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Make your Arduino project wireless in minutes, with the Wireless

Inventors Shield by opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/)
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I Made it!

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About This Instructable

58,661 views

Posted:
Jun 19, 2012

53 favorites

License:

opensourcerf
(/member/opensourcerf/)
www.rfduino.com
(http://www.rfduino.com)

video Make your Arduino project wireless in minutes, with the Wireless Inventors
Shield

(/member/opensourcerf/)
Follow

The inventors shield uses a wireless pipe, which is a special wireless RF module
that allows you to easily and reliably, send and receive error-free wireless data
between two or more Arduino boards.

More by opensourcerf

13

It's Long Range distances up to 500 feet (150 meter).

Its Error Free built-in forward error correction and data recovery, you only ever
receive cleaned and CRC verified data.

(/id/Use-RFduino-to-runArduino-compatible-sketches-and)
Tags:

Its Simple To Use anything you input, is wirelessly transmitted, then cleanly
outputted for you on the other end.

Arduino (/tag/type-id/category-technology/keywordarduino/)
Technology (/tag/type-id/category-

Its Immune To Noise your data inside the wireless pipe is protected from the
elements outside such as interferences like WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cordless
phones, cellular phones, all types of servo and motor noise, etc. All things which
typically stop your wireless project in its tracks, are no longer an issue.

technology/keyword-technology/)
OpenSourceRF (/tag/type-id/categorytechnology/keyword-opensourcerf/)
Wireless Module (/tag/type-id/categorytechnology/keyword-wireless module/)

How is this different from other wireless RF Shields for Arduino?

Our Wireless Inventors Shield is complete. No additional RF module to purchase
which makes it about half the price of other wireless Shields.

Add instructable to:

Group

This Shield will work with both Arduino and Arduino clones.

Related

It has a substantial range improvement over Zigbee, Xbee, Bluetooth and WiFi.
We did range testing the same way you would do range testing, in a real world, live
application. The Google maps below illustrate our wireless RF Shields results
against Zigbee (the best competitor tested):
Wireless Inventors Shield for Arduino range test result (no configuration
needed).
Zigbee radio module test - best configuration. In comparison our Shield had
nearly 3x more range.
Zigbee radio module test - worst configuration. In comparison our Shield had
over 20x more range.
If the above Zigbee radio modules were tested in an open field, without being near
any WiFi or other types of interference, they too would perform the same as our
Wireless Shield in either configuration. However this is simply unrealistic; since
typical usage is in heavily populated WiFi areas. Unless your radio device is
immune to WiFi interference, it's range is going to be drastically reduced.
Our Wireless Shield had no range reduction. It is immune to all WiFi and other 2.4
GHz noise, therefore performing consistently and reliably in typical usage scenarios.
Features:
It's plug & play.
No settings.
No configurations.
No long manuals to read.
No data sheets to understand.
No MAC addresses to deal with.
No need to find the right channel.
No complex functions to call.
No escape command sequences to learn.
No need to know anything about wireless at all.
2.4 GHz worldwide compliant.
LEDs for TX and RX
Built-in antenna.
Compliant and approved: FCC, IC, CE, ETSI, RoHS
How do I use it?
Just plug it onto your Arduino Uno (or clone).
Here is all the code you need to know to send and receive wireless data:
Serial.begin (9600);
Serial.write (SendByte);
ReceivedByte = Serial.read();
Thats it. Yes, it really is just that simple!
What can I do with it?
You can make any Arduino project wireless instantly. This is a clean wireless-pipe,
any bytes you put in one end, you get out the other. Since there is no protocol to
adhere to, you are truly unrestricted.
What else can I do with it?
You can use a USB dongle, which allows the Arduino to wirelessly communicate with
any computer or the web.
You can use multi-button keyfobs to add very cool remote control capability to your
Arduino projects.
You can also use your Arduino Wireless Shield to communicate with a stand-alone
breadboarding RF module that can plug into any standard solderless breadboard,
giving you full range of flexibility with your project.

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+ Bluetooth Android
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Can it work in groups and multi-point networks?

