I like to use microcontrollers with proper documentation and possibly toolsвЂ¦at least a proper reference manual, datasheet e.t.c. In order to get proper hardware documentation you have the sign your life away. IвЂ™m not a big fan of вЂhereвЂ™s the chip and buggy sdk and good luckвЂ™. But I still prefer to develop for a microcontroller of my choice and add a device dedicated to doing WiFi. Posted in Microcontrollers Tagged ESP, ESP8266, serial, Serial to WiFi, wifi Post navigation For the next time youвЂ™re flashing a router with OpenWRT, donвЂ™t bother digging out the USB adapter an ESP is all you need. The web interface for this firmware is very nice, but you really donвЂ™t need it the entire purpose of this firmware is to be even more transparent than an FTDI USB to serial adapter. ItвЂ™s a simple bridge between WiFi and serial, and can function as an AVR programmer in a pinch. This project uses jeelabsвЂ™ ESP-link firmware for the ESP8266. ItвЂ™s the perfect device for reflashing a cheap WiFI router with new firmware, or just providing you with wireless serial connections to go along with your wireless Internet. In our haste to build WiFi throwies, WiFi blinkies, and freaking WiFi server farms, we seem to have forgotten that thereвЂ™s still a use for a device that turns a 3.3V TTL into a WiFi connection. This requires drivers, though, and there is actually a simpler вЂ“ and wireless вЂ“ solution: the ESP8266 WiFi module.Дespite being the best little IoT device on the block, the ESP8266 was originally designed to be a USB to WiFi adapter. The common form of theВ USB to Serial adapter is an FTDI breakout board. With this, you can flash new firmware to routers, and ply the vast binary seas of embedded hardware. One of the most useful tools in the hardware hackers toolbox is a USB to serial adapter.

Esp8266 serial port adapter