Understanding the Available Settings in ESP8266 Download Tool

Using Arduino Networking, Protocols, and Devices
#1

Hi all

3 days ago I successfully updated the Firmware of an ESP8266 module that I have,
thanks to a huge help from a user here in the forum, called Juraj.

The module was purchased in 2016, and has 8Mb (1MB) memory,
and so the latest Firmware from Espressif that I could Flash on it, was AT v1.6.2.

I created this thread because I am curious to understand the various settings in the Flashing tool's window.

Here is a screenshot of the window and settings that I used, and worked:

491×592 128 KB

The top part is pretty clear: Binary Files, and Addresses on the Flash chip to write them to.

But the not so obvious parts are for example:

"SPI Mode":
I have seen some people flash with QIO, and other with DIO.
In my case I used QIO, yet I wonder:
What is the difference?

Crystal Frequency:
All the tutorials that I saw, left it on 26M,
but you can sometimes see boards that the crystal for the ESP8266 chip is visible (not covererd by a metal shielding, like in many Ai-Thinker modules), and the crystal appears to be other frequency than 26MHz..

For example:

This board is a combination of Uno (ATmega328) + Wifi (ESP8266)

It's a bit hard to see in the picture, but
the ATmega328 has a 16MHz crystal,
and the ESP8266 has a 12MHz crystal.

So even in such a board you still choose "26M" when you flash the ESP8266?

Thank you for your help

#2

the SPI setting depends on flash memory connection on the module/board

the 12 MHz crystal is for the USB chip
the crystal for the esp8226 is I think the thing down right

#3

Juraj:
the SPI setting depends on flash memory connection on the module/board
Serial Peripheral Interface - Wikipedia

Oh..

When selecting the "SpiAutoSet" Checkbox,
which of these 4 settings does it auto set?

  • Crystal Frequency
  • SPI Speed
  • SPI Mode
  • Flash Size

I do know it sets Flash Size, because I saw it changing mine to 8Mb, like it should.
But are the first 3 also set by it? (or do I need to know myself, for example, If my module/board is QIO/DIO)

Juraj:
the 12 MHz crystal is for the USB chip
the crystal for the esp8226 is I think the thing down right

Oh you're right..
the 12MHz is for the CH340...

I took the Uno+Wifi and Mega2560+Wifi boards that I have,
and looked using a magnifying glass, and you are correct,
the crystal there is 26MHz

#4

card5:
Oh..

When selecting the "SpiAutoSet" Checkbox,
which of these 4 settings does it auto set?

  • Crystal Frequency
  • SPI Speed
  • SPI Mode
  • Flash Size

I do know it sets Flash Size, because I saw it changing mine to 8Mb, like it should.
But are the first 3 also set by it? (or do I need to know myself, for example, If my module/board is QIO/DIO)

SPI mode is not detected, you must set it. DOUT should always work, but is the slowest option. QIO is the fastest (more lines).

#5

Juraj:
SPI mode is not detected, you must set it.

How would I know that my module/board is DIO and not QIO?

Also,
when choosing the .BIN files to Flash,
the files:

  • boot
  • esp_init_data_default
    have several versions of them:

When I flashed my module, naturally I chose the latest version of each,
but did you ever had a situation where you chose not the latest?

#6

card5:
How would I know that my module/board is DIO and not QIO?

Also,
when choosing the .BIN files to Flash,
the files:

  • boot
  • esp_init_data_default
    have several versions of them:

When I flashed my module, naturally I chose the latest version of each,
but did you ever had a situation where you chose not the latest?

both things are still a mystery (for me at least)

#7

Why do you not just program the ESP device thru the Arduino IDE.?

You can write the whole code in the IDE and then compile and program.

I think I only used the original programming method about twice, then I just started to write all my ESP code in the IDE.

#8

Juraj:
both things are still a mystery (for me at least)

:wink:

Hiddenvision:
Why do you not just program the ESP device thru the Arduino IDE.?
You can write the whole code in the IDE and then compile and program.

I think I only used the original programming method about twice, then I just started to write all my ESP code in the IDE.

Hi Hiddenvision

The Arduino IDE is good for Flashing the ESP with a program that you write.
But If you don't want to write a program that runs on the ESP,
meaning you don't want to use the ESP as a Microcontroller, but only as a Wi-Fi module for another controller (e.g. the ATmega328), then the Arduino IDE will not help you in Flashing new AT Command firmware..
For that you need to use the Flashing tool..

#9