💬 Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors

[akamap]

Thank you everyone. Everythings seems to be working now. I did solder a capacitor on the booster.

But I don't think this was all that was bad. I also find out that when I touched the capacitor for the radio, I was having mixed result. So I soldered the capacitor directly on the radio.

Now, everything works fine. I guess I burned the trace or something was creating a short with this part.

I just need to remove the voltage regulator as suggested by gohan now and I can start testing my battery life.

Thanks again. Great library, great forum but most of all, great community.

[sundberg84]

So its coming up for a new revision of the EasyPCB (both Nrf + RFM edition).
I have had some suggestions from the community so far and some thoughs of myself:

• ATSHA204A (signing)
• Change 0,1uF and 10uF capacitor so now 10uF is on the input and 0,1uF on the output
• Line up MysX connector for a more clean placement of daugherboards.

Anyone have any other input before i start the work?
I will not take any suggestions that will make the board heavy or non user-friendly. Still the same goal - only easy to use components, easy to assemble and easy to understand.

[gohan]

How about a flash chip + 2 resistors for FOTA ?

[sundberg84]

@gohan - interesting. What would be the easiest way to do this do you think? Placement?
Can I avoid SMD components?

[gohan]

the flash chip is 8 pins smd unless you choose a specific breakout board, resistors are your choice; they could fit unterneath the pro mini or on the back side

Also you may need to work on the NRF5x version too

[mickecarlsson]

Put the battery measurement components under the Arduino. This makes the board more generic and frees up space on the right side of the board that can be used for more sensors. Expand the prototype area so that more sensors can be installed on the board.
And if one uses the board for battery only, the whole right section can be cut off but the battery measurement circuit is still there.

[mickecarlsson]

Now that I think of it, there is a small difference between the NRF and RFM board, the prototype area on the RFM board is not correctly spaced, the holes are a fraction to narrow spaced, one cant fit a header there without bending the pins

[gohan]

@mickecarlsson said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

Now that I think of it, there is a small difference between the NRF and RFM board, the prototype area on the RFM board is not correctly spaced, the holes are a fraction to narrow spaced, one cant fit a header there without bending the pins

Yes, I noticed that too

[sundberg84]

@gohan @mickecarlsson
Thanks for your input! I will probably redo the Nrf version in KiCad since the old in is in eagle so I will line everything up

About the battery measurement components under the Arduino - I was thinking of putting the signing chip there.
If you want to use the battery divider you need the booster as well so therefore its nessecary to have the board uncut. with this in mind I think it does not matter about the voltage divider placement or?

Im not sure a 8 pin SMD component is right for EasyPCB - It seems a bit to advanced and unclear?
Maybe I can do this with a MysX shield?

[mickecarlsson]

If I don’t use the booster and connect both BAT and REG and feed the board with two AA batteries i can use the battery components to measure the voltage of the battery. That is how I use it today.

[sundberg84]

@mickecarlsson - ahh, I see - good one!
Let me think and maybe try some in KiCad and i let you know what I descide.

[gohan]

The flash chip uses pins that are not on the connector.
I understand that you want to keep it simple, but adding the signing chip and the flash chip to a project it is not very easy either

[sundberg84]

@gohan - you are right.
Maybe I can use the back side for the smd parts? Again I will test and see how it works out in KiCad. I might do some testing and post to get feedback. Im really afraid I will lose the easy to use function which the pcb is designed for though and if I feel I do the smd parts will be excluded.

Maybe I could do a rev 10 which includes more heavy stuff and keep rev 9 as well as the Easy version.

[gohan]

I don't see it as a complicated thing, since if you don't need it then you just don't use it and you only have a few smd pads unused.

[sundberg84]

@gohan - valid point!
What makes it complicated is if you are a new user who sees all these pads and dont understand if they have to be populated or used. But by adding those with clear labels on the bottom side might do the trick.

[gohan]

@sundberg84 Exactly, maybe a label like "signing" and "FOTA" would make it more obvious to the user (of course it needs to be added to the project page too)

[sundberg84]

@mickecarlsson said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

If I don’t use the booster and connect both BAT and REG and feed the board with two AA batteries i can use the battery components to measure the voltage of the battery. That is how I use it today.

Why dont you use the internal library to measure the battery voltage? Im thinking about this and can't find a reason to move the voltage divider since without the booster you could just use the internalref and a library to measure the voltage?

[mickecarlsson]

@sundberg84 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

Why dont you use the internal library to measure the battery voltage? Im thinking about this and can't find a reason to move the voltage divider since without the booster you could just use the internalref and a library to measure the voltage?

Good point, I have not thought of that. I will test it it. And will probably save some uA in the process. Thanks,

[mickecarlsson]

@sundberg84 I have now a node running with the BAT link removed, the REG link attached and I have used the Arduino_Vcc library.
The battery report are consistent with the battery voltage measured with a digital volt meter.
EDIT: Code below had a bug in it, I have fixed the bug and updated the code. The bug affected the temperature readings
So, to run the RFM69 board on two AA batteries I have done the following:

1. Removed regulator and led from Arduino
2. Burned a new bootloader with a 1.7 volt BOD
3. Put a link in REG position
4. Solder radio to board
5. Solder antenna to board.
6. Solder BME280 to power and A5, A6
   And that's it.
   Here is my code:

/**
 * The MySensors Arduino library handles the wireless radio link and protocol
 * between your home built sensors/actuators and HA controller of choice.
 * The sensors forms a self healing radio network with optional repeaters. Each
 * repeater and gateway builds a routing tables in EEPROM which keeps track of the
 * network topology allowing messages to be routed to nodes.
 *
 * Created by Henrik Ekblad <henrik.ekblad@mysensors.org>
 * Copyright (C) 2013-2015 Sensnology AB
 * Full contributor list: https://github.com/mysensors/Arduino/graphs/contributors
 *
 * Documentation: http://www.mysensors.org
 * Support Forum: http://forum.mysensors.org
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
 * version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *
 *******************************
 *
 * DESCRIPTION
 *
 * This is a sketch I use to measure temperature, battery level and signal level on
 * my Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors (rev 9)
 * Hardware used:
 * Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors
 * BME280 (I only use temperature and humidity, all code for barometic pressure removed)
 *
 */

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
//#define MY_DEBUG
#define   MY_SPLASH_SCREEN_DISABLED  // This saves a couple of bytes
// Enable and select radio type attached
#define   MY_RADIO_RFM69
#define   MY_IS_RFM69HW
#define   MY_RFM69_NEW_DRIVER
#define   MY_RFM69_FREQUENCY RFM69_868MHZ
// #define   MY_RFM69_ENABLE_ENCRYPTION

