Beginner
10 min

Simplify secure device-to-cloud connections with ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4-A and PIC18F47K42TQFP

IoT ExpressLink: Turning ordinary projects into extraordinary IoT solutions

IoT ExpressLink Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F47K42

Published Feb 13, 2024

Click board™

IoT ExpressLink Click

Dev.Board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F47K42

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F47K42TQFP

Driven by a commitment to simplicity and security, our purpose is to make it easy for users to securely connect their devices to the cloud and effortlessly integrate with the extensive offerings of AWS services.

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A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

IoT ExpressLink Click is based on the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4-A, a general-purpose 2.4GHz WiFi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth® 5 LE combo module from Espressif Systems that comes with an onboard PCB antenna. This module's core is the ESP32C3 series of SoC RISCV single-core 32-bit microprocessor (ESP32-C3FN4), a chip with an embedded flash of 4MB and a clock speed of up to 160MHz. Since flash is packaged in the ESP32-C3FN4 chip rather than integrated into the module, the ESP32-C3-MINI-1-N4-A has a smaller package size. Thanks to its rich set of features necessary to implement IoT ExpressLink services, this Click board™ is ideal for smart homes, industrial automation, health care, consumer

electronics, and generic IoT sensor hubs and data logger applications. The IoT ExpressLink Click interfaces with a host MCU through UART communication, which involves sending AT commands using RX and TX pins operating at a rate of 115200bps. Besides the UART pins, this Click board™ also employs other pins of the mikroBUS™ socket to enhance its functionality. For example, the WK pin is utilized as a module wake-up pin, the EVT pin detects significant events during operation, and the device enable pin RST offers a switch operation to turn ON/OFF the module. On the left side of the board, it is possible to find an additional unpopulated header that offers full support for debugging and

programming capabilities. With this header, the user can use a JTAG interface for programming and debugging, available through the JTAG interface pins (TDO, TCK, TDI, and TMS). On the right side of the board, there is also a set of unpopulated headers like extra UART pins for debugging and a header with user-configurable general-purpose I/O pins. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

IoT ExpressLink Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

PIC18F47K42 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate the PIC18F47K42 microcontroller (MCU). Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F47K42 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive mechanical user switch

providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options.

Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 2.3V to 5.1V (limited by USB input voltage), with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F47K42 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

40

RAM (Bytes)

8192

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Reset
PC7
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Module Wake-Up
PA4
PWM
Event Detection
PB4
INT
UART TX
PB0
TX
UART RX
PB3
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

IoT ExpressLink Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F47K42 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Barometer 13 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47K42 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Curiosity Nano with PIC18F47XXX MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

After loading the code example, pressing the "DEBUG" button builds and programs it on the selected setup.

Application Output Step 1

After programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions available in the IDE appears. By clicking the green "PLAY "button, we start reading the results achieved with Click board™.

Application Output Step 3

Upon completion of programming, the Application Output tab is automatically opened, where the achieved result can be read. In case of an inability to perform the Debug function, check if a proper connection between the MCU used by the setup and the CODEGRIP programmer has been established. A detailed explanation of the CODEGRIP-board connection can be found in the CODEGRIP User Manual. Please find it in the RESOURCES section.

Application Output Step 4

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for IoT ExpressLink Click driver.

Key functions:

  • iotexpresslink_reset_device - This function resets device by toggling the RST pin state.

  • iotexpresslink_send_cmd - This function send command string by using UART serial interface.

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief IoT ExpressLink Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of IoT ExpressLink click board by bridging the USB UART
 * to mikroBUS UART which allows the click board to establish a connection with
 * the IoT ExpressLink over the Quick Connect demo application without an AWS account.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver, resets the click board to factory default settings, reads
 * and displays the vendor model and thing name on the USB UART, sets the WiFi credentials,
 * and attempts to connect to the AWS Cloud. If the initial attempt fails and the error
 * message "Failed to access network" or "Failed to login AWS (MQTT) broker" appears,
 * check the WiFi credentials and try running the example again.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * All data received from the USB UART will be forwarded to mikroBUS UART, and vice versa.
 * At this point you should disconnect from the UART terminal and run the Quick Connect
 * demo application.
 *
 * ## Additional Function
 * - static void iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf ( void )
 * - static err_t iotexpresslink_process ( uart_t *uart )
 * - static err_t iotexpresslink_read_response ( iotexpresslink_t *ctx )
 *
 * @note
 * To run the demo, follow the below steps:
 * 1. If you opened a terminal application in the previous step, be sure to disconnect that
 *    application from the serial port. 
 * 2. Download the Quick Connect executable: 
 *    Mac: https://quickconnectexpresslinkutility.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/QuickConnect_v1.9_macos.x64.tar.gz
 *    Windows: https://quickconnectexpresslinkutility.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/QuickConnect_v1.9_windows.x64.zip
 *    Linux: https://quickconnectexpresslinkutility.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/QuickConnect_v1.9_linux.x64.tar.gz
 * 3. Unzip the package, and follow the steps from the README file.
 * 
 * The demo will connect to IoT ExpressLink and give you an URL that you can use to visualize data
 * flowing from the device to the cloud using AT+SEND commands. The demo will run for up
 * to two minutes, and afterwards, you will be able to type AT+SEND commands yourself and
 * see the data coming in on the visualizer.
 * 
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "iotexpresslink.h"

#define PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE 500

// Enter valid WiFi credentials below
#define WIFI_SSID   "MikroE Public"     // WiFi SSID
#define WIFI_PASS   "mikroe.guest"      // WiFi Password

static iotexpresslink_t iotexpresslink;
static log_t logger;

static uint8_t app_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
static int32_t app_buf_len = 0;

