How to Use photon 2: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Photon 2, manufactured by Particle, is a versatile Wi-Fi development kit designed for creating connected projects and products. It integrates a powerful microcontroller, a Wi-Fi module, and cloud connectivity, making it an ideal choice for IoT (Internet of Things) applications. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional developer, the Photon 2 offers a robust platform for building and deploying connected devices with ease.

• Home Automation: Control lights, thermostats, and other home appliances remotely.
• Industrial Automation: Monitor and control machinery and processes in real-time.
• Wearable Devices: Develop smart wearables with cloud connectivity.
• Environmental Monitoring: Collect and analyze data from sensors for air quality, temperature, humidity, etc.
• Prototyping: Quickly prototype and test IoT solutions.

1. Powering the Photon 2:

   • Connect the VIN pin to a power source (3.6V to 5.5V).
   • Connect the GND pin to the ground of the power source.

2. Connecting to Wi-Fi:

   • Use the Particle mobile app or Particle CLI to configure the Wi-Fi credentials.

3. Programming the Photon 2:

   • Use the Particle Web IDE, Particle Workbench, or Particle CLI to write and upload code.

4. Connecting Sensors and Actuators:

   • Use the digital and analog pins to connect various sensors and actuators.
   • For example, connect a temperature sensor to an analog pin (A0) and an LED to a digital pin (D0).

• Power Supply: Ensure a stable power supply to avoid unexpected resets or malfunctions.
• Pin Usage: Avoid exceeding the maximum current ratings for the I/O pins.
• Wi-Fi Signal: Ensure a strong Wi-Fi signal for reliable cloud connectivity.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware to benefit from the latest features and security patches.

Here is an example code to read a temperature sensor connected to A0 and control an LED connected to D0 using the Photon 2:

// Include necessary libraries
#include "Particle.h"

// Define pin assignments
const int tempSensorPin = A0; // Temperature sensor connected to A0
const int ledPin = D0;        // LED connected to D0

void setup() {
    // Initialize the LED pin as an output
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
    // Initialize the temperature sensor pin as an input
    pinMode(tempSensorPin, INPUT);
    // Start serial communication for debugging
    Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
    // Read the analog value from the temperature sensor
    int sensorValue = analogRead(tempSensorPin);
    // Convert the analog value to a temperature (example conversion)
    float temperature = (sensorValue * 3.3 / 4095) * 100;
    
    // Print the temperature to the serial monitor
    Serial.print("Temperature: ");
    Serial.print(temperature);
    Serial.println(" C");
    
    // Control the LED based on the temperature
    if (temperature > 25.0) {
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn on the LED if temperature > 25 C
    } else {
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);  // Turn off the LED otherwise
    }
    
    // Wait for 1 second before the next reading
    delay(1000);
}

1. Wi-Fi Connection Issues:

   • Solution: Ensure the correct Wi-Fi credentials are entered. Check the signal strength and try moving closer to the router.

2. Power Supply Problems:

   • Solution: Verify the power source provides a stable voltage within the specified range (3.6V to 5.5V).

3. Firmware Upload Failures:

   • Solution: Ensure the Photon 2 is in DFU mode (blinking yellow) and the USB cable is properly connected. Use the Particle CLI to flash the firmware.

4. Sensor Readings Are Inaccurate:

   • Solution: Check the sensor connections and ensure the correct pin is used. Calibrate the sensor if necessary.

• Resetting the Photon 2:

  • Press and hold the RST button to reset the device.

• Entering Safe Mode:

  • Press and hold the MODE button until the LED blinks magenta to enter Safe Mode. This can help troubleshoot firmware issues.

• Using the Particle Console:

  • Use the Particle Console to monitor device logs, check cloud connectivity, and manage firmware updates.

By following this documentation, users can effectively utilize the Photon 2 for their connected projects and products, leveraging its powerful features and cloud connectivity.