Packet Commander

Complete 8-button WiFi IoT controller with hardware designs, firmware, and desktop configurator. Advanced configuration management, power optimization, and multi-protocol capabilities.

Overview

Packet Commander is a complete IoT development platform featuring 8 programmable buttons with LED feedback, comprehensive WiFi connectivity, and intelligent power management. Includes hardware schematics, ESP32 firmware, and cross-platform Electron configurator for smart home automation, network testing, and custom IoT applications.

Key Features

8 Programmable Buttons: Directly supports HTTP and Webhook actions.
Smart Power Management: Includes battery monitoring and optimized CPU frequency for power efficiency.
Desktop App: Full-featured Electron configurator with device management.
Persistent Storage: Configuration saved to flash memory on the device.
Multi-Protocol Support: Firmware directly supports HTTP/HTTPS and Webhook.
Network Discovery: Automatic device detection and configuration synchronization via the desktop application.

Hardware Specs

MCU: Arduino Nano ESP32 (Dual-core, 240MHz).
Inputs: 8× illuminated tactile buttons (PB86).
Power: 9V battery → 3.3V regulated (6-8 hour runtime).
Network: 2.4GHz WiFi 802.11b/g/n.
Current: 80-240mA.
Storage: 4MB Flash, EEPROM for configuration.
Battery Monitor: Real-time voltage sensing with low-battery alerts.

Developer Quick Start

For Configurator Development

# Install dependencies and run configurator
npm install
npm run build
npm run dev

For Hardware Development

Flash firmware/patcom.cpp to Arduino Nano ESP32
Use configurator to connect and test device
See Circuit Assembly for complete build guide

Prerequisites

Node.js 18+ (for configurator)
Arduino IDE 2.0+ (for firmware)
KiCad (for hardware modifications)

Quick Start

1. Hardware Setup

Flash the firmware to your Arduino Nano ESP32.
Connect 9V battery to power input.
Power LED will indicate system status.

2. First Boot Configuration

Power on device - it will create "PATCOM-Config" WiFi hotspot.
Connect to hotspot (password: patcom123).
Open browser to 192.168.4.1.
Configure your WiFi network and device settings.
Device will restart and connect to your network.

3. Desktop Configuration App

Development Commands

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build all TypeScript
npm run build

# Run in development mode (with debug output)
npm run dev

# Run in production mode
npm start

# Build for distribution
npm run dist

# Type checking and linting
npm run type-check
npm run lint

Configurator Features

Device Auto-Detection: USB serial and network discovery
Real-time Configuration: Live button testing and LED control
Bulk Operations: Configure multiple devices simultaneously
Configuration Backup: Save/load device configurations as JSON
Debug Console: Monitor device communication and troubleshoot issues

4. Device Discovery & Configuration

Click "Discover Devices" to find controllers on your network
Configure button actions: HTTP requests, webhooks.
Upload configuration to device
Test buttons and monitor activity

Firmware Installation

Arduino IDE Setup

Download Arduino IDE 2.0+

Add ESP32 board URL in Preferences:

https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json

Install "Arduino ESP32 Boards" via Board Manager
Install required libraries: ArduinoJson, AsyncUDP, ESPmDNS

Firmware Upload

Connect Arduino via USB-C
Select: Tools → Board → Arduino Nano ESP32
Select your port
Open firmware/patcom.cpp
Click Upload

Configuration Management

Button Action Types

HTTP/HTTPS: Send GET/POST/PUT requests with custom headers and body
Webhook: Secure webhook calls with device context and secrets
None: Disable button (LED-only feedback)

Device Settings

Network: WiFi credentials, static IP configuration
Discovery: Device name, auto-discovery, config sync settings
API Keys: Secure storage for service credentials

Configuration Storage

Settings persisted to ESP32 flash memory
Automatic backup during low battery
Configuration hash verification
Remote sync with desktop app

Development & Debugging

Device Communication

The configurator communicates with devices via:

