A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip. Some of my favorite MCUs include Arduino Uno, Espressif ESP8266, Espressif ESP32.
Note: My soldering skills were basic and are improving - apologies and celebrate the improvements with me.
DSC Alarm · Smarthome interface
- Host: DSC PC585 alarm system
- Hardware: Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266
- Wiring: esphome-dsckeybus by Dilbert66
- Programming: ESPHome over custom component via include esphome-dsckeybus
- Note: Custom 3D printed project box -- pictures show test state.
- Note: Hate the hacky wiring in the alarm box, yet lacking the knowledge I will leave it as is for now.
Energy meter · Smarthome interface
- Interface smart energy meter via P1-port over DSMR protocol
- Host: SX631 Saxing power meter
- Hardware: SlimmeLezer+ by Marcel Zuidwijk - ESP12-F, ESP8285 MCU
- Programming: DSMR · ESPHome Component dsmr adaptation for Hungarian electricity meters.
- Fun fact: the meter box has been installed in a funny way not exily to expose the user P1 port. Nevertheless LEGO is my best ally to solve such issues.
Heating control · Smarthome interface
-
Control heating through a pre-installed radio remote and monitor
heating water temperature.
This external component provides a way retrieve and control Computherm Q series thermostats. The RF receiver allows up to four individual devices. Existing devices can either be monitored as sensors or via manual pairing (in progress) you can add virtual zones that control the boiler separately. - Host: Computherm Q8RF multi-zone, wireless (radio-frequency) programmable digital room thermostat
- Hardware: Wemos D1 mini ESP8266 MCU, HopeRF RFM217W-868S1, HopeRF RFM117W-868S1
- Hardware: Dallas DS18B20 sensors in normal mode
- Programming: Computherm Q8RF 868.35 MHz - ESPHome custom component .
- Note: Combined RF receiver and transmitter to a single shield - fixing and isolating with a hot glue.
Testing different displays for MCU
- Hardware: OLED displays, Waveshare e-paper
- Wiring: SPI and I2C connection
Battery testing and Low-Energy Smart Devices
Experiments to create low-energy smarthome sensor solutions
Iterations:-
Wifi to HomeAssistant - V1
Using Wemos D1 Mini V1 still draws a 2-3mA high deep_sleep current. -
Wifi to HomeAssistant - V3
Improved deep_sleep current - 200uA. This resulted in a 980mAh to be able to push a measurement every 60 seconds 4,237 times before the battery was depleted, resulting in a 3.1 days total runtime. -
BTHome over ESPNow
As a second experiment I was using ESP-NOW channel, reducing complete active time to 1,150 milliseconds resulting and increase 26,106 cycles of a 17.5 days total runtime with the same 980mAh battery of 60 second cycle time.
With additional improvements could reduce it to ~250ms ac tive connection time with over 40,000 cycles.
- Hardware: Wemos D1 Mini V3, Espressif 8266
- Programming: BTHome and Beethowen Components custom component .
- Implementing Low-Energy Smart Devices with Several Years of Independence
Gasmeter · Smarthome interface
Key details:- Use and improve a cheap xiaomi temperature sensor for measuring gas consumption.
- Host: Flogiston RF1 G4 meter - reed signal every 0.01 m3
- Sensor: NO (normally open) reed switch
- Note: The wiring was for test purposes - now it is added to a custom project box.
- Note: Reed switch still introduces bouncing effect, especially when in a closed state -- need to debounce it.
- ESP MCU -- failed as I have no stable 220AC or 5DC near the meter.
- ESP32Cam AI-on-the-edge
- ESP8266 Wifi MCU with reed switch
- ESP32 ULP reed-switch with periodic Wifi push.
- Xiaomi LYWSD03MMC temperature meter with custom firmware
- custom firmware by pvvx
- discussions and idea leading Victor kindly adding reed counter, then having general DIY format extended to BTHome protocol.
3D Printing Finished Notification
- Hardware: Shelly Plug S and Wanhao Duplicator i3 plus
- 3D Printing Finished Notification - My Home Automation project for the Shelly Smart Home Contest 2021.
Home Automation workshop using ESP8266 Wemos D1 toolkit and shields using ESPHome
Step-by-step project instructions and tutorial for SAP Labs Hungary d-shop 2022 session.- Hardware: Wemos D1 Mini kit (MiniWifi IoT- Zero)
- Step-by-step project instructions, tutorial and preparation for SAP Labs Hungary d-shop 2022 session.
3D Printing Training
- Multiple 3D printing workshops conducted.
- 3D Printing Finished Notification - My Home Automation project for the Shelly Smart Home Contest 2021.
