[Solved] computourist Sketch - transmitting trouble

[schaf]

Hi all!

I just used computourist Gateway 2.4 and DIG end node for testing and later for end use.

My hardware I use:
Gateway:
-Original Arduino Uno
-Ethernet-shield with the wiz chip
-Selfmade shield with the RFM69hw 868 Chip, indicator LEDs (MQTT and transreciver)
-- For testing I use 5V USB and sometimes 12V, the RFM gets his 3.3V
End node Testing No 1:
-Original Arduino Uno
- Breadboard with the DIG End Node schematics
-- Runs with 5V USB, the RFM gets his 3.3V
End node Testing No 2:
-Some Arduino Nano from ebay
- fresh resembled breadboard with the same DIG config.
And monumentally I plugged the RFM board directly and only to the Arduino Nano

I followed the instructions in the pdf and readme's carefully. I added the Ethernet lib the w5100.h file and wired also to D8.
The Gateway has contact to the mosquito broke, the LED is ON. I load the sketch to the end node, I just edited only the debugging feature to ON.

Now:
I plugged in the Gateway, the MQTT LED is ON ethernet-shield is blinking for random broadcast thing in the ethernet network. Pinging just fine from a desktop PC. On the PC I start the command line for picking up the MQTT data.
Now I Plugin the end node 5V USB with running the Arduino software with debug window on COM-Port. The debug window shows me the version it runs and the 868 MHz... On the Gateway the transreceiver LED is flashing, the commandline says the "Node 6 wakeup"

In basic it runs so far and not any further.

(I'am not good in programming stuff, I know many basics, can read the code, but can't write itself down maybe modify for my purpose. A friend and I have a workshop for electronic engineering, he is studying in this direction but just started, tho he is not a pro in this one too but much better then I.   
He looked over the code and said that this code is good written, he was impressed. In the same time I tried to get the RFM69 to work, he is make his own project with the ESP8266 modules, and the MQTT broker is definitely working.)

BTT:
My friend looked over and have no clue either. We can ask the Gateway for the version No over the command line and MQTT, we get an answer. When we ask the end node for the version No, we don't get no info and the LED is ON for transmitting for one minute or something (probably till the timeout) and get no answer. So I tried the other testing boards and all of the three boards gets the same results. 

The end nodes doesn't prompt any other information on the debug window like signal strength, and others, only the last line is the 868MHz.
We will get in a few days a oscilloscope to investigate some issues, but it could be some tiny adjustment or tweak in the code or the circuit to get it work probably.
 
I hope my English was good enough to describe my problem. 

Thanks so far and a good start in the new year. 
Or we will say in German: "Guten rutsch ins neue Jahr' " (good slide in the new year) 

[greginkansas]

Have you done the gateway IRQ fix?

[schaf]

Okay, thanks you greginkansas for this advise. i will search for that.

[papa]

schaf, welcome to the DIY home automation party (& sometimes frustration source ;-) ...

About the "gateway IRQ fix," see what I wrote here in the middle of my Oct 7, 2015 post about editing the w5100.h library file. To make the changes, use an editor like notepad++.

Then find the Ethernet.h library file. With notepad++, edit it (you may need to shut down the Arduino IDE) so you UNcomment (remove //) the line that says #include "w5100.h"

[computourist]

Hello Schaf,

from your description I understand you used the 3.3 Volts power output from the Arduino to power the RFM69.
This will most probably not work. The RFM needs more peak currrent than the Arduino can deliver.
You should use a separate 3.3 Volts regulator connected to the 5 Volts power supply in combination with sufficient filtering capacitors.

Good luck and have fun !

Rgds,
Computourist

[schaf]

@all, thanks so far. I didn't see the part to modify the ethernet.h correctly, thanks papa. I will try that in the next day when I go to the Lab.
computourist, yes I fire the Arduinos with the 5V and use the 3,3V from the Arduino boards. I will rebuild it then with a separate 3.3V phase.

