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I tested the NodeMCU firmware on 4 ESP8266 modules and I have a problem with the WiFi range of the modules (only 8 meters).

I tried to switch to the Arduino ESP8266 core firmware and voilà, the modules have a better range (>12 meters). I think that NodeMCU doesn't set the ESP8266 to the maximum power.

I looked at the Arduino code and it contains a setOutputPower method that set the RF power level of the ESP8266. How can I set this option in the NodeMCU firmware without modifying the firmware?

Marcel Stör
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Dsk
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1 Answers1

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Higher RF power level means higher power consumption obviously. You need to balance your options should you run the device off a battery.

NodeMCU offers wifi.setphymode() to control this. The documentation gives you a nice overview how the pyh mode relates to typical power consumption.

Update 2017-11-19

There's a PR in the making that'll give you control over system_phy_set_max_tpw from the SDK: https://github.com/nodemcu/nodemcu-firmware/pull/2171

Marcel Stör
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