USB Serial: Direct connection for development (115200 baud)
Network Discovery: UDP broadcast for deployed devices
HTTP API: RESTful configuration on device port 80

Debugging Tips

Enable debug mode: npm run dev shows detailed console output
Serial monitor: Built-in serial console for direct device communication
Network scanner: "Discover Devices" shows all responsive controllers
Configuration validation: Real-time validation with error highlighting

File Structure

src/
├── main.ts              # Electron main process
├── preload.ts           # Secure IPC bridge  
├── renderer/            # UI components
├── services/            # Device communication
└── types/               # TypeScript definitions

firmware/
└── patcom.cpp           # ESP32 firmware

hardware/
└── *.kicad_*           # PCB design files

Serial Commands (115200 baud)

STATUS - Device information and battery status
CONFIG - Display current configuration as JSON
SET_CONFIG:<json> - Upload new configuration
TEST:<n> - Test button n (0-7)
WIFI - WiFi connection status
BATTERY - Current battery voltage
HELP - List all available commands

Pin Connections

Function	Pin	Function	Pin
Button 0-7	D2-D9	LED 0-7	A0-A7
Battery Monitor	A8	Status LED	D13
Power In	3V3	Ground	GND
USB Serial	USB-C	Programming	BOOT + RESET

Circuit Assembly

Parts List

Packet Commander PCB
Arduino Nano ESP32
8× PB86 switches
RECOM R-78E3.3-1.0 regulator
Capacitors: 100µF, 470µF, 10µF
Resistors: 100kΩ, 33kΩ, 1kΩ
9V battery connector
Terminal blocks

Wiring

Battery → Regulator → Arduino 3V3 pin
Each button: terminal → Arduino pin, LED+ → analog pin
All grounds connected together
Battery monitor: voltage divider to D12

Example Use Cases

Smart Home Control

{
  "action": "http",
  "config": {
    "url": "http://homeassistant.local:8123/api/services/light/toggle",
    "method": "POST",
    "headers": {"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"},
    "body": "{\"entity_id\": \"light.living_room\"}"
  }
}

Custom Webhook

{
  "action": "webhook",
  "config": {
    "url": "https://api.example.com/webhook",
    "secret": "your-webhook-secret"
  }
}

Troubleshooting

Hardware Issues

Issue	Solution
Upload fails	Hold RESET button during upload. Short GPIO0 to GND to reset the boot state.
No WiFi connection	Check 2.4GHz network, verify credentials
Short battery life	Normal: 6-8 hours, enable power saving
LEDs dim/flickering	Low battery or loose connections
Configuration not saving	Check flash memory, try factory reset

Configurator Issues

Issue	Solution
Configurator won't start	Run `npm run clean && npm install && npm run build`
Device not detected	Check USB drivers, try different cable, verify 115200 baud
Network discovery fails	Disable firewall, ensure same subnet, check UDP port 12345
Configuration upload fails	Verify device connection, check JSON syntax, try smaller config
Build errors	Update Node.js to 18+, clear node_modules, reinstall
TypeScript errors	Run `npm run type-check` for detailed diagnostics

License

MIT License - Open source hardware and software.

Contributing

Packet Commander is open source hardware and software. Contributions welcome for hardware, firmware, or configurator!

Development Areas

Hardware: PCB improvements, new form factors (/hardware)
Firmware: ESP32 code, new protocols (/firmware)
Configurator: Electron app features (/src)

Process

Fork the repository
Create a feature branch
Test with hardware if possible
Submit a pull request with detailed description

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 15 Commits
.claude		.claude
assets		assets
firmware		firmware
hardware		hardware
src		src
.eslintrc.json		.eslintrc.json
.gitignore		.gitignore
README.md		README.md
clear-cache.js		clear-cache.js
package-lock.json		package-lock.json
package.json		package.json
postcss.config.js		postcss.config.js
tailwind.config.js		tailwind.config.js
tsconfig.json		tsconfig.json

tylerreckart/packet-commander

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