[Questiion] single bidi-comm gateway and end node

[Sefi]

Hi all!

I am very interested in getting this project going, unfortunately, I am not a very electric savvy person, most of the stuff is new to me - I am hoping to learn a lot from this project as I go along! I am a software engineer, so I can tackle the software part, but the hardware schematics are a challenge.
Hopefully I will be extending it with arduino -> relay capabilities to cause things to turn on/off as a result of sensor readings or some rule.

I read the original Uber Home Automation w/ Arduino & Pi on instructables, and really got inspired!
I completely understand Eric's original design. EndNode arduino handles sensors and reports values to the RF arduino gateway, which in turn communicates with the Ethernet gateway, which posts a MQTT message to the RPI. Cool. But this does not support the RPI to query values (pull), only receive values (push) and also does not support the end node to control a relay on command (could be a separate end node, since the sensor uber node could be very crowded as it is with the sensors).

However, when I started reading the blog here, I understood that the code in the original post is obsolete, and was already extended to support Bidi-Comm via the gateway and also that now both gateways can be merged into one gateway but the competent computourist. Great news, I thought! This will also allow end node to activate relays!

I tried to go through his GitHub repo, but got lost really fast. There are a few versions there, a few end nodes, and the diagrams does not make any sense to me. I might be missing something obvious, I don't know.

I imagine the uber sensor end-node shouldn't change much, nor does the RPI - again not sure.
I am not sure to what extent the code in the original post is obsolete in light on the new single bidi-comm gateway. 

So, long story short - I would really appreciate any help, as I am not sure how to begin.

Thanks!
Sefi

[sefi]

Small correction - I expect the Uber sensor end-node shouldn't change much in terms of wiring, but the software will probably change to support the bidi-com duplex.

[papa]

sefi, welcome to the DIY Home Automation party. This project is challenging, but doable if one attends to details & maybe gets some help from tech friends.

            I confirm that you will find more satisfaction with the computourist-derived & reliable offerings on this forum.
    You are correct, that has a Gateway on one device & is a bi-directional wireless network.

I believe you would benefit from using some of my detailed documentation (hardware & software) on using & adapting from computourist's efforts.

         I've successfully created Gateways, End Nodes, & used both Windows & Linux computers to host OpenHAB-Mosquitto.
              That includes turning lights, etc on & off via scheduled rules or a user interface.

Once I shortly receive a Raspberry Pi 2 B, I intend to put OpenHAB-Mosquitto on it & document.

     Take a look at some of my threads:

Success at DIY Home Automation with Arduinos & RFM69s

Linux Laptop: How to Install OpenHAB-Mosquitto

Multi-Choice End Node incl Battery-Sipping

Being a software guy, you might also appreciate lewishollow's at the thread Re-imagined RFM node code - All-in-one, low power, OO design

    Best wishes & keep us posted on how you are doing.  & if you advance this project, please share it here.

[sefi]

Hi Papa, thanks for the warm welcome and the links!
I read the rfmNode and rfmGateway code and really liked the concept and the versatility of the end node.

However, while I understand the code, I really struggle with the circuit wirings... I didn't see any schematics and since it is very different from the wirings in the original post..

I'll read the threads you referenced I hope to find there guidelines for the wiring.

Sefi

[sefi]

What really makes it hard to follow, is that there are multiple conflicting sources and it is not clear ( to me at least) which fork to use and how to do the wiring once fork is chosen.
I like lewishollow's fork, as it seems most versatile. However, it is not based on the latest from computourist and the circuit wiring is not clear to me - wish there was a complimentary diagram.

I tried to read your thread "Multi-Choice End Node incl Battery-Sipping" but it was really hard for me to follow.

I guess what I am looking for is guidelines and maybe a rundown of the state of things, I think it'll be easier to follow and will benefit other newcomers.

[papa]

    As I said in my "warm welcome" above, "This project is challenging, but doable if one attends to details." Documenting something with so many details to address is also challenging. You're welcome to give documentation a try when you figure it out. Perhaps your approach will help other newcomers.  I mean that sincerely with no snark implied.

