433 MHz RF module with Arduino Tutorial 1
If you are looking for a way to communicate between Arduinos, but don't have much cash at
your disposal, then look no further. These RF modules are not only affordable, but easy to use.
They are much easier to set up than an XBee, plus you can use them without the need of a
special shield. Before you rush out and buy a ton of these modules, make sure that you are not
breaking any radio transmission laws in your country. Do your research, and buy them only if
you are allowed to use them in your area. There are a few [OPTIONAL] libraries that can be
used to help you and your particular project.
Virtual Wire (at ICStation)
RadioHead - which supercedes VirtualWire
RC-Switch for communication with remote controls
Ninjablocks 433 Utilities
I will mention at this point however, that I did NOT use any libraries in this particular tutorial.
That's right. I will show how easy it is to transmit data from one arduino to another using these
RF
modules
WITHOUT
libraries.
Also if you are looking for an easy way to record the signals and play them back without a
computer
then
jump
to this
tutorial.
Video
Project 1- RF Blink
Firstly we need to test if the RF modules are working. So we will design a very simple transmit
and receive sketch to test their functionality. We will use the Arduino's onboard LED to show
when the transmitter is transmitting, and when the other Arduino is receiving. There will be a
slight delay between the two Arduinos. You can solder an antenna onto these modules,
however I did not do this, I just kept the modules close together (1-2cm apart). I also found that
I was getting better accuracy when I used 3V instead of 5V to power the receiver. While using
5V for VCC on the receiver, I would get a lot of interference, however with 3V, I hardly got any
noise. If you find you are getting unpredictable results, I would suggest you switch to 3V on the
receiver and move the transmitter and receiver modules right next to each other. Remember
this is just a check... you can experiment with an antenna or a greater distance afterwards.
Here
are
the
parts
that
you
will
need
to
carry
out
this
Parts Required
2 x Arduino UNO or compatible boards
Breadboard
Wires
RF Module (433 Mhz) - Transmitter and Receiver pair or the 315 Mhz version
The Transmitter and Receiver Fritzing Sketch
project:
The Transmitter
The transmitter has 3 pins,
Notice the pin called "ATAD". It took me a while to figure out what ATAD stood for, when
I suddenly realised that this was just a word reversed. It should be DATA (not ATAD).
Nevertheless, this is the pin responsible for transmitting the signal. We will make the
Arduino's onboard LED illuminate when the transmitter pin is HIGH, and go off when
LOW as described in the following table.
And this is the Arduino Sketch to carry out the data transmission.
Arduino sketch - Transmitter
1
2
/*
RF Blink - Transmit sketch
Written by ScottC 17 Jun 2014
Arduino IDE version 1.0.5
Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com
Transmitter: FS1000A/XY-FST
Description: A simple sketch used to test RF transmission.
8
9
------------------------------------------------------------- */
10
11 #define rfTransmitPin 4
//RF Transmitter pin = digital pin 4
12 #define ledPin 13
//Onboard LED = digital pin 13
13
14 void setup(){
15
pinMode(rfTransmitPin, OUTPUT);
16
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
17 }
18
19 void loop(){
20
for(int i=4000; i>5; i=i-(i/3)){
21
digitalWrite(rfTransmitPin, HIGH);
//Transmit a HIGH signal
22
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
//Turn the LED on
23
delay(2000);
//Wait for 1 second
24
25
digitalWrite(rfTransmitPin,LOW);
//Transmit a LOW signal
26
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
//Turn the LED off
27
delay(i);
28
//Variable delay
29 }
The Receiver
If all goes to plan, the onboard LED on this Arduino should light up (and go off) at the
same time as the onboard LED on the transmitting Arduino. There is a chance that the
receiver may pick up stray signals from other transmitting devices using that specific
frequency. So you may need to play around with the threshold value to eliminate the
"noise". But don't make it too big, or you will eliminate the signal in this experiment. You
will also notice a small delay between the two Arduinos.
Arduino sketch - Receiver
1
/*
RF Blink - Receiver sketch
Written by ScottC 17 Jun 2014
Arduino IDE version 1.0.5
Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com
Receiver: XY-MK-5V
Description: A simple sketch used to test RF transmission/receiver
8 .
9
------------------------------------------------------------- */
10
11 #define rfReceivePin A0
//RF Receiver pin = Analog pin 0
12 #define ledPin 13
//Onboard LED = digital pin 13
13
14 unsigned int data = 0;
// variable used to store received data
15 const unsigned int upperThreshold = 70;
//upper threshold value
16 const unsigned int lowerThreshold = 50;
//lower threshold value
17
18 void setup(){
19
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
20
Serial.begin(9600);
21 }
22
23 void loop(){
24
data=analogRead(rfReceivePin);
//listen for data on Analog pin 0
if(data>upperThreshold){
25
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
//If a LOW signal is received, turn
26 LED OFF
27
Serial.println(data);
28
29
30
if(data<lowerThreshold){
31
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
//If a HIGH signal is received, turn
32 LED ON
33
Serial.println(data);
34
}
}
When a HIGH signal is transmitted to the other Arduino. It will produce an AnalogRead = 0.
When a LOW signal is transmitted, it will produce an AnalogRead = 400.
This may vary depending on on your module, and voltage used.
The signals received can be viewed using the Serial Monitor, and can be copied into a
spreadsheet to create a chart like this:
