Arduino

Electronics platform

Arduino

We'll be using the Arduino platform and IDE to write our code

Install Arduino IDE

Download and install the Arduino IDE.

Download Arduino IDE for

Windows

Install board definitions

Copy this URL

http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

Open the Arduino IDE preferences
In the Additional Boards Manager URLs

Install the esp8266 boards definitions

Open the Board Manager in Tools › Board › Boards Manager

Search for esp8266
Install the boards definition
Close Arduino and open it again so the board configurations are loaded

Configure Arduino for this project

Connect your board using the USB cable.

Make sure you are using the appropriate COM port under Tools › Port
Make sure you have selected the appropriate board board under Tools › Board:

Use LOLIN (WEMOS) D1 mini Pro

Install libraries

AdaFruit Neopixel

We are going to use the Library Manager to install this library

Open the Library Manager by clicking on the menu Sketch › Include Library ›
Manage Libraries
Search for neopixel
Select Adafruit NeoPixel by Adafruit
Click the Install button
Don't close the Library Manager dialog yet

ArduinoJson

We will use the Library Manager again to install this one

Open the Library Manager by clicking on the menu Sketch › Include Library › Manage Libraries
Search for ArduinoJson
Select ArduinoJson by Benoit Blanchon
Make sure you select the v5 version
Click the Install button
Don't close the Library Manager dialog yet

Firebase ESP8266 Client

We will also install this library using the Library Manager

Open the Library Manager by clicking on the menu Sketch › Include Library › Manage Libraries
Search for firebase
Select FirebaseESP8266 Client by Mobitz
Click the Install button
Close the Library Manager

Restart Arduino IDE

After updating or installing libraries, restarting Arduino IDE is required for changes to take effect

Test program

Let's write a program that tests our RGB LED and its connections. First, open the Arduino IDE

Notice that Arduino programs have at least two functions:

Setup runs once when the device starts
Loop runs again and again, indefinitely, while the device is powered on.

Let's copy the code below and make some magic happen

neopixel-test.ino

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

// This code asumes your data pin is 2. Change it if you need to
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(1, D4, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

void setup() {
  strip.begin();
  strip.setBrightness(255);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
    strip.setPixelColor(0, strip.Color(255, 0, 0));
    Serial.println("red");
    strip.show();
    delay(500);
    
    strip.setPixelColor(0, strip.Color(0, 255, 0));
    Serial.println("green");
    strip.show();
    delay(500);
    
    strip.setPixelColor(0, strip.Color(00, 0, 255));
    Serial.println("blue");
    strip.show();
    delay(500);
}