After a certain point of researching & reading, I found that it was hard to understand this project until I jumped in & tried following some instructions. Then when I hit a snag, research & ask questions here & elsewhere. You might try that approach.

From my view, the wiring / schematic is the most consistent aspect of this project. I discourage you from using the wiring / schematic from the original Uber Home Automation Instructable. The computourist-derived versions have less components & are bi-directional & work very reliably.

While the software sketches by & derived from computourist have gone through version upgrades & adaptations, the wiring / schematics is pretty much the same for units intended to have the same function. That is, for all his Gateway software versions, computourist assumes the same Gateway schematic. For all his DHT End Node software versions, he assumes the same DHT End Node schematic. ETC.

Hardware-wise, your main choice is what kind of Arduino you will use. Computourist's schematics use a 3.3 volt Arduino Pro Minis & add a power supply circuit for it. I use Buono Unos which has a stronger current supply than a Pro Mini. A Buono can be switched to 3.3 volts to be safe for the RFM69 radio transceiver & it still can provide 5 volts if needed.  Above all, you need an Arduino version that totally or mostly runs at 3.3 volts.

The good news about the software versions are they are "soft." If you get it wrong or want to upgrade, you upload the right sketch to the hardware.  As I documented in all my threads, you can safely use the computourist Gateway 2.2 software & compatible end node software.  Computourist software beyond Gateway 2.2 compatible adds some functionality, but is not essential in my opinion.  Again you can always upload upgrades later.

I suggest you start with hardware, one gateway first & then one end node (probably the DHT End Node). In the sketch for each, activate DEBUG mode & use the serial monitor to see if it is working.

You could use my Success ... thread starting Oct 8, 2015 at 7:40pm.  For the Gateway, you can use the schematic I posted on that date OR you can use the original computourist schematic I credited just under the schematic's title, RFM MQTT Gateway.  For the DHT End Node, you can use the schematic I posted Oct 15, 2015 at 11:32am OR the original computourist schematic I credited just under the schematic's title, RFM DHT node.

Best wishes.  Jump in & enjoy what you'll learn.

[computourist]

Hi sefi ,

as papa wrote: the gateway schematic remains unchanged over software versions. It can be found on my github.
If you want to start out with a simple end node, try DIG node. Schematic down below.
It is basically an end node where you can control a light (LED) and trigger a switch.

For starters you can leave out the High-voltage part (Omron switch) en work with the LED only.
If you use Buono, you can leave out the Voltage regulator in the upper left.



This should get you started....

[papa]

Essential parts to get started on this project: Build a Gateway & an end node, with compatible software on each. Then a computer, Windows or Linux (including Raspberry Pi), running a configured OpenHAB server & Mosquitto. Again you can see my Success... thread for details.

[lewishollow]

Hello Sefi -

You're correct that my code isn't based on computourist's latest version. However, it should support all gateway versions. I made sure not to break the interface when I was making my changes. I'll take the latest updates in my next push so that I can keep my code in lock-step with his.

Regarding the circuitry - I agree with papa and computourist - start simple. Get basic radio communication working. Then move on to more complicated setups.

For the beginner's question - I have an idea for a way to make things super simple for first-time users. It's just a matter now of getting time to do it

[computourist]

Finally got some time to update schematics of gateway and DHT end node:







These schematics are based on Arduino Pro Mini and a separate ethernet module.

[sefi]

Wow!
Thank you all for your replies! You guys are amazing
I really appreciate all your comments, I have placed an order for the hardware and I'll try with the gateway - end node combo like you guys suggested.
I'm sure I'll be learning a lot, and having such helpful people sure will help!

Can't wait to start!

[papa]

Wishing you well on building, programming, configuring, & the inevitable troubleshooting.

Keep us posted. & remember if you tweak things further or see something we missed documenting,

PLEASE, share it here.

[papa]

Feb 5, 2016 17:01:16 GMT lewishollow said:

Hello Sefi
...  For the beginner's question - I have an idea for a way to make things super simple for first-time users. It's just a matter now of getting time to do it

lewishollow, we look forward to your having the opportunity to do this.