WiFi-based Motor Control with LCD Display

Overview

This project integrates an MSP430 microcontroller with an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module and an L298 H-Bridge to create a remote-controlled system for managing a DC motor and displaying information on an LCD. Users can set the motor speed via a web interface, and the system provides real-time feedback on an I2C-connected LCD.

Components

MSP430 Microcontroller

• I2C LCD Control:

  • The MSP430 communicates with an LCD using the I2C protocol. Functions in lcd_i2c.c and lcd_I2C.h handle initialization, data sending, and display control.
  • Key functions include:
    • I2C_Init(int addr): Initializes I2C communication with the LCD.
    • LCD_Setup(): Sets up the LCD for operation.
    • LCD_Write(char *text): Writes text to the LCD.

• ADC Reading:

  • The ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) reads an analog input, potentially from a sensor or potentiometer.
  • Configuration:
    • ADCMCTL0 = 0x0002; selects the ADC channel.
    • ADCMEM0 stores the conversion result, representing the analog voltage as a digital value.
  • Purpose: The ADC value is scaled and displayed on the LCD as a percentage, indicating the motor's duty cycle or another relevant metric.

ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module

• Web Server:

  • Hosts a web server to accept HTTP GET requests from a browser. Users submit motor speed values via an HTML form.
  • Configuration:
    • WiFiServer server(80): Sets up the server on port 80.
    • The loop() function processes client requests and serves a simple HTML page.

• PWM Control:

  • The ESP8266 uses PWM to control motor speed based on user input.
  • Process:
    • Extracts motor speed value from the HTTP request.
    • Maps the speed (0-100) to PWM range (0-255) using map().
    • analogWrite(output2, dutyValue): Sets the PWM signal to control motor speed.

L298 H-Bridge

• Purpose: The L298 H-Bridge is used to control the direction and speed of the DC motor.
• Connections:
  • PWM Signal: Connect the output2 pin from the ESP8266 to the enable pin on the L298 to control speed via PWM.
  • Direction Control: Use additional GPIO pins from the ESP8266 or MSP430 to control the logic inputs on the L298, determining the motor's direction.

Communication

• Interfacing: While the MSP430 and ESP8266 operate independently, they could be integrated via I2C or UART for enhanced control and feedback.

Project Workflow

1. Setup:

   • Initialize the MSP430 for LCD and ADC operations.
   • Connect the ESP8266 to Wi-Fi and start the web server.

2. User Interaction:

   • Users access the web server and input a desired motor speed.
   • The server processes this input and adjusts the motor speed via PWM.

3. Motor Control:

   • The PWM signal from the ESP8266 controls the L298 H-Bridge, which drives the motor according to the user-defined speed and direction.

4. Display:

   • The MSP430 reads the ADC input and displays the corresponding duty cycle on the LCD.

5. Feedback:

   • Future enhancements could include sending ADC values or other data from the MSP430 to the ESP8266 for display on the web interface.

Future Enhancements

• Security: Implement authentication for the web server to secure access.
• Feedback Loop: Integrate sensor feedback to dynamically adjust motor speed.
• Direct Communication: Establish a protocol between MSP430 and ESP8266 for integrated control.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the integration of microcontrollers, Wi-Fi modules, and motor drivers in IoT applications, allowing remote control and monitoring of hardware components. The modular design facilitates future enhancements and scalability.