nRF24Doctor

Technovation

Inspired by the connection quality meter found here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3984/nrf24l01-connection-quality-meter
I had an attempt on building an extended version. My goal with this device was to be able to diagnose many different nRF24 related topics, like a real doctor ;-).

Goals:

Check if nRF24 module is dead
Qualify current consumption of different nRF24 modules in both standby and sleep (as some clones appear to have high current consumption during sleep)
Evaluate “performance” (e.g. range) of different nRF24 modules
Find the best settings in nRF24 Channel (Frequency Band), Power Level and Data Rate
Diagnose transmission delays
Determine the best location for your gateway
Determine reception range, reception dead spots and new locations for a secondary gateway or repeater nodes => Portability
…

Hardware realization:

list itemAn Arduino Nano
16x2 Character LCD
2 Buttons
2 Mosfets (e.g. IRLZ44 or comparable. Must be VGS logic level and preferably in a big package (e.g. TO-220) as smd mosfets will have a (too) high RDS(ON) and will impact your current measurement (especially for the 2.2Ohm).
3 Resistors (2.2Ohm, 100Ohm, 10kOhm)
Some wire, socket for the radio and hot glue.

Features:

On the top you can swap the radio’s with the common 8-pin interface.
On the left is the USB connector to power it from a Powerbank for Portability (and of course to re-program the device if necessary)
The central LCD screen…to provide the necessary feedback to the user.
White button 1:
a. Short Click: To accept changes made in a menu and continue to the next menu
b. Long Press: To Escape without storing changes to EEPROM and Return to main menu window
Orange button 2:
a. Short Click or Hold: To Change setting in a menu.

So what it can do so far is probably best demonstrated by showing the available menu’s:

1. Start Up Screen

It attempts to connect to your Gateway with the settings stored in its EEPROM (Channel, Data rate, PA-Level and Base Radio ID).

2. Main Quality Connection Overview

First Line: Parent Node (P0) = Gateway and the number of transmitted messages by the nRF24 Doctor node which FAIL to acknowledge the first HOP transmit (if no repeater nodes are present, then the first HOP will be the Gateway).
Second Line: The set Destination Node (D?) and the number of transmitted messages by the nRF24 Doctor node which did NOT receive an Acknowledge back from the Destination Node.

3. Acknowledge Delay Overview

First Line: Max. delta time (of last 10 messages) between the transmit and accompanying acknowledge in [ms] for the first HOP.
Second Line: Max. delta time (of last 10 messages) between the transmit and accompanying acknowledge in [ms] from the Destination Node (=full round trip).

4. Total of Transmitted Messages

First Line: Average current consumption of the nRF24 Radio during Standby
Second Line: Average current consumption of the nRF24 Radio during Sleep.
Notes:
- Units will scale accordingly to [mA] or [uA].
- Requires Current Measurement circuitry to be added.

6. Reset Buffers & Counters

If Confirmed it clears the Message Count (Menu 4) and the counters from the Main Quality Connection Overview (Menu 2)

Next menu items will configure the Radio.
Note that these settings are only stored to EEPROM when completing all the following step up to and including step 13. Once stored in EEPROM they will be used to configure the radio on the next (automatic) reboot of the node.
Also note that settings like the Channel, DataRate must match between Node and Gateway for communication to be successful. To facilitate in this I made a modified nRF24DoctorGateway.ino, which receives the required changes (Channel, DataRate and Gateway PA-Level) from the node and will automatically change them when an update request from the nRF24 Doctor Node is received. This gateway configuration is mainly intended for diagnostics. If for some reason you loose the connection to this gateway you can either check in the monitor window the currently used radio settings (will be printed at regular intervals), or by restarting the gateway it will reset itself to the default radio configuration.

7. Set Destination Node

Select the destination node for your message (0…255). Typically this is 0 for the gateway.

8. Set RF24 CHANNEL

Select a different RF24 Channel (0…125) without the need to re-compile & upload. This can be helpful in testing which frequency band (Channel number) gives you the best reception at your location.

9. Set Node Power Amplification Level

Select the PA level of the Node (MIN, LOW,HIGH or MAX).

10. Set Gateway Power Amplification Level

Select the PA level of the Gateway (MIN, LOW,HIGH or MAX).

11. Set Data Rate

Select the Data Rate of the Node & Gateway (250KBPS, 1MBPS & 2MBPS ).

12. Set Base Radio ID

list itemSelect the Base Radio ID of your network. If you have multiple Base Radio ID’s at your home (i.e. multiple gateways) you can add your Base Radio ID’s before compilation of the code and then directly select them from this menu (this will not be updated to the nRF24DoctorGateway).

13. Update Gateway

No: If you only want to update the settings of the nRF24Doctor Node and NOT the Gateway
YES: If you want to update the settings for both the Node and Gateway. The node will send out a request to the gateway to update the Channel, Data Rate and PA_Level of the Gateway. The nRF24Doctor Node will wait for an acknowledge and once received will reboot with the new radio settings and show the start-up screen (1) again.

If the nRF24Doctor node does not receive the acknowledge from the gateway, it will prompt with the following menu:

This will give you the options to:
RETRY GATEWAY: Send the update request again to the gateway.
CANCEL ALL: None of the settings will be applied to the node and gateway
SKIP GATEWAY: All Node settings will be applied, but the gateway will not be updated.

Technovation

My post was hitting the constraints of the Forum, so I had to cut it up into pieces...

PART2: The sketch for the nRF24DoctorNode:

/*
  PROJECT: 		MySensors nRF24 Doctor
  PROGRAMMER: 	Technovation (based on the work of AWI and Heizelmann)
  DATE: 		2018March27
  FILE: 		nRF24DoctorNode.ino

  Hardware: 	ATMega328p board
  MySensorsAPI: 2.2.0

  Summary:  	a portable nRF24 Radio Doctor to diagnose module performance

  Change log:
	2018/03/27	New Release, based on: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3984/nrf24l01-connection-quality-meter
*/

//**** CONNECTIONS *****
#define BUTTON1_PIN A0
#define BUTTON2_PIN A1
#define MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN A2
#define MOSFET_100OHM_PIN A3
#define CURRENT_PIN A5

//**** DEBUG *****
#define LOCAL_DEBUG

#ifdef LOCAL_DEBUG
#define Sprint(a) (Serial.print(a))           	// macro as substitute for print, enable if no print wanted
#define Sprintln(a) (Serial.println(a))         
#else											// macro for "no" debug print
#define Sprint(a)                   			
#define Sprintln(a)                   			
#endif

