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

Introduction

The Photon 2 is a compact and powerful Wi-Fi development kit designed for creating connected projects and products. It features a microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, making it an ideal choice for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. With its small form factor and robust feature set, the Photon 2 is perfect for both hobbyists and professionals looking to develop smart, connected devices.

Explore Projects Built with Photon 2

Photon 2 Motion Detector Alarm with PIR Sensor and Wi-Fi Control

This circuit is a motion-activated alarm system using a Photon microcontroller, a PIR sensor, a piezo buzzer, a red LED, and a pushbutton. When motion is detected by the PIR sensor, the red LED lights up and the buzzer sounds an alarm, which can be deactivated manually via the pushbutton or remotely through the Particle Cloud.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

ESP32-Based Wi-Fi Controlled Laser Shooting Game with OLED Display

This circuit is a laser shooting game controlled by a PS3 controller, featuring an ESP32 microcontroller, two photosensitive sensors for light detection, and a motor driver to control two DC motors. The game includes an OLED display for score visualization, and a MOSFET to control an LED bulb, with power supplied by a 12V battery and regulated by a DC-DC step-down converter.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

ESP32-Based Security System with RFID and Laser Intrusion Detection

This circuit is a security and access control system featuring motion detection, laser beam-break sensing, and RFID scanning, interfaced with a keypad and visual/audible indicators, powered by a solar-charged battery, and capable of controlling an electric lock via a relay.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

ESP32-Based Security System with RFID, PIR Sensor, and Laser Modules

This circuit is designed for a security and access control system with motion detection, beam-break detection, RFID-based access, and user input via a keypad. It is managed by an ESP32 microcontroller, which also controls an OLED display and an electric lock through a relay. The system is powered by a solar panel with a charge controller and UPS battery, with buck converters for voltage regulation.

Open Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

Home automation systems
Smart appliances
Remote monitoring and control
Wearable technology
Industrial IoT solutions
Prototyping and development of connected products

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Details

Parameter	Value
Microcontroller	ARM Cortex-M4
Operating Voltage	3.3V
Input Voltage	3.6V - 5.5V
Digital I/O Pins	18
Analog Input Pins	8
Flash Memory	1MB
RAM	256KB
Wi-Fi	802.11 b/g/n
Clock Speed	120 MHz
Dimensions	36.58mm x 20.32mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

Pin Number	Pin Name	Description
1	VIN	Input voltage (3.6V - 5.5V)
2	GND	Ground
3	3V3	3.3V output
4	D0	Digital I/O
5	D1	Digital I/O
6	D2	Digital I/O
7	D3	Digital I/O
8	D4	Digital I/O
9	D5	Digital I/O
10	D6	Digital I/O
11	D7	Digital I/O
12	A0	Analog Input
13	A1	Analog Input
14	A2	Analog Input
15	A3	Analog Input
16	A4	Analog Input
17	A5	Analog Input
18	A6	Analog Input
19	A7	Analog Input

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Photon 2 in a Circuit

Powering the Photon 2:
- Connect the VIN pin to a power source (3.6V - 5.5V).
- Connect the GND pin to the ground of the power source.
Connecting to Wi-Fi:
- Use the built-in Wi-Fi module to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Configure the Wi-Fi settings using the Particle IDE or Particle CLI.
Programming the Photon 2:
- Use the Particle Web IDE, Particle Desktop IDE, or Particle CLI to write and upload code.
- The Photon 2 supports programming in C/C++.
Interfacing with Sensors and Actuators:
- Use the digital I/O pins (D0-D7) to connect to sensors and actuators.
- Use the analog input pins (A0-A7) to read analog signals from sensors.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

Ensure the input voltage does not exceed the specified range (3.6V - 5.5V).
Use appropriate pull-up or pull-down resistors for digital inputs if necessary.
Avoid placing the Photon 2 near sources of electromagnetic interference to maintain Wi-Fi performance.
Regularly update the firmware to benefit from the latest features and security patches.

Example Code for Arduino UNO

// Example code to connect Photon 2 to an Arduino UNO and read an analog sensor

// Define the pin connected to the sensor
const int sensorPin = A0;

// Variable to store the sensor value
int sensorValue = 0;

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication at 9600 baud rate
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // Read the analog value from the sensor
  sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);

  // Print the sensor value to the serial monitor
  Serial.println(sensorValue);

  // Wait for 100 milliseconds before the next reading
  delay(100);
}

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues Users Might Face

Wi-Fi Connection Problems:
- Ensure the Wi-Fi credentials are correctly configured.
- Check if the Wi-Fi network is within range and operational.
- Restart the Photon 2 and the Wi-Fi router.
Power Supply Issues:
- Verify that the input voltage is within the specified range (3.6V - 5.5V).
- Check for loose connections or faulty power sources.
Programming Errors:
- Ensure the correct board and port are selected in the Particle IDE.
- Check for syntax errors or missing libraries in the code.

Solutions and Tips for Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi Connection:
- Use the Particle mobile app to reconfigure Wi-Fi settings.
- Move the Photon 2 closer to the Wi-Fi router to improve signal strength.
Power Supply:
- Use a stable and regulated power supply.
- Double-check all connections to ensure they are secure.
Programming:
- Refer to the Particle documentation for detailed programming guides.
- Use 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 and overcome common challenges they may encounter.