Overview
The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip, with built-in TCP/IP networking software, and microcontroller capability, produced by Espressif Systems.
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| LED (D3) Blinking |
This chip commonly packed in a module with some I/O pins. It's Arduino compatible in software. It is very popular due to low cost, widely available, rich community supports, and especially its IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi feature.
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| A NodeMCU ESP-32 Wi-Fi Module |
I have been using it many years now for my hobby electronic control projects.
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| A NodeMCU ESP-32 Wi-Fi Module |
Features
I bought a NodeMCU ESP8266 (ESP-12E Module) from Ebay at few dollars. At that time I used it for home appliances controlling via Wi-Fi router.
- Version : DevKit v1.0
- Breadboard Friendly
- Light Weight and small size.
- 3.3V operated, can be USB powered.
- Uses wireless protocol 802.11b/g/n.
- Built-in wireless connectivity capabilities.
- Built-in PCB antenna on the ESP-12E chip.
- Capable of PWM, I2C, SPI, UART, 1-wire, 1 analog pin.
- Uses CP2102 USB Serial Communication interface module.
- Arduino IDE compatible (extension board manager required).
- Supports Lua (alike node.js) and Arduino C programming language.
For full detail please check its datasheet here.
Arduino Installation
Initially is programmed using Lua language. However maker community develop a C/C++ programming compatible with Arduino IDE. To get started with, we need to download and install Arduino IDE from its official website. Then add the esp8266 board feature as follow.
1- In Arduino IDE, go to File menu > Preferences. and add this link
https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
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| Adding ESP8266 Board |
Then click OK.
2- Go to Tools menu > Board > Boards Manager, and scroll down to find the esp8266.
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| Looking for Board Manager |
Find the esp8266, and click on install.
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| Install the esp8266 |
To use this Wi-Fi module, go to Tools menu again > Board > esp8266 Boards -> NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module).
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| Select Board |
In this menu select its connected COM port number.
Program Testing
To get stared, I open its example program to test its on-board LED connects to pin D3. Click on File menu > Examples > 01. Basics > Blink.
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| Select Blink |
On this Arduino Sketch, compile and upload the firmware to the ESP-12E Module.
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| Uploading Arduino Sketch to NodeMCU ESP-12E Module |
I tried it on my DIY NodeMCU TWI board. However it is not necessary.
My DIY NodeMCU TWI board 
My DIY NodeMCU TWI board
LED Blinking Test
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