SRCAS-ECS

Arduino Programming 22EC603

Unit 5
1. Getting Started with the ESP8266

The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller
capability. This makes it one of the most popular microcontroller modules for Internet of Things
(IoT) applications. Due to its affordable price, ease of use, and vast community support, the
ESP8266 has become a common choice for hobbyists, engineers, and professionals looking to
integrate Wi-Fi capabilities into their projects.

What is the ESP8266?

The ESP8266 is a small Wi-Fi module that can connect to a wireless network and provide full
network access. It includes a processor capable of running programs, memory, and the necessary
circuitry to enable Wi-Fi communication. Its primary use case is in IoT devices where internet
connectivity is required, such as smart home devices, environmental monitoring systems, and
wireless data logging.

The ESP8266 was introduced by Espressif Systems, a Chinese semiconductor company. It is

based on a 32-bit processor and runs at a clock speed of 80 MHz, but can be overclocked to 160
MHz. The module offers a broad range of GPIO pins (General Purpose Input/Output), which can
be used to interact with sensors, LEDs, motors, and other components.

Why Use the ESP8266?

 Affordability: One of the key reasons the ESP8266 is so popular is its extremely low
cost. The module can be found for just a few dollars.
 Wi-Fi Connectivity: With its built-in Wi-Fi support, it’s perfect for connecting devices
to the internet or establishing communication between devices.
 Compatibility with Arduino IDE: The ESP8266 can be programmed using the Arduino
IDE, making it easy for developers who are already familiar with this environment.
 Low Power Consumption: It can operate at low power, making it a good choice for
battery-powered devices.
 Community Support: There is a large community of users and developers, which makes
finding solutions to problems or getting help easier.

2. How to Choose Your ESP8266 Module

The ESP8266 comes in different modules, each suited for different applications. Some of the
most commonly used modules are:

 ESP-01:
o Small and compact with only two GPIO pins.
o Ideal for projects with minimal requirements or where size is a constraint.

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o Limitations: Very limited GPIO pins and no onboard USB interface for
programming (requires a USB-to-serial adapter).
 ESP-12E / ESP-12F:
o Provides more GPIO pins (11) and more memory.
o Typically used in more complex applications like home automation systems.
o Has a greater range and better performance compared to the ESP-01.
o Advantage: It’s a well-rounded module, offering more flexibility and capabilities
than the ESP-01.
 NodeMCU:
o A development board based on the ESP8266 that includes a USB interface.
o Comes with a wider set of GPIO pins (11) and is easy to use for prototyping.
o Advantage: Built-in voltage regulator, easy to program via USB, and works
directly with the Arduino IDE.
 Wemos D1 Mini:
o A smaller version of the NodeMCU board.
o It’s compact but still includes USB functionality for programming and debugging.
o Advantage: Great for projects with limited space.

How to Choose:

 For Simple Projects: The ESP-01 is suitable for smaller, basic tasks.
 For More Complex Applications: The ESP-12E/12F provides more GPIOs and better
performance.
 For Prototyping: NodeMCU is ideal due to its ease of use and built-in USB support.
 For Compact Projects: The Wemos D1 Mini offers a compact form factor while
retaining most of the NodeMCU's functionality.

3. Hardware Requirements

To start working with the ESP8266, the following hardware components are essential:

1. ESP8266 Module or Development Board: Choose the module or development board

according to your project’s requirements.
2. Power Supply: The ESP8266 operates at 3.3V, so make sure you use a power supply
that can provide 3.3V, as applying 5V directly can damage the module.
3. Breadboard and Jumper Wires: Essential for prototyping and connecting various
sensors and components.
4. LEDs, Resistors, and Sensors: Basic components to start your projects. You’ll need
LEDs to test output and sensors (such as temperature, humidity, or motion sensors) to test
input functionality.
5. USB Cable: If using development boards like NodeMCU or Wemos D1 Mini, you’ll
need a USB cable to connect the board to your computer for programming.

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4. Hardware Configuration

The ESP8266 can be configured in a few different ways depending on the type of module you’re
using. Here's a general overview:

Using NodeMCU/Wemos D1 Mini:

1. USB Interface: These development boards come with a built-in USB interface. Simply
connect the board to your computer using a standard USB cable.
2. Powering the Board: The USB connection provides power to the board (3.3V
regulated).
3. Connections: Use the GPIO pins for input/output devices like LEDs, buttons, or sensors.

Using Raw Modules (e.g., ESP-01):

1. USB-to-Serial Adapter: If you’re using raw ESP8266 modules like the ESP-01, you will
need a USB-to-serial adapter to connect the module to your computer.
2. Powering the Board: The ESP-01 requires 3.3V, so ensure you have a stable 3.3V
power supply.
3. Connecting GPIOs: Wire up GPIO pins according to your needs (inputs for buttons or
switches, outputs for LEDs or relays).

