[SOLVED] Problems with ESP8266 and NRF24L01+

[numanx]

Hello,
I have a problem using an ESP8266 and a NRF24L01+ module.
I followed all the steps from this guide https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help and still it won't work.
I am using an adapter like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5pcs-Socket-Adapter-Module-Board-for-NRF24L01-Wireless-Module/32368381876.html for converting the power and for power stability.
I have two NRF24L01+ modules and I've tested them with an Arduino Nano which it works.
I can't get it to work with ESP8266, I've checked the wirings multiple times.
Arduino IDE 1.6.8 with latest version of MySensors Library on Linux and Mac OS X using an ESP8266 and NRF24L01+
I've tried to power the module directly from ESP8266 and separately from a 5V PSU with the 5V regulator adapter and common ground with the ESP8266.

Thanks for your help!

This is the serial monitor error:

0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;!TSM:INIT:TSP FAIL
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:FAIL:CNT=7
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:FAIL:PDT
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT```

[sundberg84]

@numanx said in Problems with ESP8266 and NRF24L01+:

separately from a 5V PSU with the 5V regulator

You mean 3.3v adapter? The ESP is not compatible with 5v.

Do you use the NodeMCU as described in the build section or another device? I know the pinout can be a bit tricky...

[numanx]

This is the sketch that I'm using.

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
#define MY_DEBUG

// Use a bit lower baudrate for serial prints on ESP8266 than default in MyConfig.h
#define MY_BAUD_RATE 9600

// Enables and select radio type (if attached)
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
#define MY_GATEWAY_ESP8266

#define MY_ESP8266_SSID "MySSID"
#define MY_ESP8266_PASSWORD "MyVerySecretPassword"

// If using static ip you need to define Gateway and Subnet address as well
#define MY_IP_GATEWAY_ADDRESS 192,168,178,1
#define MY_IP_SUBNET_ADDRESS 255,255,255,0

// The port to keep open on node server mode
#define MY_PORT 5003

// How many clients should be able to connect to this gateway (default 1)
#define MY_GATEWAY_MAX_CLIENTS 2

#if defined(MY_USE_UDP)
#include <WiFiUdp.h>
#endif

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>

#include <MySensors.h>

void setup()
{
}

void presentation()
{
	// Present locally attached sensors here
}


void loop()
{
	// Send locally attached sensors data here
}```

[numanx]

@sundberg84
The ESP8266 was running from my PC using a usb cable.
I've tried to power the NRF24L01+ from the ESP8266 directly with dupont cable also I've tried through the Socket adapter plate board. I've tried to power the NRF24L01+ from a 5V power supply. The NRF24L01+ ground was common with the ESP8266 ground and the VCC on the adapter(which pass through the 5V to 3.3V regulator and then to NRF24L01+) was connected from the 5V power supply.

I am using the NodeMCU as described in the following link https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio#nrf24l01+-&-esp8266

[sundberg84]

@numanx - good, then the nodeMCU regulated the voltage to 3.3v internaly if you power it through the USB.

tried to power the NRF24L01+ from a 5V power supply

Make sure you power the radio with 3.3v as well... the radio cant handle 5v. Use 3V3 from the nodeMCU.

!TSM:INIT:TSP FAIL

This means the radio cant initialize.
Either its wrong wired, got the wrong power or its a bad radio.

[NeverDie]

@numanx
Make sure you wire not to MOSI, etc., but to HMOSI, etc.

[numanx]

@sundberg84 @NeverDie
Thanks for your answers.
I've connected the ESP8266 and NRF24L01+ exactly as described in Connecting the Radio(https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio) at the NRF24L01+ & ESP8266 section.
Still the same error, I've tried rewiring a couple of times using different wires.

[NeverDie]

Which board did you pick beneath the board manager?

[NeverDie]

@numanx
Also, what voltage are you supplying the socket adapter with? If you're supplying it with 3.3v, then that may be your problem. Supply it with 5v instead. It has a voltage regulator to reduce the voltage to 3.3v, but if you feed it with 3.3v instead, it maybe isn't producing enough regulated voltage.

[mfalkvidd]

How about skipping the adapter, at least temporarily to check whether the radio works without it. That would eliminate one possible problem source.

[numanx]

@NeverDie
The board selected is NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E module)
I've tried suplying the adapter with 3.3v and also with 5V.

@mfalkvidd
Now the radio is connected directly to the ESP8266 but still I have the same error.

[NeverDie]

At this point, it becomes 20 questions unless you post detailed photos of exactly what you've done. Either your hardware is defective or you've made an error that you can't see by yourself.

