Arduino with NRF24L01+ comms with ESP32

Hi,

Firstly I'd like to say I'm very new to using microcontrollers so go easy !

I wanted to know if there is a way to communicate between an Arduino nano which is using NRF24L01+ for wireless communication and an ESP32.

I've been using two arduino nanos with NRF24L01+ to send sensor data back and forth on a RC project I am working on. I've created a PCB connecting up the NRF24, arduino nano, some potentiometers and an OLED display to use as a controller so I'd like to keep using the arduino and NRF24 setup on that end (since I already designed and ordered the PCBs) but want to use an ESP32 to collect the data from the sensors and control the servos as there are more analog and PWM channels on the ESP32.

I've been using the RF24.h library on the nano board at the moment. I understand there is a communication protocol on the ESP32 called ESPNOW. Is there a way / a library to communicate data between the NRF24L01+ and the ESP32?

Thanks in advance!

If you mean that you want the ESP32 to communicate with the nRF24 modules then you need to add an nRF24 module to the ESP32.

...R

Thanks Robin!

I meant between the Arduino and ESP32 (Two way communication) apologies for not clarifying.

Is there no library or other way to communicate between NRF24 and the ESP32 directly without an additional NRF24? Trying to get things as streamline as possible, perhaps this is showing my lack of knowledge on the subject but if they are both use 2.4ghz Wifi to communicate I would've thought there'd be a way to for the NRF24 to talk directly to the Wifi on the ESP32...Very good chance I'm wrong with this but if someone cold point me in the right direction as to where I can learn and understand this better would be appreciated!

Worst case I can re write everything and redesign a PCB/a temp perf board to work with the ESP32, It would just be a lot easier if there was a way to talk send and receive data from both the NRF24 (connected to the nano) and the built in wifi of the ESP32.

Just because two devices use the same frequency, 2.4Ghz, it does not mean that they can talk to each other, mostly different radio devices do not talk to each other.

Lots of stuff out there on how to use an NRF24 module with an ESP32, but no mention of the ESP32 being able to emulate the NRF24 protocol.

amanbasra:
Is there no library or other way to communicate between NRF24 and the ESP32 directly without an additional NRF24?

No. The hardware is not compatible.

...R

srnet:
Lots of stuff out there on how to use an NRF24 module with an ESP32, but no mention of the ESP32 being able to emulate the NRF24 protocol.

You could write your own.

Idahowalker:
You could write your own.

You may be able to but I couldn't.

Or at least I would not be prepared to devote the time needed to learn how to do it just to save the price of an nRF24 module.

...R

Robin2:
You may be able to but I couldn't.

Or at least I would not be prepared to devote the time needed to learn how to do it just to save the price of an nRF24 module.

...R

I have better things to do with my time than spend some weeks trying to make it work and almost certainly failing.

Remind me, how much is a NRF24 ?

Switched to using two ESP32 modules. Thanks for the help and info!

The issue wasn't with the cost of NRF24 modules, in-fact, I have a whole bunch lying around. It's more about the mess of wires when prototyping and the unnecessary extra hardware. . Having two modules that can wirelessly communicate without additional hardware and wiring makes things a lot easier and quicker to test. More a matter of preference and ease of use. Would've been nice to be able to use the PCB I designed as I've modelled and 3d printed a nice remote out of it but a breadboard will do the trick for now!

As mentioned I'm still getting the lay of the land with micro controllers and have only recently discovered the esp32 or I would've started with using them!

Thanks again