WiFi shield for Arduino using an ESP8266 module

Description

A new WIFI module was introduced a few months ago, the ESP8266. It's small and inexpensive, perfect for adding WiFi to almost any project.

There are a few challenges when using the ESP8266 with an Arduino: It's a 3.3V device so the 5V signals from the Arduino needs to be converted and it also needs a 3.3V power supply. Lastly it uses AT commands to control it, which can take a while to figure out.

I have have made a wing shield to use this module with an Arduino. The shield has two rows for headers, one which will fit Arduino and one with standard 0.1" spacing.

I have made a library to make the module easier to use. The library is functinal, but I'm still working on testing, documentation and I want to add a few more features.

Project Logs

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All design files released
ZeptoBit • 01/25/2015 at 10:44 • 0 comments

The 8266Wing is now fully open source hardware.
All the design files can be downloaded here:
http://www.zeptobit.com/8266wing/
The source for the library and samples can be downloaded from the same page.
Library released
ZeptoBit • 01/22/2015 at 22:24 • 0 comments

I have released version 1.01 of the 8266Wing wireless library. I'm continuing to develop the library so in a few weeks I expect to release a more feature rich version.
I have also uploaded the code for the Freezer monitor and the IoT Chandelier.
Download here:
http://www.zeptobit.com/8266wing/
Hardware update
ZeptoBit • 01/22/2015 at 15:27 • 0 comments

This is the version of the board which I will deliver to my Kickstart backers:
It will be assembled on panels:
IoT Chandelier
ZeptoBit • 01/11/2015 at 14:51 • 0 comments

I have made another project using my 8266Wing shield. It's a dimmable LED Chandelier. The brightness is set over WiFi using a program on my computer.
A few weeks ago I discovered LiveCode, a cross platform development tool (Android, Ios, Windows, Linux, Mac) so I decided to use LiveCode for this project. It turned out to be really easy to get it working. So far I have only compiled it for Windows, I need to download the Android SDK before I can compile for Android.
The hardware consists of an Arduino Uno clone, the 8266Wing shield and a small board with a mosfet driven with a PWM signal from the Arduino.
The chandelier itself is a re-purposed decoration, where I removed the original light bulb sockets and soldered in some small PCB's with 3 LEDs on each board. The LED's used are Luminus MP-2016-1100-40-80.
Schematic
ZeptoBit • 01/08/2015 at 14:23 • 0 comments

Here's a .png version of the 8266Wing schematic. I will add a higher resolution .pdf version when I upload the other design files.
Box for temperature monitor
ZeptoBit • 01/08/2015 at 11:41 • 0 comments

I put the temperature logger in an enclosure
Kickstarter
ZeptoBit • 01/05/2015 at 22:43 • 0 comments

I have created a Kickstarter campaign for my WiFi shield. It ends on January 25th. Please check it out here.
Test project - Freezer temperature monitor
ZeptoBit • 01/02/2015 at 20:44 • 0 comments

This is a simple project to test my 8266Wing shield. I will also use it as an example to demonstrate how to use the shield.
It uses a thermistor to measure the temperature in a freezer it then uploads the temperature to ThingSpeak. It also turns on a buzzer if the temperature is above -18°C.
In the unlikely case that you find the temperature of my freezer to be interesting, you can follow it here: Freezer temperature on ThingSpeak
I will upload source code and schemetics as soon as I have released the library and cleaned up the example a bit.
Library
ZeptoBit • 01/02/2015 at 20:26 • 0 comments

I have made a library to make the module easier to use. The library is functinal, but I'm still working on testing, documentation and I want to add a few more features.
I will release the source code as soon as it's ready.
Hardware progress
ZeptoBit • 01/02/2015 at 20:07 • 0 comments

First revision of the board. I got a fottprint wrong, so it needed a wire and some less obvious modifications. Fully functional.
Second revision of the board. Added another row of holes for headers with a standard 0.1" spacing to make it easier to breadboard. I ordered this board a few days after I ordered the first revision, so it has the same footprint issue.
Third revision of the board. Fixed the footprint issue. Removed unneccesary components. Reduced the width of the board. Added two aditional holes for headers. Removed double set of power input holes. Moved RX for compatibility with some Arduino models.