HARDWARE
As generic as possible
The ESP32 is powerfull, open source and supports Wifi & Bluetooth, making it the first choice for this project.
Accessible for the greatest number
ESP32 is affordable and compatible with Arduino IDE & micropython. USB / UART conversion based on CH340 chip is implemented so that we can program and debug with nothing but a USB-C cable.
Self-powered and Plug-n-Play
The board is powered from Minitel port (8-13v) with a buck converter based on TPS62162, so it doesn't require external power supply. It can also be powered from USB port when it needs to stay on while Minitel is shut down.
SOFTWARE
Minitel library for Arduino
The communication with minitel is made using the library from Eserandour. This library is a faithfull traduction of the Minitel technical specifications, very pleasant to work with. Great thanks to him ! Some commands have been added to the library that will be posted soon.
Minitel library for Micropython (new!)
uPyMinitel library is available for micropython ! This library is an adaptation of python3 PyMinitel from Zigazou which is also a very good translation of minitel protocol specifications, and is of great help to discover how the minitel had been conceived 40 years ago.
Project examples
The source code of the demo can be found in Minitel-ESP32 repository.
You will also find sample codes to:
- SSH remote machine like putty (Arduino code)
- Start programming in micropython (Thonny IDE)
Socketel application
Not everybody knows that some minitel services are still alive ! Indeed, while the network has been terminated in 2012, some services has been adapted to work on voip and/or websockets (see MuseeMinitel.fr for more information).
The socketel application provides a nice user interface to connect to these services with nothing but a minitel, an esp32 and an internet access ! It is written in micropython and available in Socketel repository.
For Arduino users, the Websocket_Client application will do the job too ! It is in fact more stable but without user interface, so you need to recompile your code each time you want to change the minitel configuration, wifi credentials or host parameters.
Let's (re)discover the minitel experience !
This project inspired a consumer product currently in search of crowd funding !
https://fr.ulule.com/minimit/
Looks like a travel back to the 80's