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First Steps with the ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module | Scrolling Text (Time, Temp., Humidity…) with 8×8 LED MATRIX
In our previous blog post (Tutorial…), we were playing around with a LED MATRIX <===> First Steps with the Arduino-UNO R3 | Maker, MakerED, Coding | Scrolling Text with 8×8 LED MATRIX <===> and we will continue to use the LED MATRIX, but this time with a Wi-Fi connection. We will use the module “ESP8266” which you can purchase worldwide around as it is very popular and it costs ONLY 7.49 €. I ordered mine on Amazon in Germany:
Good to know is the PINOUT of the ESP8266
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Click the image, please, to access the source.
Before we can use the module “ESP8266” and before the wiring we need to do some preparation:
- Install the driver FIRST
- Add ESP8266 board to the Arduino IDE
- http://arduino.esp8266.com/versions/2.4.1/package_esp8266com_index.json
- Check the How-To on the video below @ 5:51 minutes.
- http://arduino.esp8266.com/versions/2.4.1/package_esp8266com_index.json
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Check the video below please who explains the first steps with the ESP8266:
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Now that we have configured the ESP8266 in the Arduino IDE we need some other information which are necessary to implement into the code. It is the name of the Wi-Fi Network (SSID) and the Password for the Wi-Fi Network. AND a new device connecting to the router (the ESP8266) must GET allowed to do so, if your router is well configured for Cyber-Security! Thus meaning for Cyber-Security reasons: in the router security settings any device connecting to your Wi-Fi Network SHOULD NOT have access unless it is your own ones and unless you allow THEM to access!
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My shown images from the Router are from a “FritzBox Router“, but it should be similar in other Routers!!
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Click image, please, to enlarge.
In the above image you see which devices are connected to your Network, to do so: open your router with your login and/or password and look under “Radio Network” (or similar). IF you don’t see your “ESP8266” in the Network while you run the code and it isn’t working does mean that your Network is well secured as it doesn’t allow any other device connecting to the Network!
Click above image, please, to enlarge.
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You need then to give permission to the device to connect. To do so: Open the Security settings in your Router and click on “Allow all new wireless devices“. NOW, you will see that the “ESP8266” is part of the Network! Note down on a piece of paper its “MAC Address” and protect your Network again by clicking on “Do not allow new wireless devices“!!
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Click on the image, please, to enlarge.
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NOW, click on the button “Add Wireless Device” as shown in above image.
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Click image, please, to enlarge.
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A new window opens where you can add the new devices “MAC Address” which you wrote down before. Do so please and then click the button “OK“. Go back and have a look if the device is now in the authorized devices in your Network.
Required:
- SSID
- WLAN Password
- Acces authorization for the Wi-Fi
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The Code for the ESP8266 and first try
I used a video tutorial in German from Switzerland as well as its Code for this project as it is very well explained. Even if you don’t understand German, you can follow step by step in the video:
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While watching the video on YouTube, you will find the download link for the code, check below please:
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Click image, please, to enlarge.
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You can find another interesting code here on the blog as well as the wiring diagram and a GREAT description (in German):
Unzip the code and install it by following the video instructions; check @ 8.30 minutes and follow step by step…
After everything is installed and the code is in the Arduino IDE you need to adapt the code to your needs: check video @ 10.36 minutes
- Entering your Network name, the SSID
- Entering the Network-Key; Check above Router images…
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When you run the code for the first time: disconnect the two wires for the power supply (GND and VCC) as the LED Matrix will light all the dots and the power consumption will be by 1.5 Ampere; thus meaning the components, especially the chips will become hot, even could get overheated!! Once the Arduino IDE shows you that the code is uploaded reconnect them and it should work.
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That’s it folks; now you can run the code and have fun! I takes a bit time before the code runs: first “Compiling Sketch…“, followed by “Uploading…” and “Done Uploading…” and the ESP8266 tries to connect with the Wi-Fi Network…
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If everything was made correctly as described above you should receive now your personal weather data… FIRST the time will GET displayed for a couple of seconds (that period could GET changed by your settings in the code…)…
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Then the scrolling text starts displaying the temperature, humidity, air pressure, rain risk in % and wind speed…
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Stay tuned for next blog posts and enjoy it 😉
Have FUN with your “LEARNing-By-Doing project” and try out ALSO the other examples 😉
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Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post: Arduino, Wi-Fi, wireless, ESP8266, Weather received through Wi-Fi, LED Matrix, Coding, Maker, MakerED, MakerSpaces, Learning By Doing, Learning To Learn, PracTICE,
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The author Gust MEES is ICT Course Instructor, ”Member of the Advisory Board” from “Luxembourg Safer Internet” (LuSI), BEESECURE, Official Partner (Consultant) from the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, project “MySecureIT“, Official Partner from the Ministry of Commerce in Luxembourg, project “CASES” (Cyberworld Awareness and Security Enhancement Structure). The author was also a winner of an electronics contest (Germanic countries) in 1979 and got his project published in the “Electronics Magazine ELO”. |
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Stay tuned for next blog post(s) 😉..
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Keywords necessary for me to create this blog post: Arduino UNO R3, Arduino NANO, MAX7219 LRD DISPLAY, Coding, Maker, MakerED, MakerSpaces…
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EDU: Digital CitiZENship, CyberSecurity, eSkills, Modern EDU by Gust MEES 