ESP8266EX on a Breadboard

I posted an instructable in how to use a ESP12-F module in a bare mode. That means without the bells and whistles present in a NODEMCU. You can check it out here

That is really important when you are learning how the module operates and how to minimize your project to its minimal. But, that still not the minimum.

You still will need to get a ESP12-F module, which is based in the ESP8266EX IC from espressif.

Although it is cool to get rid of the NODEMCU, which is a dev board in my opinion, what if you could get even less? What if you could just get the ESP8266EX from a supplier and integrate it in your project along with you peripherals? The steps illustrated here can also be done using a ESP8285. Which is from the same family of ESP8266 but, it has flash memory integrated and you wont need to have a flash IC to having it working

Sounds fun? Yes. It is. In this tutorial I will go to the steps running an ESP8266EX IC from a breadboard. I will show what you should be aware while wiring up the IC along with the components required to have it fully functional.

Lets get to it

The list of Materials you will need is as below:

• A QFN-32 to Breadboard adpater https://www.ebay.ca/itm/203473578597
• A ESP8266EX IC or ESP8285 IC https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32965730354.html?...
• A Flash Memory chip https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/adesto-...
• 5 Resistors
• a 26MHz Crystal
• 2 22pF capacitors
• some decoupling capacitors
• Push button
• 1 Blue LED

Additional helpful devices

• ESP programmer https://www.ebay.ca/itm/203474263380

The main source of information when you are planning to work with ICs is the manufacturer. In the case of ESPs, espressif has a very comprehensive set of documentation that will enable you integrate the chips in your projects without a problem. As long as you follow the recommendations, you will be successful

For our experiment, we will use the Hardware Design Guidelines document. This document has everything you need to bring and ESP8266/ESP8285 to a normal operation.

Although I think the whole document is amusing, we will only focus in one single page for our experiment. Page 10 has a diagram with all the components you need.

• It has the design of the IC and all the Pins numbered and labeled
• It has all components, its connections and its values

For our experiment, we will simplify the design a lot. But, keep in mind this is just to illustrate the chip operation and that will be in a breadboard. If you are designing a product, follow the components requirements by the manufacturer is your best bet for the success.

We will leave some recommendations aside for our breadboard experiment. And that menas:

• Dont worry about the antenna section. So, everything coming from Pin 2 will be ignored
• Dont worry too much about the filters in the power input. Some PI filters are very important for your product but we will just put the chip to run
• If you decide to use the ESP8285, you can ignore the whole section for the flash IC
• You can ignore the Resistor for PIN26

The ESP8266EX or the ESP8285 IC, are a QFN-32 IC. It is a smd IC and very difficult to solder. If you dont have a hot air gun you wont be able to do it once the ground pin of the IC it is in the bottle of the chip.

I contacted the seller of the Adapter from ebay (fullelec_0) and asked if they would solder the IC for me. They said they would as long as they have the IC in Stock but they would delay the shipment in about 2 Business days. Which I found reasonable. I did not get to the details on how to pay for the chip though as that was not more for information only.

Once you solder the Chip to the adapter, you will have all pins accordingly with the Adapter. The ground Pin will be in the Pin33 of the adapter and the Pin34 is not connected.

Keep in mind that this document is a guide on how to design a hardware using the ESP8266 chip. It is a guide if you are planning to implement something similar to to a ESP12-F module. But, it if you follow the steps in this guide, you wont be able to have the module running if you just apply power to it.

This is because the module can operate in different modes.

• Normal operation
• Programming

So, you will still need to apply some additional components in order to bring the module to a normal operation. For that, I will point you to my tutorial for Esp8266 Minimum system. In this tutorial, you will have the additional components to bring the module to a normal operation.

That will be basically, some resistors to PULL DOWN/UP some pins required by the chip to boot.

After combining the hardware guide documentation with the minimal system, you will be able to bring the module to a normal operation. But, that doesnt mean much.

You still need to load some code to the "module" in order to get some action. For that, we will use a programmer. This device is ready to wire up and connect to your Arduino IDE to load code using USB.

The connections is as follow:

USB to UART --> ESP8266EX

3V3 -> Power Rail of your breadboard

GND -> Ground rail of your breadboard

IO0 -> PIN15

RST -> PIN32

RX -> PIN25

TX-> PIN26

I am assuming you already have the ESP8266 boards set up in your Arduino IDE. If not, you will have to get it. I will not go over the steps for that as there are plenty of material out there on how to do this.

Once installed, you will select "Generic ESP8266 Module" or "Generic ESP8285 Module" as per the chip you are using.

You may change the Upload Speed to 460800 as the default speed for these 2 options are too slow.

And that is it. You just load code to a ESP8266EX/ESP8285 chip in a breadboard. Now, get this knowledge and maybe you will be willing to create your own ESP12-F or your own NODEMCU. The antenna is a piece that may sound terrifying but, as long as you follow the guidance recommendations, you will be able to have your module connecting to WiFi without any problem.

For that, you will need to work in 50Ohms feed line design and use a PCB supplier that handle impedance controlled fabrication. Nothing else more for that matter

Working with the ICs really brings you to a new level of fabrication to your products. You will be able to implement more efficient designs and the knowledge you acquire will expand your horizons. If hardware is your passion, learn about the ICs is something will keep you awake. Literally!!!