ESP32 KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module

🛠️ KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module Troubleshooting

This guide outlines a systematic approach to troubleshoot and resolve common problems with the . Start by confirming that the hardware connections are correct, as wiring mistakes are the most frequent cause of issues. If you are sure the connections are correct, follow the below steps to debug common issues.

❌ Laser Not Emitting

⚡ Weak or Flickering Laser Beam

💻 Code Examples

Below you can find code examples of KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module with ESP32 in several frameworks:

• Arduino IDE
• ESP-IDF
• ESPHome
• PlatformIO
• MicroPython

If you encounter issues while using the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module, check the Common Issues Troubleshooting Guide.

ESP32 KY-008 Arduino IDE Code Example

Example in Arduino IDE

Fill in your main Arduino IDE sketch file with the following code to use the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module:

int laserPin = 13;

void setup() {
    pinMode(laserPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
    digitalWrite(laserPin, HIGH); // Turn on the laser
    delay(1000); // Wait for one second
    digitalWrite(laserPin, LOW); // Turn off the laser
    delay(1000); // Wait for one second
}

This Arduino code controls the KY-008 laser module connected to digital pin 13. It turns the laser on for one second and then off for one second, creating a blinking effect.

Connect your ESP32 to your computer via a USB cable, Ensure the correct Board and Port are selected under Tools, Click the "Upload" button in the Arduino IDE to compile and upload the code to your ESP32.

ESP32 KY-008 ESP-IDF Code Example

Example in Espressif IoT Framework (ESP-IDF)

If you're using ESP-IDF to work with the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module, here's how you can set it up and read data from the sensor. Fill in this code in the main ESP-IDF file:

#include <stdio.h>
#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
#include "freertos/task.h"
#include "driver/gpio.h"

#define LASER_PIN GPIO_NUM_5

void app_main(void) {
    gpio_pad_select_gpio(LASER_PIN);
    gpio_set_direction(LASER_PIN, GPIO_MODE_OUTPUT);

    while (1) {
        gpio_set_level(LASER_PIN, 1); // Turn on the laser
        vTaskDelay(1000 / portTICK_PERIOD_MS); // Wait for one second
        gpio_set_level(LASER_PIN, 0); // Turn off the laser
        vTaskDelay(1000 / portTICK_PERIOD_MS); // Wait for one second
    }
}

This ESP-IDF code configures GPIO5 as an output to control the KY-008 laser module. It turns the laser on for one second and off for one second in a loop, creating a blinking effect.

Update the I2C pins (I2C_MASTER_SDA_IO and I2C_MASTER_SCL_IO) to match your ESP32 hardware setup, Use idf.py build to compile the project, Use idf.py flash to upload the code to your ESP32.

ESP32 KY-008 ESPHome Code Example

Example in ESPHome (Home Assistant)

Fill in this configuration in your ESPHome YAML configuration file (example.yml) to integrate the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO5
    name: "KY-008 Laser"
    id: laser_switch

This ESPHome configuration sets up a switch to control the KY-008 laser module connected to GPIO5. The laser can be turned on and off via the defined switch entity.

Upload this code to your ESP32 using the ESPHome dashboard or the esphome run command.

ESP32 KY-008 PlatformIO Code Example

Example in PlatformIO Framework

For PlatformIO, make sure to configure the platformio.ini file with the appropriate environment and libraries, and then proceed with the code.

Configure platformio.ini

First, your platformio.ini should look like below. You might need to include some libraries as shown. Make sure to change the board to your ESP32:

[env:esp32]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32dev
framework = arduino

ESP32 KY-008 PlatformIO Example Code

Write this code in your PlatformIO project under the src/main.cpp file to use the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module:

#include <Arduino.h>

#define LASER_PIN 5

void setup() {
    pinMode(LASER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
    digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, HIGH); // Turn on the laser
    delay(1000); // Wait for one second
    digitalWrite(LASER_PIN, LOW); // Turn off the laser
    delay(1000); // Wait for one second
}

This PlatformIO code initializes GPIO5 as an output to control the KY-008 laser module. It toggles the laser on and off every second, creating a blinking effect.

Upload the code to your ESP32 using the PlatformIO "Upload" button in your IDE or the pio run --target upload command.

ESP32 KY-008 MicroPython Code Example

Example in Micro Python Framework

Fill in this script in your MicroPython main.py file (main.py) to integrate the KY-008 Laser Transmitter Module with your ESP32.

import machine
import time

LASER_PIN = machine.Pin(5, machine.Pin.OUT)

while True:
    LASER_PIN.value(1)  # Turn on the laser
    time.sleep(1)        # Wait for one second
    LASER_PIN.value(0)  # Turn off the laser
    time.sleep(1)        # Wait for one second

This MicroPython script sets up the KY-008 laser module on GPIO5 and toggles it on and off every second, producing a blinking effect.

Upload this code to your ESP32 using a MicroPython-compatible IDE, such as Thonny, uPyCraft, or tools like ampy.