EX-CommandStation

ESP8266 (WiFi Boards) - AT Version Issues and Solutions

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Unfortunately the Espressif ESP8266 based WiFi Boards that are available for sale routinely come with versions of the firmware that simply do not work with EX‑CommandStation. This now seems to include the recommended Makerfabs ESP8266 WiFi Shield.

Which is correct version of the AT firmware

Only version 1.7.4 is known to work reliably.

That means all versions both before or after 1.7.4 are not suitable. So don’t be fooled in thinking that if it has a version later than that it will be ok. It won’t!

Symptoms of an Incorrect firmware Version

There several common symptoms of a an incorrect firmware version

  • You can’t connect to the SSID.

  • You can connect to the SSID, but can’t connect your WiFi throttle (e.g. Engine Driver or wiThrottle) to the CommandStation.

  • You can connect once, but it will not connect again unless you re-start the EX‑CommandStation.


Find out Your AT Version

It is important to find out which version of the firmware you board has and correct it if necessary.

There are two basic ways that you can check:

  • After you load the EX‑CommandStation software

  • Before you load the EX‑CommandStation software


Checking after you load the EX‑CommandStation software

One you have loaded the EX‑CommandStation software you will be able to see the AT version in the start-up log by connecting the serial monitor in either the EX‑Installer or Arduino IDE (whichever you used to upload the EX‑CommandStation onto your device).

Checking the AT version using EX-Installer

Once you have successfully loaded the EX‑CommandStation software:

  1. click back through the pages of the EX‑Installer till you get to the ‘Select your Device’ screen

  2. Click on the View device monitor button
    A new window will open and a lot of text will appear

  3. you need to look for a line that will have a section highlighted in green

e.g. AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

Alternately, you can enter the command <+GMR> and click Send. A similar line will be shown.

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.

Checking the AT version with the Arduino IDE

If you loaded the EX‑CommandStation software using the Arduino, once you have successfully loaded the EX‑CommandStation software:

  1. select Tools -> Serial monitor from the menus

  2. A new pane will open at the bottom of the IDE window will open and a lot of text will appear

  3. you need to look for a line similar to the following

e.g. AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

Alternately, you can enter the command <+GMR> and click Send. A similar line will be shown.

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.


Checking before you load the EX‑CommandStation software

How to check before you load the EX‑CommandStation software will depend on which WiFi shield or board you are using.

Checking the AT version of a ESP-01 or ESP-01s

Todo

Checking AT version ESP-01 prior to upload

There are a number of ways that you can check the AT version an a ESP-01 or ESP-01s:

  • with a USB Serial Adapter

  • with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

  • with a Arduino Uno

  • ESP8266 Wifi Shield

Checking the AT version of a with a USB Serial Adapter
  1. Connect the ESP01 to the serial adapter

  2. Plug the serial adapter it the PC

  3. Open the Arduino IDE

  4. Select Tools -> Serial monitor from the menus

  5. Select baud: 115200 and Both NL & CR

  6. A new pane will open at the bottom of the IDE window will open

  7. Enter the command AT+GMR and click Send.

It will reply with something like AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.

Checking the AT version of a with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

Todo

Checking AT version with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter prior to upload

Checking the AT version of a with a Arduino Uno

Todo

Checking AT version with a Arduino Uno prior to upload


Checking the AT version of a ESP8266 Wifi Shield

Todo

Checking AT version ESP8266 Wifi Shield prior to upload


Checking the AT version of a Duinopeak ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board

Todo

Checking AT version ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board prior to upload


Checking the AT version of a Mega+WiFi

Todo

Checking AT version Mega+WiFi prior to upload


What to do if you have the wrong version

The steps necessary to correct the version will depend on you hardware.

We highly recommend upgrading or downgrading to the “NonOS AT” version 1.7.4 available on our ESP8266 (WiFi Boards) download page prior to reaching out for support from the team.


Correcting the AT version on a ESP-01

Todo

Correcting AT version ESP-01

Correcting ESP-01 With a USB Serial Adapter

Todo

Correcting AT version ESP-01 With a USB Serial Adapter

Correcting ESP-01 With a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

Todo

Correcting AT version ESP-01 With a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

Correcting ESP-01 With a Arduino Uno

See https://cordobo.com/2300-flash-esp8266-01-with-arduino-uno/


Correcting the AT version on a ESP8266 Wifi Shield

See https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/projects/update-the-firmware-in-your-esp8266-wi-fi-module/

Correcting the ESP8266 Wifi Shield With a USB to TTL Converter Module Adapter

See https://gist.github.com/nathankellenicki/7008540322c617869cec17226cff579d

Correcting the AT version on a Duinopeak ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board

Todo

Correcting AT version Duinopeak ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board

Correcting the AT version on a Mega+WiFi

Flashing the ESP8266 chip on a Mega+WiFi is covered in detail here.