Building a Wireless Sensor Network with the nRF24L01 Part 4

In part 4 of Building a Wireless Sensor Network with the nRF24L01 we take a look at the design's PCB layout in Eagle software as well as cover some software and hardware updates to the design.

You can access the updated code and PCB files from GitHub: https://github.com/ForceTronics/nRF24L01_Wireless_Sensor_Dev_Board

Building a Wireless Sensor Network with the nRF24L01 Part 3

In part three we take a look at the updated hardware schematic of the router / end device design, how the router / end device settings work, and we go over the initial software of the router / end device. You can find the code from this video in GitHub at https://github.com/ForceTronics/nRF24L01_Wireless_Sensor_Dev_Board

Building an AC Power Switch Development Board

Ever want to create a design that automates turning on or off an AC powered device such as a light or a heating system? Well this video is for you! In this video we look at how to create a development board for switching on and off AC power. The switch is implemented with a TRIAC which is a semiconductor device so no moving parts like a relay based design. You can access the Eagle PCB layout files from this link https://github.com/ForceTronics/AC-Switch-Proto-Board/tree/master or you can purchase this development board from www.forcetronics.com

Download Eagles files from GitHub: https://github.com/ForceTronics/AC-Switch-Proto-Board

*********************************Arduino code shown in the video********

//This sketch is used to control Thyristor that is used as a switch to turn on and off an AC line powered light. //This code is free for all to use

int8_t dig = 0; //default is high for light off

void setup() {

  //for controlling Thyristor

  pinMode(7, OUTPUT); //set pin to output so it can sink current from optoisolator

  digitalWrite(7, HIGH); //when high the thyristor is off or open

}

void loop() {

  delay(3000); //light turns on / off every 2 seconds

  togLight(); //call function to turn light on / off using digital pin

}

void togLight() {

  if(dig) { 

     digitalWrite(7, HIGH); //turn off light

     dig = 0; //toggle dig value

  }

  else {  

     digitalWrite(7, LOW); //turn light on

     dig = 1; 

   }

}

Building a Wireless Sensor Network with the nRF24L01 Part 2

In part 2 we focus on powering our wireless sensor node. We talk about batteries, battery sizing, estimating battery life, and battery monitoring. If you have any feedback or questions use the comments section below.

Updated Schematic for Part 2

Building a Wireless Sensor Network with the nRF24L01 Part 1

This is part 1 in a series where we look at how to build a large wireless network using Arduino and the nRF24L01+ Transceiver Modules. At the end of this series you will have a reference design for a wireless sensor development board and the code needed to turn the wireless sensor developments boards into a network. You will be able purchase all the hardware for this project at my site: www.forcetronics.com

Initial Hardware Design

Getting Started with the Atmel Xplained Mini with the ATmega168PB MCU

In this video we give you an overview of the Atmel Xplained Mini which is a development board for the ATmega168PB microcontroller. In the video we cover how to load a simple "Blink" program onto the Xplained Mini with Atmel Studio and how the development board is compatible with Arduino Shields. The video is presented from the standpoint of an Arduino user. You can access the code from the video below.

//**************************Atmel Studio Code****************************
/*
 * ATmega168PB Example.c
 *
 * Created: 11/21/2015 4:59:24 PM
 * Author : ForceTronics
 */ 

#define F_CPU 16000000UL //Set the clock frequency
#include <avr/io.h> //call IO library
#include <util/delay.h> //call delay library

int main(void)
{
DDRB |= (1<<DDB5); //Set Port B 5 or PB5 or PCINT5 or pin 17 to output (1 is output and 0 is input)
while(1)
{
/*
PORTB |= (1<<PORTB5);    //Set PB5 to 1 which is high (LED on)
_delay_ms(1000);        //Delay for 1000ms or 1 sec
PORTB &= ~(1<<PORTB5);    //Set PB5 to 0 which is low (LED off)
_delay_ms(1000);        //Delay for 1000ms or 1 sec
*/
PINB |= (1<<PINB5);
_delay_ms(1000);        //Delay for 1000ms or 1 sec
}
}

Using the LM317 Voltage Regulator

In this video we give you an overview of the LM317 Voltage Regulator and how to configure it. The LM317 is popular voltage regulator among makers because of its low cost and its adjustable output voltage. You can purchase the LM317 at www.forcetronics.com