Connecting multiple tranceivers to one Mega

[devilkin]

Hello,

I recently joined the ranks of RFLink, using the kit you can buy of nodo-shop. Right now I'm using the RF433 tranceiver.
I'd like to add a CC2500 - but is there a way to add both to one Arduino Mega and make it usable with the RF-Link firmware?

[darkside0506]

Absolutely. I used breadboard initially then prototyping board when I added a cc2500. I'm now running 433, cc2500 and 2 nrf24xxx. Also an esp so it is wireless. So a total of 5 transceivers.

I found that I couldn't find a cc2500 with standard pin spacing so had to get some 2mm to 2.54mm jumper wires to attach it. Bear in mind you will also need a logic level shifter as cc2500 is 3.3v and mega is 5v

[devilkin]

Thanks.

I'm just wondering how I'd go ahead on that.
Right now I have the Mega, one RFLink gateway ontop of it, but I assume the firmware assumes certain gpio pins to control the tranceivers? Or is there more liberty in that?

Sorry for the newbie questions

[darkside0506]

Hi

I am also really new to rflink so don't apologise for the questions - I have had loads and am a complete amateur so glad I can help by sharing a bit of my (very) limited experience

You can't change the pins for the cc2500 - I asked before in this forum and stuntteam confirmed that you can't.

I haven't got an rflink shield so don't know if it obstructs any of the io pins that you need to access however, you need to connect the cc250 to pins 47,50,51,52, 3.3v and ground as per http://www.nemcon.nl/blog2/wiring

Remember that you need a logic level converter to convert the 5v to 3v and need to also short pin 6 on the mega to ground.

If it helps I originally used a cheap cc2500 from ebay with a bit of cable for an antenna whihc was ok but a bit flaky but then found one from RS http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/wlan-modules/0542513/ which is more expensive but has a built in antenna and seems to give a more consistent operation. (I actually bought it thinking the pins on it were standard spacing but they weren't so had to buy the 2mm to 2.54mm leads as mentioned)

I use mine for controlling Ikea Ansuta lights - is that what you are looking to do?

Cheers

[devilkin]

That's indeed what I was looking at. Unfortunately the pins are taken up by the RF-Shield. I do see there are some additional headers on the shield, I'll have to see what the point is of those.

[Stuntteam]

50,51 and 52 are shared pins..

[devilkin]

50,51 and 52 are shared pins..

Checking the RF board, I saw that they're looped through to the female headers on top. Handy