Member-only story
IoT without a Router
ESP32s have a special protocol for IoT
WiFi is ubiquitous in many countries. It is in homes, offices, shops, and some municipalities even offer WiFi connectivity. We often will see a sign somewhere on the premises telling us what the WiFi SSID and Password are, so we can connect our device. But what about “connectionless”? Well, it means the router is not needed. Two devices can interact directly without going through a dedicated network box somewhere. That can be vital if you place them somewhere that has no other WiFi.
Background on Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers like the ESP32s are made to be deployed somewhere and for the most part left alone to do their jobs. Sometimes they can be left unattended (or as attendants) for years, even running on small batteries. They are system-on-a-chip implementations that have not only what it takes to be a computer, but also “peripherals” of varying degrees of complexity, from simple 1/0 pins all the way up to these radios. Their on-chip hardware is connected to the rest of the world through pins. The Xiao layout is rather deceptive in that it has several “pads” on it for various things, plus pins, plus its USB connector, buttons, and one or more LEDs. But in the simplest terms, there is a chip with pins that is soldered onto its development board.
Microcontrollers typically require code to be “flashed” onto them after cross compiling on a larger, more general-purpose system. These are no different, and the…
