Changes between Version 2 and Version 3 of ArduinoWemos

Timestamp:

May 16, 2018, 8:14:54 PM (7 years ago)

Author:

David Albert

Comment:

--

ArduinoWemos

@@ -1 @@
-The [https://forum.wemos.cc/category/2/d1-boards WeMos D1] and its clones are single board computers based on the ESP8266.  They combine a 32-bit RISC processor with a WiFi transceiver and 4MB of serial flash.  These are cheaper and much more powerful than the traditional 8-bit AVR processors used in Arduino Uno and compatible boards, but they can still be programmed using the hobby-friendly Arduino environment.  The boards are widely available at very low prices on eBay, amazon, and [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/USB-CP2102-32M-FLASH-WeMos-D1-ESP8266-Internet-Wifi-Module-for-Nodemcu-Lua-V3-DC-Power/32814901470.html AliExpress for $3.19].  It's hard to get a fast embedded system that you can put online for less money.
+== !WeMos D1 ==
+The [https://forum.wemos.cc/category/2/d1-boards WeMos D1] and its clones are single board computers based on the ESP8266.  They combine a 32-bit RISC processor with a !WiFi transceiver and 4MB of serial flash.  These are cheaper and much more powerful than the traditional 8-bit AVR processors used in Arduino Uno and compatible boards, but they can still be programmed using the hobby-friendly Arduino environment.  The boards are widely available at very low prices on eBay, amazon, and [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/USB-CP2102-32M-FLASH-WeMos-D1-ESP8266-Internet-Wifi-Module-for-Nodemcu-Lua-V3-DC-Power/32814901470.html AliExpress for $3.19].  It's hard to get a faster embedded system that you can put online for less money.
 
-It can be programmed using Arduino after installing support for the ESP8266 platform:
-  1. Install board manager URL (http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json) in File->Preferences->Additional Board Manager URLs.
-  2. Install board manager Tools->Board->Boards Manager->esp8266 (at bottom of list)
+It can be programmed in C/C++ using the [https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino] environment after installing support for the ESP8266 platform:
+  1. Install the URL for the optional ESP8266 board manager:
+     File->Preferences->Additional Board Manager URLs '''http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json'''
+  2. Install the ESP8266 board manager:
+     Tools->Board->Boards Manager->esp8266 (scroll to bottom of list and click on it)
 
-Test by entering a basic sketch:
+Test by creating a basic sketch (Arduino-lingo for a program).  Sketches consist of two parts: a setup function that runs once when the program starts and a loop that runs forever after setup finishes:
 
 {{{
@@ -29 +32 @@
 }}}
 
-* Configure the interface to your board:
+* Configure the Arduino environment's interface to your physical board:
   1. Tools->Board->Generic ESP8266 Module
   2. Tools->Flash Mode->DIO
@@ -44 +47 @@
 
 The !WeMos D1 pin mappings are [https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/blob/master/variants/d1_mini/pins_arduino.h#L49-L61 here]
+
+=== Hardware Interfacing ===
+* ESP8266 is a 3.3v device.  The !WeMos board has a built-in voltage regulator that generates 3.3v from a higher voltage.  You can power the board using the micro-USB connector (which supplies 5V) or you can supply 4.5 to 7.5vdc directly to the VIN pin (the pin nearest the RST button).
+* You can connect the ESP8266 to a wide variety of other 3.3v devices using 
+   * Digital I/O pins (D0..D8)
+   * 3.3v serial I/O pins RX, TX
+   * Analog I/O pin A0
+   * SPI interface (CLK, CMD, SD0..3)
+   * I2C interface (D1=SCL, D2=SDA)
+* Most importantly, you can connect the !WeMos D1 to the internet using !WiFi with no additional hardware.  See [http://arduino-esp8266.readthedocs.io/en/latest/esp8266wifi/readme.html here] for a basic !WiFi connection example and lots of information about !WiFi and how to use it.
+