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 Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional developer, the Photon 2 provides a robust platform for building and deploying connected devices.

• Home Automation: Control and monitor home appliances remotely.
• Industrial IoT: Collect and analyze data from industrial equipment.
• Wearable Devices: Develop smart wearable gadgets with internet connectivity.
• Environmental Monitoring: Track environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, and air quality.
• Smart Agriculture: Monitor and manage agricultural conditions and equipment.

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 Wi-Fi credentials.

3. Programming the Photon 2:

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

4. Basic Circuit Example:

   • Connect an LED to pin D0 with a current-limiting resistor.
   • Connect the other end of the LED to GND.

• Power Supply: Ensure a stable power supply within the specified voltage range to avoid damaging the Photon 2.
• Wi-Fi Signal: Place the Photon 2 within a good Wi-Fi signal range for reliable connectivity.
• Cloud Connectivity: Utilize Particle Cloud services for remote management and OTA updates.
• Pin Usage: Avoid exceeding the current limits of the I/O pins to prevent damage.

// This example code demonstrates how to blink an LED connected to pin D0
// on the Photon 2. The LED will turn on for one second and off for one second.

void setup() {
    // Initialize pin D0 as an output
    pinMode(D0, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
    // Turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
    digitalWrite(D0, HIGH);
    // Wait for a second
    delay(1000);
    // Turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
    digitalWrite(D0, LOW);
    // Wait for a second
    delay(1000);
}

1. Wi-Fi Connection Issues:

   • Solution: Ensure the Wi-Fi credentials are correct and the signal strength is adequate. Use the Particle mobile app to reconfigure Wi-Fi settings if needed.

2. Power Supply Problems:

   • Solution: Verify that the input voltage is within the specified range (3.6V to 5.5V). Check for loose connections or faulty power sources.

3. Code Upload Failures:

   • Solution: Ensure the Photon 2 is in DFU mode (blinking yellow) before uploading code via Particle CLI. Check USB connections and drivers.

4. Unresponsive Device:

   • Solution: Perform a factory reset by holding the SETUP button and tapping the RESET button until the LED blinks white, then release the SETUP button.

• Check Connections: Ensure all connections are secure and correctly oriented.
• Use Serial Monitor: Utilize the serial monitor for debugging and monitoring the device's status.
• Firmware Updates: Keep the device firmware updated to the latest version for improved performance and bug fixes.
• Community Support: Leverage the Particle community forums for additional support and troubleshooting tips.

By following this documentation, users can effectively utilize the Photon 2 for their IoT projects, ensuring reliable performance and seamless integration with various applications.