In its most basic form, the ESP8266 is a WIFI microchip with micro-control and TCP capability. It’s an amazing device that’s more powerful than seven of its predecessors. With it, a single chip can replace 7 other chips and lower the cost of the final product to a fraction. It integrates with your old wifi and bluetooth stack to make it possible for you to take advantage of WIFI and Bluetooth at the same time.
It has an incredible speed of up to 240 Mbit/s – much faster than wireless networking can handle currently. It also uses less power, making battery life longer so that your work doesn’t have to stop when you run out of juice. It also has a big advantage of having many GPIO pins – 2-13 – and its analog interface, making it possible for you to add real-time sensors to your project.
Basic Features:
WIFI Compliant: Works with most WIFI routers and access points that use WPS security.
802.11 b/g/n: Works with most existing WIFI routers and access points.
USB interface: Connect to your computer to get data, update software and upload new firmware files.
GPIO Interface: Use the GPIO pins to complete different tasks. You can control LEDs, read the temperature or pressure of your surroundings, move motors or other similar devices.
Integrated TCP/IP Protocol Stack: Communicate directly with the Internet and your host machine via TCP/IP.
Supports most Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, OS X and Android.
Extensive Documentation: Compact and Low Power: Only 20mm by 16mm in size, it saves more space for other parts of your project. It draws power from the router you connect to, so no extra power supply is needed for the ESP8266 it self.
Also read: How to Open Your Online Electronics Store
Guide for Buyers:
- Power sources: when you connect the ESP8266 to a power source, it should be connected to the same source as your router. That way, you are running directly from the source which is worth noting when comparing it to other methods for connecting to your router. If you don’t have access to that power source, then you can use an existing USB-to-Micro USB cable and plug it into a 5V adapter and then connect it to your ESP8266.
- Convenient form factor: The ESP8266 comes in a small package that was created for use in products and products. It’s not a printed circuit board that you have to create, but it can be inserted into the board of your choice easily so you can customise it and keep it out of sight. That also means that when you’re done with your project, you can still use the ESP8266 by placing it somewhere else in your house or giving it away to someone else.
- You can use it as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth master: You can also use the Best ESP8266 Development Board to act as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth master. It works on top of the existing router or access point and acts as a client. You can then route all your existing devices to it, including your computer. This means you don’t have to go through your computer to control the router anymore.
