How to get started?

[pauljeff]

Hi,
I've done lots of reading around the boards here and on Eric and others sites and libraries.  You guys are awesome and I want to do this stuff in my house to automate heaps of things.
I'm reasonably proficient in electronics and Arduino.
I think I have an idea as to how this all comes together but thought I'd run it by you all while I wait for my last few parts to arrive.
I'm pretty solid on networking, Ethernet and IP etc,as that's what I do for a job, so happy to assist and be of help with any questions on that front .

Best overall doco I can see in here is github.com/computourist/RFM69-MQTT-client/blob/master/Gateway_2.1/RFM_MQTT_gateway_description_V21.pdf, is that correct?

Gateway
=====
Wire it up as per schematic at github.com/computourist/RFM69-MQTT-client/blob/master/Gateway_2.1/MQTT_gateway_schema.jpg
Arduino UNO + Freetronics Ether Shield + RFM69W 
Load up the latest gateway code, looks like v2.2
Plug in to my home network, eventually integrate it with OpenHAB, but maybe start with an MQTT test app on my PC or iPhone.

Node
===
Wire it up as per schematic at github.com/computourist/RFM69-MQTT-client/blob/master/DHT%20end%20node/RFM_Node_schematic.jpg
Arduino UNO + RFM69 + DHT
Test it out with a DHT sensor first and then expand.
I also have a bunch of Moteino R4's from Low Power Labs that I would then like to use as my remote nodes.  The look like they pretty much do what the Node schematic shows?

Am I on the right track?

What advice would you give, what are the common newbie mistakes I'm likely to hit do you think?

Thanks,
Paul

[computourist]

Hi Paul,

your approach seems OK to me. Possible problems you might encounter:

- Interrupt problem in the gateway; make sure you change W5100.h before compiling
- Interfacing. To avoid interfacing problems between 5 Volts and 3.3 Volts I chose to use 3.3 Volt Arduino's.
- Power supply. The HW-version of the RFM69 needs 130 mA. The 3.3 Volts source on the Arduino can not supply this, so a separate source is needed. Use a separate regulator to derive 3.3 Volts from the 5 Volts supply with adequate decoupling capacitors.


Regards,
Computourist

[pauljeff]

Thanks computourist, appreciate the advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,
Paul

[gandalph]

maybe a bit late to the party, but I'll still chime in. I had major problems neglecting the power requirements of RFM69HW (130mA). I can recommend the Buono(switchable) or pro mini 3.3v. Both are able to supply enough power, even without decoupling capacitors, as per my current setup.

[pauljeff]

Hmm, I have built my gateway and DHT node, but am not seeing successful RF comms between them (ethernet on the GW is fine) in either direction.

I have made the W5100.h changes as per harizanov.com/2012/04/rfm12b-and-arduino-ethernet-with-wiznet5100-chip/

To go back to basics, I did test and things work fine when I run the two example programs from the RFM69 library called Struct_send and Struct_receive, and I disconnect the W5100 from my GW circuit and move CS for the RFM to pin D10, all works fine in both dirs.

So my question is about Chip Select. The GW circuit at github.com/computourist/RFM69-MQTT-client/blob/master/Gateway_2.1/MQTT_gateway_schema.jpg shows CS for the RFM going to D8 on the Arduino, leaving D10 to do the CS for the W5100. But from what I can tell, the RFM69 library is by default expecting D10 to be connected to the RFM CS. Shouldn't that be changed to pin D8? I have tried it but it did not work, but I suspect the way I am doing that is incorrect.

Can someone clarify what I should be doing...or if I am barking completely up the wrong tree?

Thanks,
Paul

[computourist]

Hi Paul,

your gatewaycode should include


// Wireless settings
#define NODEID 1 // unique node ID in the closed radio network; gateway is 1
#define RFM_SS 8 // Slave Select RFM69 is connected to pin 8
#define NETWORKID 100 // closed radio network ID


to indicate you're using pin 8 as Slave Select.

[pauljeff]

Hi Computourist,

Ahhh yes it does, I missed that and I see it is used in the radio.setCS() call.

Hmmm, problem must be elsewhere, will recheck all of my wiring etc.

Thanks,
Paul

[pauljeff]

All sorted, it was the fact that I had uncommented DEBUG, it was consuming too much mem and causing the GW program to act erratically.
The initial issue that caused me to enable DEBUG was fixed a while ago, but I was still testing with it on
I am now successfuly using MQTT.fx on my PC to subscribe to an publish into some of the initial topics and it's working.
Next....I need to configure OpenHAB to talk MQTT to Mosquitto

[kmccb]

So regarding powering the boards... I can't just use a USB cable and then something like this?

www.amazon.com/Charger-Vinsic-samsung-Android-Devices/dp/B00KL806UK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445871992&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+plug

[computourist]

No problem, I use these all the time.
Discussion here is on the capacity of the 3.3 Volts supply for the RFM module.

[kmccb]

So do I need to worry about my voltage being I am using the RFM69HWs? Or will what I linked work fine with an BUONOR3 with the RFM69HW?
Thanks

[camblonie]

If you use a Bueno it will limit to 3.3v so it's an easy way to connect the RFM 69.

[papa]

AS LONG AS YOUR BUONO UNO IS SWITCHED TO 3 VOLTS, you should be fine. The power adapter you linked from Amazon will supply 5 volts to the Buono Uno which will regulate it to 3.3 volts mostly (The Buono Uno 5 volt socket will still provide 5 volts). The Buono Uno in 3 volt mode should supply the voltage AND current needed by the RFM69HW, a DHT11 sensor, & an LED. If one adds much more draw on the 3.3volt current (like a relay), erratic behavior can result.