Interface de rede sem fio utilizando ESP32 como coprocessador

Abstract

The frequent adoption of Ethernet network interfaces in microcontrolled embedded systems is a widely practiced approach, as exemplified by the freePMU project, specialized in measuring electrical quantities in power systems, using exclusively hardware with Ethernet connectivity. However, this characteristic can pose a challenge, depending on the application goals, as it requires a physical connection to the network to operate. In this scenario, this study proposes a solution that utilizes System-on-Chips (SoCs) from the manufacturer Espressif as wireless network interfaces for a host device lacking this wireless functionality. This proposal incorporates the ESP-Hosted and lwIP libraries as fundamental elements of the solution, aiming to overcome limitations associated with the dependence on physical connectivity, providing greater flexibility and mobility to the embedded system. It is also noteworthy that this approach is applicable to a wide range of contexts requiring wireless connectivity in microcontrollers, extending beyond the specific scope of the freePMU project.