#include <MySensors.h>
#include <Wire.h>       // Enables the Wire communication protocol.
// Bosch BME280 Embedded Adventures MOD-1022 weather multi-sensor Arduino code, 
// written originally by Embedded Adventures. 
// https://github.com/embeddedadventures/BME280
#include <BME280_MOD-1022.h>
// Internal battery measurement https://github.com/Yveaux/arduino_vcc
#include <Vcc.h>

#define SKETCH_NAME    "Test-4"
#define SKETCH_VERSION "1.10"

// Battery measurements
const float VccMin        = 2.0*1.0;  // Min Vcc level, in Volts. Example for 2xAA Alkaline.
const float VccMax        = 2.0*1.5;  // Max Vcc level, in Volts. Example for 2xAA Alkaline.
const float VccCorrection = 3.02/3.12;  // Measured Vcc by multimeter divided by reported Vcc

Vcc vcc(VccCorrection);

// VARIABLES YOU CAN CHANGE
// Send temperature only if it has changed? 1 = Yes 0 = No.
#define COMPARE_TEMP 0
// Set this value to the minimum change in temperature to measure.
// BME280 has +-0.5 degrees precision, so it really doesn't matter that much.
float tempThreshold = 0.5;
// Send temperature only if changed? 1 = Yes 0 = No.
#define COMPARE_HUM 0
// Set this value to the minimum change in humidity to measure.
// BME280 has +-3% relative humidity precision, so it really doesn't matter that much.
float humThreshold = 0.5;

#define TEMP_CHILD_ID       1
#define HUM_CHILD_ID        2
#define VOLTAGE_CHILD_ID    3

float lastTemperature = -1;   // Store previous measurement
float lastHumidity =    -1;   // Stores the previous measurement
int sendBattery = 6;          // report battery level only after 6 loops = 6*4 mintes = 24 minutes
int batteryLoop = 0;          // Placeholder for batteryloop

unsigned long FOUR_MINUTE_SEND_FREQUENCY = 4 * 60000;  // Time between send (in milliseconds).

// MYSENSORS COMMUNICATION VARIABLES
MyMessage temperatureMsg(TEMP_CHILD_ID, V_TEMP);
MyMessage humidityMsg(HUM_CHILD_ID, V_HUM);
MyMessage voltageMsg(VOLTAGE_CHILD_ID, V_VOLTAGE);

void setup()
{

#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.begin(115200);
#endif

  Wire.begin(); // For the BME280 sensor
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.println(F("Starting ..."));
#endif
}

void presentation()
{
  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
  sendSketchInfo(SKETCH_NAME, SKETCH_VERSION);
  // Present the sensors to the gateway and controller
  present(TEMP_CHILD_ID, S_TEMP, "Temperature Test-4");
  present(HUM_CHILD_ID, S_HUM,   "Relative humidity Test-4");
  present(VOLTAGE_CHILD_ID, S_MULTIMETER, "Battery Test-4" );
}

void loop()
{
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.println(F("Read BME280 and report it's values."));
#endif
  GetTemperatureHumidity(); // Get temperature and humidity

  if(batteryLoop > sendBattery) { // Is the batteryLoop higher than sendBattery?
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println(F("Read the battery voltage and report it."));
#endif
    MeasureBattery();         // Measure and report battery level
    batteryLoop = 0;          // Reset batteryLoop count
}
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.print(F("Go to sleep for: "));
  Serial.print(FOUR_MINUTE_SEND_FREQUENCY / 60000);
  Serial.println(F(" minutes."));
#endif
  batteryLoop++;
  sleep(FOUR_MINUTE_SEND_FREQUENCY);        // Sleep for 4 minutes
}

void GetTemperatureHumidity()
{
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.println("");
  Serial.println(F("BME280 - Requesting new data from sensor module."));
#endif
  BME280.readCompensationParams();    // Need to read the NVM compensation parameters.
  // Normal mode for regular automatic samples
  BME280.writeStandbyTime(tsb_0p5ms);         // tsb = 0.5ms
  BME280.writeFilterCoefficient(fc_16);       // IIR Filter coefficient 16
  BME280.writeOversamplingPressure(os16x);    // pressure x16
  BME280.writeOversamplingTemperature(os8x);  // temperature x8
  BME280.writeOversamplingHumidity(os8x);     // humidity x8
  BME280.writeMode(smNormal);
    
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.println(F("Getting new values"));
#endif
  while (BME280.isMeasuring()) {  // Wait for BME280 to fininsh reading data
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println(F("Measuring..."));
#endif
    delay(50);
  }
  Serial.println(F("Done!"));
  // Read out the data - must do this before calling the getxxxxx routines
  BME280.readMeasurements();
  float temperature = BME280.getTemperatureMostAccurate();  // Get the temperature first.
  float humidity = BME280.getHumidityMostAccurate();        // Get the humidity.
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.print(F("BME280 - Temperature = "));
  Serial.print(temperature);
  Serial.println(" °C");
  Serial.print(F("BME280 - Humidity = "));
  Serial.print(humidity);
  Serial.println(F(" %"));
#endif

  // Now, let's send the measurements to the gateway.
  // Send temperature if the temperature difference bigger than the threshold
  if (COMPARE_TEMP == 1 && abs(temperature - lastTemperature) < tempThreshold) { 
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print(temperature - lastTemperature);
    Serial.println(F(" Temperature difference too small, don't send it to gateway."));
#endif
  } else {
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
      Serial.println(F("Sending new temperature to the gateway."));
#endif
      send(temperatureMsg.set(temperature, 1));
      lastTemperature = temperature; // Save temperatures for compare in the next round.
  } 
  // Send humidity if the humidity difference is bigger than the threshold.
  if (COMPARE_TEMP == 1 && abs(humidity - lastHumidity) < humThreshold) { 
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print(humidity - lastHumidity);
    Serial.println(F(" Humidity difference too small, don't send it to the gateway."));
#endif
  } else {
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println(F("BME280 - Sending the new humidity to the gateway."));
#endif
    send(humidityMsg.set(humidity, 1));
    lastHumidity = humidity; // Save new humidity to be able to compare in the next round.
  }
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.println(F("BME280 - Measurement complete. Putting sensor to sleep."));
#endif
  BME280.writeMode(smSleep);  // set the BME280to sleep mode, save battery
} // GetTemperatureHumidity

/*
*
* MeasureBattery 
*
*
*/
void MeasureBattery() //The battery calculations
{
  float Vbat = vcc.Read_Volts();
  int batteryPercent = static_cast<int>(vcc.Read_Perc(VccMin, VccMax));

#ifdef MY_DEBUG
  Serial.print(F("Battery percent: ")); 
  Serial.print(batteryPercent); 
  Serial.println(" %"); 
  Serial.print(F("Battery Voltage: ")); 
  Serial.print(Vbat); 
  Serial.println(F(" Volts"));
#endif
    sendBatteryLevel(batteryPercent);
    send(voltageMsg.set(Vbat,2)); //send battery in Volt 2 decimal places
}

[sundberg84]

@mickecarlsson - nice work! Let us know how it turns out
Any pictures of this you can share?

