020 - MicroPython TechNotes: Touch Sensor

Mar 23, 2021 · 4 min read · ESP32 touch sensor how to use touch sensor ·

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Introduction

In this article, we will learn how to use a touch sensor module with ESP32 using MicroPython programming language.

Pinout

G – for the ground.
V – for the supply voltage.
S – for the signal pin.

Bill Of Materials

ESP32 development board which will serve as the brain for this experiment.
ESP32 shield from Gorillacell ESP32 development kit which will extend the pins of ESP32 to ESP32 shield pin headers for easy circuit connection.
3-pin female-female dupont wires to attach the touch sensor module to ESP32 shield.
Touch sensor module.

Hardware Instruction

First, attach the ESP32 development board on top of the ESP32 shield and make sure that both USB port are on the same side.
Next, attach the dupont wires to the touch sensor module by following a color coding which is black for the ground, red for the supply voltage, and yellow for the signal pin.
Next, attach the other end of the dupont wires by matching the colors of the dupont wires to the colors of the pin headers. For this experiment, I choose GPIO 32 as the input pin from the touch sensor module.
Next, power the ESP32 shield with an external power supply with a type-C USB connector and make sure that the power switch is set to ON state.
Next, connect the ESP32 to the computer through a micro USB cable. Our demo circuit is now ready.

Software Instruction

For the software part, I prepared 4 example source code for the demonstration.

Copy and paste it to Thonny IDE and play with it. Modify and adapt it according to your needs.

Enjoy and happy tinkering.

Video Demonstration

Call To Action

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– George Bantique | tech.to.tinker@gmail.com

Source Code

1. Example # 1, exploring the basics:

 1# More details can be found in TechToTinker.blogspot.com 
 2# George Bantique | tech.to.tinker@gmail.com
 3
 4from machine import Pin
 5
 6ts = Pin(32, Pin.IN)
 7
 8# # The following lines of code can be tested in the REPL:
 9# ts.value() # Reads the current value of the touch sensor.
10# # Return value is 1 when touch sensor is touch,
11# # the value is 0 when touch sensor is not being touch.

2. Example # 2, simple application using the touch sensor:

 1# More details can be found in TechToTinker.blogspot.com 
 2# George Bantique | tech.to.tinker@gmail.com
 3
 4from machine import Pin
 5from time import sleep_ms
 6
 7ts = Pin(32, Pin.IN)
 8led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
 9
10while True:
11    if ts.value()==1:
12        # Touch sensor detects a touch
13        # Lets toggle the state of the LED
14        # to create a blinking LED.
15        led.value(not led.value())
16        sleep_ms(300)
17    else:
18        # Touch sensor has no touch detected
19        # Lets turn OFF the LED.
20        led.value(0)

3. Example # 3, touch sensor toggles a state:

 1# More details can be found in TechToTinker.blogspot.com 
 2# George Bantique | tech.to.tinker@gmail.com
 3
 4from machine import Pin
 5from time import sleep_ms
 6
 7ts = Pin(32, Pin.IN)
 8led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
 9isTouch = False
10
11while True:
12    if ts.value()==1:
13        isTouch = not isTouch
14        sleep_ms(300)
15        if isTouch:
16            print('LED blinking ON')
17        else:
18            print('LED blinking OFF')
19    
20    if isTouch:
21        # Lets toggle the state of the LED
22        # to create a blinking LED.
23        led.value(not led.value())
24        sleep_ms(5000)
25    else:
26        # Lets turn OFF the LED.
27        led.value(0)

4. Example # 4, touch sensor non-blocking code:

 1# More details can be found in TechToTinker.blogspot.com 
 2# George Bantique | tech.to.tinker@gmail.com
 3
 4from machine import Pin
 5from time import sleep_ms
 6from time import ticks_ms
 7
 8ts = Pin(32, Pin.IN)
 9led = Pin(2, Pin.OUT)
10isTouch = False
11startTime = 0
12
13while True:
14    if ts.value()==1:
15        isTouch = not isTouch
16        sleep_ms(300)
17        if isTouch:
18            print('LED blinking ON')
19            startTime = ticks_ms()
20        else:
21            print('LED blinking OFF')
22    
23    if isTouch:
24        # Lets toggle the state of the LED
25        # to create a blinking LED.
26        if ticks_ms() - startTime >= 300:
27            led.value(not led.value())
28            startTime = ticks_ms()
29    else:
30        # Lets turn OFF the LED.
31        led.value(0)

Credits And References

Purchase your Gorillacell ESP32 development kit: gorillacell.kr