Published January 14, 2019 © CC BY-SA

ESP-01 Module Programming Board

It was created as an Arduino WiFi module, but it's more powerful than an Arduino.

IntermediateFull instructions provided12 hours1,780

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Capacitor 10 µF

Resistor 10k ohm

SparkFun Pushbutton switch 12mm

Slide Switch

LM1117T-3.3

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Story

Usage example

ESP-01 is a low-cost ESP8266 module, with built-in WiFi.

It was created as Arduino WiFi module, but it's more powerful than an Arduino. Now if you need a little module to control a relay or some simple digital datalogger, it's the best solution.

You can find news or update about this board here.

Step 1: Specs

ESP-01 pinout

Exists some variant of this module, but all have a processor L106 32-bit RISC microprocessor core based on the Tensilica Xtensa Diamond Standard 106Micro running at 80 MHz, when you buy one of It you must pay attention only on Flash, some have 512 KiB Flash, other 1MiB

Pin Definition

VCC: Power 3.0 ~ 3.6V
GND: Ground
RESET: External reset signal (Low voltage level: Active)
CH_PD: Chip Enable. High: On, chip works properly; Low: Off, small current
GPIO0: (FLASH) I/O General purpose IO, If low while reset/power on takes chip into serial programming mode
GPIO1: (TX)I/O General purpose IO and Serial TXd
GPIO3: (RX)I/O General purpose IO and Serial RXd
GPIO2: I/O General purpose IO and Serial1 TXd

Step 2: Programming

As you can see this module haven't on board usb so the easiest way to program is to use a USB to TTL converter, you can find it at 0, 50$.

CH340G TTL to USB

I have some problem with more expensive FT232RL or FT232 module, instead a CH340G or CH340 working very good.

Step 3: Base Connection to Programming

The base connection schema is quite simple, you must put 3.3v on VCC and CH_PD (to power and enable), then put on GND the GND and GPIO0 (the last to put module on programming mode), than connect RX to TX and TX to RX.

Base connection

Step 4: Configure Your Ide

Than you must configure your Arduino IDE, first you must add new board in Boards Manager.

In the board manager, the board to select is ESP8266.

Now you can select generic ESP8266 board from the list of boards.

Step 5: Programming Board

This process is tedious, you must connect then remove connection and so on, and to use all pins It's very tedious.

My solution to this problem is to create a programming board (I'm fan of service board).

The functionality is:

External power source to give more ampere to the circuit;
a switch to select programming mode and than release the GPIO0 pin;
2 switch to activate RX and TX and than to grant the use of that pin for the circuit;
a reset button to start programming.

Step 6: PCB Prototype

Step 7: Milling PCB

I add the gcode file that I used with my CNC, so you can replicate my milling process.

You can find news or update here.

https://www.mischianti.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gcode.zip

Step 8: Gerber

If you want reinterprete the board you can use the gerber file.

You can find news or update here.

https://www.mischianti.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/gerberV3.zip

This file can be also used as data to send to service like PCBGoGo(http://www.pcbgogo.com/?code=y) that can create the board for you at very low cost.

https://www.mischianti.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/svgEtchingV3.zip

Step 9: Etching

I don't use this technique, but a lot of people prefer this type of creation.

Step 10: Result of Milling Process

I'd like to add the result of my old glorious router (created with an epson scanner and printer), quite rough but ok.

There is also a bug fixed by wire (in the file I give you is no more present).

In a few days I hope to add the tutorial to create my new CNC, and the tutorial to create a gcode. This site is a working in progress.

Step 11: PCB Assembly

Now start to assembly the board.

Step 12: How to Use the Programming Board

The usage is quite simple:

First insert ESP-01 in the board, than connect GND to GND, TX to RX and RX to TX of TTL to USB converter.

Now you are ready to program, I add some usage examples.

Upload a blink file

In the board you must set the left switch in programming mode than click the resetbutton.
Check that the switch of RX and TX It's in trasfer mode. Than start upload the sketch.
When finish put in "use mode" the board to put the programmer pin free, and the button to put TX in "use mode".
So you can check that external led blink because BUILTIN_LED is connected to TX pin.

Simple upload

Step 13: Use All 4 Pins of the Board

In the board you must set qith left switch in programming mode than click the resetbutton.
Check that the switch of RX and TX It's in trasfer mode. Than start upload the sketch.
When finish put in "use mode" the board to put the programmer pin free, and the button to put RX and TX pins in "use mode". So you use all 4 pin to control the led.

Using all pins

Step 14: Use 3 Pins to Control Led and One to Serial Debug

In the board you must set the left switch in programming mode than click the resetbutton.
Check that the switch of RX and TX It's in trasfer mode.
Than start upload the sketch.
Connect the serial monitor to the correct port.
When finish put in "use mode" the board to put the programmer pin free, and the button to put RX in "use mode".
So you use 3 pins to control the led and TX to debug the program.

Using 3 pins and debugger

Step 15: Thanks

If you have problem or other write comment or open topic to the forum.

Code

Test code

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);

  pinMode(0, OUTPUT);
  // Disable to use TX pin for Serial debug
//  pinMode(1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
}

byte i = 0;
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  Serial.print(F("Led to blink --> "));
  Serial.println(i);

  digitalWrite(i, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(i, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second

  i++;
  // Skip TX pin
  if (i==1) i++;
  if (i>3) i=0;
}

Credits

Renzo Mischianti

35 projects • 43 followers

Software developer but I love electronics, wood, nature, and everything else as well. Now blogger? on www.mischianti.org

ESP-01 Module Programming Board

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Step 1: Specs

Step 2: Programming

Step 3: Base Connection to Programming

Step 4: Configure Your Ide

Step 5: Programming Board

Step 6: PCB Prototype

Step 7: Milling PCB

Step 8: Gerber

Step 9: Etching

Step 10: Result of Milling Process

Step 11: PCB Assembly

Step 12: How to Use the Programming Board

Step 13: Use All 4 Pins of the Board

Step 14: Use 3 Pins to Control Led and One to Serial Debug

Step 15: Thanks

Schematics

PCB image

Code

Test code

Credits

Renzo Mischianti

Comments

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ESP-01 Module Programming Board

ESP-01 Module Programming Board

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Step 1: Specs

Step 2: Programming

Step 3: Base Connection to Programming

Step 4: Configure Your Ide

Step 5: Programming Board

Step 6: PCB Prototype

Step 7: Milling PCB

Step 8: Gerber

Step 9: Etching

Step 10: Result of Milling Process

Step 11: PCB Assembly

Step 12: How to Use the Programming Board

Step 13: Use All 4 Pins of the Board

Step 14: Use 3 Pins to Control Led and One to Serial Debug

Step 15: Thanks

Schematics

PCB image

Code

Test code

Credits

Renzo Mischianti

Comments

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