Multipurpose ESP8266 Keychain

One of the best feature of the ESP8266 is its ability to self-host a web server, allowing for fairly complicated user interactions. The dEEbugger by [S-March] is a nifty little ESP8266 based device with a plethora of features in a small package.

The USB-powered device has a web user interface that enables it to be used as a low-bandwidth oscilloscope, I2C terminal, or UART terminal. As a scope, you may connect to it via your tablet and then use it as a remote voltage monitor. There is a peak detection feature which is a nice touch and gives the entire project a premium feel.

The serial terminal on an ESP8266 is not something new yet it is helpful in disconnecting the console window from the bench. The I2C terminal is where the device really shines as it can scan for connected devices on the connected bus. This Bus-Pirate like feature is useful for beginners as the software can scan the registers addresses of the devices as well.

[S-March] has made the schematic in PDF format as well as the entire code for the project available on GitHub so go right ahead and make it your own. We have had an ESP8266 based VT Terminal device in the past and merging the two would make for an excellent maker tool.

Thanks for the tip [René Arts]

30 thoughts on “Multipurpose ESP8266 Keychain

      1. While he does go overboard, Torsten’s point is still valid. You wouldn’t tolerate such mistakes in hardware or software, now would you?
        Having said that, I’m sure it was just a typo by the author, and if it wasn’t then may I suggest typing the article text into a word processor first (for the spelling and grammar checks – “As an scope”?) and then pasting into the CM? Just a brief moment for the author, but it saves thousands of longer moments for the readers to re-read, and also avoids possible misunderstandings. There’s also the whole broken windows argument to consider.

        Probably my favourite example of grammar usage (your vs you’re this time) is when you know your shit, or you know you’re shit.

        Thanks for the article.

        1. “You wouldn’t tolerate such mistakes in hardware or software, now would you?”

          Actually, a hardware or software specification lead to as many errors as its vs it’s, the spec would be changed, or at least a de facto standard would evolve. This is one of those cases where you’re calling someone stupid for not knowing the standard is stupid.

          1. Would it?
            In hardware the spec is, you know, mostly physics. And if you don’t know the resistor color codes? They’re not likely to be changed just for you.
            And in software the developer would be replaced rather than ripping up all the existing code base.

            Why would you want to change the language spec because someone typed “a = b” instead of “a += b” ? What about the existing code and literature?
            Of course a compiler would flag up “if (a=b) {..}”, because “if (a==b) {..}” was most likely meant.. as would a word processor “its” vs “it’s”, so not using one for grammar checking if you know it’s an issue is the fault of the author/developer, not the reader or the CPU.
            The standard for “its” and “it’s” is not stupid, it’s very clear and simple, in fact. Use of “who” vs “whom” is more complex, however.

            And I didn’t call anyone stupid. I’m sorry if I offended your sensibilities.
            If the issue is one of dyslexia then a grammar/spell checker should be used. It’s quite simple.

      2. Grammar is the difference between knowing your shit, and knowing you’re shit.

        C’mon HaD – good grammar isn’t that hard. Get an intern. Crowdsource your proofreading. Try.

        (btw this is a really cool project. I know this is incidental to grammar-bashing, but I had to put it out there.)

    1. Oh cool. It’s you again.

      Here you are calling someone a moron.

      This is a good one. A ‘silicone not silicon’ comment on one of Naiomi’s posts.

      You criticizing ‘implements’ versus ‘uses’ in the sentence, “..implements the API…”

      posting the angry flower pic again

      We’ve reached Inception. It’s you telling a grammar nazi that ‘he must be fun at parties’.

      This is representative of your contribution to the Hackaday community. Now, I could ban you from the comments, but that just seems petty at this point. I’m just going to tell you that you contribute nothing. I pray this only applies to the Hackaday comments.

      By the way, I fixed the apostrophe in the post. You know you could have clicked that ‘submit a tip’ link at the top of the page to notify one of the editors instead of clogging this up with a bunch of tripe. You’re really dragging us down here, man.

        1. listen to the compilers laments in each of its debugging levels, and improve your words… or be deaf and blind to warnings. Bad practices are bad practices !!!

    2. I think the device and the information given is fine and understandable. I also think that it’s an atrocity, that people think they can make fun of some one who is trying to share information in an open forum, without knowing the other persons native language or nationality. What if English is not their first language? What if they are not from the USA? Small minded people suck and it makes it worse when they have big mouths and small brains.

    3. Torsten Martinsen:

      Remember it is easy to criticize spellings than ideas.

      You need to be able to read and to comprehend to criticize ideas.
      You do not need to be able to comprehend to criticize spelling errors. String matching suffice. No wonder everybody does it.

    1. You could put painters tape over the pins and the micro-usb port acetone clean and varnish the front and back if you are just looking for water proofing. I you really want it in resin then you could make a custom 3d printed shield to hold back the resin from aforementioned parts and pour the resin in and let it harden then rinse and repeat on the other side.

    2. I am with you both, Bill and Mike. I like the o-scope functionality and yes, it would need a bit of protection. May I suggest hot glue? It is cheap and cheerful, holds things in place, and covers traces. A big plus is that it is also removable in case you want to add things later.
      Whatever talent I lack in coding I more than make up for with hot glue skills haha.

  1. I wish there were dual blogs for each entry. At the bottom before the REAL comments would be a “Grammar Nazi” button. That button takes you to all kinds of complaints about spelling, punctuation, grammar, and poorly written phrases.

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