Arduino Nano ESP32 - LED - Blink Without Delay
One of the first program that beginners run is to blink an LED. The simplest way to blink an LED is to use the delay() function. This function blocks Arduino Nano ESP32 from doing other things. It will be ok if you just want to blink only a single LED. However, If you want to blink more LED or do other works in parallel, you cannot use the delay() function. We need another solution. This tutorial provides instructions on how to do multiple task without using delay function. More specifically, We will learn how to blink an LED and checks the button's state.
We will run though three below examples and compare the difference between them.
- Arduino Nano ESP32 blinks LED by using delay() function
- Arduino Nano ESP32 blinks LED by using millis() function
- Arduino Nano ESP32 blinks LED by using ezLED library
This method can be applied to let Arduino Nano ESP32 do several tasks at the same time. Blinking LED is just an example.
Hardware Preparation
Or you can buy the following sensor kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
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Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables.
Wiring Diagram
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Let's compare the Arduino Nano ESP32 code that blinks LED with and without using delay() function
Arduino Nano ESP32 Code - With Delay
/*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com
*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction
*
* For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit:
* https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-blink-without-delay
*/
#define LED_PIN D5 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D5 connected to LED
#define BUTTON_PIN D2 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D2 connected to button
#define BLINK_INTERVAL 1000 // interval at which to blink LED (milliseconds)
int led_state = LOW; // led_state used to set the LED
int prev_button_state = LOW; // will store last time button was updated
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
// set the digital pin as output:
pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
// set the digital pin as an input:
pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
}
void loop() {
// if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
led_state = (led_state == LOW) ? HIGH : LOW;
// set the LED with the led_state of the variable:
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, led_state);
delay(BLINK_INTERVAL); // If button is pressed during this time, Arduino CANNOT detect
int button_state = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);
if (button_state != prev_button_state) {
// print out the state of the button:
Serial.println(button_state);
// save the last state of button
prev_button_state = button_state;
}
// DO OTHER WORKS HERE
}
Detailed Instructions
To get started with Arduino Nano ESP32, follow these steps:
- If you are new to Arduino Nano ESP32, refer to the tutorial on how to set up the environment for Arduino Nano ESP32 in the Arduino IDE.
- Wire the components according to the provided diagram.
- Connect the Arduino Nano ESP32 board to your computer using a USB cable.
- Launch the Arduino IDE on your computer.
- Select the Arduino Nano ESP32 board and its corresponding COM port.* Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
- Compile and upload code to Arduino Nano ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
- Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE
- Press the button 4 times
- See the LED: The LED toggles between ON/OFF periodically every second
- See the output in Serial Monitor
COM6
1
0
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
- On Serial Monitor, you will not see enough four times that the state changes to 0 (4 presses). That is because, during delay time, Arduino Nano ESP32 CANNOT detect the changing.
Arduino Nano ESP32 Code - Without Delay
/*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com
*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction
*
* For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit:
* https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-blink-without-delay
*/
#define LED_PIN D5 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D5 connected to LED
#define BUTTON_PIN D2 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D2 connected to button
#define BLINK_INTERVAL 1000 // interval at which to blink LED (milliseconds)
int led_state = LOW; // led_state used to set the LED
int prev_button_state = LOW; // will store last time button was updated
unsigned long prev_millis = 0; // will store last time LED was updated
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
// set the digital pin as output:
pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
// set the digital pin as an input:
pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
}
void loop() {
// check to see if it's time to blink the LED; that is, if the difference
// between the current time and last time you blinked the LED is bigger than
// The interval at which you want to blink the LED.
unsigned long current_millis = millis();
if (current_millis - prev_millis >= BLINK_INTERVAL) {
// if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
led_state = (led_state == LOW) ? HIGH : LOW;
// set the LED with the led_state of the variable:
digitalWrite(LED_PIN, led_state);
// save the last time you blinked the LED
prev_millis = current_millis;
}
// check button state's change
int button_state = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);
if (button_state != prev_button_state) {
// print out the state of the button:
Serial.println(button_state);
// save the last state of button
prev_button_state = button_state;
}
// DO OTHER WORKS HERE
}
Detailed Instructions
- If this is the first time you use Arduino Nano ESP32, see how to setup environment for Arduino Nano ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
- Run the above code and press the button 4 times
- See the LED: The LED toggles between ON/OFF periodically every second
- See the output in Serial Monitor
COM6
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
- All pressing events were detected.
Line-by-line Code Explanation
The above Arduino Nano ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!
Adding More Tasks
The below code blinks two LEDs with different intervals and checks the state of the button.
/*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com
*
* This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction
*
* For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit:
* https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-blink-without-delay
*/
#define LED_PIN_1 D6 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D6 connected to LED 1
#define LED_PIN_2 D5 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D5 connected to LED 2
#define BUTTON_PIN D2 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin D2 connected to button
#define BLINK_INTERVAL_1 1000 // interval at which to blink LED 1 (milliseconds)
#define BLINK_INTERVAL_2 500 // interval at which to blink LED 2 (milliseconds)
int led_state_1 = LOW; // led_state used to set the LED 1
int led_state_2 = LOW; // led_state used to set the LED 2
int prev_button_state = LOW; // will store last time button was updated
unsigned long prev_millis_1 = 0; // will store last time LED 1 was updated
unsigned long prev_millis_2 = 0; // will store last time LED 2 was updated
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
// set the digital pin as output:
pinMode(LED_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LED_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
// set the digital pin as an input:
pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
}
void loop() {
unsigned long current_millis = millis();
// check to see if it's time to blink the LED 1
if (current_millis - prev_millis_1 >= BLINK_INTERVAL_1) {
// if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
led_state_1 = (led_state_1 == LOW) ? HIGH : LOW;
// set the LED with the led_state of the variable:
digitalWrite(LED_PIN_1, led_state_1);
// save the last time you blinked the LED
prev_millis_1 = current_millis;
}
// check to see if it's time to blink the LED 2
if (current_millis - prev_millis_2 >= BLINK_INTERVAL_2) {
// if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
led_state_2 = (led_state_2 == LOW) ? HIGH : LOW;
// set the LED with the led_state of the variable:
digitalWrite(LED_PIN_2, led_state_2);
// save the last time you blinked the LED
prev_millis_2 = current_millis;
}
// check button state's change
int button_state = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);
if (button_state != prev_button_state) {
// print out the state of the button:
Serial.println(button_state);
// save the last state of button
prev_button_state = button_state;
}
// DO OTHER WORKS HERE
}