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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : These instead of Xbee
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| viscomjim Guru  Joined: 08/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 925 |
Has anyone here used these type radios instead of Xbees? I just tried the bluetooth module to connect to uMite console and it worked well except for the short distance that bluetooth has. I was considering using xbee pro series 1 for a wireless console connection to program a uMite board that is in a location that is difficult (and too far) to run a hard wired connection. The xbees are excellent radios and I believe that they would work perfectly for a transparent console connection except for the price. I stumbled upon these type of radios that are half or less price. They seem to be popular with the copter type hobby and look like they might be awesome for uMite console connection. I will order a set to play with but in the mean time I am curious if anyone has had any experience with them. |
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jman Guru Joined: 12/06/2011 Location: New ZealandPosts: 711 |
HI I have not used the ones you have linked but I have used these ones EBay Transceiver They work pretty well and come at a great price Regards Jman |
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| viscomjim Guru Joined: 08/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 925 |
Hi Jman, what kind of range did you get out of those? I like the fact that these... Support the transmission channel before the auto-clean-up visits |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9492 |
I used to use Xbee Pro's, but stopped using them in favour of the SunrayRF modules, which are about half the price - US$24 for the 100mW version. You can get these in various output powers, even a very powerful 1-watt! I used the 100mW modules. They are transceivers, and have very good RX sensitivity. PLEASE NOTE: Use of these modules may breach your local radio regulations. If in doubt, get the 10mW one which should be compliant with anywhere. In my case, I had the factory make the modules for a different frequency, where up to 500mW is unrestricted, so 100mW was legal on my custom frequency, and it also kept my product well away from the congested 433 and 470 bands. Just blatting out half a watt or so on 433 or 470, apart from not being very considerate to other users of that band, can land you in hot water with the relevant Government regulators, if they catch you. ...just a little warning not to be too tempted by power alone. As standard, the 1000 series modules have TWO serial ports on them, one is TTL and the other is RS232. Making a wireless link between a uM and a PC would be very simple, and not require anything other then two of the modules, and some linking wires.(use 232 at the PC end, and TTL at the uM end - done) Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| viscomjim Guru Joined: 08/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 925 |
Hi Grogster, those sunray radios look good. Looking for some more info on the 3dr serial radios, I stumbled upon these made in Aus. They are compatible with the 3dr 100mw units but with a lot more power. On the forum for them, people are getting up to 56KM distance, however, this is LOS with quad copter or plane. Even though, could make a cool longer distance wireless serial link between PC and uMite or uMite to uMite connection. |
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| viscomjim Guru Joined: 08/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 925 |
Just a quick update... I received my 3DR radios (about $30.00 for the pair), connected "air" unit to uMite console and "ground station" unit to laptop, fired everything up and they connected quickly. I had to download the 3DR radio configuration utility and set the units up for 38400 baud as they come setup at 57600. This is done using simple AT commands for the ground unit and remotely using RT commands, so the remote (uMite) unit was able to change the baud rate over the air. The ground unit comes with a USB plug and built in usb to ttl serial chip, so very easy hook up. Virtual com port (com 8) popped right up in windows 7. Fired up MMedit and shazzam, perfect wireless connection between laptop and uMite. Of course had to check range. Laptop in one corner of house and uMite breadboard at the furthest place in house in garage, through several walls. Works great!. Now I have to set up some program to run while I walk down the street with a battery operated uMite and see where it drops out. Anyway, another cool device to make something remote with uMite. |
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