/**
 * @brief IoT ExpressLink clearing application buffer.
 * @details This function clears memory of application buffer and reset its length.
 * @note None.
 */
static void iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief IoT ExpressLink data reading function.
 * @details This function reads data from device and concatenates data to application buffer. 
 * @param[in] ctx : Click context object.
 * See #iotexpresslink_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @return @li @c  0 - Read some data.
 *         @li @c -1 - Nothing is read.
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t iotexpresslink_process ( iotexpresslink_t *ctx ) ;

/**
 * @brief IoT ExpressLink read response function.
 * @details This function waits for a response message, reads and displays it on the USB UART.
 * @param[in] ctx : Click context object.
 * See #iotexpresslink_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @return @li @c  0 - OK response.
 *         @li @c -2 - Timeout error.
 *         @li @c -3 - Command error.
 *         @li @c -4 - Unknown error.
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t iotexpresslink_read_response ( iotexpresslink_t *ctx );

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    iotexpresslink_cfg_t iotexpresslink_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    iotexpresslink_cfg_setup( &iotexpresslink_cfg );
    IOTEXPRESSLINK_MAP_MIKROBUS( iotexpresslink_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( UART_ERROR == iotexpresslink_init( &iotexpresslink, &iotexpresslink_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Reset device\r\n\n" );
    iotexpresslink_reset_device ( &iotexpresslink );
    Delay_ms ( 2000 );
    log_printf( &logger, "Factory reset\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_FACTORY_RESET );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    Delay_ms ( 2000 );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Vendor model\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_CONF_CHECK );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SEPARATOR );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CONF_KEY_ABOUT );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Thing name\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_CONF_CHECK );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SEPARATOR );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CONF_KEY_THING_NAME );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "WiFi SSID\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_CONF );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SEPARATOR );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CONF_KEY_SSID );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SIGN_EQUAL );
    strcat ( app_buf, WIFI_SSID );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "WiFi Password\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_CONF );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SEPARATOR );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CONF_KEY_PASSPHRASE );
    strcat ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_SIGN_EQUAL );
    strcat ( app_buf, WIFI_PASS );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Try to connect\r\n" );
    strcpy ( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_CMD_CONNECT );
    iotexpresslink_send_cmd ( &iotexpresslink, app_buf );
    iotexpresslink_read_response ( &iotexpresslink );
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "Now close the UART terminal and switch to the QuickConnect app\r\n" );
    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    
    uart_set_blocking( &logger.uart, false );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    app_buf_len = uart_read( &logger.uart, app_buf, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
    if ( app_buf_len > 0 ) 
    {
        uart_write ( &iotexpresslink.uart, app_buf, app_buf_len );
        iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
    }
    app_buf_len = uart_read( &iotexpresslink.uart, app_buf, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
    if ( app_buf_len > 0 ) 
    {
        uart_write ( &logger.uart, app_buf, app_buf_len );
        iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
    }
}

void main ( void ) 
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}

static void iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf ( void ) 
{
    memset( app_buf, 0, app_buf_len );
    app_buf_len = 0;
}

static err_t iotexpresslink_process ( iotexpresslink_t *ctx ) 
{
    uint8_t rx_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
    int32_t rx_size = 0;
    rx_size = iotexpresslink_generic_read( ctx, rx_buf, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
    if ( rx_size > 0 ) 
    {
        int32_t buf_cnt = app_buf_len;
        if ( ( ( app_buf_len + rx_size ) > PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ) && ( app_buf_len > 0 ) ) 
        {
            buf_cnt = PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE - ( ( app_buf_len + rx_size ) - PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
            memmove ( app_buf, &app_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE - buf_cnt ], buf_cnt );
        }
        for ( int32_t rx_cnt = 0; rx_cnt < rx_size; rx_cnt++ ) 
        {
            if ( rx_buf[ rx_cnt ] ) 
            {
                app_buf[ buf_cnt++ ] = rx_buf[ rx_cnt ];
                if ( app_buf_len < PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE )
                {
                    app_buf_len++;
                }
            }
        }
        return IOTEXPRESSLINK_OK;
    }
    return IOTEXPRESSLINK_ERROR;
}

static err_t iotexpresslink_read_response ( iotexpresslink_t *ctx ) 
{
    uint32_t timeout_cnt = 0;
    uint32_t timeout = 30000;
    memset( app_buf, 0, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
    app_buf_len = 0;
    iotexpresslink_process( ctx );
    while ( ( 0 == strstr( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_RSP_OK ) ) &&
            ( 0 == strstr( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_RSP_ERR ) ) )
    {
        iotexpresslink_process( ctx );
        if ( timeout_cnt++ > timeout )
        {
            iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
            return IOTEXPRESSLINK_ERROR_TIMEOUT;
        }
        Delay_ms( 1 );
    }
    Delay_ms ( 100 );
    iotexpresslink_process( ctx );
    if ( app_buf_len > 0 ) 
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "%s\r\n", app_buf );
    }
    if ( strstr( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_RSP_OK ) )
    {
        iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
        return IOTEXPRESSLINK_OK;
    }
    else if ( strstr( app_buf, IOTEXPRESSLINK_RSP_ERR ) )
    {
        iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
        return IOTEXPRESSLINK_ERROR_CMD;
    }
    iotexpresslink_clear_app_buf( );
    return IOTEXPRESSLINK_ERROR_UNKNOWN;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources