ESP32-S3 Servo Motor with Arduino IDE

Introduction

Servo motors are precise actuators that rotate to specific angles between 0° and 180°.
With the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) capability of the ESP32-S3 DevKit-N16R8, you can easily control the servo’s position.
This is ideal for robotics and automated systems where accurate angular movement is required.

Required Components

• ESP32-S3 Board
• Servo Motor
• Jumper wires
• Breadboard
• 5V Power Supply, Battery

Pinout

Circuit Diagram / Wiring

• SERVO (5V) → ESP32 5V an external 5V power supply
• SERVO (GND) → ESP32 GND
• SERVO (Signal) → ESP32 GPIO 13

Code / Programming

• Install Required Library (via Arduino Library Manager).
• Go to the “Libraries” tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
• Click on the “Library Manager” button (book icon) at the top of the Libraries tab.
• In the Library Manager window, type “ESP32Servo” in the search bar.
• Locate the “ESP32Servo” library click on the “Install” button next to it.
• Wait for the library to be installed, and you’re ready to use the ESP32Servo library in your projects.

/*
Filename: ol_servo_sweep.ino  
Description: ESP32-S3 code to control a servo motor by sweeping it to 0°, 90°, and 180° positions with 1-second delay.  
Author: www.oceanlabz.in  
Modification: 1/4/2025  
*/
 
#include <ESP32Servo.h>
  
Servo myServo;
  
void setup() {
  // Allow allocation of all timers
  ESP32PWM::allocateTimer(0);
  ESP32PWM::allocateTimer(1);
  ESP32PWM::allocateTimer(2);
  ESP32PWM::allocateTimer(3);
    
  myServo.setPeriodHertz(50);    // Standard 50Hz servo
  myServo.attach(13, 500, 2400); // Attach servo to pin 13, min/max pulse width in microseconds
}
  
void loop() {
  myServo.write(0);
  delay(1000);
  myServo.write(90);
  delay(1000);
  myServo.write(180);
  delay(1000);
}

Explanation

• Optimized for ESP32: Uses the ESP32Servo library specifically designed for better PWM control on ESP32 chips
• Precise PWM Configuration: Sets 50Hz servo frequency and custom pulse widths (500-2400μs) for accurate positioning
• Simple Sweep Control: Moves servo between 0°, 90°, and 180° positions with 1-second delays between movements

Troubleshooting

• Servo Not Moving? Check wiring (power, ground, signal) and ensure power supply provides enough current (5V/1A+)
• Jittery Movement? Add a capacitor (100-1000μF) across servo power pins or use a separate power source
• Incorrect Positions? Calibrate pulse widths in myServo.attach() (adjust 500,2400 values) for your specific servo model