WiFi Adapter
Has anyone already tried plugging in one of those ESP8266 modules that Prusa is planning to use in that 8pin header to see what happens? I have a couple around here, but not sure if any of them are still running the default firmware that those modules ship with. I've flashed most/all of them with custom projects
I wonder what exactly their plans are for it. As those ESP8266 modules come stock, their firmware basically emulates an old serial modem from way back when. You issue AT commands to the module to configure it to connect to WiFi then you can configure it to open a port that you could then telnet to and the data would come out of one of the two GPIO pins as TTL serial data. So you basically get a serial connection over WiFi.
I highly doubt it is going to be possible to implement a full TCP/IP stack though it that would behave the same as the actual ethernet port on the Mini. At least not without some really ambitious custom firmware running on the ESP8266. Perhaps that why it wasn't included in the box or as an option at launch?
The ESP8266 modules are pretty powerful devices in their own right, 32bit processors running at 80mhz stock and usually can overclock to 160mhz without much fuss. Though that 8pin module form factor they choose to use is quite limiting. It only has two GPIOs available on the pins, pretty much limiting you to TTL serial communication only.
I use a few of them and their bigger brothers the ESP32 around here for custom projects. Though I usually stick with the D1 mini style boards that expose more of the GPIOs. The 8 pin boards work great for things like WS2812 LED strips, since you can bitbang the protocol those light strips expect though one of the GPIOs. You might be able to bitbang an i2c bus though one of those 8pin modules.
RE: WiFi Adapter
I suspect, that they want to use the connector for something else in the future. You have 2 GPIOs / TX-RX interface and 3.3V power supply, which could be used almost for anything possible via some additional controller, like MMU, LEDs, automation, cloud, ... . Probably could be also used with a microcontroller (raspberry clone?) which connect via that connector to the board. Same as Octoprint sent via serial port commands, just custom board and software.
I wrote in some other post, if ESP connector could power also ESP32-CAM (via 3.3V). No reply yet
RE: WiFi Adapter
The firmware is not in place to support using the port yet. It is understood that you will be able to plug in and ESP-01 for Wi-Fi I don't know what else will be supported, but I suspect not a lot, unless you want to break the tab any build your own firmware. Prusa aren't giving forecast dates for software at the moment due to the delays caused by most of the team home working, but the last quote from Jo on a recent livestream was 'maybe around the end of the year'.
RE: WiFi Adapter
Hopefully it will come with the Print Farm service software.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: WiFi Adapter
Any update on when this will come out?
RE: WiFi Adapter
On one of the live streams Jo suggested WiFi would be by the end of the year, but the Covid restrictions mean their developers are working from home and this is less efficient so it may slip a bit. There's no word on the farm software.
RE: WiFi Adapter
Any updates on this? Still in progress, estimated availability, etc.?
RE: WiFi Adapter
In the meantime I have been using a WiFi enabled SD card in the MK3 printer.
It shows up as a drive on my computer and is quite convenient.
If there is an upgrade as you mention the card will go to my camera.....
REPAIR, RENEW, REUSE, RECYCLE, REBUILD, REDUCE, RECOVER, REPURPOSE, RESTORE
RE: WiFi Adapter
I've kinda given up on waiting for the wifi to be available. I did an octopi setup on a RPi 3A+ The Pi 3A+ is able to have power backfed though it's USB port So I have only a single usb cable on the Pi between it and the Mini. It pulls power off the Mini. There's a small solder pad bridge you need to bridge with a blob on solder on the bottom of the mini's controller board to enable power output on the mini's microusb port. I've been running this setup for months now with zero issues.
I have a feeling whenever the wifi does become available, it's going to take quite some time for the web UI to provide even some of the basic features you get with octopi. They haven't made much progress with that web UI even with it being available though the ethernet port.
RE: WiFi Adapter
I analysed the Buddy board and it seems to have a connector for an ESP-01 or -01s. Actually, the room available for plugging in a WiFi adapter makes it very unlikely that it could have fit a larger form factor than the one of an ESP-01. From my experience, providing a WLAN driver for the ESP8266 is of low to medium complexity. Hence, I do not understand why there is not already such an adapter available together with a respective firmware update. It has been promised since the release of the Prusa Mini and repeated recently for the Prusa Mini+. At least, some insight into the release planning for the Prusa Mini+ firmware might be helpful.