I was wondering how would go wireless for cheap, i was thinking of using ir or rf but where would i get parts for them?
** If you can, I would buy**
If you can, I would buy some Xbee devices from SparkFun. The Pro’s we are using have really good range. Below are some supplier links for components if you dont want to build something on your own.
MPJA Online - Big catalog of everything electronic.
The Electronic Goldmine - Your online source for unique electronic components.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/default.asp
well the only reason i dont
well the only reason i dont want to use the xbee is because ill have to get another arduino and 2 xbees for each to cominucate with unless there is a way i can do it with only one arduino and one xbee
what do you think about
what do you think about btm-222 modules? they are around 15 bucks and can replace a serial cable with bluetooth I have heard.
Never tried them tough
The cheapest RF module I
The cheapest RF module I know is the RFM12 from Hope Microelectronics. But these modules are very difficult to program. They only have a SPI interface, no UART. Many different types exists with different frequency ranges. The newer RFM12B modules allow max. 3.8V, the older RF12 modules allow max. 5.4V operating voltage. So be carefull what module you get. Here is a good tutorial about the RFM12 modules and an Arduino Library. One module cost about 4-5€.
One other cheap modules are the Bluetooth modules from Rayson, the BTM-11x or the BTM-22x. These modules have an UART interface, so it is very easy to connect it to a microcontroller. You don’t need any special initialisation. Disadvantage is, the BT modules need 3V operatiing voltage. One module cost about 12…15€.
No idea how easy or hard it
No idea how easy or hard it is to control anything through SPI, but the PicAxe X2 parts (and possibly X1) seem to have pins marked for SPI. from this I infer that they also have a suitable command set.
they do, I am controlling my
they do, I am controlling my ISD chip with the SPI pins on my picaxe 18x
Cheap? how 'bout 5 bucks?
If you really want a cheap RF system use these, period. The TX and RX will cost you $5 each, a total of 10 bucks. DO NOT pay any attention to any of the comments you see anywhere that say they don’t work. RF master Frits has devised a super-simple system that is 100% fool-proof. I am using a similar set in Walter and my clean data transfer is around 98%. There is nothing to program, no x-bee crap -nothing. What you put into one, comes out the other, period. Using simple serial-out and serial-in commands you can send an unlimited amount of data at speeds fast enough to use for real-time RC control, or anything for that matter. The link above is for a sparkfun RX unit (there should be a link from there for the TX) and sparkfun sells the same unit in 3 different frequencies but really, if you are sending serial commands, you can have as many receivers as you want and simply have the TX send a “qualifier” before it sends the data so each rx knows if you are talking to him.
Buy these!
thanks they even include a
thanks they even include a tutorial!
i was also wondering if
i was also wondering if anyone has tried this. it seems easyer than making my own controller http://www.rtfa.net/2009/01/02/arduino-ir-remote-control-more-advanced
well, you surely need two
well, you surely need two XBee, but if one is connected to your arduino, the other can be connected to anything: a picaxe, your pc, your fridge, etc.
just get a serial or usb adapter and you’re done
aha i took apart my dvd
aha i took apart my dvd player just recently and now i am using an ir reciver and a dvd remote
You could try using DTMF,
You could try using DTMF, you do need to build your own circuit but if you are using and arduino there is loads of documentation on it.
Like robotfreak said try
Like robotfreak said try RMF12 from hope they are damn cheap.
I bouth some for about 4 USD / piece just 2 days back . But they are SPI not as simple as connecting UART to Laipac modules.
But yes they can compete with other trancivers around , cool and cheap if you wish to build a swarm.
Does the transmitter need to
Does the transmitter need to be connected to another mcu, or can it be connected to pc (with some circuitry) so that the pc can be used to send commands to the receiver?