[papa]

schaff, BOTH voltage & current are important in relation to RFM69 radios. Voltage above 3.3 volts is not healthy for the RFM69. This not only means the voltage from the Arduino pins labeled for power (3.3 volts or 5 volts). If the Arduino is running at 5 volts the data pins (D13 etc) run at 5 volts & can cause the RFM69 to malfunction & even be damaged over time. To deal with this, some of us use Buono Uno Arduino compatibles that can be switched between 5 volts & 3.3 volt operation. Another good thing is that a Buono Uno (in 3.3 volt mode) supplies enough current for the RFM radio, unlike some 3.3 volt compatibles that require an extra power supply as computourist mentioned.

Another option is hacking a regular 5 volt Arduino Uno to be a 3.3 volt device as described here.

The documenting threads I post on this forum are all based on the computourist model & mostly use Buono Unos.

By the way, you are working on probably the hardest step in this project, getting a gateway & node to connect & stay connected.  Several of us have struggled there before.  Stay with it & have the thrill of creating & then expanding a working network.

[schaf]

papa, thank you for this quick advise with the arduinos and buonos, didn't know that clearly. And thanks for the motivation too, sometimes it's very frustrating.

[papa]

You're welcome, schaf. Another thing to check for:  On the GATEWAY, the RFM69 radios NSS connects to Arduino D8 (digital pin 8)
     However on an END NODE, the RFM69 radio's NSS connects to Arduino D10.

Seems like your gateway may work, but perhaps needs changing to 3.3 volt mode (digital pins as well as power pins) to avoid damage to the RFM69 radio.

For an end node, you might first try a stripped down end node that only transmits voltage. radio signal strength, & how many times transmitting was tried between gateway & node. Once that works, you can progressively add (& get working) DHT sensor, push button, & LED output.  Look at this thread, the Nov 28, 2016 at 8:40pm post.  Skip the first two sentences & start following at this text: "Maybe try this: a stripped down node ..."  Here you can download the latest version of my multi-choice end node sketch mentioned.

One warning (in terms of my being able to help), I will soon travel for a few days to stay a few months in a distant location.  At that location, I have some ability to test DIY Home Automation network things, but will be limited. (While there I may write a thread themed, DIY Home Automation for Beginners. :-)

Another caution, if you later use my multi-choice end node sketch to add the DHT sensor push button, & LED output & achieve the full DHT end node ... do NOT install the DHT or push button resistors (in the original computourist schematic), but do use a resistor with the LED (100 ohms works & lets the LED shine brighter).  To simplify the wiring, my sketch handles the DHT & push button resistors in the coding.

Another caution, if you build a gateway with a Buono Uno, disable the VCC pin in the Buono's ICSP cluster of 6 pins.  That is, bend the pin horizontal so it does NOT enter the socket descending from the W5100 Ethernet Shield. Otherwise on the Gateway, the RFM69 will get (damaging) 5 volts.  See this thread, the second picture & explanatory text in the Oct 8, 2015 at 6:40pm post.

Best wishes.

[schaf]

papa, I modifyed the Arduino Nano to 3.3v and that's how it should works. I can trigger the button on the node and on the MQTT Broker comes the responds - and ask from the Broker to the node uptime versions, it works like a charm. Thanks for the helping computourist and papa!

My next stepp is to run my own Openhab and mqtt Server for the later use at home. After that I will begin to create my own nodes for my purposes.
I will read and follow this forum for informations for my work. When issues are inbound, I will ask you guys for some help.

I'am happy that that work!

[computourist]

Hi schaf ,

good you got it working !

Viel Spass und wir hören gern was du alles zusammen bastelst !

rgds,
Computourist

[papa]

You're welcome, Schaf, awesome that you got it working. (That happened quicker than for some us.) Now maybe the fun can begin.

I have finished traveling to a warmer place for a while. I split off one gateway & a few nodes from my main location. Also have a few tools & electronic supplies. I have all my files & notes. So I can give some assistance with some limitations.

Again, as computourist said ENJOY! & keep us posted on what is working, not working, & what your learn. We'll benefit from your satisfaction & insights. We'll do our best to help with challenges.