Basic Setup + First Program

This section guides you through connecting your Echo to your computer and running your very first program. This foundational step confirms that your development environment is correctly configured

Connecting Your Echo

Once the Arduino IDE is set up and configured for the Echo (as detailed in the "Setting Up the Arduino IDE" section), connecting your Echo is straightforward:

1. Plug in the Echo: Connect your Echo to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Identify the COM Port: In the Arduino IDE, click on the board selector (typically located in the bottom right or via Tools > Port). You should see a new serial port listed, often labeled with "COM" (e.g., COM3, COM4, etc., on Windows) or /dev/ttyUSBx (on Linux/macOS).

To confirm you've selected the correct port for your Echo, you can unplug the Echo, note which COM port disappears, then plug it back in and select the one that reappears. This ensures you're communicating with the correct hardware.

Writing your first program

Now that your Echo is connected, let's write a simple program to confirm everything is working as expected. This "Hello, World!" program serves two key purposes:

• Communication Verification: It confirms that the Arduino IDE can successfully communicate with and upload code to your Echo.

• Serial Monitor Test: It verifies that the IDE's Serial Monitor is correctly displaying data sent from your Echo.

Code

In the Arduino IDE editor, copy and paste the following code:

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  delay(1000);//1s delay to allow serial data
  Serial.println("Hello, World!");
}

void loop() {
//This code will loop forever.
}

Running the code

To compile and upload your "Hello, World!" program to the Echo:

1. Locate Upload Button: In the top-left corner of the Arduino IDE, you will see two icons. The check icon (Verify) compiles and checks your code for syntax errors without uploading. The right-arrow icon (Upload) compiles your code and then uploads it to the selected board.

1. Upload to Echo: Ensure that the correct COM port for your Echo is selected. Then, click the right-arrow icon to upload your code.

2. Monitor Upload Progress: The output terminal at the bottom of the IDE will display the upload progress. You will know the code has been successfully uploaded when you see the message "upload success".

3. Open Serial Monitor: After a successful upload, open the Serial Monitor. This button is typically found in the top-right corner of the IDE, resembling a magnifying glass.

1. Verify Output: In the Serial Monitor, you should see the following output printed once:

   Hello, World!

Debugging common issues

If you did not see the expected "Hello, World!" output, or encountered an error during the process, don't worry! Here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Incorrect COM Port: Double-check that the Echo is connected and that the correct COM port is selected in the Arduino IDE.

• Syntax Errors: If the compiler threw an error during compilation, carefully review your code for any syntax mistakes or typos.

• Echo Not in Programming Mode: Sometimes the ESP32 might not enter programming mode automatically. Follow the steps below to manually set the Echo into programming mode.

• Incorrect Board Settings: Ensure that all your board settings (e.g., Tools > Board > ESP32-S3 Dev Module) are correctly configured as outlined in the "Setting Up the Arduino IDE" section.

Setting the Echo to programming mode

Occasionally, your Echo (which uses the ESP32-S3) may not enter programming mode automatically. This is a common occurrence with ESP32-based boards and is an easy fix.

For a detailed explanation, refer to official ESP32 programming resources. However, here's a quick summary:

• Connect Echo: Ensure your Echo is connected to your computer via USB.

• Hold PROG Button: Press and hold the PROG button on the Echo for approximately 5 seconds.

• Press and Release RESET (while holding PROG): While still holding the PROG button, momentarily press and release the RESET button.

• Confirm Mode: You should hear an audible sound from your computer, indicating a new device connection. Additionally, you may notice a new COM port appearing in the Arduino IDE's board selector.

• Retry Upload: With the Echo now in programming mode, you should be able to re-upload your program successfully and see the desired output in the Serial Monitor.

By this point, you should be able to re-run the program and see a different result.