Difference between revisions of "Project:Alpha transceivers"

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The [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHATX-4.pdf transmitters/receivers] are £4 each<strike>, and [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHA-TRX-5.pdf transceivers] are £6 each</strike>.  Get the transceivers from Sparkfun, for [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9582 £4.69 each] (thanks to IGOR from [http://groups.google.com/group/northackton Northackton]).
 
The [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHATX-4.pdf transmitters/receivers] are £4 each<strike>, and [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHA-TRX-5.pdf transceivers] are £6 each</strike>.  Get the transceivers from Sparkfun, for [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9582 £4.69 each] (thanks to IGOR from [http://groups.google.com/group/northackton Northackton]).
  
If you get one of these, read the latest [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHA-TRX-6.pdf TRX documentation], as the TX and RX are slightly rearranged equivalents.
+
If you get one of these, read the latest [http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/DS-ALPHA-TRX-6.pdf TRX documentation], as the TX and RX are slightly rearranged equivalents, but the TRX documentation is fuller.
  
 
== Similar device ==
 
== Similar device ==

Revision as of 09:23, 16 June 2010

Introduction

The Alpha family of radio modules are available from Maplin, codes A58JN-A63JN.

ALPHA-TX-500.jpg

The transmitters/receivers are £4 each, and transceivers are £6 each. Get the transceivers from Sparkfun, for £4.69 each (thanks to IGOR from Northackton).

If you get one of these, read the latest TRX documentation, as the TX and RX are slightly rearranged equivalents, but the TRX documentation is fuller.

Similar device

This device appears to be the same or very similar: [1], the links on that page includes a programming guide and a code library.

Yup, the one on that page has a smaller oscillator, but the picture in the datasheet shows an identical device. We should test this library. --Ms7821 09:04, 16 June 2010 (UTC)


Architecture

They are single chips with an external crystal that communicate up to 300m using FSK at 433, 868 or 915MHz. Each device has a nominal frequency, but can be tuned to the other bands.

They have auto tuning, RSSI, and programmable gain, channel and sensitivity.

They are controllable through SPI, and provide a clock, interrupt pins and low battery indicator for use without an Arduino.

Software

Getting the status register back (including RSSI) is easy. Getting the FIFO to work has not been achieved yet.