Investigate if APIS (apis-main) can be supported on an ESP32-S3 board

[axmsoftware]

The MeshEMS open source hosted on http://github.com/energy-iot/meshems provides open source HW and SW that allows low-cost submetering based on SunSpec modbus.

This issue is to investigate if apis-main or supporting modules can be executed on the ESP32-S3 microprocessor and what are the alternatives if not.

[AkarshSahlot]

@axmsoftware I have experience working with ESP32-S3 boards(pen- testing wifi) and would be interested in helping investigate APIS compatibility. What would be the best next steps to get started on this?

[axmsoftware]

Check out the details for the this APIS repository and evaluate what needs to change to fit on an ESP32-S3 board: See https://github.com/hyphae/apis-dcdc_batt_comm and its documentation https://github.com/hyphae/apis-dcdc_batt_comm/blob/master/doc/en/apis-dcdc_batt_comm_specification_en.md. The meshems already has a ESP32 OS that can communicate with devices over RS485. Thanks!

[AkarshSahlot]

Hi @axmsoftware ,I gone through the repo and also does the r&d work,
Short Answer: YES, but it requires significant development work

While we cannot simply copy the existing system, we can rebuild it with the same functionality at much lower cost and power consumption,atleast 70% -85% cost reduction (LMAO thats Revolutionalising) , this would be mainly cheap esp cost and they can run batteries for months with requiring less energy.

Investigation Results-

1. It has fast enough processing power to work
2. Their is a memory limitation, but we can extend that by using external memory
3. for communicating we need two ports but it has 3 serial ports so it would not be a problem ig
4. MeshEMS platform already works on ESP32-S3 that's a plus point
5. Already supports Modbus protocol
6. Already handles RS485 communication
7. Problem: Current APIS written in Python, ESP32-S3 uses C++

• we need to port the python code to c++

8. Problem: APIS uses complex web server, ESP32-S3 needs simpler version

• Solution: Create lightweight web server that does same job ig

Alternative approach (best option I guess)

Our team and the MeshEMS team would just need to teach the assistant one more thing:

1. We have to teach it the Second Language: The assistant already knows "Modbus" (from MeshEMS). we just need to teach it the "TDK-Lambda" language. This can be done by looking at how the current APIS system talks to the converters and copying that logic.
   Give it a Simple Script: The assistant needs to learn how to answer the boss's specific questions. For example, when the boss asks GET /api/battery_soc, the assistant needs to know that means "go ask the battery for its state of charge, and then reply back."

This issue is amazing! I really want to work on it. I'm confident I can figure out how to get APIS running on the ESP32-S3.As I already ported the whole c code into p4 for ebpf kernel in p4lang consortium.

The problem is, I've applied for the LFX mentorship and I'm still waiting to hear back. I don't have a mentor yet, and I'm not sure where to start, where to do contributions and also dont have prior contributions.

I'm worried about spending the next 2-3 months working hard on this big project if it might not even count towards the program. I really want to contribute, but I feel a bit stuck and unsure.

I would love any advice you have. Helping with this is exactly why I wanted to join LFX in the first place.

[AkarshSahlot]

@axmsoftware should I make pr on this?