💬 HALO : ESP32 multi transport GW/Bridge for Mysensors

[Koresh]

Interesting board with interesting shape :clap: Excelent work as always!

@gohan
This is a real task in theory I think. But I can't imagine how to achieve stable work today with buggy Espressif SDK in which most of functions are in "known issues and missing features" section :unamused:

[scalz]

@Koresh thx!

@gohan
With a powerful mcu ;)
I agree with koresh about state of esp32 dev but imho it's going fast, and there are already plenty of raw arduino examples.
that said it's already a while, since december if i'm not wrong, that we have some basic esp32 stuff working at Core Team (thx to @tekka, collaborating with me on this project :) ).
But, using all these interfaces at same time won't be available until major release because as you know for the moment Mysensors only allows one transport layer at a time, so a major refactor.

[gohan]

That's why I was asking why you put all those interfaces together, I was wondering if I missed something new :D
If the gateway was working with all those interfaces we would all be very happy! :D

[scalz]

@gohan exactly what i've thought when i started this project :)

[NeverDie]

@scalz

Can it recognize gestures, like you briefly mentioned in the introduction?

[scalz]

@NeverDie no but it can be easily added with an extension board from aliexpress, or a custom board on the centered MYSX connector.
I started from the board i mentioned, "sort of mote" with everything onboard, ring, gesture, atsamd21 etc. but i thought i could make things more modular for improving a bit assembly cost in case, and i have added more features thx to esp32 mcu. IT's now a bridge
For gesture i'll have something, but that'll be for my other "node" project.

[scalz]

Hi.

just to keep you up that everything is going very well. I'm a bit late on releasing but i preferred that people don't order it if there were some mistakes.
Last piece to check is CAN bus. and then it's ok ;)
and @tekka ... as usual, impressive :+1:
Imho, HALO is a little beast :yum:

[scalz]

Hi,

I'm actually adding "last minute" features (so the delay) without increasing board size.
Features like:

• one more RFM radio footprint : so we could do more combo. Like 1xRFM95 + 1xRFM69 or 2xRFM etc, plus the NRF24 and ESP32 of course!
• switching NRF24 smd to NRF24 PA
• 3x sma connectors
• extension board for Ethernet if possible
• etc

See you soon with good news i hope :)

[Nca78]

@scalz said in 💬 HALO : ESP32 multi transport GW/Bridge for Mysensors:

• switching NRF24 smd to NRF24 PA

Do you mean SMD PA LNA or through hole ?

[scalz]

@Nca78
on the proto board, it is nrf24 low power, smd version, actually. Works ok here but for better perf, i'm planning to use the PA/LNA through hole version with sma connector.
So far (but not digged a lot) i've only seen PA smd modules with ipex (but would be better if i could fit sma) or chip antenna (lol). Are you thinking to an other reference, or have a favorite module??

[emc2]

@scalz said in 💬 HALO : ESP32 multi transport GW/Bridge for Mysensors:

So far (but not digged a lot) i've only seen PA smd modules with ipex (but would be better if i could fit sma) or chip antenna (lol). Are you thinking to an other reference, or have a favorite module??

This work quite well with the IPX PA+LNA SMD modules

[Nca78]

@scalz I have those with chip antenna , soldered one board but didn't try it yet.
I also noticed this week that my local shop sells low power smd version with a PCB antennad design similar to the one used in ESP12F which is pretty good. I will order next week and test the range. They have the same pad footprint than the SMD PA LNA (GND pin moved opposite side from VCC) so I could be interested in keeping this footprint for those leaving in appartments and that don't need a long range.
I have a 130sqm appartments and I have few packets losses only despite very thick (30cms) concrete walls, using only basic nrf24 modules at the moment. So I will only need a bit of improvement to have perfect reception everywhere, if it can be done with the 3€ PA LNA with chip antenna or 2€ module with improved antenna it's great for me.
Blasting my messages to the 350 other appartments in my building doesn't sound like a safe option :D

[scalz]

thx for feedbacks.

@Nca78 oki. noted! To be sure, are you talking about these modules ?
http://www.cdebyte.com/en/product-class-news.aspx?pid=32&okey=nRF24L01P

[Nca78]

@scalz yes these are the ones.
And they have versions with external antenna connectors also, amplified and even non amplified.

[gohan]

They look genuine, where did you buy them?

[scalz]

@gohan
yes in theory they are genuine as they claim to buy the chip from Nordic. you can find those modules at ali or ebay. just search for the module ref you need.

[Nca78]

@gohan so they claim but at less than 2$ for one module I have doubts...
Check on the website they have a "sample" button or "order sample", it links to the module on their ebay shop, they use it for selling samples.

[gohan]

I think I'll still go for the Itead ones then

[gohan]

@scalz how is the project going?

[ranseyer]

Hi Scalz,

is it possible that you share the schematic ? Im Interestet mostly which Pins you uses to the "? mysX ?" Connector...
Greetings