IoT Projects using ESP-8266

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IoT Projects using ESP-8266


In today’s world, we all surrounded by wide and extensive use of technology in almost every field. With all application getting digital and things getting convenient to use, we have become more and more dependent on technology for our every little work. This article brings important information about IoT that you should know if you are developing a project related to wireless communication. It also states some of the latest IoT projects using ESP-8266 and simultaneously helps you to learn something meaningful.

Given below, are some of the trending IoT projects using ESP-8266, out of which you can select one that suits your interests well.

  1. Weather monitoring system using IoT
  2. Automated street Lighting
  3. Smart Irrigation system using IoT
  4. Home Automation using IoT
  5. Smart Water Monitoring using IoT
  6. Smart Building using IoT
Read more..

On reading further, you’ll find more about IoT projects. You can then choose any one out of them and start exploring more in the world of technologies.

The technology that is becoming extremely popular and growing at an exponential rate, that never fails to amaze us is IoT technology, better known as the Internet of Things. Basically, IoT deals with smart working and involving a highly well-designed programming system with the use of the Internet, IoT is going to be the most relied technology in the future. Be it remote sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics or other wireless technologies, their dominance in numerous areas have led to efficient programming methods and design.

What is IoT?

What is IoT?

IoT- Internet of Things deals with the exchange of information between devices embedded with remote sensors and digital software. With its wise use and intelligent involvement, it has only grown more. A very good example of this is to imagine that the moment your alarm clock wakes you up and by the time you get ready, your coffee also gets prepared since coffee machine gets a signal by the clock.

IoT is an advanced technology that has wider scope in many other fields.

What is ESP-8266?

It is known that to make such a highly efficient electronic device that works on artificial intelligence or remote sensing and do smart work must have semiconductors or microchips embedded that enables them to function accordingly.

Similarly, a semiconductor that is well known and finds extensive use in IoT devices is ESP-8266. It is a microchip that integrates amplifiers, antenna switches, standard digital peripherals, and 32-bit microcontroller. It is essentially a Wi-Fi Module based on Cadence Tensilica L106 32-bit MCU manufactured by Espressif Systems. It allows any Microcontroller to get connected to Wi-Fi Network using a fully functional Wi-Fi Stack and TCP/IP Stack. You can directly program the ESP-8266’s on-chip microcontroller, without the need for an external device.

ESP8266 is used in home automation, industrial wireless networks, sensor networks, smart power plugs, mesh networks, security ID tags, position system beacons, and location devices.

How can ESP-8266 help you learn IoT?

ESP-8266 can be programmed using the Arduino. Arduino is the widely used platform in IoT to configure the devices. ESP-8266 helps you in giving access to most of the libraries found in Arduino IDE and you can also understand the development process of IoT devices.

How to interface ESP-8266 to Arduino?

How to interface ESP-8266 to Arduino?

Below is some information is given regarding ESP-8266 and Arduino interface that you all need to know before getting started with it. As mentioned, ESP-8266 is a WiFi Module that comes with default firmware that supports AT commands.

Pin description of ESP-8266:

VCC: It gives power to the module

GND: Ground Pin

TX: Transmits serial data

RX: Receives serial data

RST: Reset pin is an active LOW pin, ESP-8266 will reset if the LOW signal is given to RST pin.

CH_PD: It is an active HIGH pin, usually connected to 3.3V

GPIO (General Purpose I/O) pins: GPIO has two functions one for normal Input/Output operations and another for enabling the programming mode of ESP8266.

Following are the steps you need to follow to get ESP-8266 interfaced to Arduino:

  1. The ESP8266 works with 3.3V and not with 5V, so it is important to remember that the ESP8266 should be connected to Arduino’s 3.3V
  2. Vcc and CH_PD pin of ESP8266 is connected to Arduino’s 3.3V
  3. RST pin of ESP8266 is connected to GND of Arduino
  4. The RXD pin of the Arduino is then connected to the RX pin of ESP8226
  5. Further, TXD pin of Arduino is connected to the TX pin of ESP8266
  6. GND pin of ESP8266 is connected to the GND of Arduino

IoT projects using ESP-8266

As named above, the latest IoT projects using ESP8266 module that you as a student might want to take up, have been further described below. According to the time you can invest in, or the interests that you might have, you can select the best IoT project for yourself to enhance your knowledge.

1. Weather Monitoring System using IoT: In this IoT project you will learn to build a device sensitive to temperature variations. It streams the temperature and humidity data over the internet to the user at a remote location.
2. Automated street lighting using IoT: This IoT project mainly teaches you how to build a light-sensitive device that turns the streetlights ON/ OFF automatically depending on the intensity of sunlight falling on it. Not just this, you will also get a chance to work on interfacing and calibrating the sensors. A smart way to use this technology to efficiently save energy is just worth learning.
3. Smart Irrigation System using IoT: Learn this great IoT project by building a device that detects any change in the moisture level of the soil and also further controls the flow of water accordingly. You will work with a soil moisture sensor, ESP-8266 Wi-Fi module, and an Arduino board to develop a smart irrigation system.
4. Home Automation System using IoT: In this IoT project you will build a device that can control your home appliances using the Bluetooth technology. This course also helps you to learn how to store and analyse the stored data. It also shows the usage and power consumption of the electrical devices.
5. Smart Water Monitoring using IoT: This course involves making an IoT based Smart Water Monitoring System that controls and manages the flow of water through the pipe. By working on this IoT project you will learn about IoT concepts, Arduino architecture, and calibration of flow sensors. Building a device that really helps in saving water should be a part of your course learning.
6. Smart Building using IoT: This course enables you to build an IoT based smart device that can sense the number of occupants in a meeting room and automatically turn the lights ON/OFF based on occupancy. PIR (Passive Infra-Red) sensor is used to achieve the above-mentioned task. This is an efficient way to save electricity for domestic purposes.

Hope this article is of some use to you.

There are ways through which you can easily join us. You may enrol in these projects, post which you will receive a kit and online course access. To ensure flexibility, we have also made course videos which you can access anytime and anywhere. You will get lectures, quizzes, and much more amazing stuff as well. As can be seen, these IoT projects are really easy to take up. At Skyfi labs, you are provided with a kit which makes it even more tempting to learn these courses.

Joining these projects indeed helps you in your career in the long run. They add brownie points to your resume which further adds to your impression. Enhanced knowledge and a wise experience are surely going to be a part of your joining. So what to wait for! Avail these countless benefits by devoting your time to such a course and utilize your knowledge to the fullest.

For any queries, feel free to comment below or visit our official website. Our expert will get back to you shortly.

Thank You.

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