Beginners Guide for an easy to build Access Point (aka spaghetti AP) - OpenEPaperLink/OpenEPaperLink GitHub Wiki
The simplest AP (aka "Spaghetti AP")
In the Discord Channel the "Spaghetti AP" was discussed again and again, this Wiki entry should help beginners (like me) to build a "Spaghetti AP". The Spaghetti AP is two ESPs (1x ESP32-S3 and 1x ESP32-C6) connected via a handful of Dupoint cables
Material required
You need relatively little material to build the AP, this can be obtained from your trusted electronics retailer. The articles linked below go to Ali Express, they are not affiliate links:
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ESP32-S3 N16R8: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005755597419.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.40.3f8b5c5fxTyJaq&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
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Dupont cables (female - female): https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005364298980.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.46.3f8b5c5fxTyJaq&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu
To solder the pins, you also need a soldering iron, solder and preferably a breadboard. The solder in my case had a cross-section of 1mm. Alternatively, there are also ESPs that are already soldered at the factory, in which case you don't need all the soldering equipment.
I opted for an ESP32-S3 with a display, the advantage is that the display can show the information via OpenEpaperLink, or you can also use it as a tag. Of course, you can also use an ESP32-S3 without a display.
Soldering the pins
To solder the pins easily, plug the pins onto the breadboard and place the ESP on top.
You can find simple instructions on Youtube, I used this one (not my video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37mW1i_oEpA
Connect the cables
Next you have to connect the cables, there are 8 connectors in total. Make sure that the cables are plugged in properly and do not wobble. The connections are plugged in as follows:
The designations refer to the two ESPs linked above. The pin-out corresponds to the yellow AP: https://github.com/OpenEPaperLink/OpenEPaperLink/wiki/Access-point-pinouts
Or simplified graphical representation:
Installation OpenEpaperLink
Now the ESP32-S3 is connected to the computer and installed via https://install.openepaperlink.de/. IMPORTANT: Please select "Yellow AP". The installation is self-explanatory. After the installation it will show you the default IP address, connect to the SSID OpenEpaperLink and connect to the displayed IP. This is http://192.168.4.1/setup. There you connect the ESP32-S3 to your WiFi, optionally you can also enter a fixed IP address. I recommend the fixed IP address at this point.
Flashing the ESP32-C6
After installing OpenEpaperLink, the ESP32-C6 still needs to be flashed. This is done via the web interface, either the IP address is shown on the display, you can now see that the display is worthwhile, or you remember the IP you have entered. Alternatively, you can check the DHCP leases on your router.
Easy way
You can flash the ESP32-C6 under the settings (cogwheel symbol) => Update button. there you need to change the Repo to OpenEPaperLink/OpenEPaperLink. Click "Change" and confirm it. Afterwards you can click on "Update ESP32-C6" below
Complex way, in case the easy way fails
You can flash the ESP32-C6 under the settings (cogwheel symbol) => Update button=> "Update ESP32-C6". In my case, this did not work automatically, I had to download the firmware "manually" from the Github repository (source: https://github.com/OpenEPaperLink/OpenEPaperLink/tree/master/binaries/ESP32-C6) and upload it via the integrated file browser. You have to upload all 4 files.
Hacky way
Plug in the USB os the C6 into your PC and visit https://install.openepaperlink.de/ , select Yellow AP again and flash again
Case
If you own a 3d-printer, there is an case for the Spaghetti AP: https://github.com/OpenEPaperLink/Hardware/tree/main/Spaghetti%20AP%20Case
SubGhz support
See Yellow-AP-with-EByte-CC1101-module and SubGhz Connections For C6 Based APs for information on adding a CC1101 module to the AP to provide support for SubGhz tags.
End
Voila, you have your first Spaghetti AP "up and running", have fun with it.