Esp32 s3 uploading and monitoring

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1

I have been trying to develop a project based on esp32 s3 zero but I have lately faced some issues with the monitoring of the code running.
Basically I see nothing on the serial monitor when the uploading completes. some times it changes address from /dev/ttyACM0 to /dev/ttyACM1 or vice versa. But even when I choose to change the port I get nothing from the esp, like it is not running.

--- Terminal on /dev/ttyACM0 | 9600 8-N-1
--- Available filters and text transformations: colorize, debug, default, direct, esp32_exception_decoder, hexlify, log2file, nocontrol, printable, send_on_enter, time
--- More details at https://bit.ly/pio-monitor-filters
--- Quit: Ctrl+C | Menu: Ctrl+T | Help: Ctrl+T followed by Ctrl+H
 *  Terminal will be reused by tasks, press any key to close it.

When uploading I have to press the reset while pressing the boot to sync.
Here is my platformio.ini:

[env:esp32-s3-devkitc-1]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
framework = arduino
board_build.mcu = esp32s3
;platform_packages = tool-esptoolpy @ ~1.40501.0

build_flags = 
	-DARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
	-DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1 
	-DARDUINO_USB_MSC_ON_BOOT=0 
	-DARDUINO_USB_DFU_ON_BOOT=0
	-DCORE_DEBUG_LEVEL=1
	
	
monitor_speed = 9600
upload_port = /dev/ttyACM0
monitor_port = /dev/ttyACM1
;monitor_rts = 0
;monitor_dtr = 0
board_upload.flash_size = 4MB
board_build.partitions = Partition_Table.csv
lib_deps = 
	https://github.com/bblanchon/ArduinoJson
	ESP Async WebServer

The esptool from cli reports for my esp32:

esptool.py v4.7.0
Serial port /dev/ttyACM0
Connecting......
Detecting chip type... ESP32-S3
Chip is ESP32-S3 (QFN56) (revision v0.2)
Features: WiFi, BLE, Embedded Flash 4MB (XMC), Embedded PSRAM 2MB (AP_3v3)
Crystal is 40MHz

I am working on an Ubuntu PC running VSCode 1.93.1 Platformio Core 6.1.15 and Home 3.4.4

3

Can you simplify your project (or create a new one) with just

[env:esp32-s3-devkitc-1]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
framework = arduino
build_flags = 
  -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
  -DBOARD_HAS_PSRAM
board_upload.flash_size = 4MB
board_build.partitions = huge_app.csv

With src/main.cpp

#include <Arduino.h>

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println("Hello");
  delay(1000);
}

does that output anything at all?

4

Thanks [maxgerhardt] for your answer.

I followed your advice and created a simple new project. The platform.ini has the entries you suggested and the simple src/main.cpp code. Just to mention that I changed the board to esp32-s3-devkitm-1 (This is the board initially suggested to use by the maker and I reverted to it).

Building is successful and uploading needs the pin sequence (press Reset while pressing Boot) but then is successful, too. Going now on Serial Monitor there is /dev/ttyACM0 available selecting it and starting monitoring shows immediately nothing. But then after repetitive selects on port brings the following:

ESP-ROM:esp32s3-20210327
Build:Mar 27 2021
rst:0x15 (USB_UART_CHIP_RESET),boot:0x23 (DOWNLOAD(USB/UART0))
Saved PC:0x40378cd3
waiting for download

Only after I press Reset pin on the dev board I get :slight_smile:

Hello
Hello

So now to sum it up:

  1. To download I have to press the Reset while I press the Boot
  2. To monitor I have to Reset and then select Monitor. It seems that monitoring is not automatic.
    Is this normal behavior? Many thanks!
5

Mhm. At least the “hold BOOT0 before connecting the USB cable” is documented at the board’s wiki:

Not 100% about ESP32-S3 boards with no USB-to-UART converter and using the Hardware CDC (no TinyUSB) if that’s supposed to be correct or not.

You can test the opposite way though: Switch to using TinyuSB (USB mode 0), then it should accept a reset method where you don’t have to press any buttons (except for the very first sketch upload of course).

Try and use this exact platformio.ini

[env:esp32-s3-devkitc-1]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32-s3-devkitc-1
framework = arduino
build_flags = 
  -DARDUINO_USB_MODE=0
  -DARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
  -DBOARD_HAS_PSRAM
build_unflags = -DARDUINO_USB_MODE=1
board_upload.flash_size = 4MB
board_build.partitions = huge_app.csv
; setup right reset method (comment this out on the first upload)
board_upload.wait_for_upload_port = yes
board_upload.use_1200bps_touch = yes
6

The Hold+Boot or Press Reset while Pressing Boot is not so much of an issue for me. The Serial Monitor though is a major issue because you really don’t know what is happening to your code.

7

When the board is not rebooted to run the firmware, your code doesn’t run at all – so you absolutely need to either press the reset button or try the above upload method that hopefully auto-resets the chip properly after the upload.

8

Thank you maxgerhardt for your help!