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Arduino IDE Guide

The Fri3d Badge 2024 can also be programmed using the Arduino IDE. * To get started, you will first have to install the Arduino IDE.

Arduino IDE Settings

The badge carries an ESP32-S3 with some peripherals and custom pin settings. In order to work easily with the badge in Arduino IDE, you should install our esp32-fri3d custom boards package.

Installing the custom esp32-fri3d board package

  • In your Arduino IDE, open File>Preferences or Settings
  • Enter https://github.com/Fri3dCamp/badge_2024_arduino/releases/latest/download/package_fri3d-esp32_index.json into the “Additional Board Manager URLs” field
  • Open Tools>Board>Board Manager
  • Search for the fri3d-esp32 boards from Fri3d Vzw and install the latest version.

Alternative option: using official espressif esp32 boards package

Selecting the Fri3d Badge under boards

  • If you have successfully installed the esp32-fri3d custom boards, then you should now be able to select the Fri3d Badge 2024 (ESP32-S3-WROOM-1) board under Tools>Board>fri3d-esp32

Arduino IDE examples

Uploading a sketch using Arduino IDE

  • Connect the badge to your computer with a USB-C cable
  • Select the correct USB port under Tools>Port (on a Mac it's along the lines of /dev/cu.usbserial-FFFFFFFF)
    • Troubleshooting tip: if you cannot see your board, make sure it's turned on and plugged in with a good usb cable.
  • Compile and upload the code with Sketch>Upload
    • Troubleshooting tip: If upload fails even though compilation succeeds, then you might need to manually put it in boot mode. To do that, hold the boot button and then press the reset button, then after a second you can release the boot button.
  • Change and mix the examples and have fun!

Installing Library Dependencies for Arduino Sketches

To work with peripherals like the display etc. on the badge, you will need install some libraries. The required libraries for an example are always listed at the top of the sketch with // Library Dependency: ... comments.

Starting the example sketch in the default firmware

  • In the default firmware launcher menu on the badge, select "Micropython".
    • If you don't default firmware installed yet, take a look at our reset guide first.
  • Your sketch will start now.
    • Please note: Resetting the esp will return to default firmware.

Alternative upload option: not using the default fri3d badge firmware

Explanation about sketch uploading using the method above

When you are using our fri3d-esp32 boards package, esp_tool will be configured to only write to the micropython partition (at address 0x410000). The default fri3d badge firmware then needs to direct the esp32 to start from that partition. This is what happens when you select Micropython in the main menu on the badge.

What to do if you don't want to use the default fri3d badge firmware

If you want to overwrite the default fri3d badge firmware instead, then:

  • The first time, you need to select the EspTool option via Tools>Programmer in the Arduino IDE.
  • In the Arduino IDE Menu, select Sketch>Upload Using Programmer in the Arduino IDE.
    • Note: When you have done this, you need to follow our reset guide if you want to go back to the default fri3d badge firmware.