Yes! You are only limited by your creativity and your imagination.
Can it also be used in classroom environment?
Yes! You can have multiple PRIVATE wireless pipes running independently.
Does the Shield run on 3.3V or 5V?
The shield UART input and output is at 5V. The on-board radio uses the 3.3V supply
from the Arduino board. Also the 5V supply is used for solid 5V UART output. There
are internal logic level shifters, which are ICs that produce solid logic levels so there
is no issue with slew rates, ringing or having too little drive current.
The UART output uses a 5V logic buffer so you have a full 5V swing.
The UART input uses a 3.3V logic buffer with a 5V tolerant input.
They are both internally resistively pulled up to maintain a proper steady state levels
and keep the UART quiet when not being driven from either side so there is no noise
or chatter of any kind, and no worry for false triggering which prevents glitches which
might otherwise allow a UART start bit to sneak a byte through. Basically its a clean
bi-directional UART driver circuit.
Can I use it with a software UART instead of the hardware UART?
Yes. There is an on-board slide-switch, that allows you to switch between the two
hardware UART pins or pin 12 and 13 on the shield which allows you the option to
configure a software UART there and free up the hardware UART for other uses.
Here is a page reference from Arduino on the software UART usage option:
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/SoftwareSerial
Also see my FAQ about using the Arduino Mega.
Can I use any of the 4 harware UARTs on the Arduino MEGA?
Yes. All you need to do is slide the Hardware / Software UART switch to the
Software position on our Wireless Shield and that will place the UART TXD and RXD
pins on pin 12 and 13 which are GPIO, then simply don't use those two pins (the
Mega has so many anyway). Instead jumper from those two pins over to any of the
other three hardware UARTs on the Arduino Mega.

Can I form my own simple private network of devices?

Yes you can. When you use any of these devices, they are all fully open to each
other, meaning any device that transmits, all the other devices it will hear it.
However, you have the options to flip the switch on the Shield that tells it to go to a
private wireless-pipe mode, then simply by pressing the Learn button on the Shield
you can teach up to 60 Shields, Keyfobs, stand alone breadboardsing RF Modules
or USB Dongles to each other and form mini-networks which will ignore devices
outside of their network, so you will not be bothered by others around you.
www.OpenSourceRF.com (http://www.opensourcerf.com)

We have a be nice comment policy.

Please be positive and constructive.

I Made it!

edwin0791 (/member/edwin0791/)

Add Images

Make Comment

2 years ago

Reply (CO20ACKH5JVOR1G)

hi there,, i'm really new in this and i want to make a project for my class,, i already
have an arduino uno and i used it a little bit. but i wanna do is a car that can be
(/member/edwin0791/)
controled by internet or a lan, using my computer.. i saw some instructables here,
but now i found your post and this product looks very good, is this a shield that i
put whit my arduino?, like zigbee,.. if that the case, please, what quantity of shield
do i need? and what else do i need?? thanks ...
flag

dbaldwin3 (/member/dbaldwin3/)

I used Bluetooth to control an rc

car between my pc and car using
(/member/dbaldwin3/)
an Xbox controller

edwin0791
11 months ago

Reply (C6LBS92HN8240XS)

flag

Anagha jayan (/member/Anagha+jayan/)

1 year ago

Reply (CDO3WI6HJKC0WBS)

hi, am doing my project in wireless, through ardunio could in transfer an 5v supply

to the stator of an servo motor to contorl the robo? through this
can i fully control the servo moter input and output wires through wireless? please
send me an suggestion

from supply board

(/member/Anagha+jayan/)

flag

dbaldwin3 (/member/dbaldwin3/)

U will probably need either relays

or motor controller...
(/member/dbaldwin3/)

Anagha jayan
11 months ago

Reply (CZJ1RIJHN8240XK)

flag

Rizwan Mukati (/member/Rizwan+Mukati/)

1 year ago

Reply (C0NM9GBHKUD49VU)

can my wireless camera be able to send live video on receiving end using this
shield
(/member/Rizwan+Mukati/)
flag

hossam abdelhameeed (/member/hossam+abdelhameeed/)

1 year ago

hi , i'm in a competition that i have to control

my robot wireless ....in my past robot
(/member/hossam+abdelhameeed/)
competition i use arduino uno to control it
but now i didn't know how could i control my
robot wireless ....... can that wireless
inventor shield do what i want ??? and how
could it will be connected with my remote
control ??

Reply (CRZMXP9HGU2DHLY)

flag

awesomeroks (/member/awesomeroks/)

1 year ago

Reply (CKTZP5YHDXMCFBY)

hi. i am making a voice recognition rc car. So, would this be helpful. If so where
can i buy it ?
(/member/awesomeroks/)
flag

junglejuju (/member/junglejuju/)

1 year ago

Reply (CDP4IGRHAQ2TEUF)

Hi there. Does this shield use full duplex communication?

