DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF THE KEiT TRAINING STAND FOR PROGRAMMING ESP32 MICROCONTROLLERS IN PYTHON IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

This paper presents a tutorial on programming the ESP32 microcontroller using MicroPython firmware and the Thonny development environment on the KEIT (Knowledge ESP32 Integration Trainer) training rig. The designed and manufactured rig, its operating principles, and a schematic diagram and printed circuit board (PCB) are provided. The MicroPython programming curriculum includes 12 lab sessions, ranging from basic GPIO control (LEDs, buttons, and buzzer) to integration with cloud services via the MQTT protocol. Sequentially completing the tasks allows students to master the fundamentals of working with digital and analog interfaces, learn to interact with sensors, displays, and actuators, and become familiar with the networking capabilities of the ESP32. Particular attention is paid to practical aspects, such as button debounce, working with interrupts, generating PWM signals, and measuring time intervals. The authors also present the specialized control software «KEIT Master Control», which complements the entire hardware and software system and reinforces the theoretical foundations of microcontroller programming in MicroPython. The final lessons focus on creating a simple web server on the ESP32 and exchanging data via an MQTT broker, providing students with a basic understanding of the principles of the Internet of Things. The course concludes with mini-projects («smart room», «parking assistant», and «Wi-Fi weather station») that integrate the technologies covered and demonstrate the potential of the ESP32 for automation and smart home systems. The curriculum can be used in universities and colleges for students majoring in Information Technology, Automation, Mechatronics and Radioelectronics.

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