ESP32-C6 Wi-Fi Logger with Browser GPS + Heat Map Dashboard

This project is an ESP-IDF firmware for the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6 that turns the board into a self-hosted, secure Wi-Fi scanning logger. It creates its own access point, serves a responsive HTTPS web UI, logs nearby Wi-Fi access points, optionally tags rows with GPS coordinates (provided by the client browser), and exposes battery status from the on-board LiPo input.

The end result is a pocket Wi-Fi “survey” tool: scan, track, export logs as CSV, and generate a heat map view to visualize RSSI vs location.

Project overview and feature set: :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

What it does

• AP + Station mode so the device can serve the dashboard while scanning nearby Wi-Fi networks.
• HTTPS web interface using a bundled certificate/key for local secure access.
• Single scan and continuous tracking modes.
• CSV export for analysis and archiving.
• Persistent logging to SPIFFS at /spiffs/logs.csv.
• Battery monitoring via ADC with voltage/percentage/status shown on the dashboard.
• Heat map generation (Leaflet-based) to visualize logged RSSI data.

Feature list: :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

How “GPS” works in this project

This is an important implementation detail: GPS coordinates are captured via the client browser (phone/laptop) when you open the dashboard and grant location permissions. Those coordinates are then attached to scan rows so they can be plotted later.

Web UI usage steps (including location permission): :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Hardware notes

• Target board: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6 (or compatible ESP32-C6 module).
• Battery sense: LiPo input is read via ADC1 channel 0 (GPIO0) through a divider matching VOLTAGE_DIVIDER_RATIO (default 2:1).
• Optional external antenna control: GPIO14 (configured in init_wifi_ap).

Hardware section: :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Build & flash (ESP-IDF)

The repo targets ESP-IDF v5.5 (or the matching version referenced by the project). On Windows, initialize the ESP-IDF environment first (e.g., run export.ps1 from your ESP-IDF install).

Prerequisites and environment notes: :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

idf.py build
idf.py -p COM6 flash
idf.py -p COM6 monitor

Replace COM6 with the serial port on your machine. Use Ctrl+] to exit monitor.

Build/flash/monitor commands: :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Using the web UI

1. Power the device and connect to the Wi-Fi network XIAO-Logger (default password: ChangeMe123).
2. Browse to https://192.168.4.1/ and accept the self-signed certificate warning.
3. Grant Location permission in your browser if you want GPS-tagged scan rows.
4. Use Single Scan for a one-time snapshot, or Start Tracking to log continuously.
5. Use Download CSV to export logs (or Clear to reset).

Web UI workflow and defaults: :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Battery telemetry

The dashboard’s Battery card shows live voltage, percentage, and status. Per the implementation notes, the UI refreshes battery info periodically from the device endpoint.

Battery update behavior: :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Heat map workflow (why internet is required)

Heat map rendering uses Leaflet libraries that load from a CDN. That means you typically need an internet connection at the moment you generate the map. A practical workflow is:

1. While connected to XIAO-Logger, run scans so the log includes GPS-tagged rows.
2. Stop tracking (if active) and disconnect from the logger network.
3. Connect your phone/laptop to the internet (cellular or another Wi-Fi).
4. Revisit https://192.168.4.1/; when the map libraries are available, return to the logger LAN as needed.
5. Press Generate Heat Map. If CDN loading fails, the UI prompts you to reconnect to the internet and retry.

Heat map workflow notes: :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Data storage and endpoints

• Logs append to /spiffs/logs.csv (SPIFFS partition).
• /download streams the current log file.
• /clear clears the log contents.

Storage and endpoints: :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Customization

• Wi-Fi SSID/password: edit main/main.c (WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD), rebuild, and flash.
• Battery calibration: adjust VOLTAGE_DIVIDER_RATIO (and ADC definitions) if your hardware divider differs.
• TLS certificate/key: replace cert.pem and key.pem and rebuild (embedded via EMBED_TXTFILES).

Customization section: :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Security and privacy notes

• The dashboard uses HTTPS with a self-signed certificate, so browsers will show a warning the first time. This is expected for local-only devices.
• GPS is collected only if the user grants browser permission; treat your exported CSV as sensitive if it includes location traces.

Source code

GitHub: https://github.com/error0327/ESP32-C6-WifiGPS-HeatMap

License

MIT License (with additional third-party licenses inherited via ESP-IDF and managed_components).

License note: :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

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Suggested Blogger labels: ESP32-C6, ESP-IDF, XIAO, WiFi, GPS, Heatmap, Leaflet, IoT

Meta description: ESP32-C6 Wi-Fi scanning logger with HTTPS dashboard, browser GPS tagging, SPIFFS CSV export, battery telemetry, and Leaflet heat map visualization.