Getting Started with ESP8266 NodeMCU

Overview

The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip, with built-in TCP/IP networking software, and microcontroller capability, produced by Espressif Systems.

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. 

A NodeMCU ESP-32 Wi-Fi Module

 I have been using it many years now for my hobby electronic control projects.

 

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

 

Adding ESP8266 Board

  

Then click OK.

 

2- Go to Tools menu > Board > Boards Manager, and scroll down to find the esp8266.

 

Looking for Board Manager

 Find the esp8266, and click on install.

 

Install the esp8266

 To use this Wi-Fi module, go to Tools menu again > Board > esp8266 Boards -> NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module).

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.

Select Blink

 On this Arduino Sketch, compile and upload the firmware to the ESP-12E Module.

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

It has an on-board blue LED that connects to the label D3.

 

Wi-Fi Program Test using Home Wi-Fi Router 

 

This board has a lot of examples. Now we can try its Wi-Fi feature. Click on File menu > Examples > ESP8266WiFi > WiFiManualWebServer as show below. 

 

WiFiManualWebServer Example

 

In this example, modify the STASSID with the Wi-Fi router name, and the STAPSK with the Wi-Fi router password. Then compile and upload this Sketch to NodeMCU Module without error.

Done uploading 

 

Then open the Arduino Serial Terminal to see the IP address given by Wi-Fi router.

 

Arduino Serial Terminal

For example, the given IP address is 192.168.0.101. So open the web browser, and enter this URL to control the on-board LED ON and OFF.

Serial Port Info

 

In the browser, we can click on any href to turn the LED on and off.

 

Using Web Browser

 The on-board LED is control controlled via the Web Browser.

 

Test this example using the NodeMCU ESP-12E Module