ThingSpeak: Setting up IoT Dashboard (Complete Tutorial)

In the ever-expanding realm of the Internet of Things (IoT), platforms like ThingSpeak have emerged as indispensable tools. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of ThingSpeak, learn how to seamlessly connect an ESP32 board, and build your own IoT dashboard.

Understanding ThingSpeak: Unveiling the Power of IoT

ThingSpeak stands as a remarkable IoT platform that simplifies the process of collecting, analyzing, and viewing data from sensors and devices in real-time. As a cloud-based service, it eliminates complexity, making it possible to build IoT applications and dashboards accessible to novices and experts alike.

Advantages of Embracing ThingSpeak

1. User-Friendly Interface: With its intuitive design, ThingSpeak welcomes both newcomers and seasoned professionals into the realm of IoT.
2. Data Visualization: Through customizable graphs and visualizations, ThingSpeak empowers you to comprehend complex data effortlessly.
3. Cloud-Powered Storage: Instead of local storage solutions, ThingSpeak securely stores your sensor and device data in the cloud, streamlining data management.
4. Real-Time Insights: The platform’s real-time analytics feature enables swift data analysis, essential for responsive IoT applications.
5. Seamless IoT Integration: Supporting a plethora of IoT hardware platforms, including the renowned ESP32, ThingSpeak bridges the gap between devices and the cloud.

Getting Started with ThingSpeak

Step 1: Register and Login to ThingSpeak

1. Head over to the ThingSpeak website (www.thingspeak.com) to create an account if you don’t have one already.
2. Use your credentials to log in to your newly created ThingSpeak account.

Step 2: Create a New Channel

• After logging in, navigate to “Channels” in the top menu, then select “My Channels.”

• Click the “New Channel” button, which initiates the channel creation process.

• Provide essential details for your channel, such as its name, description, and the names of the fields representing the collected data.

1. Field 1: Temperature
2. Field 2: Humidity

Step 3: Linking ESP32 with ThingSpeak

1. Set up your ESP32 board within the Arduino IDE. For beginners, tutorials on establishing the development environment are readily available.
2. Install the relevant libraries for ESP32 and ThingSpeak via the Arduino Library Manager.

• Develop your Arduino sketch for the ESP32, including library imports and your Wi-Fi credentials.

Arduino Code For Thingspeak with ESP32:

#include <WiFi.h>
#include "ThingSpeak.h"
//#include <Adafruit_BME280.h>
//#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <sys/random.h>

const char* ssid = "Your WiFi SSID";   // Write your SSID
const char* password = "Your WiFi Password";   // Write your WIFI password

WiFiClient  client;

unsigned long Channel_ID =  2199****;  //replace with your Channel ID
const char * API_key = "key…";


unsigned long last_time = 0;
unsigned long Delay = 1000;

float temperature;

float Humidity;

// Create a sensor object
//Adafruit_BME280 bme; 



void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);  
 
  
  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);   
  
  ThingSpeak.begin(client);  // Initialize ThingSpeak
}

void loop() {
  if ((millis() - last_time) > Delay) {
    

    if(WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
      Serial.print("Connecting...");
      while(WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED){
        WiFi.begin(ssid, password); 
        delay(5000);     
      } 
      Serial.println("\nConnected.");
    }


   // temperature = bme.readTemperature();
    temperature = random(0, 45);
    Serial.print("Temperature (degree celsius): ");
    Serial.println(temperature);
    

       Humidity = random(0, 45);
    Serial.print("Humidity : ");
    Serial.println(Humidity);

        int Data = ThingSpeak.writeField(Channel_ID, 1, temperature,API_key);
    int Data2 = ThingSpeak.writeField(Channel_ID, 2, Humidity,API_key);



 
    if(Data == 200){
      Serial.println("Channel updated successfully!");
    }
    else{
      
    }


    
    last_time = millis();
  }
}

• Within your sketch, utilize the ThingSpeak library to establish a connection with your channel, employing the provided API key.

• Employ the writeField function to transmit data from the ESP32’s sensors to ThingSpeak, updating the defined fields in your channel.

Output at Arduino Monitor:

Step 4: Visualize Data on the ThingSpeak Dashboard

1. Return to your ThingSpeak account and navigate to your channel’s dedicated page.
2. Explore the “Apps” tab and opt for “ThingView” to view the default visualization of your data.
3. To craft personalized visualizations, access the “Apps” tab again and discover the array of visualization options offered by ThingSpeak.

Conclusion

ThingSpeak stands as a testament to the empowerment that such platforms bring to IoT enthusiasts. This guide made ThingSpeak account creation, seamless connection to ESP32, and creation of data visualizations on the ThingSpeak dashboard a no-brainer. As IoT continues to embrace different industries, mastering platforms like ThingSpeak equips you with the tools to innovate and solve real-world challenges. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned professional, adopting ThingSpeak opens the door to a realm of IoT possibilities. So why wait? Dive into the world of ThingSpeak and start your journey of IoT exploration today!