Request: Support for ESP32 SPI (Slave) WiFi / Bluetooth

[gxdeange]

Is it possible to add / create a plugin that allows the use of an ESP32 Module (in Slave mode) to add Wi-Fi / Bluetooth functionality via the SPI port? Regards George

[terjeio]

Yes, it can be done. The networking plugin has support for some WizNet ethernet modules already, which relies upon driver specific SPI interface implementations on top of the lowest level SPI code. So something similar has to be added for a new protocol. Bluetooth has to be added to such a stack, I assume for virtual serial port(s). If the SPI protocol for communicating with the ESP32 has to be defined and implemented then that will add quite a bit to the task.

[gxdeange]

Hi Terje Io,

I found this site that explains that the ESP32 module can be used as a slave WiFi / BT slave module;

https://www.espressif.com/en/products/socs/esp32#:~:text=ESP32%20can%20perform%20as%20a,SDIO%20or%20I2C%20%2F%20UART%20interfaces .

and then I found this GitHub page that I think has the specific firmware for the ESP32 module;

https://github.com/espressif/esp-at

I am seeing if the guys at CNC3D can make sense of this and if it can be used to create a slave SPI device that I am hoping you could build the plugin for.

I can then easily build a WiFi / BT hardware module.

Cheers and have a great weekend George

On Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 4:07 PM Terje Io @.***> wrote:

Yes, it can be done. The networking plugin has support for some WizNet ethernet modules https://github.com/grblHAL/Plugin_networking/tree/master/wiznet already, which relies upon driver specific SPI interface https://github.com/grblHAL/RP2040/blob/master/w5x00_ll_driver.c implementations on top of the lowest level SPI code https://github.com/grblHAL/RP2040/blob/master/spi.c. So something similar has to be added for a new protocol. Bluetooth has to be added to such a stack, I assume for virtual serial port(s). If the SPI protocol for communicating with the ESP32 has to be defined and implemented then that will add quite a bit to the task.

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[terjeio]

I am seeing if the guys at CNC3D can make sense of this

For what purposes, serial over TCP? Or a full TCP/IP stack? If they have implemented a lwip low-level driver like the WizNet one then with luck the current networking plugin can be used. If not and a full TCP/IP stack with protocol support on top is required then that will be a major undertaking.

FYI the Bluetooth plugin uses AT commands over UART to establish a serial connection, this could likely be adapted for telnet over UART fairly easily.

[gxdeange]

I am hoping they can incorporate the Espressif firmware onto an ESP32 module so it can be used as a slave device for other MCU's (such as the STM32 platform). I expect it will be full TCP/IP but I am really not sure. I am hoping that you can reuse as much code / plugins you already have to simplify this as much as possible (similar communications method as the Networking Plugin)

Cheers George

[terjeio]

I'll put this on my longer term todo list since I need a break from intensive grblHAL development. If someone else want to give it a shot before I do then go for it.

Note that a WizNet module might be a better choice - if there is a lwip low-level driver available for it.