//**** MySensors *****
//#define MY_DEBUG							// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
#define MY_TRANSPORT_WAIT_READY_MS 10 		// [ms] Init timeout for gateway not reachable
#define MY_NODE_ID 250						// Set a high node ID, which typically will not yet be used in the network
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_IS_STATIC			// Fixed parent Node ID, else MySensors Transport will attempt automatic fix after successive failures...but we don't want that while diagnosing our connection
#define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0              	// Typically 0 for Gateway

#define DESTINATION_NODE 0                	// Default 0 = gateway, Settable in Menu
#define MY_BAUD_RATE 115200

//**** MySensors - Radio *****
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24                  	// Enable and select radio type attached

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensors.h>
//#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>                // LCD display with I2C interface
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>                      // LCD display with parallel interface
#include <OneButton.h> 							//from https://github.com/mathertel/OneButton/blob/master/examples/TwoButtons/TwoButtons.ino

//**** LCD *****
#define LCD_COLS 16
#define LCD_ROWS 2
//LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, POSITIVE);  	// Set the LCD I2C address
//LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);  								// Set the LCD I2C address
LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3); 								// LCD with parallel interface

//**** BUTTONS *****
OneButton button1(BUTTON1_PIN, true); //PullUp, Activelow
OneButton button2(BUTTON2_PIN, true); //PullUp, Activelow

//**** EEPROM STORAGE LOCATIONS *****
#define EEPROM_FLAG 0
#define EEPROM_CHANNEL 1
#define EEPROM_PA_LEVEL 2
#define EEPROM_PA_LEVEL_GW 3
#define EEPROM_DATARATE 4
#define EEPROM_BASE_RADIO_ID 5
#define EEPROM_DESTINATION_NODE 6
#define EEPROM_SEND_REPEATS 7

//**** MySensors Messages ****
#define CHILD_ID_COUNTER 0
#define CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY 0
MyMessage MsgCounter(CHILD_ID_COUNTER, V_CUSTOM);   				//Send Message Counter value
MyMessage MsgUpdateGateway(CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY, V_CUSTOM);   	//Send value for Gateway settings: xxxyz (xxx = Channel, y = PaLevel, z = DataRate)
#define DELAY_BETWEEN_MESSAGES_MICROS 500000						//Normal Interval between messages

//**** Monitoring Constants&Variables ****
const int iMaxNumberOfMessages = 100 ;           					// Number of Messages Used for MA calculation
boolean bArrayFailedMessages[iMaxNumberOfMessages] = { 0 };     	// Array for moving average storage
boolean bArrayNAckMessages[iMaxNumberOfMessages] = { 0 };			// Array for moving average storage
uint16_t iNrFailedMessages = 0;            							// total of Failed Messages
uint16_t iNrNAckMessages = 0;              							// total of Not Acknowledged Messages
uint16_t iMessageCounter = 0;

//**** LCD MENU Constants&Variables ****
enum mode {STATE_RUN, STATE_RUN2, STATE_RUN3, STATE_CURLEVEL, STATE_SET_RESET, STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE, STATE_SET_CHANNEL, STATE_SET_BASE_RADIO_ID, STATE_SET_PALEVEL, STATE_SET_PALEVEL_GW, STATE_SET_DATARATE, STATE_ASK_GATEWAY, STATE_UPDATE_GATEWAY };
mode opState = STATE_RUN;											// Default Mode
boolean bDspRefresh = true;

//nRF24 Settings
const uint8_t iNrPaLevels = 4;
const char *pcPaLevelNames[iNrPaLevels] 		= { "MIN", "LOW", "HIGH", "MAX" };
const uint8_t iNrDataRates = 3;
const char *pcDataRateNames[iNrDataRates] 		= { "1MBPS", "2MBPS" , "250KBPS"};

//Define your available RF24_BASE_ID 
const uint8_t iNrBaseRadioIds = 4;
uint8_t RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH]				= { 0x00,0xFC,0xE1,0xA8,0xA8 };		//Used to Store the active BASE_ID
const uint8_t RF24_BASE_ID_VAR1[MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH] 		= { 0x00,0xFC,0xE1,0xA8,0xA8 };
const uint8_t RF24_BASE_ID_VAR2[MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH] 		= { 0x00,0xA1,0xF3,0x09,0xB6 };
const uint8_t RF24_BASE_ID_VAR3[MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH] 		= { 0x00,0xAA,0xA5,0xC4,0xD9 };
const uint8_t RF24_BASE_ID_VAR4[MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH] 		= { 0x00,0xB1,0x47,0xEE,0x82 };

//Load Default Radio values
uint8_t iRf24Channel 		= MY_RF24_CHANNEL;
uint8_t iRf24PaLevel 		= MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL;		//PA Level for the Node
uint8_t iRf24PaLevelGw 		= MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL;		//PA Level for the Gateway
uint8_t iRf24DataRate 		= MY_RF24_DATARATE;
uint8_t iRf24BaseRadioId 	= 1;
uint8_t iDestinationNode	= DESTINATION_NODE;

//**** Timing ****
const uint8_t iNrTimeDelays = 10;
uint16_t iMessageIndexBuffer[iNrTimeDelays]={0};
unsigned long lTimeOfTransmit_us[iNrTimeDelays]={0};
unsigned long lTimeDelayBuffer_Destination_us[iNrTimeDelays]={0};
unsigned long lTimeDelayBuffer_FirstHop_us[iNrTimeDelays]={0};
uint16_t iMeanDelayFirstHop_ms = 0;
uint16_t iMaxDelayFirstHop_ms = 0;
uint16_t iMeanDelayDestination_ms = 0;
uint16_t iMaxDelayDestination_ms = 0;

//**** Current Measurement ****
const uint8_t iNrCurrentMeasurements 	= 10;	//Nr of measurements for averaging
uint8_t iPowerMode 		= 0;
const uint8_t iNrPowerModes = 2;
const char *pcPowerModeNames[iNrPowerModes] = { "SLEEP", "STANDBY" };

const float uAperBit1 	= 488.2813;	//uAperBit = ((Vref/1024)/R1)*1e6 = ((1.1/1024)/2.2)*1e6				
const float uAperBit2	= 10.74219;	//uAperBit = ((Vref/1024)/R2)*1e6 = ((1.1/1024)/100)*1e6
const float uAperBit3 	= 0.107422;	//uAperBit = ((Vref/1024)/R3)*1e6 = ((1.1/1024)/10000)*1e6
float SleepCurrent_uA 	= 0;
float StandbyCurrent_uA = 0;

//**** Remote Gateway Update ****
uint8_t iRetryGateway 	= 0;
bool bUpdateGateway 	= 0;
bool bAckGatewayUpdate 	= 0;
const uint8_t iNrGatwayRetryOptions = 3;
const char *pcGatewayRetryNames[iNrGatwayRetryOptions] 		= { "SKIP GATEWAY", "RETRY GATEWAY" , "CANCEL ALL"};


