Has anyone used the MeWifi module?

#1

If so, can you tell me what you did with it? Did you use mBlock with it or the Arduino IDE? Were you able to pass information between the board and the module? If so, what did you use?

I’m stumped in how this module is to be used as programmed. My other thread on this subject suggests that, other than accessing it through a browser, it has no functions available to pass information between the board (Orion or other) and itself. I find that hard to understand.

The ESP8266 chip itself is often reprogrammed to provide an interface between Arduino and itself and I could do that. But it seems that’s a bit much for the average user of Makeblock kits.

I’m sure I’m not the only one whose purchased this module! So, any suggestions? Code examples?

Thanks!!!

#2

I also had some trouble with this board, so I decided to reprogram it with this software:
https://github.com/jeelabs/esp-link
and was able to send and receive data from a small program (written in Java) to/from the MeOrion board (Starter Kit).
After reprogramming and starting it, I configured the Wifi to connect to my router and my Java program communicates via port 23. That means the MeWifi board is just a bridge between my computer (Port 23) and the serial channel of the MeOrion.

#3

That is a great way to flash the module! It’s pretty far above my head but I’ve always learned best by just diving in. I’ve got several ESP8266 modules, so I’m going to try one of them first. It’s amazing what can be done with the ESP8266. I’ve seen a few arduino sized boards where they’ve replaced the SOC with the ESP. I’d like to grab a couple of those, too.
Thanks so much for the link.

#4

I think I originally missed the point and use of the module itself. Tech support said it supported ‘clear communication’ but no AT or other functions (on the module itself). I had an aha moment when I realized what that meant - it simply facilitates communication between the outside world and the Orion. That IS its function!
I had been trying to get the ip address back from the module - just for display on the TFT - and ended up missing the point.
Got it now…

#5

Did you get it to work without terminal program at PC? I only use Esp-Link because I did not understand how to use the original MeWifi sorftare without any terminal program.

#6

Not yet. I was sending all my serial results to the TFT, but it died two nights ago. Rather than recode to display on serial, I’m just waiting for the new one from Makeblock. (Studica, the seller, doesn’t honor any warranty stuff. Nice customer service.)
I’ve also not coded for the web before, so it’s going to be a learning curve for me to send commands, but using something like the java program you wrote, communicating with the Orion itself should be easy. I was originally looking to do more with the ESP8266 itself, but I can see the logic in what they’ve done here.
Honestly, I didn’t see the MeWifi software doing anything outside of allowing the module configuration and passing serial messages from a sender to the Orion. That’s what hung me up in the first place. I don’t see, yet, how it will send messages OUT, just how it can receive them.
As soon as I get the TFT, I’ll start working on it again. Meanwhile, I’ve got a half-dozen other ESP8266’s I’m working with. I’m hoping those projects will get me up to speed on sending commands to the Orion.
Programming the ESP itself seems relatively simple and all three I’ve used so far have connected and worked just fine. I have one connected to adafruit.io to control a solenoid and that was fairly easy.

#7

Michael, how did you flash the Me Wifi Module? I have just finished testing the original modules and and discovered that it does not work correctly. It does not support TCP and only UDP and even then it can receive but has problems in sending. Despite this I can get the Me Wifi Modules to work only with the Makeblock recommend communications test program USR-TCP232-Test but not with other programs. I think your solution to reflash the Me Wifi Module is the only way to get wifi coms to work.

#8

I connected the MeWifi with an USB Com cable connected through the pins near the connector (after some soldering).
The flashing itself was done with the ESP8266Flasher from the NodeMCU team http://www.nodemcu.com.

#9