ESP8266 Basics

ESP8266 is a low-cost, low-power, highly-integrated Wi-Fi solution from Espressif Systems. ESP8266EX integrates a 32-bit microcontroller unit (MCU), which features extra-low power consumption. ESP8266EX provides enough processing power for applications while maintaining the Real Time Operation System (RTOS) and a functional Wi-Fi (TCP/IP) stack.

ESP8266 Basics:

• PDF - Speakerdeck
• HTML

Pre ESP8266 - Arduino and WiFi

• Official Arduino WiFi Shield - EUR 69 + VAT
• Sparkfun CC3000 Shield - USD 40
• Adafruit CC3000 Module - USD 35

Enter ESP8266

• Developed by Espressif System
• Low Cost
• Part Number is ESP8266EX
• 20+ M Chip Sold
• 5000 Active Developers

ESP8266

• 3.3V - 215mA (measurement: peak ~430 mA)
• CPU: 32-bit, 80MHz (or 160 MHz), Tensilica Xtensa Core
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n (Station or AP), WEP/WPA/WPA2
• Timers, Deep Sleep Mode
• I/CRAM 32-64KB, DRAM 80-96KB
• External QPI Flash (200KB SDK, prev. 512 KB / 4Mbit, new min. 1 MB/8Mbit)
• GPIO (2-16)
• SPI, I2C, I2S, UART
• 10-Bit ADC

ESP-01

• 2x4 DIL Header
• Integrated Antenna
• Integrated LED (VCC, TXD)
• 1MB/8Mbit Flash (2015, Black)
• VCC: 3.3V (av. active 200mA, peak see prev.)
• IO & UART are not 5V Tolerant
• CH_PD must be Pulled High

Blynk

Blynk is a Platform with iOS and Android apps to control Arduino, Raspberry Pi and the likes over the Internet.

It’s a digital dashboard where you can build a graphic interface for your project by simply dragging and dropping widgets.

Blynk is not tied to some specific board or shield. Instead, it’s supporting hardware of your choice. Whether your Arduino or Raspberry Pi is linked to the Internet over Wi-Fi, Ethernet or this new ESP8266 chip, Blynk will get you online and ready for the Internet Of Your Things.

References

1. Zhu Baoshi - Build WiFi Gadgets Using ESP8266, GeekCamp.SG 2015
2. Tom Tobback, Cassiopeia - ESP8266+Arduino, ESP8266+Arduino workshop 2015
3. Burak Aydin - Hack The ESP8266
4. Pighixxx - Boards - Pinout
5. Tuanpmt/Espduino - ESP8266 Network Client for Arduino
6. Internet of Home Things - 4 Ways to Eliminate ESP8266 Resets
7. Update the Firmware in Your ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module
8. ESP8266 Support WIKI - Getting-Started-with-the-ESP8266
9. sleemanj/ESP8266_Simple - A simple Arduino library to perform HTTP operations on the ESP8266 Wifi Device
10. DIY ESP8266 ESP-01 Programing / Test board
11. Blynk