We just updated the following eBook/course:

• Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE (the latest version is now V2.2)

Here’s how you can download the updated eBook (the online version was also updated):

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE“
• Or open this link: https://rntlab.com/learn-esp32-welcome/
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK Version 2.2 »“

Updates:

Here’s a list with a summary of the eBook updates:

• Module 1 (Getting Started):
  • Unit 1: we improved the ESP32 board introduction.
  • Unit 2: we updated instructions for ESP32 boards installation to use the latest link.

• Module 3 (Deep Sleep):
  • Unit 3: we updated the code to match the example provided and explanation of the code.
  • Unit 4: we added an alternative method to define the external pins bitmask.

• Module 4 (Web Servers):
  • Unit 1: we added more details about concepts related to web servers and improved the explanation of some concepts.
  • Unit 7: we uppdated ngrok instructions and added some more tips about using ngrok to access your local web servers outside your network.

• Module 5 (BLE):
  • Unit 1: we added some more information to the BLE introduction.
  • Unit 2: we updated the instructions to use the nRF Connect app and new explanations to match the newly updated code.
  • Unit 3: we updated the code to use SIG default UUIDs for Environmental Sensing. We also updated the explanation of the code and printscreens of the nRF Connect app.

• Module 6 (LoRa):
  • Unit 3: we updated the information about commercial LoRa Gateways.

• Module 7 (MQTT):
  • Unit 1: we improved the introduction about MQTT communication protocol.
  • Unit 2: we updated the instructions to install Mosquitto MQTT Broker and enabled authentication with/without username and password.
  • Unit 3: we updated the code to use MQTT broker username and password.
  • Unit 4: we updated the code to use MQTT broker username and password.
  • Unit 5: we updated the Node-RED installation instructions and provided more information to get started with Node-RED easily. We expandaded the introduction so it’s easier to get started for beginners.
  • Unit 6: we updated the printscreens of Node-RED dashboard nodes.

• Module 8 (ESP-NOW):
  • we fixed some typos on ESP-NOW sketches.

We also fixed other minor typos and tested the sketches to make sure everything is working.

That’s it for the eBook updates.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/. We answer all the questions.

We just updated the following eBooks:

• SMART HOME with Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and ESP8266 (latest version is now V1.3)
• Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266 (latest version is now V1.3)
• Build Web Servers with the ESP32 and ESP8266 (latest version is now 2.2)

Here’s how you can download the updated eBooks:

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the eBook or eBooks that you have access and want to download
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION XX »” it will automatically download the latest version of the eBook.

What’s new?

Here’s a summary of the changes/updates on each eBook.

SMART HOME with Raspberry Pi, ESP32 and ESP8266

• Updated the number of the callmebot service that has changed;
• Updated instructions about Raspberry Pi nodes to control GPIOs (slightly changes since some Node-RED updates);
• Updated the instructions to use Cloudflare.

Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266

• Updated instructions to install nodejs;
• VS Code stopped supporting nodejs extension pack.

Build Web Servers with the ESP32 and ESP8266

• Updated Arduino IDE and ESP32/ESP8266 boards installation;
• Updated instructions to install SPIFFS and LittleFS uploader plugins;
• Updated the code to initialize the Filesystem;
• Fixed the javascript to display charts with the user correct local time;
• Updated OTA examples due to a deprecated method;
• Added workarounds to deal with the current incompatibility between the current AsyncWebServer library version on VS Code.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/. We answer all the questions.

Hi.

We just uploaded the latest version of the SMART with Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and ESP8266 eBook to the RNTLAB website. The newest version of the eBook is version 1.2.

Learn how to build a home automation system using open-source hardware and software: Node-RED, Node-RED Dashboard, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, ESP8266, MQTT, and InfluxDB database.

Here’s how you can download the updated eBook:

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “SMART HOME” eBook
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION 1.2 »”

What’s new?

The Smart Home version 1.2 was released today (March 8, 2023). Here’s what’s new:

• We fixed small bugs in the code and other small typos;
• We added some information about how to copy/paste commands using PuTTY software.
• We updated InfluxDB installation instructions. We also added some information about how to proceed in case the installation procedure is updated.
• We updated the instructions to install Telegraf on Raspberry Pi.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/. We answer all the questions.

We hope you’re doing well.

We’ve just updated our “ESP32-CAM Projects” eBook (January 7, 2023) to version 1.3 and it’s now available to all customers of previous versions.

Here’s how you can download the updated eBook:

1. Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
2. Click the Courses tab and select the “Build ESP32-CAM Projects”
3. Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION 1.3 »”

What’s new?

If you’re currently having issues with some of the projects, know that we’ve updated many of the sketches due to an update of the ESP32 core and other libraries.

