Core2, W5500 and ESP-IDF example eth2ap

[sheepDog]

Hello,

I like to use a Core2 as Wifi-AP for some small sensors. My starting point was the eth2ap example from ESP-IDF v4.3.2. I added some outputs to the example to see was going on. I changed FLOW_CONTROL_QUEUE_TIMEOUT_MS to 500:

#define FLOW_CONTROL_QUEUE_TIMEOUT_MS (5*100)
#define FLOW_CONTROL_QUEUE_LENGTH (40)
#define FLOW_CONTROL_WIFI_SEND_TIMEOUT_MS (100)

typedef struct {
    void *packet;
    uint16_t length;
} flow_control_msg_t;

// Forward packets from Wi-Fi to Ethernet
static esp_err_t pkt_wifi2eth(void *buffer, uint16_t len, void *eb)
{
    if (s_ethernet_is_connected) {
        if (esp_eth_transmit(s_eth_handle, buffer, len) != ESP_OK) {
            ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Wifi->ETH: Ethernet send packet failed");
        }
    }
    esp_wifi_internal_free_rx_buffer(eb);
    return ESP_OK;
}

// Forward packets from Ethernet to Wi-Fi
// Note that, Ethernet works faster than Wi-Fi on ESP32,
// so we need to add an extra queue to balance their speed difference.
static esp_err_t pkt_eth2wifi(esp_eth_handle_t eth_handle, uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t len, void *priv)
{
    esp_err_t ret = ESP_OK;
    flow_control_msg_t msg = {
        .packet = buffer,
        .length = len
    };
    if (xQueueSend(flow_control_queue, &msg, pdMS_TO_TICKS(FLOW_CONTROL_QUEUE_TIMEOUT_MS)) != pdTRUE) {
        ESP_LOGE(TAG, "ETH->Wifi: send flow control message failed or timeout, length=%d", len);
        free(buffer);
        ret = ESP_FAIL;
    }
    return ret;
}

// This task will fetch the packet from the queue, and then send out through Wi-Fi.
// Wi-Fi handles packets slower than Ethernet, we might add some delay between each transmitting.
static void eth2wifi_flow_control_task(void *args)
{
    flow_control_msg_t msg;
    int res = 0;
    uint32_t timeout = 0;
    while (1) {
        if (xQueueReceive(flow_control_queue, &msg, pdMS_TO_TICKS(FLOW_CONTROL_QUEUE_TIMEOUT_MS)) == pdTRUE) {
            timeout = 0;
            if (s_sta_is_connected && msg.length) {
                do {
                    vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(timeout));
                    timeout += 2;
                    res = esp_wifi_internal_tx(WIFI_IF_AP, msg.packet, msg.length);
                } while (res && timeout < FLOW_CONTROL_WIFI_SEND_TIMEOUT_MS);
                if (res != ESP_OK) {
                    ESP_LOGE(TAG, "ETH->WiFi: send packet failed: %d, timeout=%d, length=%d", res, timeout, msg.length);
                }
                else {
                    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: %d, timeout=%d, length=%d", res, timeout, msg.length);
                }
            }
            free(msg.packet);
        }
    }
    vTaskDelete(NULL);
}

It worked sometimes: If I send 10 pings, 2-3 reached the server. I cann't used a browser to show some small html-page.
My output is:

I (14004) wifi:new:<1,0>, old:<1,1>, ap:<1,1>, sta:<255,255>, prof:1
I (14004) wifi:station: 5e:6c:e2:e0:0f:66 join, AID=1, bgn, 20
I (14034) eth_example: Wi-Fi AP got a station connected
I (14074) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (14104) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (14174) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (14204) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
E (16534) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet failed: 12309, timeout=100, length=60
I (16534) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16534) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16544) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16554) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=590
I (16554) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16564) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16574) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16584) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (16584) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=295
I (16594) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16604) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=770
I (16614) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16614) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1314
I (16624) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (16634) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=88
I (16644) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (16644) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=590
I (16654) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=812
I (16664) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=832
I (16674) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=316
I (16674) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=336
I (16684) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1168
I (16694) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1188
I (16704) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1398
I (16704) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1418
I (16714) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
E (18974) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet failed: 12309, timeout=100, length=60
I (18974) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (18974) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (18984) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (18994) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (18994) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19004) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19014) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19014) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19024) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=88
I (19034) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=74
I (19044) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19044) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=590
I (19054) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (19064) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
E (21324) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet failed: 12309, timeout=100, length=60
I (21324) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21324) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21334) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21344) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=316
I (21344) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=336
I (21354) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=590
I (21364) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=812
I (21374) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=832
I (21374) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1398
I (21384) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1418
I (21394) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1168
I (21404) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=1188
I (21404) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21414) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21424) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21434) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=88
I (21434) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=107
I (21444) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=131
I (21454) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (21464) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21464) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (21474) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (21484) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21494) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21494) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=705
I (21504) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (21514) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
E (22494) eth_example: ETH->Wifi: send flow control message failed or timeout, length=832
E (22994) eth_example: ETH->Wifi: send flow control message failed or timeout, length=1398
E (23494) eth_example: ETH->Wifi: send flow control message failed or timeout, length=1418
E (23774) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet failed: 12309, timeout=100, length=60
I (23774) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23774) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23784) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23794) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23794) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (23804) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23814) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=191
I (23824) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=191
I (23824) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (23834) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=60
I (23844) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=86
I (23854) eth_example: ETH->WiFi: send packet ok: 0, timeout=2, length=750
...

Have anyone used the ESP32 as WiFi-AP and knows the challenges?

[felmue]

Hello @sheepDog

the eth2ap sample code runs fine on my M5Core2 w/o any modifications except adapting the GPIOs. Ping are fine and I can surf the Internet just fine from the wireless cleint.

• Have you tried to change the channel the softAP is using? Maybe there is too much interference in your area?
• Have you tried with a different wireless client?
• How are you powering the M5Core2 and LAN module? Maybe there is a power issue?

Thanks
Felix

[sheepDog]

Hello Felix,

thank you for your quick answer. I can ping sometimes and I cann't surf the Internet with my phone or with my computer and eth2ap-modul.

• I have changed the channel the softAP is using. Small changes in quality can be seen, but no significant improvement.

• I tried a different wireless client, for example my computer and my phone.

• I used a 12V/3A power adapter on LAN-Module with W5500. The M5Core2 and the LAN module also run stably with other applications and the same power supply.

Bye,
Uwe