instructables

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU)

by StudentP

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 1

Selected !! for contest please vote if you love !!!!; repeater you can effectively double the coverage area
of your WiFi network - reaching far corners of your
home or office, different floors, or even extend
LOW WiFi SIGNAL coverage to your yard.

But its also to bulky and costly !!!! So what to do ?

Many peoples facing this problem everyday life we
can't use internet at its high speed when signal too Why not make your own WiFi Repeater
low
We use NODE MCU (IoT) for our this project
everything need internet. Smart TV, Smart Phone,
Laptop, Desktop Computer What is Node MCU ??

But ! Introduction: The NodeMcu is an open-source

firmware and development kit that helps you
One WiFi connection ?????? toPrototype your IOT product within a few Lua script
lines.For more details, please visit
How can we access the internet at every corner of https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-
house (If large house) its not sufficient to cover the firmware/wiki/...
range !
How to build your own WiFi extender from a cheap
Every foot step reduce the signal of WiFi ESP8266 WiFi module Notes: It will have slower
connection speeds the farther the extender is away
And its also not good for multi-story Building from your router, but fast speeds are not necessary
for many IoT projects. I needed a cheap way to
So what is the solution of this problem increase WiFi range so that a IoT snail mail alert
device could reach a distant WiFi router to connect to
Solution # the internet and send notification to my phone. I
stumbled upon Martin Ger's WiFi NAT Router
WiFi Repeater !!!!! firmware for the ESP8266 WiFi module, flashed it
onto my $2 ESP-01 WiFi module, and it works quite
Yes, Repeater is the only solution of this problem well. The router my extender connects to only
reaches about 20 feet due to a wall, but with the
A WiFi repeater or extender is used to extend the extender plugged in 10 feet to 50 feet away from it,
coverage area of your WiFi network. It works by the connection reaches 310 feet
receiving your existing WiFi signal, amplifying it and
then transmitting the boosted signal. With a WiFi

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 2

Step 1: Download the Files

Download the .zip from given link https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8tb48HwpkfQb2kyQ...

which contains the firmware files and software tools you will need.

Unzip the ZIP File and Browse for "ESPFlashDownloadTool_v3.4.1.exe"

Double Click and open it

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 3

Step 2: Get the Required Parts

1. Small Plastic Case (For Enclosure) antenna

2. Node MCU (IoT) available online store @ 250-350 5. Usb cable (For power up the node mcu)
INR
6. Charger 5.0 v (Can be use any mobile charger ) or
3. WiFi Antenna (In my case i have get it from my old You can use power Bank
router )
NOTE: Charger Amp should be less than 1A Greater
4. Small Wire for connection between node mcu and than 1A can overheat the node mcu and can burn it.

Step 3: Download the Driver

In order to get the USB adapter talking to the computer, you may need to install the CH340 driver.

The subfolder from the zip you downloaded and extracted is called "CH341SER_win" for Windows or
"CH34x_Install_mac" for Macs. Simply open the program in the folder and install the drivers

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Step 4: Flash the Extender Firmware Onto the ESP8266

Plug the ESP01 into the USB adapter, plug it all into step: 1. If you are using a NodeMCU or Wemos D1
your computer, and flip the physical switch to "Prog" Mini module instead of the ESP01 or ESP07, switch
programming mode not "UART" mode. the part that says "8Mbit" to "32Mbit" instead

open up the program in the subfolder called 2. For the ESP01 or ESP07, under "Download Path
"flash_download_tools_v3.4.1_win". Open the next Config", click the three dots button for each section
subfolder called "_MACOSX" if you are using a Mac, and browse to find the "firmware_sdk_1.5.4". Click
or open the subfolder called each one and type out their names to the right as
"FLASH_DOWNLOAD_TOOLS_V3.4.1_WIN" shown in the screenshot e.g. "0x00000" and
"0x40000"
if you are on a Windows PC. Run the application
called "ESPFlashDownloadTool_v3.4.1" and select 2.2. If you are using a different ESP8266 module
"ESP8266" after that. variant instead of the esp01 I suggested, use the
folder named "firmware" and use those .bins instead
Setup that program to the setting shown in the with their corresponding names to the right.
screenshot below if you are using the ESP01 from
the earlier shopping 3. Select the COM port you want, and set the baud
rate to "115200", then click "start", "flash" or

"connect". 5. Flip the physical switch on the USB Adapter back

to non-programming non-flash mode. This is
4. When it says "finish", unplug your adapter and important!
ESP8266 module from your computer.

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 5

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 6
Step 5: Configure Your Extender

You must connect a computer to your extender in set ssid ####

order to configure it. You can do this by using a serial
terminal app such as the Arduino IDE serial monitor This sets to the name of the router hotspot you want
setting the baud rate to "115200" with NL&CR the extender to extend.