Here’s a detailed description of what we’ve changed in each unit for version 1.3 of the eBook:

MODULE 1: Getting Started

• Unit 1: the latest version of Arduino IDE is version 2. However, we still recommend using the legacy version with the ESP32.
• Unit 2: we added more information about another ESP32 camera board, the Freenove Wrover ESP32 Camera board.
• Unit 3 :CameraWebServer example — the face recognition feature no longer works with the ESP32-CAM. The latest version of the example only works with ESP32 S3 boards. This is due to an updated on the ESP32 core for the Arduino IDE.
• Unit 4: we added some more details to the troubleshooting guide.

MODULE 2: Take Photos: Time-lapse, Camera Settings, Web Servers, SD Card Manager 

• Unit 5: with the new updates of the ESP32 core, when you get a frame buffer with fb_get(), it saves four different pictures in the buffer. So, when you try to get a new picture, it will return the next picture on the buffer that is four pictures old. How we resolve this issue:
  • set config.grab_mode = CAMERA_GRAB_LATEST; to show the latest picture in the buffer
  • set config.fb_count = 1; to get only one picture in the buffer – with this workaround it will display a picture that is one picture old.
  • to solve this issue, we added the following when taking a picture—basically getting the latest picture, clearing the buffer, and taking a new picture again. This ensures we always get the latest picture in the buffer:

// Take a photo with the camera
fb = esp_camera_fb_get();
esp_camera_fb_return(fb); // dispose the buffered image
fb = NULL; // reset to capture errors
// Get fresh image
Serial.println("Taking a photo...");
fb = esp_camera_fb_get();     
if (!fb) {
  Serial.println("Camera capture failed");
   return;
}

• Unit 6:
  • Same issues with the frame buffer as with the previous unit.
  • Now, we need to explicitly add “/” to all file paths when refering to files on the microSD card.

MODULE 3 – Take photos and Send Notifications

• Unit 1:
  • The ESP MAil Client library can now be installed using the Arduino Library Manager.
  • The library now uses LittleFS as a standard filesystem. We changed the code to use LittleFS filesystem.
  • There was an issue related to a library update when it comes to the timestamp—it’s fixed now.
  • We added the fix of previous units to prevent sending old pictures in the frame buffer.

• Unit 2:
  • We modified the code to use LittleFS as it is now the standard filesystem used by the ESP Mail Client Library.
  • The same issue related to the timestamp as in the previous unit it’s now fixed.
  • We added a snippet to discard the first three pictures that come with a green tint after a restart of the board.

• Unit 4:
  • We modified the code to use LittleFS as it is now the standard filesystem used by the ESP Mail Client Library.
  • The same issue related to the timestamp as in the previous unit it’s now fixed.
  • Fix to the code to send the most recent picture.

• Unit 5: 
  • We modified the code to fix the buffered images, so it sends the most recent picture.

• Unit 6:
  • We fixed the issue related to the multiple pictures in the frame buffer.

MODULE 4 – Video Streaming, Pan and Tilt, Car Robot

• Unit 3:
  • We added a more detailed description of Node-RED integration.

• Unit 5:
  • You need to use ESP32Servo Library version 0.4.2. More recent versions crash the camera video streaming.

• Unit 6:
  • We updated the instructions for the Node-RED instalation and added more information about Node-RED.
  • We added more information about ngrok software.
  • We updated ngrok printscreens.

MODULE 5 – Face Detection and Face Recognition

• Unit 2:
  • We modified the code to use LittleFS instead of SPIFFS.
  • We fixed the issue related to the multiple pictures in the frame buffer.

EXTRA UNITS

• Access Point:
  • We updated the code to use the latest CameraWebServer example.

• Static IP address:
  • We updated the code to use the latest CameraWebServer example.

APPENDIX

• We added the pin definition for Freenove ESP32-Wrover CAM Board.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/

We just want to announce that we’ve just finished updating our “SMART HOME with Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and ESP8266” eBook. The most updated eBook is version 1.1.

Learn how to build a home automation system using open-source hardware and software: Node-RED, Node-RED Dashboard, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, ESP8266, MQTT, and InfluxDB database.

Here’s how you can download the updated eBook:

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “SMART HOME” eBook
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION 1.1 »”

What’s new?

The Smart Home version 1.1 was released today (20 November 2022). Here’s what’s new:

• We fixed small bugs in the code and other small typos;
• We improved some of the instructions;
• We added a new module, Module 11, that covers how to add an ESP32-CAM surveillance camera to your Node-RED Home Automation System.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/

We’re happy to announce that we’ve just released a new eBook Smart Home with Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and ESP8266. It’s now available to all active RNT LAB members!

Throughout this eBook, you’ll learn how to build a home automation system and we’ll cover the following main subjects: Node-RED, Node-RED Dashboard, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, ESP8266, MQTT, and InfluxDB database.

