(Flashing) ESP8266-01 to run with Uno/Nano/etc

Need Help With My Project
1

Dear Blynker,
I really need your help here.
Ive been wasting hours trying to get my setup working, but without any success.

What I wanted to do:
I wanted to connect my ESP8266-01 to my Arduino Nano and controll it with the Blynk-App via iOS

What I did:
I connected everything according to the scematics and uploaded the code, but the App says: “Arduino is offline”

So I flashed the newest firmware for the ESP…which actually worked.
Then I tried the same setup again…same problem.

Then I tried to downgrade the firmware to 1.0.0, but while flashing, there is always an error that occures and the only flash thats possible is going back to the newest.

My first question here: Is it actually possible to downgrade?

I tried with two different flashers, all kinds of firmware versions…always errors.

Could anyone help me how to get this stuff running? I am so frustrated…

Thanks for reading!

2

It’s perfectly possible to downgrade.
Please be sure that you follow the flashing circuit schematic, when you connect ESP8266…

3

I followed the flashing circuit schematic. I was able to flash to the newest firmware from espressif.
For the “ESP8266 - Shield” Library…do you have to have V.1.0.0 or is the newest also fine?

I dont get it… :confused:

4

I’m now testing with different versions and it just works.
I’ll update with exact versions when finished.

UPD: I tested all these firmwares with Arduino Lenoardo (it has Hardware Serial).
All firmware versions work fine. When using Soft Serial - you have to switch ESP8266 to baud rate 9600!!!

AT version:0.22.0.0(Mar 20 2015 10:04:26) 
SDK version:1.0.0 

AT version:0.23.0.0(Apr 24 2015 21:11:01) 
SDK version:1.0.1 

AT version:0.25.0.0(Jun 12 2015 20:26:28) 
SDK version:1.1.2 

AT version:0.40.0.0(Aug  8 2015 14:45:58) 
SDK version:1.3.0 
Ai-Thinker Technology Co.,Ltd. 
Build:1.3.0.2 Sep 11 2015 11:48:04 

AT version:0.60.0.0(Feb  2 2016 18:43:31) 
SDK version:1.5.2(80914727)

AT version:1.0.0.0(Apr 16 2016 13:02:45) 
SDK version:1.5.3(aec24ac9) 

AT version:1.1.0.0(May 11 2016 18:09:56) 
SDK version:1.5.4(baaeaebb)
5

Great, so I have 1.1.0.0 anyway. So no need to downgrade. Thanks!
Do i have to change the CWMODE by any chance?
Im new to all this stuff, so im sorry for my possible stupid questions.

6

@woodyguitary: I just finished writing some explanations for ESP8266 with AT firmware - could you please read it and give me some feedback? https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/wiki/ESP8266-with-AT-firmware

1 Like
7

Little remakr, the change baud command can be at+ciobaud. It depends on the firmware :slight_smile:

1 Like
8

OMG!!! Thank you so much vhymanskyy!!!
It is finally working!
I guess changing the baud rate was the one thing missing!
Works just as described!

Changing baud rate with the described command works with the newest firmware (AT version:1.1.0.0(May 11 2016 18:09:56) SDK version:1.5.4(baaeaebb))

Thanks again for the competent help!
Now I can finally stark blynking :stuck_out_tongue:

9

one question though, that might be a little off topic:

Why is hardware serial not working for UNO? (thats what is says in the code)
I always thought the UNO has hardware serial?! Or am I totally wrong?

10

Uno has a hardware serial port, but only one. You can use it for Esp (unless there is something special about the sketch you’re using that I’m unaware of), but it complicates debugging because you would have to disconnect the Esp from Uno’s serial pins while you upload each new version of Arduino code, or use a hardware programmer instead of the USB connection. So most of us reserve the hardware serial for uploading and debugging, and use SoftwareSerial for the Esp.

11

Hi, i have the same error.
But i use the Firmware Version AT version:0.22.0.0.
With the Arduino Mega.

What can I do in this case ?
It has a step by step in such cases? Or any tutorial ?

12

Have you tried setting esp to 9600 abud with AT+CIOBAUD=9600 ? It may well be it’s delivered with a setting of 115200 from the factory, but since you use hardware serial, you could try setting the Mega to 115200, that should work fine too.

13

is there an advantage in using a higher baud rate?

14

Not really. Serial protocal is really stable, even more so at lower speeds. There is probably not a single use case for using more than 9600 baud, except for the dial-in modem, but that was like, ages ago, ancient even :slight_smile: