General info

ESP8266 is a SOC module contains:

  • CPU: Tensilca Xtensa LX3, 32bit, 80MHz
  • RAM: 32kB, DRAM 80kB, Flash 200kB
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n (soft AP mode available)
  • and more

Additionally on PCB:

  • External SPI Flash 512kB with firmware

Device is 3,3V only and can consume over 200mA. Some FTDI or PL2303 conventers are capable to provide 3,3V VCC but the power is not enough to provide stable supply.

Memory MAP: http://www.esp8266.com/wiki/doku.php?id=esp8266_memory_map

esp8266_specifications_english.pdf
0a-esp8266_datasheet_en_v4.3.pdf

External software

Pinout

esp_pinout_01.pdf

Pin # GPIO role / description
15 GPIO0 FLSH SPI_CS2 !!! Must be H during bootup. L=boot from UART
26 GPIO1 UART0_TXD SPI_CS1 UART TX during flash programming 3,3V !
14 GPIO2 UART1_TXD UART TX during flash programming
25 GPIO3 UART0_RXD UART Rx during flash programming 3,3V !
16 GPIO4
24 GPIO5
21 GPIO6 SPI_CLD SD_CLK
22 GPIO7 SPI_MISO SD_D0
23 GPIO8 SPI_MOSI SD_D1
18 GPIO9 HSPI_HD SPI_HD SD_D2
19 GPIO10 HSPI_WP SPI_WP SD_D3
20 GPIO11 SPI_CS0 SD_CMD
10 GPIO12 HSPI_MISO MTDI
12 GPIO13 HSPI_MOSI MTCK UART0_CTS / UART0_RXD2 Note: there is UART Swap register, and UART0 can be muxed to GPIO13 and GPIO15
9 GPIO14 HSPI CLK MTMS
13 GPIO15 HSPI CS MTDO UART0_RTS / UART0_TXD2 !!! Must be L durign bootup (H=SDIO mode)
8 GPIO16 XPD_DCDC Depp sleep Timer output / USER / WAKE. Connect it to reset ping to wakeup from Deep Sleep mode
7 CH_PD CHIP_EN Chip power down - to enable chip needs to be pulled up
32 EXT_RSTB External reset signal (active low)
6 T_OUT ADC
11 VDDPST Digital I/O Power Supply (1.8V~3.3V)
17 VDDPST Digital I/O Power Supply (1.8V~3.3V)
29 VDD Analog power 3.0V~3.6V
30 VDDA Analog power 3.0V~3.6V
27 XTAL_OUT
28 XTAL_IN
31 RES12K Serial connection with a 12kOhm resistor do ground

Firmwares

Own firmware in C

AT command

NodeMCU

It is LUA based firmware (command interpreter). https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware

NodeLua

ESP Easy

The ESP Easy firmware can be used to turn the ESP module into an easy multifunction sensor device for Home Automation solutions like Domoticz. Configuration of the ESP Easy is entirely web based, so once you've got the firmware loaded, you don't need any other tool besides a common web browser. http://www.esp8266.nu

Wiki page ESP Easy

Arduino