/*****************************************************************************/
/************************************ STARTUP ********************************/
/*****************************************************************************/
void before() {						//Initialization before the MySensors library starts up
	pinMode(CURRENT_PIN, INPUT);	//Analog Input for Current Usage Pin
	pinMode(MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN,OUTPUT);
	pinMode(MOSFET_100OHM_PIN,OUTPUT);
	digitalWrite(MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN,HIGH);
	analogReference(INTERNAL);

	//****  LCD *****
	//  Wire.begin();  // I2C
	lcd.begin(LCD_COLS, LCD_ROWS);
	//lcd.setBacklight(HIGH);

	//****  BUTTON STATES *****
	button1.attachClick(onButton1Pressed);
	button1.attachLongPressStart(onButton1LongPressed);
	button2.attachClick(onButton2Pressed);
	button2.attachDuringLongPress(onButton2Hold);

	//****  RELOAD SETTINGS FROM EEPROM *****
	if (loadState(EEPROM_FLAG) == 0xFF) {
		//RELOAD SETTINGS 
		LoadStatesFromEEPROM();
		switch (iRf24BaseRadioId) {
			case 1:
				memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR1,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
				break;
			case 2:
				memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR2,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
				break;				
			case 3:
				memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR3,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
				break;
			case 4:
				memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR4,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
				break;
		}		
	} else {
		//LOAD DEFAULT IN CASE OF CLEAN EEPROM
		saveState(EEPROM_FLAG, 0xFF);
		SaveStatesToEEPROM();
	}
}

void setup() {
	loadNewRadioSettings();	//Load the Radio Settings as they are stored in EEPROM
}

void presentation() {
	sendSketchInfo("nRF24_Doctor_N250", "1.0");
	present(CHILD_ID_COUNTER, S_CUSTOM) ;  // "CUSTOM" counter
}

/*****************************************************************************/
/*********************************** MAIN LOOP *******************************/
/*****************************************************************************/
void loop() {
	
	/************ Update Button State ************/
	ButtonTick();

	/************ Update LCD ************/
	if (bDspRefresh) LCD_local_display();	
	
	/************ PROCESS DIFFERENT OPERATIONAL STATES ************/
	// RUN, RUN2,RUN3: Are all similar with respect to processing, but show different results on the LCD
	static unsigned long lLastTransmit = 0;
	switch (opState) {
		case STATE_RUN: case STATE_RUN2: case STATE_RUN3:{
			// Transmit Message
			transmit();	
			lLastTransmit = micros();			

			getMeanAndMaxFromArray(&iMeanDelayFirstHop_ms,&iMaxDelayFirstHop_ms,lTimeDelayBuffer_FirstHop_us,iNrTimeDelays);
			getMeanAndMaxFromArray(&iMeanDelayDestination_ms,&iMaxDelayDestination_ms,lTimeDelayBuffer_Destination_us,iNrTimeDelays);

			bDspRefresh = true;
			break;
		}
		case STATE_CURLEVEL:{
			//First round: Measure 10x Current in "Standby Mode", then do the same for "Sleep mode"			
			iPowerMode = !iPowerMode;			//Toggle between modes: "Standby" & "Sleep"
			if (iPowerMode == 1){			//Mode: Standby
				transmit();
				lLastTransmit = micros();
				wait(50);
				StandbyCurrent_uA = uAperBit1*GetAvgADCBits(iNrCurrentMeasurements);
			}
			else{							//Mode: Sleep
				transportDisable();
				SleepCurrent_uA = uAperBit1*GetAvgADCBits(iNrCurrentMeasurements);
				if (SleepCurrent_uA < 10000){
					//Set Higher Sensitivity: uAperBit2
					digitalWrite(MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN,LOW);
					digitalWrite(MOSFET_100OHM_PIN,HIGH);
					SleepCurrent_uA = uAperBit2*GetAvgADCBits(iNrCurrentMeasurements);
				}
				if (SleepCurrent_uA < 100){
					//Set Higher Sensitivity: uAperBit3
					digitalWrite(MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN,LOW);
					digitalWrite(MOSFET_100OHM_PIN,LOW);
					SleepCurrent_uA = uAperBit3*GetAvgADCBits(iNrCurrentMeasurements);

				}				
				//Restore standby power state
				digitalWrite(MOSFET_2P2OHM_PIN,HIGH);	//Enable 2.2Ohm
				digitalWrite(MOSFET_100OHM_PIN,LOW);
				transportStandBy();transmit();lLastTransmit = micros();
			}
			bDspRefresh = true;
			break;
		}		
		default:{
			lLastTransmit = micros()-DELAY_BETWEEN_MESSAGES_MICROS;
			wait(25); // To limit LCD update rate
			break;
		}	
	}
	
	//Wait before sending next message
	while ((micros()- lLastTransmit) < DELAY_BETWEEN_MESSAGES_MICROS){// wait for things to settle and ack's to arrive
		wait(1);
		ButtonTick();	//Check for button changes....we must keep responsive
	}
}

/*****************************************************************************/
/************************ RECEIVE & TRANSMIT FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/*****************************************************************************/
void receive(const MyMessage &message) {
	if (message.isAck() == 1 && message.type == V_CUSTOM && message.sensor==CHILD_ID_COUNTER){	//Acknowledge message & of correct type
		uint16_t iNewMessage = message.getUInt();           // get received value
		uint16_t iIndexInArray = iNewMessage % iMaxNumberOfMessages;
		bArrayNAckMessages[iIndexInArray] = 0; 			// set corresponding flag to received.
		