It’s a colorful PDF eBook with approximately 400 pages that you can download right now.

Here’s how you can download the eBook:

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “SMART HOME with Raspberry Pi, ESP32 and ESP8266”
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION 1.0 »”

What’s inside?

Here’s a summarized table of contents of “SMART HOME” eBook version 1.0 (official release date: September 14, 2022):

• Module 1: Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi
• Module 2: Getting Started with Node-RED
• Module 3: Getting Started with MQTT
• Module 4: Introducing the ESP32 and ESP8266 Boards
• Module 5: Connecting the ESP32/ESP826  with Node-RED (MQTT)
• Module 6: InfluxDB Time-Series Database
• Module 7: Sending Notifications with Node-RED
• Module 8: Adding Rules and Triggering Events
• Module 9: Accessing Your Local System from Anywhere
• Module 10: Creating a Cloud Server

That’s it for now.

We hope you enjoy this new eBook that we’ve been working on for the past few months!

Regards,

Rui Santos & Sara Santos

I’m happy to announce that we’ve just updated our Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266 eBook to version 1.2 and it’s now available to all active RNT LAB members!

Build a Firebase Web Application to monitor and control your ESP32 and ESP8266 boards from anywhere in the world. All the data is saved on the Firebase Realtime Database. The web application is protected with login using email and password, and your database is protected using database rules.

It’s a colorful PDF eBook with approximately 230 pages that you can download right now.

Here’s how you can download the updated eBook:

1. Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
2. Click the Courses tab and select the “Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266”
3. Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK VERSION 1.2 »”

What’s new?

The Firebase eBook version 1.2 was released today (April 25, 2022). We added a new part (Part 6) that covers how to log data to the Realtime Database with timestamps. You’ll also learn how to display data on charts and tables, query data, and order data.

Here are the new contents:

• Part 6: Datalogging to the Realtime Database
  • Datalogging with timestamps
  • Datalogging Web App
  • Testing and Deploying your App
• We also fixed small bugs in the code and other small typos.

Thanks for your support.

Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/

I just want to announce that we’ve updated our MicroPython Programming with ESP32 and ESP8266 eBook to version 1.3. It is now available to all active RNTLAB members.

Here’s how you can download the eBook:

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “MicroPython Programming with ESP32 and ESP8266” eBook
• Or open this link: https://rntlab.com/welcome-micropython-programming-with-esp32-and-esp8266/
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD VERSION 1.3 »”

What’s New?

The microPython eBook version 1.3 was released today (February 7, 2022). Here’s what’s new:

• Instructions to program the ESP32/ESP8266 using Mu Editor, an intuitive MicroPython IDE suitable for beginners.
• Added some information to the deep sleep units.
• Updated some of the projects.
• Fixed small bugs in the code.
• Fixed some typos and eBook formatting.
• Updated the companion Troubleshooting PDF guide with the most common errors with MicroPython.

That’s all for now.

Thanks for your support.

Regards,
Rui

I’m really excited to announce that we’ve just released a new eBook Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266 and it’s now available to all active RNT LAB members!

Build a Firebase Web Application to monitor and control your ESP32 and ESP8266 boards from anywhere in the world. All the data is saved on the Firebase Realtime Database. The web application is protected with login using email and password, and your database is protected using database rules.

It’s a colorful PDF eBook with approximately 170 pages that you can download right now.

Here’s how you can download the eBook:

1. Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
2. Click the Courses tab and select the “Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266”
3. Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK 1ST EDITION »”

What’s inside?

Here’s a summarized Table of Contents of “Firebase Web App with ESP32 and ESP8266” eBook version 1.0 (official release date: October 26, 2021):

• Part 1: Creating a Firebase Project
• Part 2: Organizing your Database and Database Rules
• Part 3: ESP32/ESP8266: Interacting with the Realtime Database
• Part 4: Creating the Firebase Web App
• Part 5: Hosting your Web App (Custom Domain Name)

That’s it for now.

We hope you enjoy this new eBook that we’ve been working on for the past few months!

Regards,
Rui Santos and Sara Santos

P.S. If you need help following the eBook, please post your question in our Forum: https://rntlab.com/ask-question/

The Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE 2nd Edition version 2.1 is now available to all active RNT Lab members!

What’s new?

After having the projects presented in this eBook tested by our readers, we’ve fixed small typos and code errors throughout the eBook. All those errors have been fixed and you can get the latest eBook version.

Special thanks to Tino Fernández for helping improve this eBook

Download the latest eBook

• Login here: https://rntlab.com/courses
• Click the Courses tab and select the “Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE“
• Or open this link: https://rntlab.com/learn-esp32-welcome/
• Press the yellow button “DOWNLOAD EBOOK Version 2.1 »“

That’s it for now! More projects coming soon.

Thanks for reading.

Rui Santos