Temperature and humidity monitor with ESP8266

S113 Sarah Shriyan

S080 Shruti Gaikwad

Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Components of the module use
2.1 software Arduino IDE
2.1.1. Properties of Arduino IDE
2.1.2. Arduino programming language
2.2 Hardware
2.2.1 NodeMCU ESP8266
2.2.2 DHT11
3. System module in details
4. Architecture
5. Circuit set up

1 Introduction
For recent years, collecting and monitoring data have been developed rapidly. Together with the
improvement in both device performance and cost, this demand is increasing and satisfying day
by day. These devices can vary in many aspects, but they all follow a principle: they measure
physical parameters and translate it into values.
The "loT" term is often mentioned recently. Having devices connected has never been that easy.
These sensors used to be interconnected by wired connections. With the development of
wireless technology, more and more devices are connected via TCP/IP protocol or act as a
station in a Wi-Fi network. Before such a device as ESP8266 was developed, to have this
network connecting to Internet wirelessly, we need to have at least two devices: a processor
(like Arduino Mega or Nano) and a Wi-Fi module. Thanks to Espressif Systems (a
Shanghai-based Chinese manufacturer), these two functionalities are now integrated in simply
one module, which will ease the work of developers.
But not only the devices and client side, the work in server side is also easier. There is no need
to build a whole server to have a prototype version of an loT system. There are several
providers out there can help us to work with the server
2 Components and modules used

2.1 Software: Arduino IDE

2.1.1 Introduction
AVR controllers and PIC microcontrollers are increasingly common and more complete but we
can say the appearance of Arduino in 2005 in Italy opened a new direction for microcontrollers.
The appearance of Arduino has eased the work of people in programming and design.
According to the main website of Arduino, Arduino is using the electronics platform as an
open-source base to help user easy to use hardware and software. Arduino is an IDE with the
built-in editor, compiler, programmer and it comes with firmware with the boot loader, built-in
library kits and easy integration. It means whenever you have an idea and want to build
something, you can just focus on designing and programming and not concern totally about the
hardware and electronics stuff.
The language used is C / C++. All are open source and contributed by the community.
There are several parts as Arduino Boards, Arduino programming language (based on Wiring)
and Arduino Software IDE (based on Processing).

2.1.2 The properties of Arduino IDE

• Arduino hides the complexity of electronics with simple concepts. Setting up an output for a
MCU by setting the register is so complicated that a professional even has to open a data sheet.
With Arduino, a function is called and everything is solved.
• Because of its common, the user only needs to focus on product features rather than protocol,
datasheet. It means anyone can make great products without much knowledge in electronics
field.
• Debug by console.
• The IDE is well designed that it can integrate many types of compilers easily and a variety of
hardware without losing performance.

2.1.3 Arduino programming language

The Arduino programming language has compiled on the Arduino IDE. It can be downloaded
from https://www.arduino.cc/
This programming language is based on a simple hardware programming language called
Processing, which is very similar to C language
2.2 Hardware

2.2.1 NodeMCU ESP8266

2.2.1.1 Introduction about ESP8266

To introduce about ESP8266, an assumption is made that you already know about Android.
ESP8266 is used to be used as an Android extension to get access to the WiFi network. This is
also the main functionality of its design - to provide WiFi connection for multi electronic products.
(2]
But in fact, it is a System on Chip (SoC) manufactured by Espressif. Not only providing WiFi
connection, it also comes up with a microcontroller and a lot of spare memory, so ESP8266 is
barely used as a standalone solution. This means that it can be programmed like any normal
microcontroller.

ESP8266 is normally sold on the development boards such as NodeMCU. This means once it is
under used, there is no programming hardware required. It comes with a USB-to-Serial
converter, 3.3V converter. The only thing user has to care about is to plug the power, connect
the board with another device and learn how to use it.
There are some common applications that it can be used in loT domain, such as connecting
sensor to the Internet, hosting a web server with real web pages, letting the smartphone
connect to it.
2.2.1.2 NodeMCU

Figure 1. NodeMCU v3

NodeMCU is chosen in this paper to ease the work of setup and installing accessories, since it
has all kinds of features on-board: a USB-to-Serial converter for programming, a 3.3V regulator
for power, on-board LEDs for debugging, a voltage divider to scale the
S113 sarah shriyan
S080 Shruti gaikwa

The ESP8266 integrates WiFi transceiver, so it not only connects to a WiFi network and
interacts with the Internet through that network, but also sets up a network on its own.
This topic will be discussed further in Operating mode section.
Figure 3. NodeMCU with power supply

The board can be powered via the on-board Micro USB connector. Otherwise, the VIN Pin can
come in handy by directing supply a 5V voltage source

2.2.1.3 Operating mode

In this project, ESP8266 will play a role of a Web Client. However, thanks to its WiFi transceiver,
it can also play a role of Web Server by setting up a network itself and allowing other devices to
connect to it and access web page.
To describe it in detail, we need to understand three modes of ESP8266: Station mode, Soft
Access Point mode, and both modes at once.

2.2.1.3.1 Station Mode

Any device that connects to a network (in this case, this is a WiFi network established by a
wireless router) is called a Station.
Figure 4. Station Mode

2.2.1.3.2 Soft Access Point Mode

First, we should understand what Access Point is. Any device that creates its own network and
acts as a hub (such as WiFi router) is called an Access Point. So why is there "Soft" in this
term? Since this NodeMCU interface is not available for a wired network, such an operation is
so called Soft Access Point. One more thing, the limit number of stations under this network is
limited to five devices.
Figure 7. DHT11 comparing with a penny

DHT11 Temperature & Humidity Sensor features a sensor complex with a calibrated digital
signal output. It uses exclusive digital-signal-collecting-technique and humidity sensing
technology, which explains its reliability and stability. [6]
Processor: 8-bit single-chip.

Small size and low consumption together with long transmission distance (up to 20 m) enable
DHT11 to be well suited to operate in harsh environments.

3. System model in details

3.1 Architecture
Scope of system: even it is an loT project but we limit the scope of work to monitor the live data
only. There will be no analysis, Bl report or machine learning phase in the project.
URL to see chart: https://khamec14thesis.000webhostapp.com/showdht11.php
5. Circuit set up
5.1 circuit diagram
5.2 Arduino code
5.3. Use interface

Conclusion

1. Real-time monitoring achieved.

2. Sensor readings demonstrated accuracy.
3. Remote accessibility enabled.
4. Cloud integration seamless.
5. Automation potential showcased.
6. User-friendly interface provided.
7. Scalability demonstrated.
8. Practical applications evident.
9. Decision-making empowered.
10. Future prospects identified.