		//Check Message (Round trip) Delay
		uint8_t iIndexInTimeArray = IndexOfValueInArray(iNewMessage, iMessageIndexBuffer, iNrTimeDelays); //Look-up if message is present in MessageIndexBuffer for delay calculation
		if ((iIndexInTimeArray >=0) && iIndexInTimeArray <=iNrTimeDelays){
			lTimeDelayBuffer_Destination_us[iIndexInTimeArray] = micros()-lTimeOfTransmit_us[iIndexInTimeArray];
		}
		iNrNAckMessages--;	//Received an Acknowledge Message (so one less No Ack)
	}
	
	//Gateway Update Acknowledge - if we have received this we can "safely" apply the new settings to this node
	if (message.isAck() == 1 && message.type == V_CUSTOM && message.sensor==CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY){	//Acknowledge message & of correct type & Sensor
		bAckGatewayUpdate = 1;
	}
}

void transmit() {
	static int iIndexInArrayFailedMessages  = 0 ;
	static int iIndexInArrayTimeMessages  = 0 ;	

	iMessageCounter++;
	//Cyclic Index counters of arrays
	iIndexInArrayFailedMessages = iMessageCounter % iMaxNumberOfMessages;
	iIndexInArrayTimeMessages 	= iMessageCounter % iNrTimeDelays;

	bArrayNAckMessages[iIndexInArrayFailedMessages] = 1; 			// set corresponding flag to "Not Received Yet"

	//Prepare time stamp logging for transmit
	lTimeDelayBuffer_Destination_us[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages] = 0; 		// Clear Buffer value, new value will be written when message is received
	iMessageIndexBuffer[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages]=iMessageCounter;		// To link the Time Stamp to the correct message when we receive the acknowledge
	iNrNAckMessages++;													// Add one to the Not Acknowledged Message counter and remove it again if/when it is received.
	lTimeOfTransmit_us[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages] = micros();
	
	//Transmit message with software ack request (returned in "receive function"), the boolean returned here is a Hardware hop-to-hop Ack
	boolean success = send(MsgCounter.setDestination(iDestinationNode).set(iMessageCounter), true);
	if (!success) {
		lTimeDelayBuffer_FirstHop_us[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages] = 0;	//It failed, so I can't use it to determine a First Hop Delay (i.e. it is "infinite" delay as it failed)
		bArrayFailedMessages[iIndexInArrayFailedMessages] = true;	//Log it as a failed message (for rolling average)
		iNrFailedMessages++ ;
	}
	else{
		lTimeDelayBuffer_FirstHop_us[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages] = micros() - lTimeOfTransmit_us[iIndexInArrayTimeMessages];	//Log First Hop Delay in buffer
		bArrayFailedMessages[iIndexInArrayFailedMessages] = false;	//Log it as a not-failed = succesful message (for rolling average)
	}
}

/********************************************************************************/
/************************ CONFIGURE nRF24 RADIO FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/********************************************************************************/
void loadNewRadioSettings() {
	ClearStorageAndCounters();
	uint8_t iTempVar0 = RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[0];
	uint8_t rfsetup = ( ((iRf24DataRate & 0b10 ) << 4) | ((iRf24DataRate & 0b01 ) << 3) | (iRf24PaLevel << 1) ) + 1;		//!< RF24_RF_SETUP, +1 for Si24R1 and LNA

	RF24_setChannel(iRf24Channel);
	RF24_setRFSetup(rfsetup);
	RF24_enableFeatures();

	RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[0] = RF24_BROADCAST_ADDRESS;
	RF24_setPipeAddress(RF24_REG_RX_ADDR_P0 + RF24_BROADCAST_PIPE, (uint8_t*)&RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,
	                    RF24_BROADCAST_PIPE > 1 ? 1 : MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH);
	RF24_setPipeAddress(RF24_REG_RX_ADDR_P0, (uint8_t*)&RF24_BASE_ID_VAR, MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH);
	RF24_setPipeAddress(RF24_REG_TX_ADDR, (uint8_t*)&RF24_BASE_ID_VAR, MY_RF24_ADDR_WIDTH);
	
	RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[0] = iTempVar0;
	
	//lcd.home();
	lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
	lcd.print("nRF24 DOCTOR");
	lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
	lcd.print("Connecting...");
	transportWaitUntilReady(10000);		// Give it 10[s] to connect, else continue to allow user to set new connection settings
}

void loadNewRadioSettingsGateway() {
	switch (iRetryGateway){
		case 0:	//Skip Gateway update (= only update this Node)
			//Store new values to EEPROM & Restart the program
			SaveStatesToEEPROM();
			asm volatile ("  jmp 0");	//Do a Soft Reset - This allows for the radio to correctly reload with the new settings from EEPROM
			break;				
		case 1:	{
			//(Re-)try Gateway update
			uint16_t iMessageToGateway = iRf24Channel*100+iRf24PaLevelGw*10+iRf24DataRate;
			boolean success = send(MsgUpdateGateway.setDestination(0).setSensor(250).set(iMessageToGateway), true);		//Transmit message with software ack request (returned in "receive function")
			int nRepeats = 0;
			while (!success && nRepeats<10) {	//Re-try
				nRepeats++;
				success = send(MsgUpdateGateway.setDestination(0).set(iMessageToGateway), true);
			}
			wait(2000);	//wait for ACK from Gateway
			if (bAckGatewayUpdate){
				//Store new values to EEPROM & Restart the program
				SaveStatesToEEPROM();
				asm volatile ("  jmp 0");	//Do a Soft Reset - This allows for the radio to correctly reload with the new settings from EEPROM					
			}
			break;
		}					
		case 2:	//Cancel All
			opState = STATE_RUN;
			LoadStatesFromEEPROM();
			bDspRefresh = true;					
			break;
	}
}
/*****************************************************************/
/************************ EEPROM FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/*****************************************************************/
void LoadStatesFromEEPROM() {
	iRf24Channel 		= loadState(EEPROM_CHANNEL);
	iRf24PaLevel 		= loadState(EEPROM_PA_LEVEL);
	iRf24PaLevelGw 		= loadState(EEPROM_PA_LEVEL_GW);
	iRf24DataRate 		= loadState(EEPROM_DATARATE);
	iRf24BaseRadioId	= loadState(EEPROM_BASE_RADIO_ID);
	iDestinationNode 	= loadState(EEPROM_DESTINATION_NODE);
}

void SaveStatesToEEPROM() {
	saveState(EEPROM_CHANNEL, iRf24Channel);
	saveState(EEPROM_PA_LEVEL, iRf24PaLevel);
	saveState(EEPROM_PA_LEVEL_GW, iRf24PaLevelGw);
	saveState(EEPROM_DATARATE, iRf24DataRate);
	saveState(EEPROM_BASE_RADIO_ID, iRf24BaseRadioId);
	saveState(EEPROM_DESTINATION_NODE, iDestinationNode);
}

