LoRa – Part 2

So many people asked me which Lora Module I use for my projects. In this part of the series, I will show you, as well as shed some light on another module, that although seemingly cheap, is, unfortunately, according to me, a complete waste of time and money.

Heltec LoRa 32 v 2 – The good stuff ( according to me at least)

Technical Specs
Electrical Specifications
Pinout

Installation in Arduino IDE:

Installation of the libraries into the Arduino IDE is quite easy, just follow the link to heltec…

The Bad ( according to me )

The following module, is, according to me, an absolute waste of time and money. Documentation is impossible to find, and that that you do find, as often incorrect. The pin-outs are wrong, with no definite standard.

I am talking about the TTGO Lora V1 or V2 or what ever ??? can seem to even find that answer reliably. I was initially attracted to this module, as it was allegedly compatible with the heltec version, and did not have the oled screen, which, to be honest, is not always needed in every project. It was also about 25% cheaper, and could be sourced locally, without enriching the greedy shipping companies 😉 (I just have to rant about this, as 25USD to ship 100g worth of stuff is a ripoff. Either that or 60 to 90 days of guess-if-it-will-arrive mail is not on ( and even that is 10 USD!)

So, having high hopes, I ordered one of these boards, hoping to use it together with my heltec boards… It arrived, and that was well the top came of.. I could immediately see that the quality of the PCB was quite bad. Documentation was missing, and even the supplier sent me to a heltec pinout, which, after a quick test were definitely not correct…

Google turned up mixed results, and eventually I found a sort of accurate pinout …

Alleged pinout for TTGO LoRa device

This pinout also turned out to be only about 50% correct, and after manually trying to map out the pins, I was sort of confident enough to test it further…

Further problems arose, LoRa does not work, I2C does not work, SPI does not work shall I continue…? 🙂 It now seems clear that the board that I bought was a clone of a clone, and a very bad one at that …
I will post a picture of the actual board below, in the interest of education, to inform others not to get duped as well. Likewise, If I am the mistaken party, and you have had success with this board, please give me a message/yell and lets share some knowledge

The Front (Top Side) of the Module

Front (Top) of the module
Back (Bottom) of the module

I hope that you found this useful and that I will see you for part 3 of the series, where I will get into the actual coding.

ESP8266 and ESP32 AT Commands

NodeMCU V3, ESP8266

In this tutorial, I’ll show you some of the important and frequently used ESP8266 AT Commands or AT Instruction Set.  

ESP8266 WiFi Module offers complete networking solutions to our DIY (Do-it-yourself) and IoT (Internet of Things) projects. It provides WiFi connectivity to any microcontroller through its full TCP/IP Stack.

This means that you can use the ESP8266/ESP32 like a WiFi Modem, this is especially handy when you don’t want to reprogram an entire module for a project, or if you already have a working project on an Arduino type board, and just want to add WiFi connectivity to the project.



It is however important to tell you that it is sometimes better to write your own code to achieve exactly what you want. The AT Commands, in my opinion, is however extremely useful to quickly test something, or do a very simple integration. Your opinion and or milage will definitely vary on this one, feel free to comment and make suggestions as always 🙂

Kidbright 32, based on the ESP32 WROOM Chip

Let us get started then

Please NOTE:

The AT Command Set will ONLY function on a NEW ESP8266/ESP32 Module that you have not loaded custom firmware onto, OR on a module that you have re-flashed with the AT Command Firmware. This means that, If you have used the Arduino IDE to upload custom code to your ESP8266/ESP32 module, these commands will NOT work for you,
UNLESS you flash the module with ESPRESSIF AT Command Firmware!

The ESP8266 WiFi module and the microcontroller can be interfaced through the UART and with the help of a wide range of AT Commands, the Microcontroller can then control the ESP Module.

The AT Commands of the ESP8266 WiFi Module are responsible for controlling all the operations of the module like restarting, connecting to WiFi, changing the mode of operation and so forth.

Basically, the ESP8266 AT Commands can be classified into four types:

  • Test
  • Query
  • Set
  • Execute

In the following table, I will give you an example of the different types of AT Commands. I will use a sample command of “TEST” to demonstrate the differences between the different type of commands.

Command TypeCommand FormatCommand Function
TestAT+TEST=?Returns a value or a range of parameters
QueryAT+TEST?Returns the current value of a certain parameter
SetAT+TEST=parameter1, parameter2, …Set configuration of a certain parameter of group of parameters
ExecuteAT+TESTExecutes an action
Types of AT Commands for ESP8266 or ESP32

Test Commands: The Test AT Commands of ESP8266 WiFi Module are used to get the parameters of a command and their range.

Query Commands: The Query Commands returns the present value of the parameters of a command.

Set Commands: The Set Commands are used set the values of the parameters in the commands and also runs the commands.

Execute Commands: The Execute Commands will run the commands without parameters.  