Once you have connected over serial set password #####

(Without quotes, and replacing the hashtag symbols This sets the password of the router hotspot you want
with you desired settings.) the extender to extend.

set ap_ssid ##### quit

This sets the name of the extender's hotspot. This terminates a remote session.

set ap_password #### Unplug the extender. That's it for setup!

Tips: You ought to wait a couple seconds between
This sets the password of the extender's hotspot. typing in each command, and you might need to type
save after each command! If you need to wipe all
NOTE: the password must be more than 8 characters your settings back to default, you can type reset
long! factoryfollowed by save For a master list of all
possible commands, you can type help. To see your
set ap_open 0 configuration, you can type show . EDIT: If you are
using the Instructables mobile app, the bolding of
This turns password protection ON so only people commands in this step might not show as bolded. Let
who know the password can connect to the extender. me know if that is the case!

save

This saves your settings.

Step 6: Encase Your Extender

You can use an plastic container to house your extender.

I plugged the extender (both the node mcu and the wifi antenna ) stuffed it all into half of a small case, then hot
glued a seal to rain proof it.

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 7

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 8
Step 7:

Im glad I found this, because I needed to enter "set auto_connect 1". the repeater works perfectly
afterward

I need help. I'm trying to flash the binaries onto a ESP12F via CH340G using ESP8266 Download
tool on COM10 but the detected info window appears blank as if the device is not detected and the
@ spaces turn red when check marks are applied. Can anyone help?
(with the arduino IDE the 12F can be programmed without any problems)
Howdy all !

for everyone finding it difficult to attach the SMA Antenna, you must first need to buy the
correct version of the ESP8266 device, make sure it has a socket on it called a "U.FL" socket, see
image below of an ESP8266 12F with this socket:

Then you need to buy the correct adapter cable, called, "U.FL to SMA PIGTAIL Cable" like here

Now you will be able to simply push-fit the U.FL Pigtail connector onto theESP8266 12F or
whichever one you have that has the U.FL Socket to the ESP8266 and the other end of the pigtail
POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 9
to the SMA Antenna :)

Some ESP8266 devices have the SMD Pads of where this U.FL socket is meant to be soldered
onto the board, but if not, then its really not difficult to solder a socket onto the ESP8266, see
second picture for a pack of 5 U.FL Sockets and you will simply be able to solder these sockets
directly to the ESP8266 by finding the Antenna Trace on the PCB and make sure you find the two
GND (Ground) points for the Antenna socket as there are TWO 'GND' traces, you might even have
to solder directly to the ESP8266's half castellated holes, check the datasheet of the ESP8266 that
you will be using and look for GND, ANT, GND and those will be your contact points to solder the
U.FL sockets

Enjoy :))q
It's work well with nodemcu 0.9

WARNING DON'T TRY THIS

i have now tried 2 types EPS01 and ESP12E(NodeMCU/Lolin) and both are now bricked
blue led is flashing like crazy, and i can communicate with it any more "com port is busy"

when i connect with ide, all I get is error when I try the set command

hi, nice project

Can you explain better how did you conect the antenna into ESP, whit a picture close up please
Hi did you get information about how to use the antenna?

hi, thx for the great tutorial!

its still working, but when i connect for example my handy to the repeater i wont get an internet
connection. i want to change the intern ip and there is under help the command "int_addr". but can
you tell me how to change the intern ip? i have tried set int_addr 192.168.0.3 but no matter what i
try the only response i get is invalid command or number off arguments or something else.
Which pin did you connected to the antenna?

I'm using NodeMCU Esp8266. After flashing, I'm unplugging it and plug it back. Then this happens.
The blue led on esp8266 blinks like crazy. What should I do?

I hope you have not miss any step of tutorial ... but if you having still this problem i will give the
video tutorial link shortly .
Which pin did you connected to the antenna? Could you put up a video with closeup ?

can u send me the link of the video..thank u

I've solved the problem using DIO in SPI MODE

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 10

Which pin did you connected to the antenna?

i have the same problem did you solve this

can you help me, it was working last night but this morning it has stopped and i have the same
message as you
i have the same problem did you solve this
can you help me, it was working last night but this morning it has stopped and i have the same
message as you
It actually worked, maybe it is because I did not put an antenna and it has 26kbytes/s speed. With
the real router and 3 antennas I have 160kbytes/s speed.
any video "tutorial" with step's?
thank u ..
what version of ide i should i use? ..mine doesn't do anything on the serial monitor .. all blank..
please help..!!
hi, could I use a ESP8266-201 for this?