/*****************************************************************/
/************************ BUTTON FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/*****************************************************************/
void ButtonTick() {
	//Check Button States (should be done Frequently
	button1.tick();
	button2.tick();
}

void onButton1Pressed() {			//Scroll through the menu items
	lcd.clear();
	bDspRefresh = true;
	switch (opState) {
		case STATE_RUN:
			opState = STATE_RUN2;
			break;
		case STATE_RUN2:
			opState = STATE_RUN3;
			break;			
		case STATE_RUN3:
			opState = STATE_CURLEVEL;
			break;			
		case STATE_CURLEVEL:
			opState = STATE_SET_RESET;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_RESET:
			opState = STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE:
			opState = STATE_SET_CHANNEL;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_CHANNEL:
			opState = STATE_SET_PALEVEL;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL:
			opState = STATE_SET_PALEVEL_GW;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL_GW:
			opState = STATE_SET_DATARATE;
			break;		
		case STATE_SET_DATARATE:
			opState = STATE_SET_BASE_RADIO_ID;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_BASE_RADIO_ID:
			opState = STATE_ASK_GATEWAY;
			break;
		case STATE_ASK_GATEWAY:
			opState = STATE_UPDATE_GATEWAY;
			loadNewRadioSettingsGateway();
			break;
		case STATE_UPDATE_GATEWAY:
			loadNewRadioSettingsGateway();
			break;		
	}
}

void onButton2Pressed() {	//Apply/Select change (if available). In Viewing windows: toggle (reversed)
	bDspRefresh = true;
	switch (opState) {
		case STATE_RUN:
			//Do nothing
			break;
		case STATE_RUN2:
			//Do nothing
			break;
		case STATE_RUN3:
			//Do nothing
			break;			
		case STATE_CURLEVEL:
			//Do nothing
			break;
		case STATE_SET_RESET:
			ClearStorageAndCounters();
			opState = STATE_RUN;
			break;
		//Select Radio changes:
		case STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE:
			iDestinationNode++;
			break;				
		case STATE_SET_CHANNEL:
			iRf24Channel++; if (iRf24Channel > 125) iRf24Channel = 0;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL:
			iRf24PaLevel++; if (iRf24PaLevel > (iNrPaLevels-1)) iRf24PaLevel = 0;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL_GW:
			iRf24PaLevelGw++; if (iRf24PaLevelGw > (iNrPaLevels-1)) iRf24PaLevelGw = 0;
			break;			
		case STATE_SET_DATARATE:
			iRf24DataRate++; if (iRf24DataRate > (iNrDataRates-1)) iRf24DataRate = 0;
			break;			
		case STATE_SET_BASE_RADIO_ID:
			iRf24BaseRadioId++; if (iRf24BaseRadioId > iNrBaseRadioIds) iRf24BaseRadioId = 1;
			switch (iRf24BaseRadioId) {
				case 1:
					memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR1,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
					break;
				case 2:
					memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR2,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
					break;				
				case 3:
					memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR3,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
					break;
				case 4:
					memcpy(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR,RF24_BASE_ID_VAR4,sizeof(RF24_BASE_ID_VAR));
					break;
			}
			break;			
		case STATE_ASK_GATEWAY:
			bUpdateGateway= !bUpdateGateway;
			if (bUpdateGateway){
				iRetryGateway = 1;
			}
			else{
				iRetryGateway = 0;
			}
			break;
		case STATE_UPDATE_GATEWAY:
			iRetryGateway++; if (iRetryGateway > (iNrGatwayRetryOptions-1)) iRetryGateway = 0;
/* 			switch(iRetryGateway){
				case 0: 
					bUpdateGateway = 0;
					break;
				case 1:
					bUpdateGateway = 1;
					break;
				case 2:
					bUpdateGateway = 0;
					break;				
			} */
			break;
	}
}

void onButton1LongPressed() {
	// Return to normal RUN state without changing any settings (recall last set from EEPROM)
	opState = STATE_RUN;
	LoadStatesFromEEPROM();
	bDspRefresh = true;
}

void onButton2Hold() {	//Scroll through numbers quickly
	switch (opState) {
		case STATE_SET_CHANNEL:
			iRf24Channel++; if (iRf24Channel > 125) iRf24Channel = 0;
			bDspRefresh = true;
			break;
		case STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE:
			iDestinationNode++;
			bDspRefresh = true;
			break;
	}		
}

/*****************************************************************/
/**************** ARRAY PROCESSING FUNCTIONS *********************/
/*****************************************************************/

uint8_t IndexOfValueInArray(uint16_t val, uint16_t *array, uint8_t size){
	// Find the (first) array element which equals val and return the index.
	// If val not found in the array return 255
    for (int i=0; i < size; i++) {
        if (array[i] == val){
			return i;
		}
    }
    return 255;	//Not Found
}

int GetNrOfTrueValuesInArray(boolean countArray[], int size) {
	// Calculate number of TRUE values in array
	int Counter = 0 ;
	for (int i = 0 ; i < size ; i++) {Counter += countArray[i];}
	return Counter;
}

void ClearStorageAndCounters() {
	for (int n = 0; n < iMaxNumberOfMessages; n++){
		bArrayFailedMessages[n] = 0;
		bArrayNAckMessages[n] = 0;
	}
	iNrNAckMessages = iMessageCounter = iNrFailedMessages = 0;
	bAckGatewayUpdate = 0;
}

void getMeanAndMaxFromArray(uint16_t *mean_value, uint16_t *max_value, unsigned long *buffer, uint8_t size) {
	//Note: excluding 0 values from mean calculation
	uint8_t iNrOfSamples=0;		//max equals size
	unsigned long lMaxValue=0;	//max Array value
	float sum=0;
	for (int i=0; i < size; i++)
	{
		if (buffer[i] != 0){
			sum 		= sum + (float)buffer[i];	
			lMaxValue	= max(lMaxValue,buffer[i]);
			iNrOfSamples++;
		}
	}
	if (iNrOfSamples !=0){
		*mean_value 	= (uint16_t) ((sum / (float)iNrOfSamples)/1000);
		*max_value		= (uint16_t) (lMaxValue/1000L);
	}
	else {
		*mean_value = 65535;	//INF identifier
		*max_value 	= 65535;	//INF identifier
	}	
}

float GetAvgADCBits(int iNrSamples) {
	float sum = 0;
	for (int i=0; i < iNrSamples; i++) {
		sum = sum + analogRead(CURRENT_PIN);
		wait(1);	// Need some time for the high impedance measurement @ 10kOhm
	}
	return ((float)sum/(float)iNrSamples);
}