I did see you put VccMin to 1,2V and this might calculate so the battery will be @ 30% when the BOD hits you. I would put this to 2.0v if you are using a internal 8mhz bootloader. https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/7296/how-to-burn-fuses-so-that-pro-mini-3-3v-would-go-down-to-1-8v-solved/15

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 Hi, I soldered a board holding a humidity and temperature sensor. That is working fine and reporting to may gateway (mqtt). Only thing which I do not get working ok is the battery level measurement. As I already posted in an other topic here.

Here are some pictures of my board. The bat jumper is connected with a wire on the bottom. And the code I use on it right now.
I already changed the pro mini for a fresh soldered one but still getting the the same result. Just ones giving the volt and % and after that only giving 0 volt as output.
tried to include delay(500) in the sketch but that did not help. So how to solve this?

 
#define MY_NODE_ID 2
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_IS_STATIC

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable and select radio type attached 
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RS485
 
#include <SparkFunHTU21D.h>
#include <MySensors.h>  
#include <Wire.h>
#include <SPI.h>

// Force sending an update of the temperature after n sensor reads, so a controller showing the
// timestamp of the last update doesn't show something like 3 hours in the unlikely case, that
// the value didn't change since;
// i.e. the sensor would force sending an update every UPDATE_INTERVAL*FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS [ms]
//static const uint8_t FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS = 10;

#define CHILD_ID_HUM 0
#define CHILD_ID_TEMP 1
#define CHILD_ID_BATTERY 2
//#define CHILD_ID_VOLT 2
#define CHILD_ID_PRCNT 3

float lastTemp;
float lastHum;

uint8_t nNoUpdatesTemp;
uint8_t nNoUpdatesHum;
boolean metric = true;




void presentation()  
{ 
 // Send the Sketch Version Information to the Gateway                                                                                                                     
  sendSketchInfo("Humidity", "2.0");      
   
 // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)                                                                                                     
  present(CHILD_ID_HUM, S_HUM);                                                                                                                                          
  present(CHILD_ID_TEMP, S_TEMP);
   present(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, S_MULTIMETER);                                                                                                                                         
  //metric = getControllerConfig().isMetric;


   
}

int BATTERY_SENSE_PIN = A0;  // select the input pin for the battery sense point
                                                                                                                                                  
unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 60000; // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds)                                                                                             
static int oldBatteryPcnt = 0;                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                        
//Create an instance of the object                                                                                                                                          
HTU21D myHumidity;                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
MyMessage msgHum(CHILD_ID_HUM, V_HUM);                                                                                                                                      
MyMessage msgTemp(CHILD_ID_TEMP, V_TEMP);                                                                                                                                   
MyMessage msgBattery(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, V_VOLTAGE);
//MyMessage msgBattery(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, V_PRCNT);


void setup() {
    myHumidity.begin();

     // use the 1.1 V internal reference
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
    analogReference(INTERNAL1V1);
#else
    analogReference(INTERNAL);
#endif


} 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
void loop()                                                                                                                                                                 
{                                                                                                                                                                           
  float temperature = myHumidity.readTemperature();                                                                                                                         
  //if (!metric) {                                                                                                                                                            
  //    temperature = (temperature * 1.8) + 32.0;                                                                                                                             
  //}                                                                                                                                                                         
  send(msgTemp.set(temperature, 1));
  Serial.print("T: ");
  Serial.println(temperature);                                                                                                                                     

  float humidity = myHumidity.readHumidity();                                                                                                                               
  send(msgHum.set(humidity, 1));                                                                                                                                         
  Serial.print("H: ");
  Serial.println(humidity);


   // get the battery Voltage
     
    int sensorValue = analogRead(BATTERY_SENSE_PIN);
    delay(500);
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println(sensorValue);
#endif

    // 1M, 470K divider across battery and using internal ADC ref of 1.1V
    // Sense point is bypassed with 0.1 uF cap to reduce noise at that point
    // ((1e6+470e3)/470e3)*1.1 = Vmax = 3.44 Volts
    // 3.44/1023 = Volts per bit = 0.003363075
    int batteryPcnt = sensorValue / 10;

#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    float batteryV  = sensorValue * 0.003363075;
    Serial.print("Child ID ");
    Serial.print(CHILD_ID_BATTERY);
    Serial.print("Battery Voltage: ");
    Serial.print(batteryV);
    Serial.println(" V");

    Serial.print("Battery Percent: ");
    Serial.print(batteryPcnt);
    Serial.println(" %");
#endif

    if (oldBatteryPcnt != batteryPcnt) {
        // Power up radio after sleep
              
        sendBatteryLevel(batteryPcnt);
        oldBatteryPcnt = batteryPcnt;
    } 
                                                                                                                                                                      
  sleep(SLEEP_TIME); //sleep a bit  
                                                                                                                                       
}

[gohan]

I don't think it is PCB related, try to make sure it is not a faulty arduino

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

I don't think it is PCB related, try to make sure it is not a faulty arduino

I already changed the arduino for a fresh soldered one but that did not alter things.

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor - I can not see any errors on the pictures you posted.
Can you measure the voltage on Booster-Vout and also on this pad.

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

@mr_sensor - I can not see any errors on the pictures you posted.
Can you measure the voltage on Booster-Vout and also on this pad.

I did measure the parts you mentioned. Booster is 3,36 v and the other pad is 0,00 the input strait from the batteries is 2,80 v

Also, Just for my info, does it matter how the resistors or capacitors are soldered on the board? My biggest problem is always determine the right resistors value and the right way to solder them (+ -). On the pcb some of them are coded (very handy for me as a beginner) with a G but not all of them?
So my worry was that I maybe have soldered the "battery measurer" ones in the wring direction? Could that be the problem here?

