How to Get Started With ESP8285 Module ?

Introduction:

Spent many head breaking hours just to get started with this tiny latest ESP8285 M3 board but unfortunately could not get even single link where all the information was present in one place. So thought of sharing this article with you all. Lets get started...

ESP8285 is a coin sized SoC(System on Chip) IoT(Internet of Things) capable board with very less power consumption(Deep Sleep option compatible).

In this article will be demonstrating how to upload basic Blink led code.

What is ESP8285?

ESP8285 = ESP8266 + 1M Flash, so that it can withstand high temperatures up to 125 degrees Celsius! And the original ESP8266 source code program can be used to transplant. ESP-M3 module core processor using cost-effective chip ESP8285. The chip integrates the enhanced version of the Tensilica's L106 Diamond 32-bit core processor with on-chip SRAM in a smaller package. ESP8285 has a complete Wi-Fi network function, both can be used independently, can also be used as a slave from other host MCU running. When the ESP8285 hosting application, can be started directly from the external Flash. Built-in cache memory facilitates system performance and optimizes storage systems. In addition, ESP8285 only through the SPI / SDIO interface or I2C / UART port can be used as a Wi-Fi adapter, applied to any microcontroller-based design.

Chip Manufacturer link: https://www.espressif.com/en/products/hardware/esp8266ex/overview

Features

1) the volume is ultra-small; 2) serial to WiFi; 3) wireless transmission; 4) long-range ultra-low power consumption; 5) high temperature, up to 125 ℃ 6) fully compatible with ESP8266, the source can be used to transplant.

SOC characteristics
Built-in Tensilica L106 ultra-low power 32-bit microprocessor,

clocked at 80MHz and 160MHz support RTOS Built-in TCP / IP protocol stack Built-in 1-channel 10-bit high-precision ADC Peripheral Interface HSPI,

UART, I2C, I2S, IR Remote Control, PWM, GPIO.

The deep sleep hold current is 10uA and the shutdown current is less than 5uA

Wake up within 2 ms, connect and pass the packet

Standby power consumption less than 1.0mW (DTIM3) Built-in 1M bytes of SPI Flash

Wi-Fi features

Supports 802.11 b / g / n / e / i

Support Station, SoftAP,

SoftAP + STA mode Support for Wi-Fi Direct (P2P)

Supports CCMP (CBC-MAC, counter mode), TKIP (MIC, RC4), WAPI (SMS4), WEP (RC4), CRC

Hardware acceleration P2P discovery, P2P GO mode / GC mode and

P2P power management WPA / PA2 PSK and WPS 802.11 i

security features: pre-authentication and TSN Hold 802.11n (2.4 GHz) 802.1h / RFC1042

frame encapsulation Seamless roaming support

Support AT remote upgrade and cloud OTA upgrade

Support for Smart Config features (including Android and iOS devices)

Module peripherals 2xUART 1xADC 1xEn 1x wakeup pin 1xHSPI 1xI2C 1xI2S Up to 10xGPIOs

Operating temperature range: -40 ℃ -125 ℃

How did I make my first application with this chip ? Below are the steps

Kindly Note(Important): ESP8255 accepts max 3.3 v NOT 5v.

Software Needed:

1. FTDI board drivers based on type of FTDI board used

Hardware Needed:

• ESP8285 Board: ESP8285-ESP-M3
• FTDI Cable: FTDI board with connection cable
• On/Off Switch
• 2 AA battery and holder

Pre-Requisites:

1. Arduino IDE Setup and Config for ESP8285 board

https://randomnerdtutorials.com/how-to-install-esp...

Recommend to install version 1.8.3 or higher Arduino IDE

Note: After completing above step you should be able to see "Generic ESP8285 Module".

Refer attached images.

2. Understanding ESP8285 board pin outs and mapping

Refer attached images.

More information(ESP8255 Data sheet): esp8285 datasheet

3. Hardware Setup before flashing/upload sample code from Arduino IDE

FTDI to ESP8285 board connection.

FTDI Pin ESP8285 Pin

------------- -------------------

3.3v VCC

Gnd GND

Rx Tx

Tx Rx

If Flash mode/uploading code: Then ESP8285 IO0 and ESP8285 Gnd have to be connected to each other else don't connect(like post code upload). Refer images attached using a on/off switch to on and off flash and operational mode. Once use case is finalized one can de-solder this switch.

1. GPIO 0 i.e IO0 and Gnd of ESP8285 has to be shorted/connected before FTDI is in powered up. This tells the board to in flash mode or upload code to chip.
2. Select Tools -> Board -> Generic 8285 Board
3. Upload any ESP8266 compatable code. Once you see "Upload Complete" status in Arduino IDE means success and you can proceed to next step. Else make sure connection are made as per above steps.
4. Disconnect GPIO 0 and Gnd.
5. Now re power board(I use 2 x 1.5v AA regular battery) connect LED or any output to pin the code uploaded needs. If you don't have any LED GPIO2 points to onboard blue led. You can upload blink.ino and make sure to trigger pin 2.

4. Test Run

Now the default on board blue color tiny led should start blinking at an set interval of 1 sec gap.

5. Next Steps / Application scenario:

● Household appliances ● Home automation ● Smart socket, smart light ● Mesh network ● Baby monitor ● IP camera ● sensor network ● can wear electronic products ● Security ID tag ● Wireless location awareness ● Wireless positioning system beacon ● Industrial wireless control

6. Live Demo: https://youtu.be/aYr0ok1M3Ps

LED controlled via mobile app: https://youtu.be/zLeIoPndm3A

Please refer to Arduino IDE compatible code(Blink.ino) and various images attached for easy reference.

What Next: Will share how to control devices/home automation using this wonderful, small yet very powerful chip.

Step 1:

Step 2:

Comments

[Tidangerous]

Thank you for the instructions. What pins would you use for I2C?

[byron.green.904]

What temperature should I solder io0 at? I preciously burned out the io0 pads an need to know a safe temp to solder it at.

[chunkysteveo]

You say ESP8285 IO0 and ESP8285 Gnd have to be connected to each other to flash, but your images show it connected to Vcc?

[AlexanderS148]

Hi,
IO0 and Gnd have to be connected.

[byron.green.904]

I just had to use a pined cable and hold it against the io0 and the other side was connected to ground. It was kind of a pain. Actually I am done with this device. The pads are worthless. They burn out after just a few touches of the soldering iron. Im sure it would improve with time but I dont have that time. so Im just not using it. Im fine with the esp8266 D1 mini right now. They cost nearly the same but the D1 Mini and the esp01 for smaller things.

[MisiuPL]

Congratulations on a great instructable :)
Could You tell me what is EN pin used for? I can't find any good description.
Thank You.

[diy_bloke]

it is the Enable pin. needs to be pulled HIGH

[byron.green.904]

I have never used the EN pin what does it do if it is pulled HIGH?

[AadN]

I have had some “issues” with FTDI programmers supplying 3.1 Volt instead of 3.3 Volt.

I have been able to run and program the chip on 5V without issues BUT this is at 80 MHz and 26 Mhz Clock speed. So lowest settings.

OTA works great with version 0.2.7 of the ESP8266 library. The lower versions have DHCP issues if you ask me.

My latest project is a Clock that uses NTP and can determine DST. It then controls a Neopixel Led strip.

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Great first Instructable. Very well written.

[Projectsforallr]

Thank you! :-)