/*****************************************************************/
/************************* LCD FUNCTIONS *************************/
/*****************************************************************/

void print_LCD_line(const char *string,int row, int col) {
	lcd.setCursor(col-1,row-1);
	lcd.print(string);
}

void LCD_local_display(void) {
	static mode prevOpState = STATE_RUN;	//Remember previous state to allow for partial LCD updates
	char buf[LCD_COLS+1];
	bDspRefresh = false;
	
	switch (opState) {
		case STATE_RUN:
		{
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "P%-3dFAIL%4d%3d%%", MY_PARENT_NODE_ID, iNrFailedMessages, GetNrOfTrueValuesInArray(bArrayFailedMessages, iMaxNumberOfMessages));
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "D%-3dNACK%4d%3d%%", iDestinationNode , iNrNAckMessages, GetNrOfTrueValuesInArray(bArrayNAckMessages, iMaxNumberOfMessages));
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}
		case STATE_RUN2:
		{
			if (iMaxDelayFirstHop_ms>9999){
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "HOP1 dTmax   INF");
			}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "HOP1 dTmax%4dms",iMaxDelayFirstHop_ms);
			}
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			if (iMaxDelayDestination_ms>9999){
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "D%-3d dTmax   INF",iDestinationNode,iMaxDelayDestination_ms);
			}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "D%-3d dTmax%4dms",iDestinationNode,iMaxDelayDestination_ms);
			}
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}
		case STATE_RUN3:
		{
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "MESSAGE COUNT:  ");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "           %5d",iMessageCounter);
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}		
		case STATE_CURLEVEL:
		{
			float fCurrent_uA = 0;
			if (iPowerMode == 1){
				fCurrent_uA = StandbyCurrent_uA;
			}
			else{
				fCurrent_uA = SleepCurrent_uA;	
			}
			Sprint("iPowerMode:");Sprintln(iPowerMode);
			Sprint("fCurrent_uA:");Sprintln(fCurrent_uA);
			
			if (fCurrent_uA > 1000){
				int Current_mA = (int)(fCurrent_uA/1000);
				if (Current_mA>=300){
					snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[mA]= ERR",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],Current_mA);
				}
				else if (Current_mA>=100){
					snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[mA]=%4d",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],Current_mA);
				}
				else if (Current_mA>=10){
					int iDecCurrent = (int)(((fCurrent_uA/1000)-(float)Current_mA)*10+0.5);
					snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[mA]=%2d.%1d",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],Current_mA,iDecCurrent);
				}
				else {				
					int iDecCurrent = (int)(((fCurrent_uA/1000)-(float)Current_mA)*100+0.5);
					snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[mA]=%1d.%2d",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],Current_mA,iDecCurrent);
				}
			}
			else if (fCurrent_uA < 100){		
				int iCurrent_uA = (int)fCurrent_uA;
				int iDecCurrent_uA = (int)((fCurrent_uA-(float)iCurrent_uA)*10+0.5);
					snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[uA]=%2d.%1d",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],iCurrent_uA,iDecCurrent_uA);
				}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%s[uA]=%4d",pcPowerModeNames[iPowerMode],(int)fCurrent_uA);
			}
			if (iPowerMode == 1){
				print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);				
			}
			else{
				print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			}
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_RESET:
		{
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "RESET BUFFERS?");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			break;
		}	
		case STATE_SET_DESTINATION_NODE:
		{
			if(opState==prevOpState){
				char buf2[4];
				lcd.setCursor(13, 0);
				snprintf(buf2, sizeof buf2, "%3d", iDestinationNode);
				lcd.print(buf2);
			}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "DEST. NODE = %3d", iDestinationNode);
				print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			}
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_CHANNEL:
		{
			if(opState==prevOpState){
				char buf2[4];
				lcd.setCursor(13, 0);
				snprintf(buf2, sizeof buf2, "%3d", iRf24Channel);
				lcd.print(buf2);
			}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "CHANNEL NR = %3d", iRf24Channel);
				print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			}
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "NODE");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "PA Level = %s", pcPaLevelNames[iRf24PaLevel]);
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_PALEVEL_GW:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "GATEWAY");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "PA Level = %s", pcPaLevelNames[iRf24PaLevelGw]);
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_DATARATE:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "DataRate=%s", pcDataRateNames[iRf24DataRate]);
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			break;
		}
		case STATE_SET_BASE_RADIO_ID:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "Base Radio ID=  ");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "%02X:%0.2X:%0.2X:%0.2X:%0.2X",RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[0],RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[1],RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[2],RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[3],RF24_BASE_ID_VAR[4]);
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;
		}		
		case STATE_ASK_GATEWAY:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "UPDATE GATEWAY?:");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			if (bUpdateGateway){
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "YES");
				print_LCD_line(buf,2, 14);
			}
			else{
				snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "NO");
				print_LCD_line(buf,2, 15);
			}
			break;
		}			
		case STATE_UPDATE_GATEWAY:
		{
			lcd.clear();
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf, "FAILED GATEWAY!");
			print_LCD_line(buf,1, 1);
			snprintf(buf, sizeof buf,"%s",pcGatewayRetryNames[iRetryGateway]);
			print_LCD_line(buf,2, 1);
			break;								
		}	
	}
	prevOpState = opState;
}

Technovation

And finally PART3 the sketch for the nRF24DoctorGateway

/**
* 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
* The ArduinoGateway prints data received from sensors on the serial link.
* The gateway accepts input on seral which will be sent out on radio network.
*
* The GW code is designed for Arduino Nano 328p / 16MHz
*
* Wire connections (OPTIONAL):
* - Inclusion button should be connected between digital pin 3 and GND
* - RX/TX/ERR leds need to be connected between +5V (anode) and digital pin 6/5/4 with resistor 270-330R in a series
*
* LEDs (OPTIONAL):
* - To use the feature, uncomment any of the MY_DEFAULT_xx_LED_PINs
* - RX (green) - blink fast on radio message recieved. In inclusion mode will blink fast only on presentation recieved
* - TX (yellow) - blink fast on radio message transmitted. In inclusion mode will blink slowly
* - ERR (red) - fast blink on error during transmission error or recieve crc error
*
*/

//---------------- SET SPECIFIC MY SENSORS SETTINGS ---------------------//

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
#define MY_DEBUG
#define MY_DEBUG_VERBOSE_SIGNING

// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24


//#define MY_RF24_CHANNEL 1
//#define MY_RF24_DATARATE RF24_1MBPS

//If you are using an Arduino Mega
#define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 49
#define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 53
//Enable receiving buffer feature.
//#define MY_RF24_IRQ_PIN 2
//#define MY_RX_MESSAGE_BUFFER_FEATURE

// Set LOW transmit power level as default, if you have an amplified NRF-module and
// power your radio separately with a good regulator you can turn up PA level.
#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_MAX