5. Installing the Arduino IDE for the ESP8266

The Arduino IDE provides an easy-to-use interface for programming the ESP8266. Follow these
steps to set up the Arduino IDE for programming the ESP8266:

1. Download and Install the Arduino IDE:

o Go to the Arduino website and download the latest version of the Arduino IDE for
your operating system.
o Install the IDE by following the on-screen instructions.
2. Add ESP8266 Board Manager URL:
o Open the Arduino IDE, and go to File > Preferences.
o In the Additional Boards Manager URLs field, enter the following URL:

bash
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http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

3. Install ESP8266 Board:

o Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager.
o Search for “ESP8266” and click Install on the ESP8266 by ESP8266
Community package.
4. Select Your Board:

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o Go to Tools > Board and select your specific ESP8266 board (e.g., NodeMCU
1.0, ESP-12E).
5. Install Required Libraries:
o Depending on the sensors or libraries you want to use, go to Sketch > Include
Library > Manage Libraries, search for the libraries you need (e.g.,
ESP8266WiFi, Blynk, DHT), and install them.

6. Controlling an LED

The ESP8266 can control simple devices like LEDs. The basic concept is to control the state of a
GPIO pin, setting it either HIGH (on) or LOW (off).

Circuit:

 Connect a 220Ω resistor to the anode of the LED and the other side of the resistor to one
of the GPIO pins (e.g., D2).
 Connect the cathode of the LED to GND.

Code:

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void setup() {
pinMode(D2, OUTPUT); // Set GPIO pin D2 as output
}

void loop() {
digitalWrite(D2, HIGH); // Turn LED on
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
digitalWrite(D2, LOW); // Turn LED off
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}

Upload the code, and you will see the LED blinking on and off every second.

7. Reading Data from a GPIO Pin

Reading data from a sensor or switch involves reading the state of a GPIO pin (HIGH or LOW).
This can be useful for detecting events such as button presses or sensor activations.

Circuit:

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 Connect a switch or sensor (like a PIR motion sensor) to one of the GPIO pins (e.g., D5).
 If using a push button, ensure one side of the button is connected to GND and the other to
the GPIO pin.

Code:

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void setup() {
pinMode(D5, INPUT); // Set GPIO pin D5 as input
Serial.begin(115200); // Start serial communication
}

void loop() {
int sensorValue = digitalRead(D5); // Read the state of the input pin
Serial.println(sensorValue); // Print the value to Serial Monitor
delay(500); // Wait for 0.5 seconds
}

This code reads the state of the sensor or button and prints the value (HIGH or LOW) to the
serial monitor.

8. Grabbing the Content from a Web Page

One of the most powerful features of the ESP8266 is its ability to connect to the internet and
fetch content from a web page.

Code:

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#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <ESP8266HTTPClient.h>

const char* ssid = "your-SSID";

const char* password = "your-PASSWORD";

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {

delay(1000);
Serial.println("Connecting to WiFi...");

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Serial.println("Connected to WiFi");

HTTPClient http;
http.begin("http://example.com"); // Replace with your URL
int httpCode = http.GET(); // Send GET request

if (httpCode > 0) {
String payload = http.getString(); // Get response content
Serial.println(payload); // Print the content
} else {
Serial.println("Error on HTTP request");
}
http.end();
}

void loop() {
// Nothing to do here
}

This code allows the ESP8266 to fetch content from a webpage and print the response to the
serial monitor.

9. Reading Data from a Digital Sensor

To read data from sensors like a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor, you can use the DHT
library.

Code:

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#include <DHT.h>

#define DHTPIN D2 // Pin where the DHT11 is connected

#define DHTTYPE DHT11 // DHT11 sensor

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
dht.begin();
}

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void loop() {
float temp = dht.readTemperature(); // Read temperature
float humidity = dht.readHumidity(); // Read humidity

if (isnan(temp) || isnan(humidity)) {
Serial.println("Failed to read sensor!");
return;
}

Serial.print("Temperature: ");
Serial.print(temp);
Serial.print(" °C Humidity: ");
Serial.print(humidity);
Serial.println(" %");

delay(2000);
}

This code reads the temperature and humidity from the DHT11 sensor and prints it to the serial
monitor every 2 seconds.

10. Blynk

Blynk is an IoT platform that allows you to control and monitor devices through a mobile app.
You can use it with the ESP8266 to create an easy-to-use interface for controlling your IoT
projects.

Steps to Set Up Blynk:

1. Create a Blynk Account and download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Create a New Project and choose the ESP8266 as the hardware.
3. Get the Auth Token: Blynk will generate an authentication token for your project.
4. Install the Blynk Library in Arduino IDE.
5. Write the Code to connect the ESP8266 to the Blynk app.

Example Code:

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#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <BlynkSimpleEsp8266.h>

char auth[] = "Your-Blynk-Auth-Token";

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char ssid[] = "your-SSID";

char pass[] = "your-PASSWORD";

void setup() {
Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);
}

void loop() {
Blynk.run(); // This will run the Blynk app
}

This code establishes a connection between the ESP8266 and the Blynk app, allowing you to
control the device through your phone.

The ESP8266 is a versatile and powerful microcontroller that provides Wi-Fi capabilities at a
very affordable price. Whether you're building a simple device or creating a complex IoT system,
the ESP8266 provides the hardware and software support you need to connect your projects to
the internet. Through easy programming using the Arduino IDE, extensive community support,
and integration with platforms like Blynk, the ESP8266 opens up endless possibilities for IoT
projects.

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