Synchronization in multiple ESP8266 controllers

Using Arduino Displays
1

Hello! I am using six ESP8266 controllers in STA mode, and each controller is connected to an individual P10 display combination powered through the same SMPS. I'm facing difficulty in synchronizing the scrolling text on the displays. Is it possible to achieve synchronization using ESP-NOW?

2

ESP-NOW works with paired devices not an sextet of devices. You will need some standard to sync from that all can access. Possibly do it at a given second or whatever is available. This will allow them to Que up then update at about the same time.

3

Since your problems relates ONLY to the display part of the project, I would make the actual displaying hold and wait for a timing signal to do the actual display code. Where the distributed timing signal comes from is up to you, but has to relate to how fast you want the display to scroll.

4

@gilshultz thank you for reply .

I attempted to address synchronization issues by using millis to wait for a specific time. Although it initially appears synchronized, problems arise when accessing a simple webpage and pushing data. A delay is introduced, causing a particular display to fall out of sync. To rectify this, manual intervention is required to turn off and on all displays so that their loops are synchronized again.

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@Paul_KD7HB Thank you for reply.
same i tried hold and wait like but the issue is getting which i explained to the @gilshultz . how should i eliminate this.

void loop{ 
 unsigned long initialTime = millis();
 productShow();
 unsigned long elapsedTime2 = millis() - initialTime;
    unsigned long testDelay = 38000 - elapsedTime2;
    delay(testDelay);
}
6

Where in that snippet are you testing for a system-wide timing signal before doing the display?

1 Like
7

That could work if the time is exactly in both units. Any errors in time will show up on your display. If the starting time for the delay is different the result will be different. Since they are both powered by the same SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) can you run a sync wire between them?

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