// Signing settings
//#define MY_SIGNING_SOFT
//#define MY_SIGNING_SOFT_RANDOMSEED_PIN 7
//#define MY_SIGNING_REQUEST_SIGNATURES
//These codes should be programmed in EEPROM through SecurityPersonalizer.ino with USB connection once (will be maintained with reprogramming of new sketches) and preferably not send over the air)
//#define MY_SOFT_HMAC_KEY 0xFC,0x7E,0xA0,0x9F,0xEA,0x20,0x14,0xD0,0xC4,0x5F,0xBB,0xA3,0x70,0xE8,0xA1,0xDD,0x72,0x3E,0xBB,0x19,0x50,0x8E,0x35,0x7D,0x44,0x25,0xBB,0x7A,0xF4,0xAA,0x28,0x76
//#define MY_SOFT_SERIAL 0x2C,0xA0,0x3F,0x21,0x08,0x80,0xF5,0x8A,0xC4
//#define MY_AES_KEY 0x8F,0x87,0x9B,0x25,0xEE,0xAC,0x6A,0x36,0x3D,0xD3,0xF8,0x35,0x5F,0xD5,0xCB,0x96

// RF24 encryption is enabled in MyConfig.h (all nodes and gateway must have this enabled, and all must be personalized with the same AES key)
//#define MY_RF24_ENABLE_ENCRYPTION

// Enable serial gateway
#define MY_GATEWAY_SERIAL
// Define a lower baud rate for Arduino's running on 8 MHz (Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V & SenseBender)
#if F_CPU == 8000000L
#define MY_BAUD_RATE 38400
#endif

// Enable inclusion mode
#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_FEATURE
// Enable Inclusion mode button on gateway
#define MY_INCLUSION_BUTTON_FEATURE

// Inverses behavior of inclusion button (if using external pullup)
//#define MY_INCLUSION_BUTTON_EXTERNAL_PULLUP

// Set inclusion mode duration (in seconds)
#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_DURATION 60
// Digital pin used for inclusion mode button
#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_BUTTON_PIN  3

// Set blinking period
#define MY_DEFAULT_LED_BLINK_PERIOD 300

// Inverses the behavior of leds
//#define MY_WITH_LEDS_BLINKING_INVERSE

// Flash leds on rx/tx/err
// Uncomment to override default HW configurations
#define MY_DEFAULT_ERR_LED_PIN 4  // Error led pin
#define MY_DEFAULT_TX_LED_PIN  5  // the PCB, on board LED
#define MY_DEFAULT_RX_LED_PIN  6  // Receive led pin

//**** MySensors Messages ****
#define MY_TRANSPORT_SANITY_CHECK_INTERVAL_MS 3000000000			//To Prevent the MySensors library from resetting back to default radio settings
#include <MySensors.h>
#define CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY 250
MyMessage MsgUpdateGateway(CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY, V_CUSTOM);   	//Send value for Gateway settings: xxxyz (xxx = Channel, y = PaLevel, z = DataRate)
uint8_t iRf24Channel 		= MY_RF24_CHANNEL;
uint8_t iRf24PaLevelGw 		= MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL;
uint8_t iRf24DataRate 		= MY_RF24_DATARATE;
bool bLoadNewRadioSettings 	= 0;
const uint8_t iNrPaLevels = 4;
const char *pcPaLevelNames[iNrPaLevels] 		= { "MIN", "LOW", "HIGH", "MAX" };
const uint8_t iNrDataRates = 3;
const char *pcDataRateNames[iNrDataRates] 		= { "1MBPS", "2MBPS" , "250KBPS"};
#define DELAY_BETWEEN_RADIO_SETTINGS_PRINT 20000	//Print Radio Settings to Serial Monitor every x[ms]

//**** DEBUG *****
#define LOCAL_DEBUG

#ifdef LOCAL_DEBUG
#define Sprint(a) (Serial.print(a))           	// macro as substitute for print, enable if no print wanted
#define Sprintln(a) (Serial.println(a))         
#else											// macro for "no" debug print
#define Sprint(a)                   			
#define Sprintln(a)                   			
#endif


//-----------------------------------------------------------------------//


void setup()
{
	//loadNewRadioSettings();	//Load the Radio Settings as transmitted by the nRF24 Doctor Node
}

void presentation()
{
	// Present locally attached sensors
}

void loop()
{
	static unsigned long lLastRadioSettingsPrint = millis();
	wait(1);	
	//Set new Radio settings by nRF24 Doctor Node
	if (bLoadNewRadioSettings){
		bLoadNewRadioSettings = 0;
		loadNewRadioSettings();
	}
	//Regularly print the Radio Settings we are using
	if ((millis()- lLastRadioSettingsPrint) > DELAY_BETWEEN_RADIO_SETTINGS_PRINT){// wait for things to settle and ack's to arrive
		lLastRadioSettingsPrint = millis();
		PrintRadioSettings();
	}	
}

/*****************************************************************************/
/************************ RECEIVE & TRANSMIT FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/*****************************************************************************/
void receive(const MyMessage &message) {
	if (message.type == V_CUSTOM && message.sensor==CHILD_ID_UPDATE_GATEWAY){	//Acknowledge message & of correct type & Sensor
		uint16_t iNewMessage = message.getUInt();           // get received value
		//Extract the new Gateway settings
		iRf24Channel 	= (uint16_t)(iNewMessage/100U);
		iRf24PaLevelGw 	= (uint16_t)((iNewMessage/10U)%10);
		iRf24DataRate 	= (uint16_t)(iNewMessage%10);
		bLoadNewRadioSettings = 1;
		Sprintln("Received new Radio settings.");
	}
}

/********************************************************************************/
/************************ CONFIGURE nRF24 RADIO FUNCTIONS ***********************/
/********************************************************************************/
void loadNewRadioSettings() {
	uint8_t rfsetup = ( ((iRf24DataRate & 0b10 ) << 4) | ((iRf24DataRate & 0b01 ) << 3) | (iRf24PaLevelGw << 1) ) + 1;		//!< RF24_RF_SETUP, +1 for Si24R1 and LNA
	RF24_setChannel(iRf24Channel);
	RF24_setRFSetup(rfsetup);
	RF24_enableFeatures();
	Sprint("Updated Radio Settings!\t");
	PrintRadioSettings();
}

/********************************************************************************/
/******************************** SERIAL OUTPUT *********************************/
/********************************************************************************/
void PrintRadioSettings() {
	Sprint("Channel:");Sprint(iRf24Channel);Sprint("\t");
	Sprint("PaLevel:");Sprint(pcPaLevelNames[iRf24PaLevelGw]);Sprint("\t");
	Sprint("DataRate:");Sprint(pcDataRateNames[iRf24DataRate]);Sprintln("\t");
}

I hope this will be helpful to others to diagnose and doctor their nRF24 Connections.

gohan

I can only say "awesome project" :+1:

Heizelmann

Very helpfull!

Technovation

Thanks @gohan & @Heizelmann , I appreciate your recognition of the work that I did and hope others will experience it as helpful as you and I do.

alowhum

Very cool!

Just thinking out loud: Would it be an idea to create a 'light' version of this that could be loaded onto a bare node, without any sensors/screens, and that would output details over serial? For beginners it might be a bit much to invest in so much hardware. But the core functionality is awesome!

