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  3. 💬 RFM69 Serial GW (ATMEGA328P)

💬 RFM69 Serial GW (ATMEGA328P)

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mysensors gatewayserial
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  • mtiutiuM mtiutiu

    I chosed CP2102 mainly for the low component count which is needed to create a simple usb to serial converter. The baudrate is sufficient enough for the most of the projects imho.

    kalinaK Offline
    kalinaK Offline
    kalina
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #6

    @mtiutiu said in 💬 MySensors RFM69W serial GW:

    I chosed CP2102 mainly for the low component count which is needed to create a simple usb to serial converter

    As for me, i chose CP2102 because he has On-chip voltage regulator 3.3V.

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    • mtiutiuM Offline
      mtiutiuM Offline
      mtiutiu
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by
      #7

      I won't rely on the integrated voltage regulator because usually it's not capable to supply high currents. As I've seen on other USB to serial converter chips the current capability of the integrated voltage regulator is about 50mA or so(maybe some can provide up to 100mA). Anyway if using NRF24l01 radios and small current LEDs then maybe it won't be an issue but I wouldn't count on it on the long term. Radio module + microcontroller + LEDs + other components can reach the 50mA limit especially when using RFM69W or HW variant. Now I know that the TX period may be short and only the average drawn current matters in the end but still I won't take it to the near limits. Just my 2 cents here.

      NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • mtiutiuM mtiutiu

        I won't rely on the integrated voltage regulator because usually it's not capable to supply high currents. As I've seen on other USB to serial converter chips the current capability of the integrated voltage regulator is about 50mA or so(maybe some can provide up to 100mA). Anyway if using NRF24l01 radios and small current LEDs then maybe it won't be an issue but I wouldn't count on it on the long term. Radio module + microcontroller + LEDs + other components can reach the 50mA limit especially when using RFM69W or HW variant. Now I know that the TX period may be short and only the average drawn current matters in the end but still I won't take it to the near limits. Just my 2 cents here.

        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDie
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
        #8

        @mtiutiu
        I agree. According to the schematic, you do use the MCP1703A-3302 as a voltage regulator, which is rated to 250ma. It seems that many problems are easily avoided when there's a more than ample power source.

        Also, for whatever reason, the Arduino IDE doesn't seem to support the highest baud rate that's apparently possible with the FTDI. It does though with the CP2101.

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        • mtiutiuM Offline
          mtiutiuM Offline
          mtiutiu
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by mtiutiu
          #9

          Hi,

          Today I managed to finish this project: hardware assembly and initial serial gw sketch upload and I get I_GATEWAY_READY from serial console so everything seems to be in order. I need to perform some more tests though with some nodes attached and see the messages coming in and out but so far it seems very promising. I didnt' soldered the LEDs yet but that's not so important for now :simple_smile: .

          CP2102 usb to serial converter chip working(first line from usb devices listing):

          mtiutiu@mtiutiu-H67MA-USB3-B3 ~/Work/AVR_Playground/sensors_network/project/SerialGateway $ lsusb 
          Bus 002 Device 015: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x UART Bridge / myAVR mySmartUSB light
          Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
          Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
          Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
          Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
          Bus 001 Device 005: ID 045e:0779 Microsoft Corp. LifeCam HD-3000
          Bus 001 Device 004: ID 1bcf:0005 Sunplus Innovation Technology Inc. Optical Mouse
          Bus 001 Device 003: ID 046d:c31c Logitech, Inc. Keyboard K120
          Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
          Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
          

          Code uploading using arduino serial bootloader POC:

          mtiutiu@mtiutiu-H67MA-USB3-B3 ~/Work/AVR_Playground/sensors_network/project/SerialGateway $ platformio run --target upload
          [Tue Feb 14 17:48:38 2017] Processing pro16MHzatmega328 (upload_protocol: arduino, build_flags: -I./lib/MySensors, lib_ignore: MySensors, board_f_cpu: 16000000UL, platform: atmelavr, board: pro16MHzatmega328, framework: arduino)
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Verbose mode can be enabled via `-v, --verbose` option
          Collected 69 compatible libraries
          Looking for dependencies...
          Library Dependency Graph
          |-- <SPI> v1.0
          Looking for upload port...
          Auto-detected: /dev/ttyUSB0
          Uploading .pioenvs/pro16MHzatmega328/firmware.hex
          
          avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions
          
          Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.00s
          
          avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e950f (probably m328p)
          avrdude: reading input file ".pioenvs/pro16MHzatmega328/firmware.hex"
          avrdude: writing flash (13122 bytes):
          