NOTE: Not all of the ESP8266 AT Commands support all the four command types.

The ESP8266 AT Commands Set is divided into three categories. They are:

  • Basic AT Commands 
  • WiFi AT Commands 
  • TCP/IP AT Commands 

There are a total of 88 AT Commands for ESP8266 WiFi Module. We will however only look at a few of the most important ones.

If you want to know the details of all the ESP8266 AT Commands, then I suggest that you visit the official documentation page provided by Espressif Systems (the manufacturer of ESP8266EX SoC),  here.   

NOTE: The Parameters mentioned in [] are optional.

Basic ESP8266 AT Commands

As per the official documentation from Espressif Systems, there are a total of 23 Basic AT Commands.

Basic AT Commands
AT
AT+RST
AT+GMR

AT

This is the basic command that tests the AT start up i.e. if the AT System is working correctly or not. If the AT start up is successful, then the response is OK.

CommandResponse
ATOK

AT+RST

This command can be used to restart (reset) the ESP8266 WiFi Module.    

CommandResponse
AT+RSTOK

AT+GMR

This command is used to check the version information of the firmware and SDK. The response consists of three things: the AT Firmware version, the SDK version and the compilation time of the BIN file.

CommandResponse
AT+GMR<AT Version><SDK Version><Compile Time>OK

Other important Basic AT Commands: AT+GSLP, ATE and AT+UART.

WiFi AT Commands

The WiFi AT Commands are useful in controlling the WiFi features of the ESP8266 Module like setting up the WiFi Mode of operation, get the list of WiFi Networks, connect to a WiFi Network, setup the Access Point (AP), control DHCP, WPS, MAC Address, IP Address etc.

As per the official documentation, there are 40 WiFi AT Commands for ESP8266 Module. Let me introduce a few important AT Commands.

WiFi AT Commands
AT+CWMODE
AT+CWJAP
AT+CWLAP
AT+CWQAP
AT+CIPSTA
AT+CWSAP
AT+CWLIF

AT+CWMODE

This command is used to set the WiFi Mode of operation as either Station mode, Soft Access Point (AP) or a combination of Station and AP. The CWMODE command supports Test, Query and Set type commands.

The syntax, response and parameters (in Set command) of this command are given in the following table.

AT+CWMODE
Command TypeTestQuerySet
FormatAT+CWMODE=?AT+CWMODE?AT+CWMODE=<mode>
Response+CWMODE:<mode>OK+CWMODE:<mode> OKOK
Parameters<mode>1: Station2: Soft Access Point (AP)3: Station+SoftAP
Function Returns current WiFi ModeSets WiFi Mode
      

AT+CWLAP

This command lists out all the available WiFi Networks in the reach of ESP8266. It has both Set and Execute Command types.

AT+CWLAP
Command TypeSetExecute
FormatAT+CWLAP[=<ssid>,<mac>,<channel>,<scan_type>,<scan_time_min>,<scan_time_max>]AT+CWLAP
Response+CWLAP:<ecn>,<ssid>,<rssi>,<mac>,<channel>,<freq      offset>,<freq   cali>,<pairwise_cipher>,<group_cipher>,<bgn>,<wps>OK

NOTE: For more information on Parameters, please refer to the original documentation.

AT+CWJAP

This command is to connect to an Access Point (like a router).

AT+CWJAP
Command TypeQuerySet
FormatAT+CWJAP?AT+CWJAP=<ssid>,<pwd>[,<bssid>]
Response+CWJAP:<ssid>,<bssid>,<channel>,<rssi>OKOKor+CWJAP:<error>FAIL
Parameters<ssid>: SSID of the Access Point.<pwd>: Password.[<bssid>]: MAC Address of AP (usedwhen multiple APs have the same SSID.)<error>1: Connection timeout.2: Wrong password.3: Cannot find the target AP.4: Connection failed.

AT+CWQAP

This command is used to disconnect the ESP8266 from an Access Point.

CommandResponse
AT+CWQAPOK

AT+CIPSTA

This command is used to set a static IP Address to the ESP8266 WiFi Module in Station Mode. This command has both Query and Set type commands.

AT+CIPSTA
Command TypeQuerySet
FormatAT+CIPSTA?AT+CIPSTA=<ip>[,<gateway>,<netmask>]
Response+CIPSTA:<ip>+CIPSTA:<gateway>+CIPSTA:<netmask> OKOK
Parameters<ip>: IP Address<gateway>: Gateway<netmask>: Netmask
FunctionReturns the IP address, Gateway and Netmask.Sets IP Address, Gateway and Netmask.

AT+CWSAP

This command is used to configure the ESP8266 WiFi Module in Soft Access Point (AP) Mode. Both Query and Set types are available for this command.

