ESP8266 setup

ESP8266 setup

This page captures our experience beginning to work with esp8266. The very first readings and setting up of the environment to write and run code. 

esp8266 datasheet notes

1. wifi-adapter via SPI/SDIO or UART
2. has memories: flash, cache, sram, rom
3. overview, wifi-features: not clear
4. memory: iBus, dBus, aMB interface?
5. AT firmware: access point (AP) = server, station (STA) = client, can act as BOTH

Did not gain much understanding from the datasheet.

Many other documents from espressif site (mentioned towards the end in datasheet). Not much useful.

ESP modules understanding: we have esp-01 and nodemcu (based on esp-12)

Comparison between esp8266 and esp32

Nodemcu pinout

ESP-01 sample project

First link that started making sense from Hackaday

The most important link on getting started from Espressif official website

Computer OS used is Mac OS Catalina v10.15.6

Installed python v3.8.5

Installed esptool v2.8 (may not be required since part of RTOS but gave early ping with both modules)

Installed CP2102 driver v5.3.5

Python version problem: already installed system version 2.7, new installed from web version 3.8; Commands were using older version despite new being there. Lot of commands failing.

Solution: put /usr/local/bin in PATH and before the older python path (usr/bin) for that session of terminal

For the current shell session

export IDF_PATH=$HOME/..../esp_toolchain/ESP8266_RTOS_SDK

export PATH=/usr/local/bin:/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.8/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/usr/local/CrossPack-AVR/bin:/Users/sumeetsharma/Documents/.../esp_toolchain/xtensa-lx106-elf/bin

>> can put above 2 lines in ~/.zshrc (using nano ~/.zshrc) and each time on terminal activate the file by typing ". ~/.zshrc" (note the space after first dot)

To check the serial port number of the esp board, type on command line - ls /dev/*

Nodemcu serial port: /dev/cu.usbserial-0001

ESP8266 RTOS SDK API guide

API reference

To compile and flash the program

1. copy the project folder under esp_toolchain folder
2. make menuconfig. Update Serial Flasher Config -> Default Serial port -> /dev/cu.usbserial-0001. Save into new config file and exit
3. make flash. This will compile and flash the program to the board
4. make monitor. To exit - control + ]