[gohan]

Resistors can be soldered either way, but if you read 0v on that capacitor pin it mean you have a problem between the battery and the capacitor, so you have to backtrack the connection that is missing

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

Resistors can be soldered either way, but if you read 0v on that capacitor pin it mean you have a problem between the battery and the capacitor, so you have to backtrack the connection that is missing

I measured the capacitor again and get a 0,10 output.

[gohan]

What are the resistor values you used? 0.1v is quite low

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

What are the resistor values you used? 0.1v is quite low

Maybe I used the wrong capacitor it says 1uf (50v) but now I see it has to be 0,1uf could that be the problem here?

[sundberg84]

Capacitor value does not change the voltage. The resistors does... I would double check that you use the right resistors. For example it's easy to use a resistor marked 1k instead of 1M. With 3.3v you should have around 1v on the capacitor.

[gohan]

you are also missing the capacitor on the booster output for better stability

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

you are also missing the capacitor on the booster output for better stability

Ok, I assumed it was not needed when using a battery. Which one to use there?

[gohan]

It is needed if you use a booster. Look at project page for details.

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor a advice is to measure the resistance again over the resistors.

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 Well I tried that but did not get the measurement straight from the pcb si I decided t solder a new board using the right capacitor this time (0,1uf instead of 1uf) made sure using the right resistors as well and adding a capacitor after the booster. Than with the same mini pro from the other board tested again and wow it is working as intended.

Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.44 V
Battery Percent: 102 %
2930 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:102
2938 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2945 TSF:TDI:TSL
2947 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2949 TSF:TRI:TSB
3065 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
3178 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
957
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.22 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
3690 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:95
3698 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
3704 TSF:TDI:TSL
3706 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
3708 TSF:TRI:TSB
3815 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
3932 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
955
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.21 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
4442 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
4452 TSF:TDI:TSL
4454 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
4456 TSF:TRI:TSB
4560 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
4673 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
953
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.21 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
5185 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
5193 TSF:TDI:TSL
5195 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
5197 TSF:TRI:TSB
5304 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
5416 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
952
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.20 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
5926 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
5935 TSF:TDI:TSL
5939 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
5941 TSF:TRI:TSB
6045 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
6158 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
952
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.20 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
6670 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
6678 TSF:TDI:TSL
6680 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
6682 TSF:TRI:TSB
6789 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
6901 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
952
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.20 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
7411 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
7419 TSF:TDI:TSL
7424 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
7426 TSF:TRI:TSB
7530 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
7643 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
952
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.20 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
8155 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
8163 TSF:TDI:TSL
8165 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
8167 TSF:TRI:TSB
8273 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
8388 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
955
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.21 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
8898 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
8908 TSF:TDI:TSL
8910 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
8912 TSF:TRI:TSB
9021 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
9132 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
948
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.19 V
Battery Percent: 94 %
9646 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:94
9654 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
9660 TSF:TDI:TSL
9662 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
9664 TSF:TRI:TSB
9771 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
9881 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
952
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.20 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
10395 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:95
10403 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
10409 TSF:TDI:TSL
10412 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
10414 TSF:TRI:TSB
10520 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
T: 998.00
10635 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:998.0
H: 998.00
953
Child ID 2Battery Voltage: 3.21 V
Battery Percent: 95 %
11147 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
11155 TSF:TDI:TSL

Now in mqtt I can see the percentage as:

95
qos : 0, retain : false, cmd : publish, dup : false, topic : **mygateway1-out/2/255/3/0/0**, messageId : , length : 30, Raw payload : 5753```

But not the voltage?

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor good to hear its working.
It looks like you are only sending the % and not the voltage?

[dakipro]

@Mr_sensor It happened to me once that capacitor was just shortening the circuit, it was a smd, but when I removed it and tested it it was constantly making shortage, thus the circuit was never working and luckily my power supply had a low enough protection.
I examined cap very closely, all looked fine, but internally it was not working fine.

Since most of us (well, me at least) are buying cheap components I made it a habit now to always measure every passive component before installation, partly eliminates one variable

[sundberg84]

A short sneak-peak on the upcoming revision...
Still a long way to go...

Rev 10 - Nrf24l01+ ed.

• Completley redesigned in KiCad.
• MysX location changed to accept more MysX boards and align like RFM version.
• Optional signing added
• Optional SPI flash added.
• Extra pins aligned to 2.45 vertical & horisontal
• Relocated Extra + Bat Measurer some to allow more space to booster
• Changed pull-up resistor from D3 to D5 to have one more pin for Interrupt
• Relocated D5 pullup, MysX and IRQ jumper some.
• Changed footprint (silk-screen) on capacitor to easier show Gnd/Pos side.

Need to change footprint on voltage regulator on both nrf and rfm edition back to a square and not a liniar one. (rev 9 change). Not intended to revert back.

Also a bit worried the 4,7uF cap os to far away from radio.

[gohan]

@sundberg84 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

Also a bit worried the 4,7uF cap os to far away from radio.

Putting it underneath the nrf24 module? I know it is not a "clean solution" but there would be still be unused space under the radio module

[sundberg84]

@gohan - thanks, not what I want to do - I have descided to have optional/more advanced on bottom side. This is the core idea of the PCB. I might revert back to Rev 9 footprint and squeeze it in like prev. revision.

[gohan]

maybe a smaller footprint for ceramic instead of electrolitic?

[Nca78]

@sundberg84 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

• MysX location changed to accept more MysX boards and align like RFM version.

Please don't do like that and follow the guideline for the MYSX connector (location was already wrong in previous versions and it's a bit annoying to make MYSX boards for Easy PCB):
*"The MYSX connector should be placed close to the board edge with a 100 mil spacing from all edges. The footprint has a courtyard outline to emphasize this"

Also a bit worried the 4,7uF cap os to far away from radio.

I agree especially with other traces to cross before reaching the radio.

[sundberg84]

@nca78 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

@sundberg84 said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

• MysX location changed to accept more MysX boards and align like RFM version.

Please don't do like that and follow the guideline for the MYSX connector (location was already wrong in previous versions and it's a bit annoying to make MYSX boards for Easy PCB):
*"The MYSX connector should be placed close to the board edge with a 100 mil spacing from all edges. The footprint has a courtyard outline to emphasize this"

I actually had a long discussion with @Anticimex which is the designer of MysX and he said it is not wrong. Can you please explain why it's wrong ?

I was thinking pin 1 should go towards both vertical and horizontal edge of the pcb (that's why I asked him because I though It should go where the radio is) but he said the only rule is pin 1 should go towards the edge. I looked at the rules and that is what it said so I don't think I'm breaking any rules.