AT+CWSAP
Command TypeQuerySet
FormatAT+CWSAP?AT+CWSAP =<ssid>,<pwd>,<chl>,<ecn>[,<maxconn>][,<ssid  hidden>]
Response+CWSAP:<ssid>,<pwd>,<chl>,<ecn>,<max conn>,<ssid hidden>OKorERROR
Parameter<ssid>: SSID of AP.<pwd>: Password.<chl>: Channel ID.<ecn>: Encryption method.0: OPEN2: WPA_PSK3: WPA2_PSK4: WPA_WPA2_PSK<max conn>: Max # of Stations<ssid hidden>:0: SSID is broadcasted. (default)1: SSID is not broadcasted.

AT+CWLIF

Using this command, you can get the IP addresses of Stations that are connected to ESP8266, which is configured in SoftAP Mode.

AT+CWLIF
Format (Execute Command)AT+CWLIF
Response<ip addr>,<mac>OK
Parameters<ip address>: IP Address of the Station<mac>: MAC Address of the station

TCP/IP AT Commands

The TCP/IP AT Commands are responsible for communication over the internet. There are a total of 25 TCP/IP AT Commands for ESP8266 WiFi Module. Some of the important ones are mentioned here.

TCP/IP Commands
AT+CIPSTATUS
AT+CIPSTART
AT+CIFSR
AT+CIPMUX
AT+CIPSERVER
AT+CIUPDATE

AT+CIPSTATUS

This TCP/IP AT Command of the ESP8266 WiFi Module get the information or status of the connection. Only the Execute type command is available.

AT+CIPSTATUS
Command TypeExecute
FormatAT+CIPSTATUS
ResponseSTATUS:<stat>+CIPSTATUS:<linkID>,<type>,<remoteIP>,<remoteport>,<localport>,<tetype>
Parameter<stat>:2: Connected to an AP and its IP is obtained.3: Created a TCP or UDP transmission.4: Disconnected.5: Does NOT connect.<linkID>: ID of the connection.<type>: “TCP” or “UDP”.<remoteIP>: Remote IP address.<remoteport>: Remote port number.<localport>: Local port number.<tetype>:0: Client.1: Server.

AT+CIPSTART

This AT Command is used to establish one of the three connections: TCP, UDP or SSL. Depending on the type of TCP Connection (single or multiple), the format of the Set command will vary.

AT+CIPSTART
Command TypeSet
FormatSingle TCP ConnectionMultiple TCP Connection
AT+CIPSTART=<type>,<remoteIP>,<remoteport>[,<TCPkeepalive>]AT+CIPSTART=<linkID>,<type>,<remoteIP>,<remoteport>[,<TCPkeepalive>]
ResponseOKorERROR(Response when TCP connection is already established:ALREADY CONNECTED)
Parameters<link    ID>: ID of connection.<type>: “TCP”, “UDP” or “SSL”.<remoteIP>: Remote IP address.<remoteport>: Remote port number.[<TCPkeepalive>]: detection time interval

NOTE: The above table shows command for only establishing the TCP Connection. For establishing UDP and SSL Connections, please refer to the official documentation.

AT+CIFSR

This AT Command is used to obtain the IP Address of the ESP8266 WiFi Module.

AT+CIFSR
Command TypeExecute
FormatAT+CIFSR
Response+CIFSR:APIP,<SoftAPIPaddress>+CIFSR:APMAC,<SoftAPMACaddress>+CIFSR:STAIP,<StationIPaddress>+CIFSR:STAMAC,<StationMACaddress>OK
Parameters<SoftAPIPaddress>: IP address of the ESP8266 SoftAP;<SoftAPMACaddress>: MAC address of the ESP8266 SoftAP<StationIPaddress>: IP address of the ESP8266 Station.<StationMACaddress>: MAC address of the ESP8266 Station

AT+CIPMUX

This AT Command is used to enable or disable multiple TCP Connections.

AT+CIPMUX
Command TypeQuerySet
FormatAT+CIPMUX?AT+CIPMUX=<mode>
Response+CIPMUX:<mode>OKOK
Parameters<mode>:0: Single connection1: Multiple connections

AT+CIPSERVER

This AT Command is used to create or delete a TCP Server.

AT+CIPSERVER
Command TypeSet
FormatAT+CIPSERVER=<mode>[,<port>]
ResponseOK
Parameters<mode>:0: Delete Server.1: Create Server.

NOTE: A TCP Server can be created only when AT+CIPMUX=1 i.e. multiple connections are enabled.

AT+CIUPDATE

This AT Command is used update the software through WiFi Connection i.e. for over the air (OTA) updates.

AT+CIUPDATE
Command TypeExecute
FormatAT+CIUPDATE
Response+CIPUPDATE:<n>OK
Parameters<n>:
1: Find the Server
2: Connect to the Server
3: Get the Software Version
4: Start Update

I have included a PDF file with the complete AT command Set for download below.