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ESP32 - RTC
In this guide, we are going to learn how to use ESP32 with DS3231 Real-Time Clock Module. In detail, we'll cover the following topics:
- How to connect the DS3231 RTC module to ESP32.
- How to program ESP32 to read date and time from the DS3231 RTC module (second, minute, hour, day, date, month, and year)
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
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Introduction to Real-Time Clock DS3231 Module
ESP32 itself has some time-related functions such as millis(), micros(). However, they can not provide the date and time (seconds, minutes, hours, day, date, month, and year). To get date and time, we needs to use a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module such as DS3231, DS1370. DS3231 Module has higher precision than DS1370. See DS3231 vs DS1307
Pinout
Real-Time Clock DS3231 Module includes 10 pins:
- 32K pin: outputs the stable(temperature compensated) and accurate reference clock.
- SQW pin: outputs a nice square wave at either 1Hz, 4kHz, 8kHz or 32kHz and can be handled programmatically. This can further be used as an interrupt due to alarm condition in many time-based applications.
- SCL pin: is a clock pin for I2C interface.
- SDA pin: is a data pin for I2C interface.
- VCC pin: supplies power for the module. It can be anywhere between 3.3V to 5.5V.
- GND pin: is a ground pin.
For normal use, it needs to use 4 pins: VCC, GND, SDA, SCL
The DS3231 Module also has a battery holder.
- If we insert a CR2032 battery, It keeps the time on module running when the main power is off.
- If we do not insert the battery, the time information is lost if the main power is off and you need to set the time again.
Wiring Diagram
This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
ESP32 - DS3231 RTC Module
| DS1307 RTC Module | ESP32 |
|---|---|
| Vin | 3.3V |
| GND | GND |
| SDA | GPIO21 |
| SCL | GPIO22 |
If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: How to Power ESP32.
How To Program For DS3231 RTC Module
- Include the library:
#include <RTClib.h>
- Declare a RTC object:
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
- Initialize RTC:
if (! rtc.begin()) {
Serial.println("RTC module is NOT found");
while (1);
}
- For the first time, set the RTC to the date & time on PC the sketch was compiled
rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
- Reads date and time information from RTC module
DateTime now = rtc.now();
Serial.print("ESP32 RTC Date Time: ");
Serial.print(now.year(), DEC);
Serial.print('/');
Serial.print(now.month(), DEC);
Serial.print('/');
Serial.print(now.day(), DEC);
Serial.print(" (");
Serial.print(now.dayOfTheWeek());
Serial.print(") ");
Serial.print(now.hour(), DEC);
Serial.print(':');
Serial.print(now.minute(), DEC);
Serial.print(':');
Serial.println(now.second(), DEC);
ESP32 Code – How to get data and time
/*
* 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-rtc
*/
#include <RTClib.h>
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
char daysOfWeek[7][12] = {
"Sunday",
"Monday",
"Tuesday",
"Wednesday",
"Thursday",
"Friday",
"Saturday"
};
void setup () {
Serial.begin(9600);
// SETUP RTC MODULE
if (! rtc.begin()) {
Serial.println("RTC module is NOT found");
Serial.flush();
while (1);
}
// automatically sets the RTC to the date & time on PC this sketch was compiled
rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(__DATE__), F(__TIME__)));
// manually sets the RTC with an explicit date & time, for example to set
// January 21, 2021 at 3am you would call:
// rtc.adjust(DateTime(2021, 1, 21, 3, 0, 0));
}
void loop () {
DateTime now = rtc.now();
Serial.print("ESP32 RTC Date Time: ");
Serial.print(now.year(), DEC);
Serial.print('/');
Serial.print(now.month(), DEC);
Serial.print('/');
Serial.print(now.day(), DEC);
Serial.print(" (");
Serial.print(daysOfWeek[now.dayOfTheWeek()]);
Serial.print(") ");
Serial.print(now.hour(), DEC);
Serial.print(':');
Serial.print(now.minute(), DEC);
Serial.print(':');
Serial.println(now.second(), DEC);
delay(1000); // delay 1 seconds
}
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.
- Open the Library Manager by clicking on the Library Manager icon on the left navigation bar of Arduino IDE
- Search “RTClib”, then find the RTC library by Adafruit
- Click Install button to install RTC library.
- You may be asked to install dependencies for the library
- Install all dependencies for the library by clicking on Install All button.
- Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE
- Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
- Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE
- See the output on Serial Monitor.
COM6
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:35
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:36
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:37
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:38
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:39
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:40
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:41
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:42
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:43
ESP32 RTC Date Time: 2022/08/26 (Friday) 15:21:44
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
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