▶️The NodeMCU ESP8266 CH340 is an open-source development board that features the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module and a CH340 USB-to-serial chip for communication.
▶️It is often an affordable alternative to boards using the CP2102 chip.
▶️CH340: An affordable and widely used chip for entry-level boards. It often has a plug-and-play experience, particularly on modern operating systems, though older ones may require a manual driver installation.
✅ Features and applications
▶️Easy to program: The board is easily programmable using the Arduino IDE or Lua scripts, with an advanced API for hardware I/O.
▶️Fast prototyping: Its breadboard-friendly form factor and integrated features accelerate the development process for IoT applications.
▶️IoT platform: Serves as a versatile and low-cost open-source platform for creating Wi-Fi-enabled devices and smart gadgets.
▶️Use cases: Common applications include smart home automation systems, remote monitoring, and sensor networks for temperature, humidity, and more.
▶️Over-the-air (OTA) updates: Supports remote firmware upgrades, allowing for convenient updates without a physical connection.
▶️TCP/IP stack: Includes a built-in TCP/IP protocol stack, which supports multiple client connections.
✅ Key specifications
▶️Microcontroller: ESP8266 (Tensilica Xtensa LX106 32-bit microprocessor)
▶️Flash Memory: 4 MB
▶️SRAM: 64 KB
▶️Clock Speed: 80 MHz, adjustable to 160 MHz
▶️Digital I/O Pins: 11 GPIO pins, which support PWM, I2C, and 1-Wire capabilities
▶️Analog Input Pins: 1 ADC (analog-to-digital converter) pin with a 10-bit resolution
▶️Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11 b/g/n, with support for WPA/WPA2 security protocols
▶️Wi-Fi Operating Modes: Supports three modes: Station (STA), Access Point (AP), and both (STA+AP)
▶️Input Voltage: 7-12V recommended, with a 4.5V to 9V range via the VIN pin, or 5V via the Micro USB port
▶️Operating Voltage: 3.3V
▶️Onboard Chip: CH340G USB-to-TTL serial converter for programming and debugging via a Micro USB port