(/member/junglejuju/)

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

1 year ago

Hello. It does not. Nothing

other then a cell phone
does. It does have hardware full
duplex UART. But over the air it's
simplex.

junglejuju
Reply (C2T0XYFHAQ31PCZ)

wireless
(/member/opensourcerf/)

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

2 years ago

Hello, thank you for your post. Here is

where you can go to get the Shield:
(/member/opensourcerf/)
http://opensourcerf.com/rfd21815wireless-inventors-shield-forarduino.html

Reply (CN5A2OFH5F2ZKSJ)

Note this is not a lan Shield, what this

shield is for is to provide a wireless pipe
for sending simple bytes in an out, then
you can also get the USB Dongle we
have on our website to get the bytes
into and out of your PC, then you will
need to use a comm port on your PC to
easily send and receive the bytes.
However the connection to the LAN /
Internet is something you need to do on
your own with your PC.
flag

Bongmaster (/member/Bongmaster/)

2 years ago

Reply (CI3AEZZH2WEZD8G)

now this looks good :)

the cos be? also the breadboard modules can be used together
sans the main shield? (i tend to use minis and pro arduinos)

what would
(/member/Bongmaster/)

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author) Bongmaster

Reply (CDGVCWPH3Q44OB9)
2 years ago

Hi Bongmaster,
(/member/opensourcerf/)

The cost is $30 for the Shield

and you can get them now at
this link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1608192864/opensource-wireless-inventorsshield-for-arduino?ref=live
The breadboarding modules
are $20 each. Yes, you can
use one breadboarding module
and the Shield together.
Keyfobs, USB, all of that can
be used together or
individually.
If you have any more
questions, we're happy to
answer.
flag

Bongmaster (/member/Bongmaster/) opensourcerf

Reply (C35TNU5H3QFIW60)
2 years ago

i meant can you use 2

modules together
only.
i'm wondering if they would be a
suitable application for use in
RC development

breadboard
(/member/Bongmaster/)

if u can challenge xbee with both

price and range then u'll be on to
a winner ;)
flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

2 years ago

Hi Bongmaster, Yes, you can

(/member/opensourcerf/)

Bongmaster
Reply (CJZOA8LH3QF980D)

use two breadboarding modules

together, without the use of a
Shield or any other parts. Yes,
an RC application is great, they
are small, low power and light
weight.
The breadboarding modules are
$20 each, so they are the same
price as the most lowest cost
Xbee out there, however range
wise they might be a bit more
compatible with the more
expensive Xbee parts that have
higher power so they can go
loner distances. So we might
have a winner on both counts,
you would need to try to confirm
that yourself of course. :)
We're always here to help.
flag

Bongmaster (/member/Bongmaster/) opensourcerf

Reply (CQQW1JUH461XM56)
2 years ago

well i may be interested in a

the breadboard
modules, would be good to see
the things in use. a 2 way RC
system is what i have in mind,
something like sending gps
coords, and even giving them.
yea xbee power/range to price
ration has always been put off
your module sounds like it has
the range, as long as its stable
for the job. and the price seems
good :)

pair of
(/member/Bongmaster/)

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

2 years ago

Great, thanks. :) You can

always find them at
(/member/opensourcerf/)
http://OpenSourceRF.com If you
ever have any questions,
always feel free to ask. Take
Care.

Bongmaster
Reply (CUJEDB3H4B2N8JO)

flag

tomtortoise (/member/tomtortoise/)

2 years ago

Reply (CZ7THK2H3QETMNH)

I was watching the video and it all sounded great but once you said I could
module to breadboard with without the need for another Arduino I was
hooked. Looks like a great project and i look forward to supporting it soon

get a
(/member/tomtortoise/)

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

2 years ago

Hi Tomtortoise, Thank you so

you need any
support, always feel free to ask.
Have a great weekend.

tomtortoise
Reply (CM3QMF4H3QF980F)

much. Anytime
(/member/opensourcerf/)

flag

Monrattle (/member/Monrattle/)

2 years ago

Reply (CCTDV7ZH3NLC1HO)

This looks really cool and I hope that I don't come off as being rude, but is there
to make a USB dongle or to configure it from something else?
Unfortunately, I don't have the money to pledge for two shields and a dongle and

any way
(/member/Monrattle/)

there doesn't seem to be a way to get the dongle by itself...

flag

opensourcerf (/member/opensourcerf/) (author)

2 years ago

Hi Monrattle,

Monrattle
Reply (CFUB0FHH3Q44O8D)

(/member/opensourcerf/)

Yes there is. Not rude at all :)

Thank you for asking. We are
happy to help.
What you can do is select the
$60 option for two Shields.
Then you are given th option to
manually change the pledge
amount. You can set it to $105
which is a USB plus one shield.
Then next week when the
project is complete. You will get
an email asking you what items
you want and you can say one
shield and one USB dongle.
Also if this is shipping to the
USA shipping is free. But if out
of the USA then please add $10
as well.
Please let me know if is works.
If not let us know. We are
always here to support.
flag

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