UART Modules

Hello.

a bit of thinking "out loud" if you don't mind

After I got an RF module that appeared to need an extra library that is available just for Arduino, I began to think how can I search for a module that I would know it will work with Netduino. My initial idea was that if a module has pins for serial cables, it would always work to plug it in and wait until some data is received and it would appear in the buffer for reading. Well, not so plug-and-play as I hoped. Apparently it requires some extra programming of opening ports, setting frequencies via driver methods and so on. Maybe it has more control over it but hell a lot more to keep in mind and take care of. (alright, for RF one might want to do the filtering of the signal on their own though the code or something, but, still, the majority would prefer this to be done automatically with some configuration).

I hoped there should be modules that would just read and send the data via a buffer through a standard way of serial port communication. Applying different settings could be done via sending a prefix with some code to the buffer, and in the same way for reading the settings. Basically, sending and receiving data through the buffer on the device should take care of most of the things, why wouldn't it? A couple of pins for IN, a couple of pins for OUT and power pins should make it work for any type of device, PC, Arduino, Netduino, Raspberry, you name it.

I was looking and reading and could not really figure it out until I came to one that sait UART in the description, and I remembered that Netduino pins say UART as well. Looking up what UART is showed that this actually might be something that brings it closer to what I am looking for. Surely, UART modules cost extra but if that would guarantee that it would work with Netduino, I might consider it.

Alright, so, here are the question:

1. if a module says UART and it is 5V, is it really guaranteed to work directly with Netduino TX/RX?

2. Are there any specific details that point out that it might not work with Netduino?

3. If it says for Arduino and is UART, would that actually mean it will work with Netduino as well?

for example this module:

433M Arduino Wireless Serial Data Communication Kit RF Module UART RS232 AVR PIC

thanks!

Hi tridy,

Alright, so, here are the question:

1. if a module says UART and it is 5V, is it really guaranteed to work directly with Netduino TX/RX?
2. Are there any specific details that point out that it might not work with Netduino?
3. If it says for Arduino and is UART, would that actually mean it will work with Netduino as well?

1. If a module uses 5V UART, those signals should work with Netduino since Netduino's digital IO pins are 5V tolerant. As long as the module can recognize 3.3V signals as binary "1" bits you're good. Just check with the manufacturer to make sure it will recognize 3.3V IO signals.

2. Most UART modules will work fine. Just make sure they support a baud rate that Netduino supports and that they support 3.3V signal levels. It's fine if they output 5V signals.

3. If the module says it works with Arduino (including the 3.3V Arduinos such as Arduino Due) it should be compatible with Netduino as well, electrically speaking.

for example this module:
433M Arduino Wireless Serial Data Communication Kit RF Module UART RS232 AVR PIC

Ah...that one is RS-232 level (-15V to 15V), so you'll want to use an RS232 to TTL serial converter. We're working on an RS-232 module for Netduino that will do just that...but it won't ship until later this summer. In the meantime check out FTDI RS232 level converters.

Chris