Chapter 20 WiFi Working Modes

In this chapter, we’ll focus on the WiFi infrastructure for ESP32-S3 WROOM. ESP32-S3 WROOM has 3 different WiFi operating modes: station mode, AP mode and AP+station mode. All WiFi programming projects must be configured with WiFi operating mode before using WiFi, otherwise WiFi cannot be used.

Project 20.1 Station mode

Component List

ESP32-S3-WROOM x1
Type C USB Cable x1

Connect

Connect ESP32-S3 to the computer using the USB cable.

Code

Move the program folder Super_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32_S3/Python/Python_Codes to disk(D) in advance with the path of “D:/Micropython_Codes”.

20.1_Station_mode

Because the names and passwords of routers in various places are different, before the Code runs, users need to enter the correct router’s name and password in the box as shown in the illustration above. After making sure the router name and password are entered correctly, compile and upload codes to ESP32S3, wait for ESP32-S3 to connect to your router and print the IP address assigned by the router to ESP32-S3 in “Shell”.

The following is the program code:

import time
import network

ssidRouter     = 'xxxxxxxx' #Enter the router name
passwordRouter = 'xxxxxxxx' #Enter the router password

def STA_Setup(ssidRouter,passwordRouter):
    print("Setup start")
    sta_if = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
    if not sta_if.isconnected():
        print('connecting to',ssidRouter)
        sta_if.active(True)
        sta_if.connect(ssidRouter,passwordRouter)
        while not sta_if.isconnected():
            pass
    print('Connected, IP address:', sta_if.ifconfig())
    print("Setup End")

try:
    STA_Setup(ssidRouter,passwordRouter)
except:
    sta_if.disconnect()

Project 20.2 AP mode

Component List & Circuit are the same as in Project 20.1.

Circuit

Connect ESP32-S3 to the computer using the USB cable.

Code

Move the program folder Super_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32_S3/Python/Python_Codes to disk(D) in advance with the path of “D:/Micropython_Codes”.

Open “Thonny”, click This computer/D:/Micropython_Codes/20.2_AP_mode. and double click “AP_mode.py”. 20.2_AP_mode

Before the Code runs, you can make any changes to the AP name and password for ESP32-S3 in the box as shown in the illustration above. Of course, you can leave it alone by default. Click “Run current script”, open the AP function of ESP32-S3 and print the access point information.

Turn on the WiFi scanning function of your phone, and you can see the ssid_AP on ESP32S3, which is called “WiFi_Name” in this Code. You can enter the password “12345678” to connect it or change its AP name and password by modifying Code.

The following is the program code:

import network
import time

def setup_secure_ap():
    ssid = "Your_AP"
    password = "12345678"  # Password must be at least 8 characters

    ap = network.WLAN(network.AP_IF)
    ap.active(False)  # First, turn off the AP to ensure clearing any previous settings
    time.sleep(1)
    ap.active(True)

    # Configure AP with WPA2 encryption
    ap.config(essid=ssid, password=password, authmode=network.AUTH_WPA2_PSK)

    print("Setting up encrypted AP...")

    # Wait for AP activation
    for _ in range(10):  # Wait for up to 10 seconds
        if ap.active():
            print("AP setup successful")
            print("SSID:", ssid)
            print("Password:", password)
            print("IP address:", ap.ifconfig()[0])
            return True
        time.sleep(1)

    print("AP setup failed")
    return False

try:
    if setup_secure_ap():
        print("AP is up and running. You should now see an encrypted Wi-Fi network.")
    else:
        print("Unable to set up AP. Please check your hardware and firmware.")
except Exception as e:
    print("An error occurred:", str(e))

print("Program ended")

Project 20.3 AP+Station mode

Component List & Circuit

Component List & Circuit are the same as in Project 23.1.

Code

Move the program folder Super_Starter_Kit_for_ESP32_S3/Python/Python_Codes to disk(D) in advance with the path of “D:/Micropython_Codes”.

Open “Thonny”, click :file:`This computer/D:/Micropython_Codes/20.3_AP+STA_mode`and double click “AP+STA_mode.py”.

20.3_AP+STA_mode

It is analogous to Project 20.1 and Project 20.2. Before running the Code, you need to modify ssidRouter, passwordRouter, ssidAP and passwordAP shown in the box of the illustration above.

After making sure that the code is modified correctly, click “Run current script” and the “Shell” will display as follows:

Turn on the WiFi scanning function of your phone, and you can see the ssidAP on ESP32-S3.

The following is the program code:

import network
import socket
import time
import struct
import binascii

ssidRouter     = '********' #Enter the router name
passwordRouter = '********' #Enter the router password

ssidAP         = 'WiFi_Name'#Enter the AP name
passwordAP     = '12345678' #Enter the AP password

local_IP       = '192.168.4.150'
gateway        = '192.168.4.1'
subnet         = '255.255.255.0'
dns            = '8.8.8.8'

sta_if = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
ap_if = network.WLAN(network.AP_IF)

def STA_Setup(ssidRouter,passwordRouter):
    print("Setting soft-STA  ... ")
    if not sta_if.isconnected():
        print('connecting to',ssidRouter)
        sta_if.active(True)
        sta_if.connect(ssidRouter,passwordRouter)
        while not sta_if.isconnected():
            pass
    print('Connected, IP address:', sta_if.ifconfig())
    print("Setup End")

def AP_Setup(ssidAP,passwordAP):
    ap_if.ifconfig([local_IP,gateway,subnet,dns])
    print("Setting soft-AP  ... ")
    ap_if.config(essid=ssidAP,authmode=network.AUTH_WPA_WPA2_PSK, password=passwordAP)
    ap_if.active(True)
    print('Success, IP address:', ap_if.ifconfig())
    print("Setup End\n")

try:
    AP_Setup(ssidAP,passwordAP)
    STA_Setup(ssidRouter,passwordRouter)
except:
    sta_if.disconnect()
    ap_if.disconnect()