me-no-dev / esp8266fcgui

KISS and BetaFlight GUI on ESP8266

ESP8266 FC GUI

KISS and BetaFlight GUI on ESP8266

What is this?

• Simple sketch for ESP8266 Arduino that uses asyncronous networking to provide web and some other services
• Transparent WebSocket <=> UART
• inlined, optimized and gzipped version of KISSFC_GUI_Dshot_T8
• inlined, optimized and gzipped version of Betaflight Configurator

Why did you do this?

• Got really sick of having to carry a laptop to the field, just to change pid or recalibrate something
• ESP8266 has really evolved and is able to take on the load
• Various small ESP8266 based modules are available for close to nothing
• I carry a small computer in the form of smartphone everywhere
• Phone apps lack functionality and lag on implementation
• It's easy to do

I want to try it!

Requirements

• ESP8266 module with at least 4MB flash. This module weights 2.5g and is ready to go
• Recent version of Arduino IDE
• Latest Arduino ESP8266 filesystem uploader plugin installed
• Git version of ESP8266 Arduino
• Git version of ESPAsyncTCP
• Git version of ESPAsyncWebServer

Compiling and upload

• Fullfill all requirements above
• Clone or download this repository to your computer
• Sketch ino and folder name MUST match
• Open the ino sketch with Arduino IDE
• Connect the ESP8266 module to your computer via USB
• Edit definitions in fc_config.h to your liking
• Select the following options for board in Arduino IDE
  • Board: Core Development Module
  • Flash Mode: QIO or DIO (depends on flash chip type)
  • Flash Size: 4M (3M SPIFFS)
  • Debug Port: Disabled
  • Debug Level: None
  • LwIP Variant: Prebuilt Source (gcc)
  • Reset Method: ck or nodemcu (depends on ESP module reset circuit)
  • Flash Frequency: 80MHz
  • CPU Frequency: 160 MHz
  • Upload Speed: 115200 (some can do 921600)
  • Port: Select the serial port of the ESP module
• Compile and upload the sketch
• From the "Tools" menu, select "ESP8266 Sketch Data Upload" to upload the web contents
• Restart the ESP to apply the new file system image

Cool! Then what?

Connecting the module to your quad

• Select module that can accept 5 volts or get separate LDO to 3.3V for the ESP
• Connect
  1. ESP GND > FC GND
  2. ESP 5V > FC 5V (select pin that is also powered by the USB, if available)
  3. ESP TX > FC RX (UART port that you do not use and have configured for Telemetry/MSP)
  4. ESP RX > FC TX (Same port as above)

On my KISS quad, I also have OSD, so I use the GUI only when connected through USB to a power bank.

Using the AP defined in fc_config.h

• Power the ESP module
• Connect to it's Access Point
• Try to open any website. It should forward you to the main page

Using your WiFi at home (STA_SSID must be defined in fc_config.h)

• Power the ESP module
• Windows
  • Check for the ESP in the Network Browser and doubliclick it
  • Or just open a browser to http://esp8266fcgui (the value of AP_SSID in fc_config.h)
• Mac and Linux
  • Open a browser to http://esp8266fcgui.local (the value of AP_SSID in fc_config.h plus ".local")
• The sketch is Arduino OTA enabled, which means that when at home, you can update the firmware/file system over WiFi

Credits

All web content is created by the KISS and BetaFlight teams. This a cut-down version of their work.

Screen Shots

Arduino IDE Settings

Windows

Network Browser

Web Browser

Mac and Linux

Web Browser

Mobile

Hardware