ESP32 vs ESP8266 Radio

[jhinkle]

I currently have a ESP8266 - using the IDF (FreeRTOS V3.0) and am having less than desirable satisfaction with its performance (outside).

I am using the ESP8266 WROOM2 with trace antenna.

For 2019 I am looking to upgrade to a ESP32 if I can expect better wifi performance.

Are the two radios the same? Hardware implementation the same? Front-ends the same?

Ignoring cpu speed - does the ESP32 perform (connect to an AP and transfer data) better / more reliably than an ESP8266?

Thanks.

[G6EJD-ESP32]

The radios are not the same. IMO the ESP8266 out performs the ESP32 in most applications and you should note RF power consumption is about twice that of the ESP8266 about 73mA v 150mA on the ESP32 both with cpu running.

Poor RF performance is usually due to antenna orientation if at extreme range. Try to get antennas aligned the same e.g. both vertical or both horizontal or both a 45°To each other, you may need to experiment. If one antenna is near to the ground you will get a lot of rf attenuation which affects range. Try running a simple RSSI test to see where or how the signal is greatest.

[jhinkle]

Thanks for the comments.

I had not thought of the rf attenuation if located close to the ground.

The commercial product has an ESP8266 attached to the product's PCB along with 5 other microprocessors.

It's in close proximity(all enclosed in the same pvc weather protection box) to a 360 watt 12v switching regulator and I can't control how the product is mounted outside. I'm gaining some insight as to what hinders the ESP8266's performance so I can make recommendations to my customers.

I'm re-doing the board for 2019 and was hoping the ESP32 would be a better performer. The power consumption is not a concern but distance to operate is.

I have someone constantly comparing the wifi performance of the ESP8266 with the RasPI -- saying the RasPI does not have the issue we are having with the ESP.

Thanks again for the comment on ESP32's poor performance compared to the ESP8266.

Any other comments are welcomed.

[rontec]

Have you considered using an ESP32 with an external antenna? External antennas are inexpensive and provide significant range boost.

[jamestinsley]

IMO the ESP8266 out performs the ESP32 in most applications.
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