circuitpython/esp8266/README.md

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MicroPython port to ESP8266
===========================
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This is a highly experimental port of MicroPython for the WiFi modules based
on Espressif ESP8266 chip.
WARNING: The port is highly experimental and any APIs are subject to change.
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Currently implemented features include:
- REPL (Python prompt) over UART0.
- Garbage collector, exceptions.
- Unicode support.
- Builtin modules: gc, array, collections, io, struct, sys, esp, network,
many more.
- Arbitrary-precision long integers and 30-bit precision floats.
- WiFi support.
- Sockets using modlwip.
- GPIO and bit-banging I2C, SPI support.
- 1-Wire and WS2812 (aka Neopixel) protocols support.
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- Internal filesystem using the flash.
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- WebREPL over WiFi from a browser (clients at https://github.com/micropython/webrepl).
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Work-in-progress documentation is available at
http://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/ .
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Build instructions
------------------
The tool chain required for the build is the OpenSource ESP SDK, which can be
found at <https://github.com/pfalcon/esp-open-sdk>. Clone this repository and
run `make` in its directory to build and install the SDK locally. Make sure
to add toolchain bin directory to your PATH. Read esp-open-sdk's README for
additional important information on toolchain setup.
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Add the external dependencies to the MicroPython repository checkout:
```bash
$ git submodule update --init
```
See the README in the repository root for more information about external
dependencies.
Then, to build MicroPython for the ESP8266, just run:
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```bash
$ cd esp8266
$ make axtls
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$ make
```
This will produce binary images in the `build/` subdirectory. If you install
MicroPython to your module for the first time, or after installing any other
firmware, you should erase flash completely:
```
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esptool.py --port /dev/ttyXXX erase_flash
```
Erase flash also as a troubleshooting measure, if a module doesn't behave as
expected.
To flash MicroPython image to your ESP8266, use:
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```bash
$ make deploy
```
This will use the `esptool.py` script to download the images. You must have
your ESP module in the bootloader mode, and connected to a serial port on your PC.
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The default serial port is `/dev/ttyACM0`. To specify another, use, eg:
```bash
$ make PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 deploy
```
The image produced is `firmware-combined.bin`, to be flashed at 0x00000.
First start
-----------
__Serial prompt__
You can access the REPL (Python prompt) over UART (the same as used for
programming).
- Baudrate: 115200
__WiFi__
Initally, the device configures itself as a WiFi access point (AP).
- ESSID: MicroPython-xxxxxx (xs are replaced with part of the MAC address).
- Password: micropythoN (note the upper-case N).
- IP address of the board: 192.168.4.1.
- DHCP-server is activated.
__WebREPL__
Python prompt over WiFi, connecting through a browser.
- Hosted at http://micropython.org/webrepl.
- GitHub repository https://github.com/micropython/webrepl.
Please follow the instructions there.
More detailed instructions can be found at
http://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp8266/esp8266/tutorial/intro.html
Troubleshooting
---------------
While the port is still in alpha, it's known to be generally stable. If you
experience strange bootloops, crashes, lockups, here's a list to check against:
- You didn't erase flash before programming MicroPython firmware.
- Firmware can be occasionally flashed incorrectly. Just retry. Recent
esptool.py versions have --verify option.
- Power supply you use doesn't provide enough power for ESP8266 or isn't
stable enough.
- A module/flash may be defective (not unheard of for cheap modules).
Please consult dedicated ESP8266 forums/resources for hardware-related
problems.