nRF5 action!

[tbowmo]

@NeverDie

You will always have the issue of USB connection, when using a native USB device, because it will re-enumerate on the USB bus whenever you reset the device.

That's also why you have to put the following code

while(Serial) {}

In the setup routine of sketches with native usb devices, if you expect to catch all debug messages from the start. This behavior does not change if you have both native and a programming port.

[NeverDie]

By the way (and it's just an as yet an unverified first impression), but it seems like the RSSI received on the Feather RFM69 is much better than on an atmega328p RFM69 combo. If that bears out, then all by itself it might be reason to switch. Anyone else get this impression, or not?

[NeverDie]

@tbowmo said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

while(Serial) {}

Cool. I just tried it. It turns out it's actually

while(!Serial) {}

but it works great. Thanks!

[scalz]

about rfm69 and better rssi, it could also be related to ground plane size of the board.
and for mcu, yep no need of the programming port. native is enough if there is the bootloader.

[NeverDie]

@scalz said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

@NeverDie
all you have to do is set your defines for mysensors and this should work out of the box :)

I just now noticed that @Sweeman already did: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6908/adafruit-feather-m0-rfm69hcw-with-mysensors/6

[NeverDie]

I hadn't noticed it before, but it looks like even Arduino will have an NRF52 board: http://www.arduino.org/products/boards/arduino-primo

Of course, that's a very good thing! Unfortunately, they don't seem to be in stock anywhere, even though they were first released in March, 2016. What's up with that?

So, I've ordered a couple of these to try out:
https://www.amazon.com/Adafruit-Feather-nRF52-Bluefruit-nRF52832/dp/B06XXSVYLC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498743679&sr=8-1&keywords=nrf52

The good news is that NRF52 modules don't seem to require many external parts, and for self-assembly that's a real advantage.

[NeverDie]

Looks like a fully integrated board can be had for <$9, including e-packet delivery:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/nRF52832-Bluetooth-4-1-BLE-Module-M4-Transparent-Transmission-SMA-512K-FLASH-64K-RAM-pass-through/32798522093.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.17.YON8eD&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10130_10068_5210015_10136_10137_10060_10155_10062_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100031_10099_10103_10102_5290015_10096_5320015_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_5280015_10084_10083_5250016_10119_10080_10082_10081_10178_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_5240015_10114_5230016_10182_10078_10079_5260014_10073_10123_10120_10189_5270015_142-10120,searchweb201603_49,ppcSwitch_4&btsid=02e4720e-a974-4d92-a890-0cd0f6510022&algo_expid=87b18aca-7c4a-43a5-8995-4d45694a7044-2&algo_pvid=87b18aca-7c4a-43a5-8995-4d45694a7044

[Terrence]

@NeverDie I was about to pull the trigger on some of those, but I can't seem to get my mind off of the potential long distance of the 840. I wonder when the world will be blessed with those modules?

Looking forward to your experience with the Adafruit BLE boards.

[Yveaux]

@Terrence said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

I wonder when the world will be blessed with those modules?

I wouldn't wait for them. Will probably take at least half a year or so (according to Nordic)

[Terrence]

@Yveaux You are correct, use what is available, not what will be in the future.

[NeverDie]

@Terrence said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

@NeverDie I was about to pull the trigger on some of those, but I can't seem to get my mind off of the potential long distance of the 840.

Same here, but hopefully (?) most of what I learn with the 832 will be applicable to the 840. The 840 is clearly more desirable, and I probably wouldn't have pulled the trigger on the 832 if I didn't know the 840 was coming.

[Terrence]

@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

most of what I learn with the 832 will be applicable to the 840

Right. I have been trying to get my head around the BT communication pattern. It is a different beast indeed.

[NeverDie]

Looks as though the 52 Thingy might be a good starting point for some people:
http://www.mouser.com/new/nordicsemiconductor/nordic-thingy-52/

[NeverDie]

What I'm not sure about is whether the NRF52832 will have truly adequate indoor range. Max tx power is 4db, which is better than the 0db of the NRF24L01. Will that be enough? I can only guess. That's why I ordered two of the Adafruit NRF52832 feathers: to see for myself. If they disappoint, then I may shelve them until the 840 becomes more available, and then try again using the 840. On the other hand, if the 832 turns out to be "good enough", then the 840 may not matter so much.

I do like that it apparently is programmable from within the Arduino IDE. That will make trying it out a lot easier. If the OTA uploads are easy to do, then I'll be really happy. :)

[scalz]

@NeverDie
nrf52832 is definitely better than nrf24l01. if i'm not wrong, 4db can double range in theory.
For range, an important point is the antenna, as you already know.
Chip antenna can be ok, depending on the environment and usecase, but can't compete with a rfm69. These antennas are not for long range, so the adafruit board. How to miniaturize antennas without loosing performance..

[NeverDie]

@scalz said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

These antennas are not for long range, so the adafruit board. How to miniaturize antennas without loosing performance..

Good point. Looks as though the aliexpress module I referenced above, though, does have some kind of antenna connector on it:

So, maybe plugging something (?) into that would give better range?

Also, I just now read that these 832 modules can communicate with the older NRF24L01's. Is that true? That would be nice.

[scalz]

@NeverDie
yes these one looks better. looks like you can also tune ant (there are some footprints).
note the "meandered" antenna. it reduces antenna size, needs some tuning, a bit less efficient vs others type. but maybe better than chip antenna i think. and you have the ipex in case, cool!
Not so cheap (not fcc) but interesting i agree.

Yes, indeed! it's compatible with nrf24 thx to @d00616
You should try, i'm using my nrf52 board (aeos) with my esp32 gw (halo) :)
And the cherry, with VS Micro, and multiple serial monitors in same ide ;)

[Terrence]

@scalz said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

And the cherry, with VS Micro, and multiple serial monitors in same ide

Guys I have been developing with VS Code (free) for Arduino type coding. been very happy with it. It does not have multi serial monitors (not that I know of).
Anyone else using VS Code?

[NeverDie]

@Terrence said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

@scalz said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:

And the cherry, with VS Micro, and multiple serial monitors in same ide

Guys I have been developing with VS Code (free) for Arduino type coding. been very happy with it. It does not have multi serial monitors (not that I know of).
Anyone else using VS Code?

What are its advantages that are the reason for your preferring it?

[Terrence]

@NeverDie I prefer it over the Arduino platform, not VS Micro.

It is a super lightweight editor, but really powerful with added extensions.
In Windows Explorer, right click a folder and click on "Open with Code' and the folder and all code files are there.

I have been using Visual Studio for work for a decade. It is a very heavy capable environment, but too heavy for simple ino projects.

I used VS Micro 3 years ago or so, but I can't compare the two.

https://code.visualstudio.com/

Here is a snip showing the Arduino extension.