ESP8266 Gateway + nRF24L01+PA+LNB = Interference?
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Hi Guys,
So, I spent basically the last week trying to get a simple setup to work with limited success. 2 days from morning until 2am!
The issue I'm having is that once I put the ESP8266 and nRF24L01+PA+LNB (Shielded with foil) into a project box the signal becomes unstable I get a lot of FAILS. It appears looking at the gateway debug that the gateway doesn't transmit particularly well, I can also confirm this by deleting a nodes EPROM and then have it try and reconnect (see my previous issue posted here). The node doesn't connect most of the time unless I specify the parent ID - Most likely because the gateway isn't transmitting well. Swapping the gateway to a standard nRF helps. I've tried changing nRF channels with no obvious improvement. I can simulate the issue by placing the nRF24L01+PA+LNB near the ESP when not in the project box. The nRF24L01+PA+LNB is connected via jumper wires to the NodeMCU.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really desperate to get MySensors deployed so I can use the MQTT client
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In case it helps anyone, after a week I've resolved this.
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If using the PA version of the nRF with the ESP, it needs to be placed a good distance from the ESP itself. Also, ensure to wrap the nRF board in film and foil (making sure that the foil touches the gold antenna connector).
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Keep the wires connecting the nRF to the ESP / Arduino as short as possible, I choose to shield mine too as it helped with range.
After a week it's rock solid, and I'm getting circa 400-500 metres!
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@Mark-Swift as everything in your setup seems shielded. Maybe an idea: Could it be the power-source that causing the interference?
A switching regulator sends out a good portion of interferences itself.
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@Oitzu The power supply was my Macbook for testing (using the NodeMCU's USB power supply), I also had the same issue with a good quality USB supply...
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Maybe post a picture of the build in troublesome state. To get a better understanding of your setup.
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@Oitzu I think it's time for me to give up. I've spent a week trying to get this all working - it's simply not happening.
It seems the issue lies with my PA+LNB modules... They're unreliable, and even my attempts to shield them isn't working reliably. Without them everything seems to work smoothly. Sadly I've quite a distance I need covering to repeaters everywhere isn't really an option
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@Mark-Swift you said to have problems with your nRF+PA with your ESP, did you also tried to use a normal nRF at your gateway and build an repeater with your nRF+PA? Maybe the arduinos are more stable... just to give it a try.
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Hi,
I sure did, in fact that's what I've been trying since this morning.
I can confirm that the PA works sometimes at a good distance (20-30m), but it's damn unreliable and requires it to be held in certain way at a certain angle, sometimes it connects perfect for a while, and then it decides to stop responding. I've 2 of them and they both show the same behaviour. BTW I don't expect great range as we have real issues with Wifi signals too (Barn conversion).
Deploying normal nRF2401+ modules seem to work perfect with reliable connections while they're in range of the gateway; so I'm confident it's PA related. I've taken some pictures of my modules which I'll upload soon.
Things tried so far:
Different power supples, USB and breadboard. Providing power to the PA module via it's own AMS1117.
Shielding the PA module, both with the gold antenna connector foiled / not foiled (This seems to be ground).
Changing RF channels - I think I've tried nearly all of them! (I even built a sniffer yesterday).
Reinstalled Arduino IDE, tried various version of the ESP board manager just in case (2.0.0 and 2.1.0).
Probably a bunch of other stuff!I've been trying to get this working reliably for nearly a full week (I'm not over exaggerating either!). Last night the PA repeater in the garage worked for the entire night and then stopped this morning. I was sure I'd cracked it, but then it's back to acting up again...
Mark
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@Mark-Swift same issue here
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@noelgeorgi
I've given up for now, I've ordered some new PA+LNB models with shielding!
