jordillonch / kids_lora_gps

This project aims to be a playground to learn ESP32

Kids LoRaWAN GPS [WIP]

⚠ THIS PROJECT IS WIP ⚠

(some screen top lines are not working 😞)

Introduction

• This project aims to be a playground to learn ESP32 + Espressif technology during the summer :)
• The idea is to use an ESP32 kit with LoRa + GPS + battery capabilities that will send the GPS coordinates through LoRa. Then we will receive these coordinates with another ESP32 device with LoRa capabilities.

System

Hardware

• Transmitter:
  • LILYGO TTGO T-Beam V1.1 ESP32
• Receiver:
  • Any ESP32 with LoRaWAN capabilities:
    • Heltec WiFi Kit 32 + Lora SX1278

Software

• IDE: CLion
• Framework: Espressif

Work done

Features working

• GPS
• Screen SSD1306
• LoRa
• Battery

Tasks done

• Get GPS position
• Show GPS position in screen
• Send GPS position via LoRa
• Show sending position via LoRa in screen
• Show battery status

How to build and flash

• First, you will need to set up the Espressif environment. You can follow the Get Started.

Transmitter

• Connect your device to the USB port.

  cd kids_lora_gps_tx
  idf.py -p /dev/ttyACM0 flash monitor
  

Configuration

• Default configuration will work for LILYGO TTGO T-Beam V1.1 ESP32 but you can use another device. In that case, you should do a idf.py menuconfig and configure:
  • NMEA parser / UART RXD pin number
  • Component config / LoRa Configuration
  • Component config / LVGL configuration
  • Component config / LVGL TFT Display controller

Receiver

• Connect your device to the USB port.

  cd kids_lora_gps_rx
  idf.py -p /dev/ttyACM0 flash monitor
  

Configuration

• Default configuration will work for LILYGO TTGO T-Beam V1.1 ESP32 but you can use another device. In that case, you should do a idf.py menuconfig and configure:
  • Component config / LoRa Configuration
  • Component config / LVGL configuration
  • Component config / LVGL TFT Display controller

Tests

• It is just a trial to test a component to learn how it works. Do not expect to see a lot of tests ;)

Unit test (Linux host)

• No need for any device.

  cd components/gps/gps_cbor_coders/test/host_test
  idf.py build
  ./build/test_host_gps_cbor_coders.elf
  

Unit test (Target)

• Connect your device to the USB port.

  cd components/gps/gps_cbor_coders/test/target_test
  idf.py -p /dev/ttyACM0 flash monitor
  

CLion

• Follow this ESP-IDF Clion guideline
• How to load rx, tx and tests CMakeLists.txt:
  • kids_lora_gps_rx:
    • Use the Project Tool Window to navigate to kids_lora_gps_rx/CMakeLists.txt and click with right mouse button and choose Load CMake Project.
  • kids_lora_gps_tx:
    • Use the Project Tool Window to navigate to kids_lora_gps_tx/CMakeLists.txt and click with right mouse button and choose Load CMake Project.
  • Tests:
    • Host test:
      • You will need an extra CMake profile:
        • Go to Settings - Build, Execution, Deployment > CMake. Add a new profile with and add the environment variable: IDF_TARGET=linux.
        • Remember to go to Tools - CMake - Reset Cache and Reload Project.
      • Use the Project Tool Window to navigate to components/gps/gps_cbor_coders/test/host_test/CMakeLists.txt and click with right mouse button and choose Load CMake Project.
    • Target test:
      • Use the Project Tool Window to navigate to components/gps/gps_cbor_coders/test/target_test/CMakeLists.txt and click with right mouse button and choose Load CMake Project.

Lessons learnt

• Devices:
  • ESP32 + Espressif framework
  • GPS NEO-6M
  • Screen monochrome OLED SSD1306
  • LoRa module
  • Batter power management IC AXP192
• Development environment, tools and frameworks:
  • Espressif
    • Application Level Tracing
    • Build System (components, Kconfig...)
    • Error Handling
    • Core Dump
    • Event Handling
    • Fatal Errors
    • JTAG Debugging
    • Unit test (Linux host = run in Linux)
    • Unit test (target = run in ESP32 device)
    • Wi-Fi + Provisioning
    • HTTP Server
    • Watchdogs
  • CLion
  • CMake
  • Cbor
  • FreeRTOS
• Other learnings using examples:
  • OTA
  • AWS IoT
  • Steppers