The MYSX connector should be placed close to the board edge with a 100 mil spacing from all edges. 
The footprint has a courtyard outline to emphasize this. 
It should be oriented so that pin1 is always closest to the board edge parallel to the connector. 
This allows a daughter board designed using the same constraints to be facing back "inwards" over the motherboard

Either way it has changed like less than 1mm

If we can somehow get Anticimex to recommend and we can agree on a better placement I'm happy to re-think my design.

If you thinks it's hard to create MysX boards for EasyPcb I have created a finished Kicad project with board outlines, connector and drill holes you can use as a template. Check it out on the project page.

[Anticimex]

@sundberg84 I cannot see anything wrong with the MYSX placement on that board.
If one could pick freely, ideal placement of the connector would be in the middle of the board side to allow daughter boards to extend both "upward" and "downward".
But the important rule is the one already cited, that pin1 is oriented to ensure daughterboard orientation relative to the motherboard and that there is spacing around the connector so that the daughterboard female connector does not come in contact with main board cirquitry.
Also that the daughterboard does not protrude outside of the mainboard at least along the edge the connector is aligned to.
Daughterboards in general should not be designed to be wider than the MYSX connector used for this reason (avoiding daughterboard protruding outside mainboard area) to allow a mainboard specific case to be reused with daughterboards mounted.

Edit: if possible, try to move the components right next to the connector. (remember the 100mil spacing). The resistor below can probably be mounted on the reverse side.

[sundberg84]

Back to the drawing desk!

Edit: MysX alignment changed so PCB needs to be redesigned.

[Nca78]

I have moved the discussion about the alignment here :
https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9060/mysx-connector-alignment

[sundberg84]

Thoughs? (Noth Nrf + RFM)
@Nca78 - MysX alignment?

[Anticimex]

@sundberg84 be careful about daughterboards colliding with the pro mini.

[sundberg84]

@anticimex - thanks for input. Same with radio I guess... ? Don't know how to solve it by fitting all these things into one board.

[Anticimex]

@sundberg84 The rfm69 radio can be surface mounted. If one goes for headers, the pitch it uses allow for low profile headers so the radio should go clear under a daughterboard assuming it does not have reverse side mounted components with a high profile.

[sundberg84]

@anticimex you could use male headers on mother and female headers on daughter...

Or just mount the mother on top.

here it seems the capacitor is the biggest concern.

[Anticimex]

@sundberg84 if I remember correctly, the motherboard has to use male MYSX. So there is no option for that. I thought you planned to use sockets for the arduino. But if it is soldered directly on the pcb, it should go clear I think. But best to use angled ftdi interface then.

[Nca78]

Yes I guess the only viable solution with MYSX and a pro mini is to solder the promini without headers so it can be under the daughter board and big (electrolytic capacitor) or sensible (radio antenna) stuff can be as far away as possible.

@sundberg84, I'm not sure it's great to have antenna in that position for my "vertical" concept but I guess it's not a great idea any more to do that. Now that pin 1 is in a corner I have all the space in the world to put reed/hall switch next to the other side (on top of pro mini) and it will be much more in line with expected use of MYSX connector.
Antenna is on the side that's not supposed to be below daughter board so I don't think you can do better for that., I think it's much better than before, I'll be able to make a board that's more versatile than the current one with footprints for most common sensors.

[scalz]

@sundberg84
not sure but on your preview, I see that you don't use any gnd planes?? Imho, just sayin for your users :), it would be better to have it, ideally unbroken+ vias, for impedance, emi, rf counterpoise, impedance matching rf feedline to sma depending on its length and how it's routed etc.., maybe a little google it

looks nice

[sundberg84]

@scalz - yes it is true about ground plane! I did that one rev 4 or something but something broke the thing... so I have been hesitating since but I know all about the benefits - been reading and googling.

I have not made any traces or planes on the images - just component placement. I will give it another shot... maybe I have learned some since rev 4

Thanks for your feedback.

[Anticimex]

@sundberg84 I forgot to mention that your nRF24 module goes very close to the MYSX. There is a risk a female receptacle might collide with the rf module if you are unlucky. And daughterboards will most likely be at least as wide as the courtyard of the MYSX.

[scalz]

@sundberg84
yes not talking about your latest but saw that on your rev9 and 10 pics.
it will make it better, and it's good point for rf quality (range and msg fail)
placing planes is one of the first thing I usually do after component placements.. then it's easier to route as it solves many connection.

keep the good work!

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 I have a "newby" question about how to use the Extra's part of the board. If I want to connect a DS18B20 sensor per example can I just solder it on the extra area and connect is with some wires to the pinout I need?
Asking this because I did this with the i2c sensor on the board discussed here. having a wire form the extras towards the arduino i2c pins directly. Later I discovered that the i2c pins are also on the board.
So how to deal with this?

[gohan]

you can add a wire to the I2C pins, in your case you just need a short wire to a digital pin that are just next to the Extra area

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

you can add a wire to the I2C pins, in your case you just need a short wire to a digital pin that are just next to the Extra area

Ok. And if attaching a DS18B20 I have a pull up resistor soldered on the board. Than it is also just the digital pin I need from the board? D3 I think?

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor with a DS18B20 temp sensor I just solder it to the MysX pins (D3, Gnd and VCC) directly and populate the resistor for D3.

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 Yes thanks I did so. But do not get any temp read out? Have al in space also the 4,7 k resistor.

this is my sketch:

[code]


/**
 * The MySensors Arduino library handles the wireless radio link and protocol
 * between your home built sensors/actuators and HA controller of choice.
 * The sensors forms a self healing radio network with optional repeaters. Each
 * repeater and gateway builds a routing tables in EEPROM which keeps track of the
 * network topology allowing messages to be routed to nodes.
 *
 * Created by Henrik Ekblad <henrik.ekblad@mysensors.org>
 * Copyright (C) 2013-2015 Sensnology AB
 * Full contributor list: https://github.com/mysensors/Arduino/graphs/contributors
 *
 * Documentation: http://www.mysensors.org
 * Support Forum: http://forum.mysensors.org
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
 * version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *
 *******************************
 *
 * REVISION HISTORY
 * Version 1.0: Henrik EKblad
 * Version 1.1 - 2016-07-20: Converted to MySensors v2.0 and added various improvements - Torben Woltjen (mozzbozz)
 * 
 * DESCRIPTION
 * This sketch provides an example of how to implement a humidity/temperature
 * 
 * Dallas temperature sensor DS18B20
 *  
 * For more information, please visit:
 * http://www.mysensors.org/build/humidity
 * 
 HTU21D Humidity Sensor
 Hardware Connections (Breakoutboard to Arduino):
 -VCC = 3.3V
 -GND = GND
 -data  = D3 met pcb 470 uf resistor
 */