          Writing | ################################################## | 100% 3.96s
          
          avrdude: 13122 bytes of flash written
          avrdude: verifying flash memory against .pioenvs/pro16MHzatmega328/firmware.hex:
          avrdude: load data flash data from input file .pioenvs/pro16MHzatmega328/firmware.hex:
          avrdude: input file .pioenvs/pro16MHzatmega328/firmware.hex contains 13122 bytes
          avrdude: reading on-chip flash data:
          
          Reading | ################################################## | 100% 3.00s
          
          avrdude: verifying ...
          avrdude: 13122 bytes of flash verified
          
          avrdude: safemode: Fuses OK (E:00, H:00, L:00)
          
          avrdude done.  Thank you
          

          MySController serial gw connection and startup ok message:

          0_1487087715787_MYSController_serial_gw.png

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          • mtiutiuM Offline
            mtiutiuM Offline
            mtiutiu
            Hardware Contributor
            wrote on last edited by
            #10

            Serial gw is working. Tested with real MySensors nodes and it's working properly. Now regarding stability and such - well...that only time will tell us.

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            • tonnerre33T Offline
              tonnerre33T Offline
              tonnerre33
              Hardware Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #11

              Hello, what is the goal of the TXB0104, it's the first time that i see him in a project ?

              mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • tonnerre33T tonnerre33

                Hello, what is the goal of the TXB0104, it's the first time that i see him in a project ?

                mtiutiuM Offline
                mtiutiuM Offline
                mtiutiu
                Hardware Contributor
                wrote on last edited by
                #12

                @tonnerre33

                It's a logic level voltage converter. The MCU runs at 5V so the logic level voltage that it uses on the SPI port which connects to the RFM69W use 5V too. But the RFM69W module runs at 3.3V and it's not 5V tolerant on its SPI port pins.

                The purpose of that IC is to convert voltage levels on the SPI lines forward and backward (from 5V to 3.3V and vice versa) in order to not damage the RFM69W chip.

                tonnerre33T 1 Reply Last reply
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                • mtiutiuM mtiutiu

                  @tonnerre33

                  It's a logic level voltage converter. The MCU runs at 5V so the logic level voltage that it uses on the SPI port which connects to the RFM69W use 5V too. But the RFM69W module runs at 3.3V and it's not 5V tolerant on its SPI port pins.

                  The purpose of that IC is to convert voltage levels on the SPI lines forward and backward (from 5V to 3.3V and vice versa) in order to not damage the RFM69W chip.

                  tonnerre33T Offline
                  tonnerre33T Offline
                  tonnerre33
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by tonnerre33
                  #13

                  @mtiutiu said in 💬 MySensors RFM69W serial GW(ATMEGA328P):

                  Oh ok, and just for know, why we don't power the atmega with 3.3V ?

                  mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • tonnerre33T tonnerre33

                    @mtiutiu said in 💬 MySensors RFM69W serial GW(ATMEGA328P):

                    Oh ok, and just for know, why we don't power the atmega with 3.3V ?

                    mtiutiuM Offline
                    mtiutiuM Offline
                    mtiutiu
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by mtiutiu
                    #14

                    @tonnerre33
                    Because at 3.3V the atmega328p mcu can run at max 8MHz as per datasheet. So I wanted it to run at double the speed and for that it needs 5V as per datasheet again. Why at 16MHz? Well because I want the gateway to be more faster in general and to quickly process the incoming messages from the entire radio network.

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                    • tonnerre33T Offline
                      tonnerre33T Offline
                      tonnerre33
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #15

                      Thanks a lot, now i know why ;)

                      mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • tonnerre33T tonnerre33

                        Thanks a lot, now i know why ;)

                        mtiutiuM Offline
                        mtiutiuM Offline
                        mtiutiu
                        Hardware Contributor
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #16

                        @tonnerre33

                        And to use higher baudrates for the serial port on the mcu also. To achieve higher baudrates you need a higher mcu clock frequency too.

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                        • S Offline
                          S Offline
                          shabba
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #17

                          Does anyone have a BOM for this?

                          mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • S shabba

                            Does anyone have a BOM for this?

