Wio Node-Grove ESP8266 WiFi Module
2016-06-06 | By Maker.io Staff
Wio Node is a wireless development board based around it big brother, the Wio Link. The Wio Node has much of the same features as the Wio Link but based around the popular ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. This offers users a much cheaper, smaller and also lighter module for integration into your IoT projects.
The Wio Node features:
- An ESP8266 open-sourced Wi-Fi development board
- Supports plug-n-play grove modules
- Visual configuration, no need for soldering
- OTA (Over-the-air) firmware updates
- RESTful APIs for IoT connectivity
- IFTTT Application integration through the Seeed Channel
- Android & iOS mobile application for setup & configuration
Figure 1: Wio Node Hardware Features
Even though the Wio Node only features two Grove connectors, it still has the ability to offer I2C connectivity with up to 42 additional Grove modules. Currently the board offers the following:
- Grove Port 0 - Digital I/O, UART, I2C
- Grove Port 1 – Digital I/O, Analog I/O, I2C
Much like its bigger brother setting up an IoT device with the Wio Node is a really simple process, eradicating the need for any programming or soldering. Sensors and Actuators can be configured visually using RESTful APIs on your mobile device, so you will soon find that it only takes a matter a minutes before your IoT project is up and running with the Wio Node.
Specification:
- Wi-Fi Network Protocol: 802.11b/g/n
- Wi-Fi Encryption Technologies: WEP/TKIP/AES
- Expansion (2x Grove Connectors): UART0/I2C0/D0, Analog/I2C1/D1
- Input Voltage:
- Battery holder: 3.0~4.2V
- Micro USB: 5V
- Operating Voltage: 3V3
- Maximum Charge Current: 500mA
- Digital I/O Pins: 4
- Analog Input Pins:1
- DC Current PER I/O PIN: 12mA
- Flash Memory: 4MByte (W25Q32B)
- Frequency of Crystal: 26MHz
- Dimensions: 28mm x 28mm
Summary
Overall the Wio Node is a great introduction to the IoT, alongside the much bigger Wio Link. The Wio Node is a very discreet device, which can be implemented into the smallest of spaces providing better flexibility with projects. The Integration with the Grove system allows both the Wio Node and Grove modules to complement each other with seamlessness communication through the RESTful API and visual interface.
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