ESP8266 MPU6050 Seismometer

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A comprehensive, step-by-step guide to building, deploying, and debugging your ESP8266 + MPU6050 seismometer project entirely in Visual Studio Code.

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Table of Contents

1. Prerequisites
2. Repository Overview
3. Setting Up Visual Studio Code
   • Installing VS Code
   • Essential Extensions
   • Configuring Settings
4. Configuring the Arduino/ESP8266 Environment
   • PlatformIO Project Setup
   • platformio.ini Explained
   • Managing Libraries
5. Client Sketch (ESP8266 MPU6050 Code)
6. Server Setup (Flask API)
7. Working with the Serial Monitor
8. Debugging and Deployment
9. Troubleshooting Common Issues
10. License

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Prerequisites

• Visual Studio Code installed on your system
• Python 3.7+ (for Flask server)
• NodeMCU (ESP8266) board & MPU6050 sensor module
• USB cable for flashing ESP8266

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Repository Overview

ESP8266_MPU6050_Seismometer/
├── lib/                        # Third-party Arduino libraries
├── src/                        # Client .cpp sketch
│   └── ESP8266_MPU6050_Seismometer.cpp
├── server/                     # Flask server files
│   ├── .env
│   ├── install.bat
│   ├── requirements.txt
│   ├── server.py
│   └── startup.bat
├── platformio.ini              # PlatformIO project config
├── .gitignore
└── LICENSE

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Setting Up Visual Studio Code

Installing VS Code

1. Download the installer from Visual Studio Code and follow the standard installation process.
2. Launch VS Code once installed.

Essential Extensions

Install these from the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X):

• PlatformIO IDE for embedded development with ESP8266 citeturn2search0
• C/C++ Extension Pack for IntelliSense and debugging citeturn2search8
• Python (ms-python.python) for Flask and scripting citeturn3search1

Configuring Settings

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+,).
2. Enable PlatformIO › IDE: Toolbar to see Build/Upload icons.
3. Set python.pythonPath to your interpreter (e.g., ${workspaceFolder}/.venv/bin/python).

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Configuring the Arduino/ESP8266 Environment

PlatformIO Project Setup

1. Verify platformio.ini is present at the root.
2. Open the folder in VS Code—look for the PlatformIO alien-head icon.
3. Use PlatformIO: Build (checkmark) to compile, and PlatformIO: Upload (arrow) to flash citeturn2search1turn2search2.

platformio.ini Explained

[platformio]
default_envs = nodemcuv2

[env:nodemcuv2]
platform      = espressif8266
board         = nodemcuv2
framework     = arduino
monitor_speed = 115200
lib_deps =
  jrowberg/I2Cdev @ ^1.1.0
  adafruit/MPU6050 @ ^1.4.3

• default_envs sets the environment for builds.
• board and platform define toolchains for NodeMCU citeturn2search7.
• lib_deps auto-downloads I2Cdev and MPU6050 libraries.

Managing Libraries

• Place local libraries in lib/, or use lib_deps in platformio.ini.
• After editing platformio.ini, PlatformIO fetches/update dependencies automatically when building.

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Client Sketch (ESP8266 MPU6050 Code)

See src/ESP8266_MPU6050_Seismometer.cpp for:

1. Wi-Fi Connection & MAC ID report
2. MPU6050 Initialization & calibration
3. Event Detection (minor, moderate, severe)
4. Health Check every 60s with HTTP GET to ROOT_URL?id=<MAC>
5. JSON POST of events to server endpoint

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Server Setup (Flask API)

1. Change into server/ directory.
2. Copy .env.example to .env and set PORT, LOG_FILE, MAX_LOG_BYTES.
3. Run install.bat (Windows) or:

   python3 -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate
   pip install -r requirements.txt

4. Start server: python server.py or startup.bat.

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Working with the Serial Monitor

• PlatformIO Monitor: click the plug icon or run PlatformIO: Monitor. citeturn2search3
• Serial output shows real-time accelerometer Y,Z and boot/health messages.

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Debugging and Deployment

• Set breakpoints in server.py and press F5 to run Flask in debug mode.
• Use Debug Console to inspect variables during runtime.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

• COM Port Access Denied: close other serial monitors or run VS Code as Administrator.
• Long Path Errors: move project to a shorter path (e.g., C:\Projects\ESPSeismo) or enable Windows long paths via Group Policy citeturn3search10.

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License

This project is licensed under the Apache-2.0 License.