Newbie
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:17 pmHello there,
First of all, I would like to say I am pleased to be joined in this community.
I am completely new, fresh, young guy who decided to start learning some serious stuff that could make my life easier.
So, I've developed an idea, why I couldn't create a system to automate my home. I know, I know, there are plenty of such solutions over internet. But first of all, they cost a lot of money, secondly they are not WiFi based (or maybe there are some?), and they are still not made by myself. So, I would really like to build something completely custom for myself.
After doing some research of how I could control multiple devices remotely, I've found there is a possibility to make some system which works via radio frequencies remote control. This definately is not a solution that I am looking for, as it is very limited and requires of disassembling devices which are already prepared for work. The more deep I got into this, the more info I got about completely WiFi-based system, controlled by one computer remotely, with no wires, totally via WiFi. So, I found that there is a new module released, called ESP8266 which has WiFi receiver built in and could do most of the things I want to. Unfortunately I figured out that there is no solution to do with Raspberry Pi yet (at least with ESP8266). So, there goes Arduino. I guess it is very cool tool too, but unfortunately I am totally not familiar with it.
As well as I am not familiar with ESP8266, nor with connecting it to Arduino or establishing a WiFi (and completely wireless) connection between these two devices, nor the programming of Arduino (as it is completely different from RPi).
So, what I would like to ask this great community here, is if there was any kind sould which could lead me through all the basic steps. Yes, totally from the beginning (I have to start somewhere, right?). I have bought "Funduino UNO Development Board" from miniinthebox, ESP8266. I have the wires and a PC. To be more specific, I can try to write some questions, even though they are asking something impossible:
1. What do I need to do to connect the ESP8266 to Arduino? Any pinout explanation, drawings? Maybe you have a photo of these devices connected?
2. Do I need any additional devices, like JTAG, etc?
3. How do I upload the WiFi configuration to ESP8266? There are hints on the internet, but there is nothing specific for noobs like me. I would really love some help with basics step-by-step.
4. After I disconnect ESP8266 and find a power source for it, will it be fully functional? I mean the communication between Arduino and ESP8266 will still work wireless? Or maybe I do not understand something and it actually needs Arduino to be always connected together?
5. Any help with the basic programming and explanation will help.
I think that's it for the beginning. I think I might find some more questions but this is the basics that I would like to know. If there is someone who has some time and could help me and lead on the way, it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
First of all, I would like to say I am pleased to be joined in this community.
I am completely new, fresh, young guy who decided to start learning some serious stuff that could make my life easier.
So, I've developed an idea, why I couldn't create a system to automate my home. I know, I know, there are plenty of such solutions over internet. But first of all, they cost a lot of money, secondly they are not WiFi based (or maybe there are some?), and they are still not made by myself. So, I would really like to build something completely custom for myself.
After doing some research of how I could control multiple devices remotely, I've found there is a possibility to make some system which works via radio frequencies remote control. This definately is not a solution that I am looking for, as it is very limited and requires of disassembling devices which are already prepared for work. The more deep I got into this, the more info I got about completely WiFi-based system, controlled by one computer remotely, with no wires, totally via WiFi. So, I found that there is a new module released, called ESP8266 which has WiFi receiver built in and could do most of the things I want to. Unfortunately I figured out that there is no solution to do with Raspberry Pi yet (at least with ESP8266). So, there goes Arduino. I guess it is very cool tool too, but unfortunately I am totally not familiar with it.
As well as I am not familiar with ESP8266, nor with connecting it to Arduino or establishing a WiFi (and completely wireless) connection between these two devices, nor the programming of Arduino (as it is completely different from RPi).
So, what I would like to ask this great community here, is if there was any kind sould which could lead me through all the basic steps. Yes, totally from the beginning (I have to start somewhere, right?). I have bought "Funduino UNO Development Board" from miniinthebox, ESP8266. I have the wires and a PC. To be more specific, I can try to write some questions, even though they are asking something impossible:
1. What do I need to do to connect the ESP8266 to Arduino? Any pinout explanation, drawings? Maybe you have a photo of these devices connected?
2. Do I need any additional devices, like JTAG, etc?
3. How do I upload the WiFi configuration to ESP8266? There are hints on the internet, but there is nothing specific for noobs like me. I would really love some help with basics step-by-step.
4. After I disconnect ESP8266 and find a power source for it, will it be fully functional? I mean the communication between Arduino and ESP8266 will still work wireless? Or maybe I do not understand something and it actually needs Arduino to be always connected together?
5. Any help with the basic programming and explanation will help.
I think that's it for the beginning. I think I might find some more questions but this is the basics that I would like to know. If there is someone who has some time and could help me and lead on the way, it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.