Yveaux

@alowhum well, the schematic is more or less the bare minimum. Even with current measurement the number of components and total cost is very low ($10 ballpark).
This project is a continuous development and I'm designing a pcb for it at the moment (all through - hole, so easy to replicate).
The output of the display could also be sent over serial, but the whole idea is you can walk around with the doctor and improve your results as you go.

rzylius

@Technovation , thanks for diagnostics tool. Could you help to interpret the results what I get?

When I am at ~7m range, I nrf24doctor node shows no faults and gateway produces all nice log:

250;0;1;0;48;17
0;255;3;0;9;227401 TSF:MSG:READ,250-250-0,s=0,c=1,t=48,pt=3,l=2,sg=0:18
0;255;3;0;9;227408 TSF:MSG:ACK REQ
0;255;3;0;9;227418 TSF:MSG:SEND,0-0-250-250,s=0,c=1,t=48,pt=3,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:18

When distance increases, nrf24doctor node shows 1-2 percent of faults, but the log on the gateway consistently shows NACK's:

250;0;1;0;48;322
0;255;3;0;9;558810 TSF:MSG:READ,250-250-0,s=0,c=1,t=48,pt=3,l=2,sg=0:323
0;255;3;0;9;558817 TSF:MSG:ACK REQ
0;255;3;0;9;558856 !TSF:MSG:SEND,0-0-250-250,s=0,c=1,t=48,pt=3,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:323

So do I read it right way, that my node manages to deliver to gateway the message with payload, but fails to deliver the ACK?

How that works? How do I understand results like this?

thanks,

Rpx

@technovation

Very helpfull! Very good work !
I plan to realize one.
But I have some questions about the NODE.
I don't understand clearly the connections of the differents parts, especialy between the MosFETs and the nRF24 Radio.
A complete shematic with Arduino Nano, LCD, MosFETs, nRF24 Radio and power supply would be appreciated.
I don't know the possibility, but getting the RF RX signal strenght of the NODE, will be very interesting.

@Yveaux I am curious to see your PCB.

Rpx.

Yveaux

@rpx said in nRF24Doctor:

I am curious to see your PCB.

Here you are :

https://github.com/TechNovation01/nRF24Doctor/blob/master/pcb/nRFDoctor_1.1_sch.pdf

It has some shortcomings for the power part, but the mosfets are ok.

Rpx

@yveaux Thanks !
Rpx.

gillen

Good job I would try to build it too. I have seen that the pcb are in pdf format, it is possible to have them in Eagle format. I can not find the buttons used on the card, can you give me some references?
Thanks gillen

Rpx

@Yveaux

Done ! With your great help on github, I made one nRF24DoctorNode.
Some modifications : Battery powering with two LiIon from laptop, for 7.5 v on Arduino Nano Raw
The 1117 of Nano out 5.0v for Nano, LCD1602 and KY040 Rotary Encoder.
Finally the 5.0v powers a LE33 to produce 3.3v for nRF24.
Resistors smd, led and mosFETs (I try 40N03) are "second hand parts".
With your PDF schematics I redraw à nRF24DoctorNode with KiKad.
And a pcb, not so beautiful and compact than yours, but "Home made" 85x85mm single side with four straps.

Anyway, I have one question, if the github nRF24DoctorGateway.ino compile correctly,
the nRF24DoctorNode.ino produce one error :

/sketchbook/nRF24DoctorNode/nRF24DoctorNode.ino: In function 'void statemachine()':

nRF24DoctorNode:566: error: 'RF24_getReceivedPowerDetector' was not declared in this scope
if (RF24_getReceivedPowerDetector())
^
If I comment this line, it compile correctly.

What's wrong ?

Rpx

Yveaux

@rpx you need the development version of the mySensors library. 2.3.0 doesn't contain the functions for the received power detection graph yet.
The doctor will work with that line commented out, but the graph will stay empty.

gohan

@yveaux what graph is that?

Rpx

@Yveaux
Thank you very much for your answer.
I upload nRF24DoctorNode.ino with commented line and ... It work's ! But it don't see any of my three gateways one serial and two Ethernet W5100 which are all on work.
First I have to build a fourth one with the nRF24DoctorGateway.ino sketch.
Some photos:
Front

Front without Nano & LCD

Back

KiKad schematics:

Pcb:

And LCD modifications:

For D4 - D7 LCD
#define LCD_D7     8  // 5 due to easier pcb design 
#define LCD_D6     7  // 6
#define LCD_D5     6  // 7
#define LCD_D4     5  // 8

At last, I need to build an enclosure...

Rpx.

Yveaux

@yveaux See https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9709/a-small-nrf24l01-chip-comparison/3

Rpx

@yveaux Thanks !

One enclosure later...
I think about my three gateways weren't view.
And made few adjustments.

First in RadioConfig.h Ireplace "Zero CaFe BaBe" by my one of MY_RF24_BASE_RADIO_ID

/**

@def MY_RF24_BASE_RADIO_ID
@brief RF24 radio network identifier.
This acts as base value for sensor nodeId addresses. Change this (or channel) if you have more
than one sensor network.
*/
//0x00,0xCA,0xFE,0xBA,0xBE // modif Rpx de "Zero CaFe BaBe"

Second to be sure force selection of nRF24 CE on D9 and CS on D10

//PIN 9~13: NRF24 RADIO
#define MY_RF24_CE_PIN    (9)
#define MY_RF24_CS_PIN    (10)

And then Doctor is at work!
Enclosure Open

Connecting

Msg

Message Count

Tx Rx

Sleep

Scan

At last, nRF24Doctor is working. Except scan due I think to use MySensors Library 2.2.0.
I don't know if a nRF24 PA LNA (20dBm) can be tested with nRF24Doctor but if my circuit design is used you should change LE33 witch output max 100mA because nRF24 PA LNA need 150mA min.
And one problem, a test with nRF24Doctor "freeze" Domoticz 3.8153, I need to stop service Domoticz and start to have a Domoticz web access.

Thank you very much Yveaux.
Rpx.

Rpx

@rpx
@Yveaux OK with a nRF24 gateway it's working fine. But, and I don't remember why, I need to strap pin 8 of nRF24L01+ (Irq) to Nano Pin D2, which is not required on mysensors gateways.
And with MySensors Library 2.3.0 beta Scan is working.

This pattern is a 950W microwave owen near by 0,60 meter.
The graph has 8 pixel high, can you give me a idea of the power scale of each pixel ?

And I plan with friends help, to measure differents antennas in open field as J pole, Yagi-Uda and cloverleaf.
Rpx.

nRF24Doctor

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