 
#define MY_NODE_ID 4
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_IS_STATIC

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable and select radio type attached 
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RS485
 
#include <MySensors.h>
#include <OneWire.h>  
//#include <Wire.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <DallasTemperature.h>

// Force sending an update of the temperature after n sensor reads, so a controller showing the
// timestamp of the last update doesn't show something like 3 hours in the unlikely case, that
// the value didn't change since;
// i.e. the sensor would force sending an update every UPDATE_INTERVAL*FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS [ms]
//static const uint8_t FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS = 10;

#define COMPARE_TEMP 1 // Send temperature only if changed? 1 = Yes 0 = No

#define ONE_WIRE_BUS 3 // Pin where dallase sensor is connected 
#define MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20 16
//unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 30000; // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds)
OneWire oneWire(ONE_WIRE_BUS); // Setup a oneWire instance to communicate with any OneWire devices (not just Maxim/Dallas temperature ICs)
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire); // Pass the oneWire reference to Dallas Temperature. 
float lastTemperature[MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20];
int numSensors=0;
bool receivedConfig = false;
bool metric = true;

#define CHILD_ID_TEMP 0
#define CHILD_ID_BATTERY 1
#define CHILD_ID_VOLT 2
//#define CHILD_ID_PRCNT 3

//float lastTemp;
//float lastHum;

//uint8_t nNoUpdatesTemp;
//uint8_t nNoUpdatesHum;
//boolean metric = true;




void presentation()  
{ 
 // Send the Sketch Version Information to the Gateway                                                                                                                     
  sendSketchInfo("Temperature Sensor", "1.1");      
   
 // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)                                                                                                     
//  present(CHILD_ID_HUM, S_HUM);                                                                                                                                          
  present(CHILD_ID_TEMP, S_TEMP);
   present(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, S_MULTIMETER);                                                                                                                                         
  //metric = getControllerConfig().isMetric;

// Fetch the number of attached temperature sensors  
  numSensors = sensors.getDeviceCount();

  // Present all sensors to controller
  for (int i=0; i<numSensors && i<MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20; i++) {   
     present(i, S_TEMP);
  }
   
}

int BATTERY_SENSE_PIN = A0;  // select the input pin for the battery sense point
                                                                                                                                                  
unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 60000; // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds)  60000                                                                                           
static int oldBatteryPcnt = 0;                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                        
//Create an instance of the object                                                                                                                                          

  MyMessage msg(0,V_TEMP);                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
//MyMessage msgHum(CHILD_ID_HUM, V_HUM);                                                                                                                                      
MyMessage msgTemp(CHILD_ID_TEMP, V_TEMP);                                                                                                                                   
MyMessage msgBattery(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, V_VOLTAGE);
//MyMessage msgBattery(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, V_PRC);


void setup() {
    // Startup up the OneWire library
  sensors.begin();

     // use the 1.1 V internal reference
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
    analogReference(INTERNAL1V1);
#else
    analogReference(INTERNAL);
#endif

// requestTemperatures() will not block current thread
  sensors.setWaitForConversion(false);

} 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
void loop()                                                                                                                                                                 
{                                                                                                                                                                           


// Fetch temperatures from Dallas sensors
  sensors.requestTemperatures();

  // query conversion time and sleep until conversion completed
  int16_t conversionTime = sensors.millisToWaitForConversion(sensors.getResolution());
  // sleep() call can be replaced by wait() call if node need to process incoming messages (or if node is repeater)
  sleep(conversionTime);

  // Read temperatures and send them to controller 
  for (int i=0; i<numSensors && i<MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20; i++) {

    // Fetch and round temperature to one decimal
    float temperature = static_cast<float>(static_cast<int>((getControllerConfig().isMetric?sensors.getTempCByIndex(i):sensors.getTempFByIndex(i)) * 10.)) / 10.;

    // Only send data if temperature has changed and no error
    #if COMPARE_TEMP == 1
    if (lastTemperature[i] != temperature && temperature != -127.00 && temperature != 85.00) {
    #else
    if (temperature != -127.00 && temperature != 85.00) {
    #endif

      // Send in the new temperature
      send(msg.setSensor(i).set(temperature,1));
      // Save new temperatures for next compare
      lastTemperature[i]=temperature;
    }
  }


// some delay here
   delay(500);

   // get the battery Voltage
     
    int sensorValue = analogRead(BATTERY_SENSE_PIN);
    delay(500);
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.println(sensorValue);
#endif

    // 1M, 470K divider across battery and using internal ADC ref of 1.1V
    // Sense point is bypassed with 0.1 uF cap to reduce noise at that point
    // ((1e6+470e3)/470e3)*1.1 = Vmax = 3.44 Volts
    // 3.44/1023 = Volts per bit = 0.003363075
    int batteryPcnt = sensorValue / 10;

#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    float batteryV  = sensorValue * 0.003363075;
    Serial.print("Child ID ");
    Serial.print(CHILD_ID_BATTERY);
    Serial.print("Battery Voltage: ");
    Serial.print(batteryV);
    Serial.println(" V");

    Serial.print("Battery Percent: ");
    Serial.print(batteryPcnt);
    Serial.println(" %");
#endif

    if (oldBatteryPcnt != batteryPcnt) {
        // Power up radio after sleep
              
        sendBatteryLevel(batteryPcnt);
        oldBatteryPcnt = batteryPcnt;
    } 
                                                                                                                                                                      
  sleep(SLEEP_TIME); //sleep a bit  
                                                                                                                                       
}
[/code]```

---

| / |_ / | ___ _ __ ___ ___ _ __ ___
| |/| | | | _ \ / _ \ _ \/ __|/ _ \| _/ __|
| | | | || || | / | | _ \ _ | | \�
|| ||_, |/ ___|| ||/_/|| |/
|__/ 2.2.0

16 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA---,VER=2.2.0
26 TSM:INIT
28 TSF:WUR:MS=0
34 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
36 TSM:INIT:STATID=4
38 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4
40 TSM:FPAR
43 TSM:FPAR:STATP=0
45 TSM:ID
47 TSM:ID:OK
47 TSM:UPL
53 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1
67 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-4,s=255,c=3,t=25,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
71 TSF:MSG:PONG RECV,HP=1
75 TSM:UPL:OK
77 TSM:READY:ID=4,PAR=0,DIS=1
116 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:0100
2125 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,ft=1,st=OK:2.2.0
2138 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:0
4177 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=18,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:Temperature Sensor
4196 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1.1
4214 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=0,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
4227 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=1,c=0,t=30,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
4235 MCO:REG:REQ
4237 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
6246 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
8255 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
10264 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
12273 MCO:BGN:STP
12275 MCO:BGN:INIT OK,TSP=1
12279 MCO:SLP:MS=94,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
12285 TSF:TDI:TSL
12288 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
12290 TSF:TRI:TSB
915
Child ID 1Battery Voltage: 3.08 V
Battery Percent: 91 %
13297 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:91
13305 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
13312 TSF:TDI:TSL
13314 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
13316 TSF:TRI:TSB
13320 MCO:SLP:MS=94,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
13326 TSF:TDI:TSL
13328 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
13330 TSF:TRI:TSB
826
Child ID 1Battery Voltage: 2.78 V
Battery Percent: 82 %
14340 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:82
14346 MCO:SLP:MS=60000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
14352 TSF:TDI:TSL

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor - it looks ok except the temp sensor. Hard to say but doulecheck your wiring!