                            mtiutiuM Offline
                            mtiutiuM Offline
                            mtiutiu
                            Hardware Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by mtiutiu
                            #18

                            @shabba
                            Sorry but I don't have one now. When I have time I will generate it. For now I'm busy with the Livolo stuff.

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                            • tonnerre33T Offline
                              tonnerre33T Offline
                              tonnerre33
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #19

                              0_1494000655324_upload-1cfecb9c-1343-4411-a8c4-b4546cd9a63e

                              A fast extraction without traitment if that can help ;)

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              2
                              • S Offline
                                S Offline
                                shabba
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #20

                                I see C5 on the board has polarity. My ceramic caps seem to have no polarity (no markings on it - https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/murata-electronics-north-america/ZRB18AR61E106ME01L/490-10991-1-ND/5321192).
                                I assume that this is ok and this does not need to be a tantalum cap?

                                Thanks.

                                mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • S shabba

                                  I see C5 on the board has polarity. My ceramic caps seem to have no polarity (no markings on it - https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/murata-electronics-north-america/ZRB18AR61E106ME01L/490-10991-1-ND/5321192).
                                  I assume that this is ok and this does not need to be a tantalum cap?

                                  Thanks.

                                  mtiutiuM Offline
                                  mtiutiuM Offline
                                  mtiutiu
                                  Hardware Contributor
                                  wrote on last edited by mtiutiu
                                  #21

                                  @shabba

                                  Yes it's ok. Just make sure that you have 10V rated capacitors(this board runs at 5V so it's best to stay above that). On the radio side you can use 6V capacitors as it's powered at 3.3V but anyway...it's easier to use just 10V types instead of remembering what goes where imho.

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                                  0
                                  • S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    shabba
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #22

                                    Hi @mtiutiu - Did you ever get a chance to make a BOM? Most of the one @tonnerre33 one makes sense but I only bought two boards so being a little cautious :-)

                                    Thanks!

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • S Offline
                                      S Offline
                                      shabba
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #23

                                      Any BOM? :-)
                                      I still have these PCBs and want to finish em. Can't source a crystal/resonator of about 5x4 mm.

                                      mtiutiuM 1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • S shabba

                                        Any BOM? :-)
                                        I still have these PCBs and want to finish em. Can't source a crystal/resonator of about 5x4 mm.

                                        mtiutiuM Offline
                                        mtiutiuM Offline
                                        mtiutiu
                                        Hardware Contributor
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #24

                                        @shabba

                                        The majority of the components are 0603 SMD package type (except 2 smd resistors on the usb lines which are not really mandatory and can be replaced with a solder bridge).

                                        There you go (extracted from schematic - I can't do better than this because it involves more work and I don't have time for it, sorry):

                                        a) 9 x 100nF 0603 SMD MLCC capacitors, X5R/X7R (voltage can be 10V and above)
                                        b) 3 x 1uF 0603 SMD MLCC capacitors, X5R/X7R (voltage can be 10V and above)
                                        c) 1 x 10uF 0603 SMD MLCC capacitor, X5R/X7R (voltage can be 10V and above)
                                        d) 1 x 22uF 0603 SMD MLCC capacitor, X5R/X7R (voltage can be 10V and above)
                                        e) 1 x 10nF 0603 SMD MLCC capacitor, X5R/X7R (voltage can be 10V and above)
                                        f) 1 x ferrite bead 0603 SMD blm18he152sn1d
                                        g) 3 x 330 ohm 0603 SMD resistor
                                        h) 1 x 1Kohm 0603 SMD resistor
                                        i) 1 x 10Kohm 0603 SMD resistor
                                        j) 1 x 56Kohm 0603 SMD resistor
                                        k) 1 x MCP1703A-3302 3.3V/0.25A voltage regulator
                                        l) 1 x TXB0104 voltage level converter
                                        m) 1 x ATMEGA328P-MU AVR MCU (QFN32 package)
                                        n) 1 x CP2102 USB to serial (QFN28 package)
                                        o) 3 x 0603 SMD LEDs (your pick here)
                                        p) 1 x ATSHA204A (SOT-23 package)
                                        q) 1 x RFM69W module (your pick regarding working frequency)
                                        r) 1 x ZTTCS16.00MX ceramic resonator
                                        s) 1 x USB A type male connector for PCB and 1 SMD reset switch (I have no exact links for this, sorry)

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