;
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset
void setup() {
pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); // declare pin GPIO18 to be an output
fadeStartTime = millis();
}
// fade-in in loop, and restart after finishing
void loop() {
unsigned long progress = millis() - fadeStartTime;
if (progress <= FADE_PEDIOD) {
long brightness = map(progress, 0, FADE_PEDIOD, 0, 255);
analogWrite(LED_PIN, brightness);
} else {
fadeStartTime = millis(); // restart fade again
}
}
How to fade-out LED in a period without using delay()
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-led-fade
*/
#define LED_PIN 18 // ESP32 pin GPIO18 connected to LED
#define FADE_PEDIOD 3000 // fade time is 3 seconds
unsigned long fadeStartTime;
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset
void setup() {
pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); // declare pin GPIO18 to be an output
fadeStartTime = millis();
}
// fade-out in loop, and restart after finishing
void loop() {
unsigned long progress = millis() - fadeStartTime;
if (progress <= FADE_PEDIOD) {
long brightness = 255 - map(progress, 0, FADE_PEDIOD, 0, 255);
analogWrite(LED_PIN, brightness);
} else {
fadeStartTime = millis(); // restart fade again
}
}
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