Using Python with the ESP32 Bus Pirate

This page shows how to communicate with the ESP32 Bus Pirate using Python over a serial connection.

🧰 Requirements

• Python 3.x
• pyserial library (pip install pyserial)
• ESP32 Bus Pirate connected via USB

🔌 Setup

Make sure you know the correct serial port:

• On Linux/Mac: typically /dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART, etc.
• On Windows: something like COM3, COM4, etc.

You can list available ports using:

python -m serial.tools.list_ports

🧪 Basic Example

import serial
import time

# Replace with your actual port
PORT = "/dev/ttyUSB0"
BAUDRATE = 115200

with serial.Serial(PORT, BAUDRATE, timeout=1) as ser:
    # Give device time to reset if needed
    time.sleep(2)

    # Wake up the Bus Pirate: send any random character
    # This will trigger the welcome banner
    ser.write(b"\n")  # or any character
    time.sleep(0.5)

    # Read and print welcome message
    while ser.in_waiting:
        print(ser.readline().decode(errors="ignore").strip())

    # Example command (e.g., enter WiFi mode)
    ser.write(b"m wifi\n")
    time.sleep(0.2)

    # Read response
    while ser.in_waiting:
        print(ser.readline().decode(errors="ignore").strip())

💡 Tips

• Always send \n to simulate Enter key.
• Some commands require waiting before reading the full response.
• Use ser.flushInput() and ser.flushOutput() to clear buffers if needed.
• For scripting instructions, you can send raw blocks like:

ser.write(b"[0x33 r:8]\n")  # Send 1WIRE read ROM command

🛠️ Libraries

You can also create wrappers around modes or commands. Here's a simple helper:

class BusPirate:
    def __init__(self, port="/dev/ttyUSB0", baudrate=115200):
        self.ser = serial.Serial(port, baudrate, timeout=1)
        time.sleep(2)

    def send(self, command):
        self.ser.write((command + "\n").encode())

    def read_all(self):
        output = []
        while self.ser.in_waiting:
            output.append(self.ser.readline().decode(errors="ignore").strip())
        return output

    def close(self):
        self.ser.close()

✅ Conclusion

Using pyserial, you can fully automate your interactions with the ESP32 Bus Pirate, from scripting protocols to issuing mode commands.