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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Micromite Beta 6
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| WhiteWizzard Guru  Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
I guess that people who have used the nrf24 will want that supported, and those that have used the Hope modules will want them supported. Anyway, this is where I stand . . . I can confirm that as an ex global consultant on RFID (both passive & active) I would prefer support for the Hope range of modules. They meet global standards (433MHz, 868MHz & 915MHz), come in either Tx, Rx or TRx, have low power requirements, are readily available in volume, are low cost, are very reliable, have a low voltage requirement, work reliably over a decent distance, and require with no additional specialised hardware to get working. And assuming you configure them correctly, they work very well indeed. For this reason alone, I have implemented more live systems with the Hope range of modules than any other RF module. |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6269 |
Yes please. While I like to see modules like these supported with a library of basic code (as a teaching aid), having a few of the more interesting devices with support built in should make the MicroMite more attractive for new players. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| dmasz Newbie  Joined: 12/09/2013 Location: PolandPosts: 21 |
HOPE RFM12B modules are easy available and cheap around EU. It can work on longer distance than 2.4GHz modules. here is resource for using RFM12B with it could will help implementing it for microMite https://github.com/openenergymonitor/RFM12B_Simple Dan |
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| plasma Guru Joined: 08/04/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 437 |
only to show my progess with the Micromite . 12 lines of basic ! This is rapid Development ! 
micromite bluetooth server android handy |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
Normal price for a RFM12B is about 6USD, the RF24L01+ modules with antenna on the pcb goes for around 2USD. I agree that once you have a favorite you like to stick with it. For me the NRF24L01+ were the most reliable and easiest to connect because of the availability of libraries and samples. They are used a lot and can be bought everywhere. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| JohnL Senior Member  Joined: 10/01/2014 Location: SeychellesPosts: 128 |
Nordic based RF24L01 is also available with power amplifier and SMA external antenna with 20dbm output power, for applications requiring longer range. They quote up to 1000m, but you would probably need absolute ideal line of sight conditions. Priced for as low as $6 delivered. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NRF24L01-PA-LNA-SMA-Antenna-Wirel ess-Transceiver-communication-module-2-4G-HP-/131014822617?p t=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item1e81178ad9&_uhb=1 . |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9590 |
Be careful with ANY RF module - YOU need to check that it's use is legal. There are plenty of juicy RF modules with 1W or more of output power to be had from China, but most of the time, the output power exceeds the regulations, and you can get yourself into very hot water by exceeding the power limit. I only mention it, as I was busted myself.
Seriously. Cost me $250 fine and cease-and-desist order. This was for an FM radio transmitter though, not data modules, but the concept is the same. In my case, I was transmitting 15W instead of the 300mW we were allowed at the time. Station had a great range though!!!! 
However, I learned my lesson on that one, and remain very much legal and above board these days - who needs more of those kinds of fines?(rhetorical) The one that JohnL linked to is 20dbm or 100mW, which at 2.4GHz is legal, as far as the NZ regulations are concerned, but the 2-gig band is VERY crowded these days... Depending on module, some have the intelligence to auto-search for a free channel in the 2-gig band, and hop onto that to blat out their data - I think the Xbee Pro's used to do that. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
Is not like that. You see them from an user angle. But look at the implementation behind the scene to make them work. You won't have the required space. Plus, the RFM12B module don't have a long range. This NRF module come with integrated antenna and have 100m range and "pins" are 5V tolerant: 
Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3282 |
I just love this debate. Viva the Back Shed and its great contributors. Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
Don't worry, both RFM and NRF modules are legal. Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
Good job you didn't ask which RTC or temperature sensor to implement!! |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
Vasi, You say you had a 'bad experience' with the Hope modules and that they are tricky to make work requiring a huge amount of software. 
Like anything, if you are not sure what you're doing then anything may seem difficult. But once mastered (simple with the help of Google) these units are far more useful in the real world and will can be made to work with just a few config bytes. I have implemented numerous active RFID solutions in various countries using the Hope module - their range can exceed 100m without any additional antenna and at a speed that would be useful for MicroMite projects. If you wanted an RF solution for a large amount of data i.e. a wireless Media Centre, then I would look for a 2.4G/5G solution - but for moving a few bytes of data the Hope module would be an RF engineers module of choice. Rant over (for now . . . )
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
Specifically using the RFM12B module? Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
Here in the UK I use the RFM12B 868MHz version. This not only gives an improved range over 433MHz, but is also less crowded. Understand that there is no ONE solution that fits all requirements when it comes to RF. I guess most people using a MicroMite for RF comms will only be shifting a low volume of bytes which would lead me every time to select the Hope module (at appropriate freq) over the 2.4G Nordic module. |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4036 |
Even though the NRF is cheaper? John |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
AFAIK,the sad thing is RFM12B module is cheaper than the Nordic module from SpakFun.com. Anyway, it comes in an unfriendly package, is not 5V tolerant (that is ok for Micromite) and in my opinion (unless I am corrected with a working C implementation) is still more work to implement it than the Nordic module. WhiteWizzard, we are talking here specifically about RFM12B module, as you can't implement in the firmware an entire family of RF modules from Hope. Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| JohnL Senior Member Joined: 10/01/2014 Location: SeychellesPosts: 128 |
Wouldn't it be fantastic if Geoff could implement a Mesh Networking layer in MMBasic down the track, so that I can throw away Synapse Integer Python modules and program in floating point MMBasic. Micromite may not have enough memory but it should be doable in Maximite equivalents. What do you think Geoff? Links to some Nordic NRF24L01 module example code and libraries. http://maniacbug.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/rf24network/ https://www.tindie.com/products/jeffmurchison/nrf24l01-ardui no-24ghz-wireless-transceiver-1-pair/ https://github.com/mattibal/meshnet http://maniacbug.github.io/RF24Network/ |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
A simple implementation here: http://www.tinkerer.eu/AVRLib/nRF24L01 Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
If this is 'simple' then you will be shocked at how much simpler the RFM12B is! I will see if I can fish out my assembly code for PIC16F690 and post here. Perhaps that will convince you they are easy to work with. In most countries around the world I would avoid 2.4G due to overcrowding unless it was the only freq suitable for the application. Clarify - yes RFM12B. I used many with 3v Li battery and PIC16F690 and get reliable comms indoors and outside. Max range about 150m line of sight, indoors will penetrate industrial walls so ok for home use. |
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| vasi Guru Joined: 23/03/2007 Location: RomaniaPosts: 1697 |
You awakened my curiosity  Hobbit name: Togo Toadfoot of Frogmorton Elvish name: Mablung Miriel Beyound Arduino Lang |
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