If all else fails, you can try this instead:
https://www.openhardware.io/view/442/Small-nRF24L01-Shield-for-ESP8266-Wemos-D1-Mini
It's not nodemcu, but it is ESP8266. It does the "wiring" for you. And it works.

[numanx]

Now I have another problem...
I've tried to change the Wireless SSID and Password in the sketch and it seems that after uploading on the ESP8266 it doesn't update them. I've tried clearing EEPROM memory and now the ESP8266 seems to be stucked in the AP mode and I have some strange characters when I open Serial Monitor...

0;255;3;0;9;MCO:BGN:INIT GW,CP=RNNGE--,VER=2.1.1
0;255;3;0;9;TSF:LRT:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;TSF:WUR:MS=0
0;255;3;0;9;!TSM:INIT:TSP FAIL
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:FAIL:CNT=1
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:FAIL:PDT
chg_A2:-40

[numanx]

Ok, I've solved the problem with the Wireless SSID and password by uploading the HelloServer sketch from the ESP8266 examples.
Now I rewire the ESP8266 and Radio and I will post some photos.

[numanx]

Here are the photos of the ESP8266 board, NR24L01+ and the wiring.

[numanx]

[NeverDie]

It's hard to tell from your photos what is wired to what.

Suggest you upgrade to the current Arduino IDE and verify that you have the most current NodeMCU board definition installed. Also confirm that you're using the latest release of the Mysensors library.

Have you verified that your hardware is working? e.g. try the radio module in a different "known good" platform and see if it runs correctly. On the NodeMCU, try driving something else that has a SPI interface and confirm that it works properly.

If all of the above checks out, then I would think the next step would be to use a logic probe to see if you're getting the proper signals sent between your NodeMCU and the nRF24L01 module. If not, maybe you need to add a pull-up or a pull-down resistor on one of the datalines. The logic probe would tell the tale.

[numanx]

Finally got it!
It seems that I have a problem with the ESP8266.
After about 24 Hours of debugging I found the problem...

Steps:
Checked if the wiring is good with a multimeter probe on each pin of the adapter(which I know it worked) and each pin of the radio to verify the correct pinout.
It seems that the pinout was ok and the wiring was also ok.
Write a sketch with all the ports from D2 to D8 in output HIGH and with a little buzzer I've tested each pin.
It seems that D7 doesn't give voltage.
Checked the pinout diagram for the ESP-12E. Checked for continuity between GPIO13(from the chip) and D7 and there was no continuity.
Tried to connect the radio MOSI Pin directly to GPIO13 and IT WORKED!

0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT:TSP OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT:GW MODE
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY:ID=0,PAR=0,DIS=0
0;255;3;0;9;MCO:REG:NOT NEEDED

Is there any way to move the MOSI pin from the board to another digital pin from ESP8266?
Thanks!

[mfalkvidd]

Great work @numanx !

It is possible to use software spi instead of hardware spi (hardware spi only works with the default pins). See https://www.mysensors.org/build/ethernet_gateway for how to enable software spi and use #define directives to use different pins.

[NeverDie]

@numanx said in Problems with ESP8266 and NRF24L01+:

Checked the pinout diagram for the ESP-12E. Checked for continuity between GPIO13(from the chip) and D7 and there was no continuity.
Tried to connect the radio MOSI Pin directly to GPIO13 and IT WORKED!

Good work!

Check the solder connection between the GPIO13 and the pcb. Probably it's faulty. With a little luck probably you can just re-solder the connection manually, and `then you'll be good to go.

[numanx]

@mfalkvidd
It seems that ESP8266 doesn't support SOFTSPI

In file included from /home/numanx/Arduino/ESP8266OTA/ESP8266OTA.ino:120:0:
/home/andreihering/Arduino/libraries/MySensors/MySensors.h:248:2: error: #error Soft SPI is not available on ESP8266

[mfalkvidd]

@numanx oh. Sorry. My bad.

[numanx]

@NeverDie @mfalkvidd
Today I've resoldered the ESP8266 Chip.
Everything works perfect.
Thanks for your help!

[George Laynes]

This thread has been a life saver for me.
Just wanted to drop a line for anyone else who might be despairing why despite numerous tests, the radio would still not work on the NodeMCU.

In my case, it was NodeMCU v3 from Lolin and I had two traces not workingbetween GPIO13 and GPIO12 - there was no continuity of the trace between the ESP-12E chip and the board pins. I had to solder those two traces together and now - everything works!

Thank you for inspiring me to look for this problem.