Here's the ESP-32

Just google esp32 vs esp8266 and you will find that esp32 is very highly configured for this task it
can improve speed as well as range of device.
Good day to you,
AWESOME ! Just what i wanted to hear lol !!
Okay i HATE "PCB" Antenna, i only like high gain Antenna's like the SMA to Pigtail IPEX-U.fL
combination where there is a physical Antenna, As the ESP-32 is relatively new,, its still quite
expensive if you dont want to have to solder this kind of connection onto the NAT Router setup we
are wanting from this instructable...
.
Here is the CHEAPEST i found the ESP-32 (PCB Antenna)

https://goo.gl/9PM5m8
.
Here is the cheapest i find the ESP-32 WITH U.FL Connector already soldered to the PCB;
https://goo.gl/wZ1efY
.
This is also a very well priced breadboard-friendly ESP-32 kit;
https://goo.gl/VX5edv
.
This is the base-board PCB that we can easily solder the ESP-32 with U.FL Connector,, so we can
add an Antenna easily;
https://goo.gl/2WPe9E

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 11

.
This is the "Pigtail" with SMA Connector & U.FL connection so it can be easily attached to the
ESP-32 (5pcs, 5cm,, cheapest)
https://goo.gl/uSj1uw
.
and lastly, i find a 6 DBi Antenna, again is cheapest i could find online;
https://goo.gl/pT5qtk
.
So i will buy the breadboard kit for testing, but then also the ESP-32 with the Antenna connector
so it is easy to attach the high gain antenna and make this my NAT Router Repeater, now that the
Christmas rush has started,, shipping world-wide is probably going to be delayed so it would be a
great project to get on with during the Christmas and new-years holidays.....
.
Question;
Would you think the Firmware flashing would still be the same procedure on this ESP-32 module ?
i know you said youve not tried this before, but you seem to be highly intelligent to be able to had
done something like this in the first place, lol, do you think from experience, that it could be the
same firmware flashing procedure,, with minor changes due to the different ESP-Device ??
Anyhoo,, thats all i got for now haha, apologies for the headaches, im just very interested in
making this using the ESP-32 lol
.
Once again - a great many thanks in advance for any and all advice, i make my own PCB's (using
Cadsoft Eagle)so if you EVER need any help making your own PCB for any project - please
feel free to email me and i will re-pay your kindness free of charge with helping you create a PCB
of your specifications :))
have a great day :))
Howdy !
Back with another question, would it be overkill to use an ESP-32 for this Wifi NAT Router
repeater, like this one:

Too powerful for this task ?

ESP-32 seems to be very powerful of the ESP8266 family, just wondering if it would make it
easier/faster for how youve configured it to act as a soft access point ?
I hv not tried yet! and not sure

Good day to you :)

i'm back with another pesky question lol
Would you please please be able to draw up a schematic of how youve connected up the ESP-01
to the self-made perf board/stripboard/vero board,,, that you used here ??
its just that i would like to use Cadsoft Eagle to make a home-brew PCB using copper clad boards
i got but i cant seem to get schematics correctly drawn please please could you include a basic
schematic - the one especially with the yellow status light in that box
==--->> Also i think a schematic or two would be so damn awesome for your instructable :)

POWERFUL Wi-Fi REPEATER (NODE-MCU): Page 12

Once again,, thanks loads in advance, and for the time it took writing up this whole procedure, its
so darn great !
Voted !!
Well Done - what an awesome use of skill & ingenuity ! You ARE AWESOME !
if i could Vote twice - i would have haha
1 pesky question if i may;
Would there be any point using TWO of these ESP01 Repeaters to 'further' boost the signal of a
single repeater ?
or is that not how the wireless protocols work, networking is definitely not my strong suit lol
thx in advance, and Good Luck in the contest - Fantastic Work !!
Thanks a lot for wishes ! Yes you can use more then one repeater to boost the signal from one
point to another point.
Woohoo ! thanks so very much once again, i've had this age-old problem of needing desperately a
wireless repeater (or 4 lol) but on such low funds its impossible to buy
Untill NOW..... !
You're Literally My Hero !
Actually could you put the source files?

Here's your girlfriend everything you want + original author.

https://github.com/martin-ger/esp_wifi_repeater
And the video

//www.youtube.com/embed/OM2FqnMFCLw

If you are helping me to be able to recover the source you would be a wonderful person.
I'm trying to find a virtual machine on linux, but I do not know exactly the commands I'm writing
about step by step.
A job for me if you could email me a txt document with steps that you need to do in the terminal to
recover the bins would be very helpful to me.
Great if you do.
e-mail: [email protected]
I have entered this project into contest of wireless in instructables. Wish for me

For connecting to an external antenna, use a mini co-ax cable.

Yes it's good suggestion but we have just required 3-5 cm wire for connection but co-axial is great
idea I will surely try it in my next experiment. Thanks
Why not actually put a github link to the real deal, which has much better instructions?
Congrats on the addition of a plastic 'case' though - that is quality work.
Mike, can you link the github project, as I can't find it :(

Thanks Mike for comment I will upload soon zip to the guthub thanks again for your advice

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