Catalina WiFi support
RossH
Posts: 5,517
Ok, I now have WiFi support working in Catalina, using the ESP8266 WiFi module. I will release it once I have done more testing.
But I have a couple of issues/questions:
The WiFi adapter only supports 4 concurrent listeners (e.g. for TCP or websocket connections). Is there a reason for this limit? Is it possible it could be expanded? Not a showstopper, but I would prefer 8 as a minimum. Is this possible?
On the P2 EDGE with PSRAM (i.e. a P2-EC32MB) I can download software to the P2 using WiFi if I put the WiFi adapter on pins 56-63, but I cannot use the WiFi adapter serial interface because the serial pins conflict with those used for the PSRAM. If I put the WiFi adapter on a different pin group (e.g. pins 32 - 39) I can use the WiFi adapter serial interface but cannot download software to the P2. Is there a way to do both on a P2-EC32MB?
The WiFi adapter only supports data sizes up to about 900 bytes (e.g. 900 works, 950 fails - I have not narrowed it down any further, I just limit it to 512 bytes) - but the documentation suggests it should support data sizes up to 1024 bytes. Again, not a showstopper, because it just means more data packets are required - but am I missing something here?
Ross.
Comments
Regarding no.2, the pins required for WiFi programming and comms are tx,rx,reset,power, ground.
Would disconnecting (or cutting the traces) to all other IO pins on the WiFi adapter resolve the issue ?
From memory, I think that means the signals on the WiFi adapter connecting to P2 IO pins 56 & 57.
Edit: Yes ... looking now, those were the two traces (56 & 57) I cut on the adapter I use for WiFi programming. Suitable for both P2 module types.
Thanks. So the only way to reset the WiFi module on the EC32MB is to power cycle the P2?
Aren't the PSRAM-related pins NC on the EC32MB, anyways?
I thought there was an API / serial command for reset… would that work in your application, or do you need hardware reset?
Yes, so there should be no need to cut traces. But I want to use the RES and PGM pins on the WiFi module (so that I can reset the module without powering off the Propeller every time) - and that means I can't use pin group 56 .. 63. So at the moment I am using pin group 32 .. 39.
Once I finish testing, I probably won't have so much need to reset the module, so I can then go back to using 56 .. 63.
Ah… in that case solder the 0.1” sip header into the wifi adapter and use an FF wire jumper to any other IO pin from the reset signal?
@RossH
Back at the office and found the details on that...
https://www.parallax.com/package/p2-wx-adapter-add-on-board-product-guide/
Pages 6 & 7
The SIP header provides access to the reset and PGM pins, as also connected to the P2 header #0 and #1.
Does that solve and provide the flexibility you needed for testing?
Oh yes, I can do everything I need. I just use a different pin group when I need to test the RES or PGM functionality.
It just seems odd that Parallax chose to use pins #0 and #1 (which are not connected when using a P2-EC32MB) when #2 to #5 were (AFAIK) available, connected and unused, and so would have worked on all P2 EDGE boards.
But I guess that's why I'm a software engineer and not a hardware engineer!
Yes, It’s interesting about the pinout. I suspect that adapter was made before P2EC32MB existed. That said, those other pins probably interfere with the onboard flash? Pros and cons I suppose
Either way, the SIP breakout was included for total flexibility, regardless of current or future boards. It’s a handy place to hook in a scope or LA too!
Glad you’re rolling.
Well, that's annoying. Had the WiFi all working fine on a standard pin group (e.g. pins 16 .. 23) but then I plugged it into pin group 56 to make sure it works on that one and it no longer workee at all. Not sure why. It worked ok initially, but some command I sent to it has either damaged it or put it into a mode I cannot get it out of. Putting it back on pin group 16 and it no longer works with the software that was working before. Tried variously grounding the RES, PGM and DI lines (as documented) but no response. I think it's kaput.
I have ordered another WiFi board. But it will take a couple of weeks to get here.
Ross.