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor looks right. Upload a sketch without MySensors from the temp library

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 I run the "single" sketch from temp library and this is what I get:

Dallas Temperature IC Control Library Demo
Locating devices...Found 0 devices.
Parasite power is: OFF
Unable to find address for Device 0
Device 0 Address: 0000000000000000
Device 0 Resolution: 0
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: -127.00 Temp F: -196.60

[dbemowsk]

@mr_sensor Lets see your code

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor ok, so either it's not wired correctly (but it looks good), or it's a sensor failure or it's a failure between the sensor and the Arduino.

You can try to measure continuity from sensor to VCC / Gnd and D3 on the atmega.

[dbemowsk]

@mr_sensor And show a pic of the bottom of the board with the sensor.

[Mr_sensor]

@dbemowsk said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

@mr_sensor And show a pic of the bottom of the board with the sensor.

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor

[gohan]

In general I'd say that more soldering practice is needed

[Mr_sensor]

@gohan Not a solder problem I think. This is no short on the board it is just the angel of the picture hiding the gap underneath.
tried the same set-up with an other dallas sensor. still the same result.

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor - still, very strange. I have the exact same setup and it works without issues.
Try to do a continuity test between the middle pin of the sensor (touch the leg, not any solder-point) and D3 on the atmega328 chip (Do not power the node while doing this).

Try to do the same continuity test between the middle leg on the sensor and GND + VCC on the PCB.

Also, please report back the voltage between VCC and GND on the sensor. (Same, measure on the legs)

[RFM69]

feeding too much solder into the joint before you've heated up both sides, and melting the solder on the iron instead of the pins or board before those parts are hot enough.

[Nca78]

@mr_sensor said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

@gohan Not a solder problem I think. This is no short on the board it is just the angel of the picture hiding the gap underneath.
tried the same set-up with an other dallas sensor. still the same result.

Still you should read and watch a few videos on YouTube about how to make good solder joints, because your board is not really pretty at the moment
It's not difficult to make proper "volcano" shaped solder joints when you have learnt the few tricks you need, and it avoids a lot of hair pulling!

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 I did measure some things. Also replaced the arduino to be sure that it was working (did nt make a difference)

I found 3,3 volt between vcc and gnd on the sensor. Also between the data-pin of the sensor and the arduino there is continuity.
The middle leg on the sensor and GND + VCC on the PCB is not resulting in any continuity(I am not really sure if I did measure it in the right way. It is a bit hard to get gnd + vcc on the multimeter pin together).

[gohan]

have you tried all your setup on a breadboard?

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor - ok, then we can exclude PCB and wiring issues. Next is either software or sensor/pro mini failure. I would re-install the library or try anohter one as first thing to do because you said you have tried another sensor and pro mini right?

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 I tried with other libraries, without success. Also changed the sensor for a new one, without any success. Only thing that made me wondering, now the sensor is on 3,3 volt? When looking at the net for samples, etc. some of them refer to 5volt? So could that be the problem here? Not providing 5 volt to the sensor?

[sundberg84]

@mr_sensor - no 3.3v is enough:

This is really strange... can you confirm it is the right markings on your TO-92 package (actually a temp sensor)?

You could try changing the pin to exclude a pro mini failure (if you have not swapped that one already)

#define ONE_WIRE_BUS 3 // Pin where dallase sensor is connected
#define MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20 16

You can also test my Ds18b20 code from here but you need to change from RFM69 radio to Nrf24l01+ radio,
https://github.com/sundberg84/HomeAutomation/blob/master/Sketches MySensors RFM69 radio/RFM_BeerCooler_Temp/RFM_BeerCooler_Temp.ino

I would also try a bare pro mini + the temp sensor + resistor on a breadboard powered with 3.3v from ftdi adapter.

I also need you to doublecheck the resistance on that pull-up resistor:

Im having a hard time to see the exact colors but it that is Yellow, Brown, Gold, Gold that means you have a 4.1 ohm resistor to VCC which is pretty much a short and might have broken the temp sensor. Use a 10k or 56k.

[zboblamont]

@sundberg84 Coincidentally I yesterday had a FTDI powered 3v3 Pro-Mini hooked to a RJ11 socket to test and retrieve addresses using the OneWire.h from two plugged DS18B20 devices to add to those in the chain here already, the resistor was 4k7. The chain of now 12 devices also uses a 4k7 and continues to work flawlessly.

[Mr_sensor]

@sundberg84 Ok did try with just the bare pro mini + the temp sensor + resistor on a breadboard powered with 3.3v from ftdi adapter.
And guess what? Than I get the temperature reading So why is it not working on the board than? I Will check the soldering again and see if I can solder a new board.

Dallas Temperature IC Control Library Demo
Locating devices...Found 1 devices.
Parasite power is: OFF
Device 0 Address: 28FF5849011704D8
Device 0 Resolution: 9
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE
Temp C: 21.00 Temp F: 69.80
Requesting temperatures...DONE ```

So both sensor and arduino are working?

[sundberg84]

Promising! Then you know that hardware is ok... you just have to continue debugging.
Use the same hardware and software for the PCB. It should work just fine! (I have several working for years now).

[simbo]

Hi All,

Thanks Sundberg84 for creating a board where I can knock out sensors in the matter of minutes instead of hours.

That being said, I actually spent many hours on the weekend trying to get my first board to work so I thought that I'd share so it could benefit others.

I was setting up a 3v3 board with 2 x AA batteries with the battery pad jumpered and using the 3v3 booster. I triple checked the board for continuity.

I was suffering from !TSM:FPAR:FAIL messages when firing up the node using the FTDI adaptor. I found that the board didn't work when both the battery and FTDI were supplying power.

