ESP32 & ESP8266 MicroPython OTA Updates Using Python Server

Introduction

In this guide, we’ll explore how to implement Over-the-Air (OTA) updates on ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers using MicroPython. We’ll set up a Python server with Flask to manage the updates seamlessly.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure you have the following:

• An ESP32 or ESP8266 board
• MicroPython firmware installed on the board
• Basic understanding of Python and Flask

Setting Up the Python Server

First, we’ll create a simple Python server using Flask that will host the firmware updates.

Step 1: Install Flask

Ensure you have Flask installed in your Python environment. You can install it using pip:

pip install Flask

Step 2: Create the Flask App

Create a file named app.py and add the following code to define your Flask application:

from flask import Flask, send_file

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/update')
def update_firmware():
    return send_file('firmware.bin', as_attachment=True)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=5000)

Step 3: Run the Server

Run your Flask app in the terminal:

python app.py

Your server is now running and will serve the firmware file when accessed at http://<your_server_ip>:5000/update.

Configuring the ESP32/ESP8266 for OTA Updates

Once your server is set up, configure your ESP32 or ESP8266 board to check for updates.

Step 1: Write the Update Script

Create a new Python script and add the code to download and apply firmware updates:

import network
import urequests

# Connect to Wi-Fi
ssid = 'your_ssid'
password = 'your_password'

station = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
station.active(True)
station.connect(ssid, password)

while not station.isconnected():
    pass

print('Connection successful')
print(station.ifconfig())

# Download and apply update
url = 'http://<your_server_ip>:5000/update'
response = urequests.get(url)

if response.status_code == 200:
    with open('new_firmware.bin', 'wb') as f:
        f.write(response.content)
    print('Update downloaded successfully')

# Implement the firmware update logic

Step 2: Run the Update Script

Execute this script on your ESP32 or ESP8266 to fetch and apply updates.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can efficiently implement OTA updates for your ESP32 and ESP8266 boards using MicroPython and a Python Flask server. This approach ensures your devices are always up-to-date with the latest firmware without manual intervention.

Additional Resources

For further reading and advanced configurations, consider exploring the MicroPython Documentation and Flask's official documentation.