Arduino IDE setup for NodeMCU (ESP8266) Development

1. Prerequisites

The following tools are required to run this demonstration.

• Java Runtime Environment (JRE), at least 1.8
• NodeMCU Board

2. Set up Arduino IDE for NodeMCU development

If not already installed, download and install the Arduino IDE from the following link: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

When plugged, if the NodeMCU port is not detected, then you need to download and install the USB driver manually using the following link: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-devkit/tree/master/Drivers

3. Add NodeMCU board support to Arduino IDE

Firstly open the Arduino IDE, go to "Files" > "Preferences" entry.

Copy the below URL in the "Additional boards Manager URLS" Textbox : http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

Click "OK" to close the "Preferences" dialog box.

After completing the above steps, go to "Tools" > "Board:..." and then select "Board Manager"

Type in the textbox "esp8266", then navigate to "esp8266 by esp8266 community" and "install" the software for Arduino.

Go to "Tools" > "Board...", and then select "NodeMCU 1.0" board.

Once all the above process been completed, you are ready to program the NodeMCU board with Arduino IDE.

4. Connect your NodeMCU

Plug the NodeMCU board to your computer through a micro-USB cable.

Copy, Paste this code into the Arduino IDE

int LED = D0;
void setup() {
 pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
 digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
}
void loop() {
 digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
 delay (200);
 digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
 delay (200);
}

4.1 Compile the sketch

Click on verify button to compile the sketch.

Compilation output:

4.2 Upload the sketch to the NodeMCU board

Click on upload button to upload the sketch to the NodeMCU board.

Upload output:

You should see the onboarded led (red) blinking.

5. (Optional) Plug a sensor to your NodeMCU

5.1 Prerequisites

• Digital Light Sensor (LM393)

5.2 Schematics

Connect the 3-pin digital light sensor as follows :

• (LM393)VCC <---> Vin(NodeMCU)
• (LM393)GND <---> GND(NodeMCU)
• (LM393)DDO <---> D1(NodeMCU)

5.3 Sketch

Copy, paste, compile and upload the following sketch :

int LUM_SENSOR = D1;
int LED = D0;
  
void setup() {
 Serial.begin(115200);
 pinMode(LUM_SENSOR, INPUT);
 pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
 int val = digitalRead(LUM_SENSOR); 
 Serial.println("Sensor value = " + String(val));
 if (val == 0)
   digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
 else
   digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
 delay(500);
}

6. Demonstration

If you hide the light sensor with your hand, you should see the led switched OFF and vice versa.