NodeMCU IoT Development Board – ESP8266 & ESP32



A cheap open source IoT platform is NodeMCU. It originally included hardware based on the ESP-12 module and firmware that runs on Espressif Systems' ESP8266 Wi-Fi SoC. Support for the 32-bit ESP32 MCU was later added.



Models Of Node MCU: 
8. ESP-14



History Of Node MCU: 

The ESP8266 was released shortly after NodeMCU was developed. The ESP8266 started being produced by Espressif Systems on December 30th, 2013. On October 13, 2014, Hong uploaded the first file of the nodemcu-firmware to GitHub, launching NodeMCU.  After two months, when developer Huang R contributed the gerber file for the devkit v0.9 ESP8266 board, the project was expanded to incorporate an open-hardware platform.

Later that month, Tuan PM contributed to the NodeMCU project and converted the Contiki MQTT client library to the ESP8266 SoC platform[15]. As a result, NodeMCU was able to implement the MQTT IoT protocol by utilising Lua to connect to the MQTT broker. Another significant update was released on January 30, 2015, when Devsaurus added support for the NodeMCU project's u8glib[16], which made it simple for NodeMCU to operate LCD, Screen, OLED, and even VGA displays.



PINS:
The GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) on NodeMCU is accessible, and the API documentation includes a pin mapping table. 

I/O index ESP8266 pin
0 [*] GPIO16
1 GPIO5
2 GPIO4
3 GPIO0
4 GPIO2
5 GPIO14
6 GPIO12
7 GPIO13
8 GPIO15
9 GPIO3
10 GPIO1
11 GPIO9
12 GPIO10

FAQs

1. What is NodeMCU used for in IoT projects

NodeMCU is widely used in IoT projects for building Wi-Fi-enabled applications such as smart home automation, environmental monitoring, wireless sensor networks, and remote device control. It allows devices to collect data from sensors and communicate it over the internet easily.

2. What is the difference between NodeMCU ESP8266 and ESP32

NodeMCU ESP8266 supports single-core processing with built-in Wi-Fi, making it ideal for simple IoT projects. ESP32 offers dual-core processing, higher speed, more GPIO pins, built-in Bluetooth, and improved performance, making it suitable for advanced and multi-tasking IoT applications.

3. Which NodeMCU models are available in the market

Popular NodeMCU models include NodeMCU ESP8266 (ESP-12E, ESP-12F) and NodeMCU ESP32 development boards. These models vary based on processing power, memory, and connectivity features.

4. Is NodeMCU suitable for beginners in IoT development

Yes, NodeMCU is beginner-friendly due to its low cost, easy programming, extensive online tutorials, and strong community support. It is widely used by students, hobbyists, and educators to learn IoT concepts.

5. What programming languages are supported by NodeMCU

NodeMCU supports Lua scripting by default. It can also be programmed using C and C++ through the Arduino IDE, which is the most common approach for IoT development.

6. Can NodeMCU be programmed using Arduino IDE

Yes, NodeMCU can be easily programmed using the Arduino IDE by installing the ESP8266 or ESP32 board package. This allows users to write Arduino-style sketches and upload them directly to the board.

7. Does NodeMCU have built-in Wi-Fi support

Yes, NodeMCU comes with built-in Wi-Fi, which enables seamless wireless communication without the need for external Wi-Fi modules, making it ideal for IoT applications.

8. What is the difference between ESP-12E and ESP8266 Wroom

ESP-12E is a module version of the ESP8266 with additional GPIO pins exposed, while ESP8266 Wroom refers to the compact module housing the ESP8266 chip with integrated antenna and flash memory. Both offer similar Wi-Fi functionality but differ in pin layout and board design.

9. Can NodeMCU be used for smart home applications

Yes, NodeMCU is commonly used in smart home projects such as smart lighting, home security systems, smart switches, and voice-controlled devices due to its reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.

10. How is NodeMCU powered during development

NodeMCU is typically powered via a USB cable connected to a computer or USB power adapter. It can also be powered using an external 5V or 3.3V power supply for standalone projects.