Here are my lessons:

• You need to have a battery connected. This is required to power the radio, as it radio isn't powered by the FTDI adapter
• You need to remove power from the FTDI adapter. I couldn't disable power on my FTDI adapter so I had to use jumper wires for CTS, DTR, RXD, TXD, and GND between the adapter and the ProMini.

Thanks again, and I look forward to knocking out some nodes super quick.

Cheers,
Simon.

[sundberg84]

@dbemowsk what I'm worried about is the booster so close to the radio. What do you think @dbemowsk @scalz @Nca78 ?

[gohan]

how about swapping the Extra and Booster section? It makes it cleaner to connect the extra pins to the pro mini.

[scalz]

@sundberg84 i think you already know the answer (not great regarding emi radiation for example,especially with cheap regulators and inductors.., one downside of relying on external parts,modules but i know your point it's for noobs..)
I seem to see another thing for your nrf ant, not sure if your nrf 24 goes outside the pcb,if it doesn't then this means you have gnd pour under the ant, not great too in this case

[dbemowsk]

@gohan & @sundberg84 For that matter, what about just swapping the Bat.measurer and the booster. You are going to get interference with the inductor being directly next to the antenna.

[sundberg84]

Thanks guys! (@scalz @gohan @dbemowsk !)
I think I will relocate the booster... should have thought about that before.
The NRF antenna goes outside the PCB just like rev 9 so no ground plain for the antenna in normal cases. I might revert it back to allow the PCB to be in range for all directions. Good point.

I will start with to swap extra and booster to get as much space in between the antenna and inductor.

[sundberg84]

Something like this...

[dbemowsk]

Would something like this be possible? It would give users that little bit of extra room in the proto area.

[sundberg84]

Hi all!

This has now been update to Rev 10.
New revision has been sent to PCB manufacturer but It will take some days for them to update their Gerber. (When you order, make sure it says M.Rev 6!

Openhardware page has been updated, let me know if you find anything strange.

RFM69 version will be updated soon as well.

[APL2017]

Can you please share design of version 9 of the Easy PCB NRF24 edition. I bought 10 pieces a while ago but just decided to use couple. Thank you.

[sundberg84]

@apl2017 what kind of info are you looking for ? Schematics ?

[APL2017]

Just schematic and board layout, exactly what you placed, if possible in a bit better resolution. Thanks a lot!

[sundberg84]

@apl2017 traveling for my work until next week but will post then.

[Mister_ik]

@sundberg84 I just finished my first battery sensor node based on the Easy PCB Rev 9. I have two questions i hope you can help me with:

The first is about the battery measurement. Because i didn't have a 0.1 uf lying around i used an 0.2 uf capacitor. I am using the following script to measure the battery.

//=========================
// BATTERY VOLTAGE DIVIDER SETUP
// 1M, 470K divider across battery and using internal ADC ref of 1.1V
// Sense point is bypassed with 0.1 uF cap to reduce noise at that point
// ((1e6+470e3)/470e3)*1.1 = Vmax = 3.44 Volts
// 3.44/1023 = Volts per bit = 0.003363075
#define VBAT_PER_BITS 0.003363075  
#define VMIN 1.9                                  //  Vmin (radio Min Volt)=1.9V (564v)
#define VMAX 3.0                                  //  Vmax = (2xAA bat)=3.0V (892v)
int batteryPcnt = 0;                              // Calc value for battery %
int batLoop = 0;                                  // Loop to help calc average
int batArray[3];                                  // Array to store value for average calc.
int BATTERY_SENSE_PIN = A0;                       // select the input pin for the battery sense point
//=========================   


   // Calculate the battery in %
   float Vbat  = sensorValue * VBAT_PER_BITS;
   int batteryPcnt = static_cast<int>(((Vbat-VMIN)/(VMAX-VMIN))*100.);
   Serial.print("Battery percent: "); Serial.print(batteryPcnt); Serial.println(" %");  

Do i need to change anything in the formula? Because i getting reading around the 130%

Requesting temperature...DONE
Temperatuur : 26.62 Degrees C
11935 TSF:MSG:SEND,25-25-0-0,s=5,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:26.6
Battery percent: 131 %
Battery Voltage: 3.35 V
Sleep...
12945 MCO:SLP:MS=900000,SMS=0,I1=0,M1=1,I2=254,M2=1
12955 TSF:TDI:TSL

If i use the following method:

//----
   // 1M, 470K divider across battery and using internal ADC ref of 1.1V
   // Sense point is bypassed with 0.1 uF cap to reduce noise at that point
   // ((1e6+470e3)/470e3)*1.1 = Vmax = 3.44 Volts
   // 3.44/1023 = Volts per bit = 0.003363075
   float batteryV  = sensorValue * 0.003363075;
   int batteryPcntNEW = sensorValue / 10;

   Serial.print("Battery percent: ");
   Serial.print(batteryPcntNEW);
   Serial.println(" %");
//----

I am getting: (this is expected, because batteries are new)

Battery percent: 99 %
Sleep...
12945 MCO:SLP:MS=900000,SMS=0,I1=0,M1=1,I2=254,M2=1
12955 TSF:TDI:TSL

My second question is about casing: any tips on which case to use which fit your board and a battery pack? and is as small as possible? Do you perhaps have links of your favourite (Chinese) sellers?

[Nca78]

@mister_ik said in Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors:

@sundberg84 I just finished my first battery sensor node based on the Easy PCB Rev 9. I have two questions i hope you can help me with:

The first is about the battery measurement. Because i didn't have a 0.1 uf lying around i used an 0.2 uf capacitor. I am using the following script to measure the battery.

Do i need to change anything in the formula? Because i getting reading around the 130%

Hello, this is normal as your maximum voltage is set at 3V, while initial voltage of an alkaline AA/AAA cell can be a bit over 1.6V. But voltage will quickly drop toward 1.5V (much faster than remaining capacity), so the best instead of changing the maximum voltage is to check the value of batteryPcnt and if it's over 100, just set it to 100.
Make sure the VBAT_PER_BITS makes you read a voltage that matches the voltage you read with your multimeter, else fix it. Each Atmega is different so you need to calibrate each board.

For the capacitor it's not a problem, it's just made to stabilize the voltage as it's very sensible to electrical noise. Twice the value will be good enough for this job

[sundberg84]

@Nca78 thanks for the help/answer. About the case I'm using some plastic electronic cases from my hardware shop but @ openhardware you will find some links to 3d projects.

Let us know @Mister_ik if you need anything else.