HOW-TO: Add WiFi to your arduino projects with ESP8266

[Dave]

Option 1: Using the ESP8266 as transparent seraial bridge

What you need:
- Arduino
- ESP8266 module (e.g. ESP-01)
- FTDI with 3.3V
- computer/notebook with WiFi

• Download NodeMCU Flasher: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-flasher
• Download Transparent Bridge Firmware: https://github.com/beckdac/ESP8266-transparent-bridge
• Download Putty: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html
• Connect your ESP to your PC using a (3.3V!) ftdi:
  
• Open NodeMCU Flasher
  Select the port
  
• Check Advanced Configuration:
  
• Flash 0x00000.bin:
  
• Flash 0x40000.bin:
  
• Disconnect GPIO0 from GND
  Restart your ESP!
  The ESP should now create its own WiFi-network. Connect your PC to this network.
• Open Putty and start a Telnet connection to the ESP. This should open a terminal window.
  
• Type +++AT
  The ESP should answer with OK
  If not, try reflashing the firmware.
  Type +++AT MODE 3
  Type +++AT STA YourWiFiName YourWiFiPassword
  Type +++AT BAUD

That’s it!
The ESP should now connect to your network. You can find its IP e.g. with AutoScan-Network.

Connect your ESP to your Arduino (RX <-> TX, TX <->RX)
CAUTION: The ESP module works with 3.3V while most Arduinos work on 5V! Since the ESP module draws a lot of current, you will probably not be able to power it by your arduino. (The RX/TX pins seem to be 5V tolerant and I connect them directly to my (5V) arduino, try at own risk.)

You can now send messages to the serial port of your arduino with the VC action TCP.Single.WriteLn! You need to add the IP of your ESP and use port 23. Make sure to append \x0A to every message!

Have fun!

[Dave]

Option 2: ESP as stand alone chip. Programming the ESP with Arduino IDE

What you need:
- ESP8266 module (e.g. ESP-12)
- FTDI with 3.3 V

• Download and install Arduino IDE 1.6.5 (or later):
  https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software
• Start Arduino IDE and go to Preferences. Enter http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json into Additional Board Manager URLs field.
  
• Connect your ESP to your PC using a 3.3V FTDI
  
  If you work with an ESP-01 module, use the wiring from Option 1.
• Choose Generic ESP8266 Board in the tools menu
• After choosing the port you can upload your sketch with the following settings:
  

Note 1: Some libraries might not work!
Note 2: Pin numbers match GPIO numbers!

You can find a simple sketch with an web server to toggle an LED here:
http://www.esp8266.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=3787

[Kalle]

   Great work Dave!

[jitterjames]

I'm looking forward to seeing "Option 2" !

[jitterjames]

You can now send messages to the serial port of your arduino with the VC action TCP.Single.WriteLn! You need to add the IP of your ESP and use port 23. Make sure to append \x0A to every message!

What about receiving messages back from the Arduino?  We previously used an event generated by the serial port.  Will we now get a TCP event?  In order to do this, we would need to use TCP.Client instead of TCP.Single?

[Dave]

What about receiving messages back from the Arduino? 

I did not try this. I will report back as soon as possible. Or maybe Kalle could try it, since I'm not at home the next few day?

[Kalle]

Here is also some text to the picture: https://importhack.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/how-to-use-ep8266-esp-01-as-a-sensor-web-client/

[Dave]

Option 2 is now available! 

[jitterjames]

Awesome.  Looks pretty straightforward.

Thanks Dave! 

[jitterjames]

So for option2, we don't need to flash the firmware first?  Does that mean then that we do not connect GPIO0 to ground?

Or are we effectively flashing the unit every time we program it from the Arduino IDE?

[Dave]

We are flashing the firmware every time we upload a new sketch, so you have to connect GPIO0 to GND first (before powering the module)!

[Kalle]

Now it looks like the MySensors stuff is ported to the ESP8266 

http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1870/esp8266-wifi-gateway-port-for-mysensors/1

[mexicanto]

Hello Dave,

By any chance, do you have an example/code that you can share ?

I refer to the option 1, esp8266 + arduino (the mini pro 3.3v)

I am trying to turn on/off a led, reading an analog value and trigger an event with a push button

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Dave]

Hi mexicanto,
sorry, I don't have any example code. What you want to do should be possible in theory, but I never tried sending messages from arduino to VC using the serial bridge method. I don't use this method anymore at all. As long as you only need one analog input I would recommend using method 2 e.g. with a nodemcu board.

[Kalle]

@mexicanto


you can take a look in this forum: http://www.esp8266.com/viewforum.php?f=27&sid=b51604943ad23bb6b1dc399a4fc9c354