Wi-Fi PowerMeter: Build Your Own Signal Strength Analyzer!

Boost your IoT Connectivity with a C3mini-based Signal strength meter, visualize and optimize your network performance in real-time!

BeginnerFull instructions provided1 hour178

Wi-Fi PowerMeter: Build Your Own Signal Strength Analyzer!

Things used in this project

Hardware components

OLED Display 0.96 Inch – 128x64 Pixels

Carenuity Original C3-Mini v2.2.1 – ESP32-C3 IoT Development Board

Triple Adapter & Pin Headers

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Solder Wire, Lead Free

Soldering iron (generic)

Story

Enhancing IoT Connectivity: Build a Wi-Fi Signal Strength Checker with C3mini

Introduction:

In today’s interconnected world, a reliable Wi-Fi signal is crucial for seamless communication, especially in IoT projects and smart home setups. But when dead zones or weak connections disrupt your devices, how do you troubleshoot and optimize your network?

Project Overview:

Join us as we build a Wi-Fi Signal Strength Meter using the versatile C3mini microcontroller and an OLED display via I2C. This tool allows IoT enthusiasts and engineers to easily monitor and enhance Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring smoother performance in both IoT labs and home automation projects.

Building Blocks:

This project relies on the efficient C3-mini microcontroller, paired with a 0.96" OLED display and a triple adapter, to visualize Wi-Fi signal strength in real-time. The meter will display signal strength both in dBm and percentage, with a convenient bar visualization, allowing users to assess Wi-Fi quality on the spot.

Materials:

C3-Mini Microcontroller
0.96" OLED Display
Carenuity Triple Adapter (for plug-and-play)

Pin Mapping:

Here is the pin mapping for the breadboard connection:

Here is the pin mapping for breadboard connection

Crafting the Algorithm:

Creating a reliable algorithm to measure Wi-Fi signal strength was key. After thorough testing and adjustments, I’ve fine-tuned the code to give accurate, real-time readings. Simply copy and paste the code into your Arduino IDE, select the LOLIN C3-Mini board, choose the correct port, and upload.

Features and Functionality:

The Wi-Fi Signal Strength Meter offers a compact, portable solution for on-the-go troubleshooting. Its dual-display functionality ensures comprehensive insights into your Wi-Fi signal quality. The real-time visualization allows users to track their Wi-Fi signal strength in both numeric and bar formats, providing a clear overview of network health.

Applications:

This Wi-Fi Signal Strength Meter is a game-changer. It helps optimize device placement in smart homes, ensures reliable data transmission in IoT labs, and enhances overall Wi-Fi performance in both personal and professional environments. Whether you’re a hobbyist or an engineer, this tool will significantly improve your IoT connectivity.

Conclusion:

In a world where connectivity is key, the Wi-Fi Signal Strength Meter is a testament to innovation. By leveraging the C3mini microcontroller and OLED display, this project empowers users to tackle Wi-Fi issues, enhancing the performance of IoT and smart home setups. Let’s continue pushing the boundaries of IoT connectivity together!

Join the Journey:

Follow along for insights, tutorials, and updates on building and optimizing Wi-Fi connectivity with the C3-mini Wi-Fi Signal Strength Meter. If you have any questions or challenges along the way, feel free to comment—I’m here to help!

WiFi Signal Strenght meter

#include <WiFi.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include "SSD1306.h"

// Enter the WiFi credentials
char wifissid[] = "Your local wifi name";
char wifipass[] = "your wifi password";

int signal_dBM[] = { -100, -99, -98, -97, -96, -95, -94, -93, -92, -91, -90, -89, -88, -87, -86, -85, -84, -83, -82, -81, -80, -79, -78, -77, -76, -75, -74, -73, -72, -71, -70, -69, -68, -67, -66, -65, -64, -63, -62, -61, -60, -59, -58, -57, -56, -55, -54, -53, -52, -51, -50, -49, -48, -47, -46, -45, -44, -43, -42, -41, -40, -39, -38, -37, -36, -35, -34, -33, -32, -31, -30, -29, -28, -27, -26, -25, -24, -23, -22, -21, -20, -19, -18, -17, -16, -15, -14, -13, -12, -11, -10, -9, -8, -7, -6, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1};
int signal_percent[] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 90, 91, 92, 93, 93, 94, 95, 95, 96, 96, 97, 97, 98, 98, 99, 99, 99, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100};
int strength = 0;
int percentage = 0;

// Syntax -> display(Address of Display, SDA_PIN, SCL_PIN)
SSD1306  display(0x3c, 8, 10);

void setup() {
  // Initialize display
  display.init();
  // Choose to flip the screen depending upon the display orientation
  display.flipScreenVertically();
  // Font for the text
  display.setFont(ArialMT_Plain_10);
  // Setting the text allignment to Center
  display.setTextAlignment(TEXT_ALIGN_CENTER);
  display.clear();
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("WiFi Signal Strength Checker");

  // Set WiFi to Station Mode
  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.disconnect();
  delay(10);

  // Connect to WiFi
  WiFi.begin(wifissid, wifipass);
  Serial.print("Connecting to WiFi...");
  display.drawString(64, 15, "Connecting to WiFi...");
  display.display();

  // Check if connected to WiFi
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }
  // Print connection information
  display.clear();
  display.drawString(64, 15, "Connected to " + String(wifissid));
  display.display();
  Serial.print("\nConnected to: ");
  Serial.println(wifissid);
  Serial.print("IP address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
  Serial.println("");
}

void loop ()
// While checking for signal strength, check if ESP got disconnected
{
  if (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    display.clear();
    display.drawString(64, 15, "Connection lost");
    display.display();
    delay(1000);
  }
// Get signal strength if ESP is connected to WiFi
  else if (WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED) {
    display.clear();
    Serial.println(" ");
    Serial.print("WiFi Signal Strength - ");
    // Print the received signal strength in dBm
    Serial.print("RSSI: ");
    strength = WiFi.RSSI();
    Serial.print(strength);
    Serial.print("dBm");
    Serial.print(" ");
    // Get the signal percentage value
    for (int x = 0; x < 100; x = x + 1) {
      if (signal_dBM[x] == strength) {
        // Print the received signal strength in percentage
        Serial.print("Percentage: ");
        percentage = signal_percent[x];
        Serial.print(percentage);
        Serial.println("%");
        break;
      }
    }
    drawProgressBar();
    display.display();
    delay(1000);
  }
}

// Using a progress bar for visual strength indication
void drawProgressBar() {
  display.drawProgressBar(10, 32, 100, 10, percentage);
  display.drawString(64, 0, "WiFi Signal Strength");
  display.drawString(64, 15, String(strength) + "dBm" + " | " + String(percentage) + "%");
  if (percentage == 0) {
    display.drawString(64, 45, "No Signal");
  }
  else if (percentage == 100) {
    display.drawString(64, 45, "Maximum Signal");
  }
}