Netduino home hardware projects downloads community

Jump to content


The Netduino forums have been replaced by new forums at community.wildernesslabs.co. This site has been preserved for archival purposes only and the ability to make new accounts or posts has been turned off.
Photo

Cellular Shield?


  • Please log in to reply
14 replies to this topic

#1 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 12:16 AM

I'm working on a High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) project using a Netduino. One of the shields I desperately need is the Cellular shield (or somet similar that can send txt message through a cell network). I'm hoping to use this: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9607 Does anyone have any experience with it? How hard would it be to port over the necessary drivers/software if it's not supported yet? I am a pretty avid python programmer, and know C# fairly well, but i'm by no means a guru.

#2 greg

greg

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Posted 08 September 2010 - 01:03 AM

Since that shield already maps it to a serial connection to talk to the GSM module it should be no problem. You'll have to write a driver though to handle sending/receiving the proper information. Text messaging isn't so difficult though - it's not like you'll have to write a PPP driver to bring up a TCP/IP connection. If you're doing a HAB though cellular may not be your best bet - how high are you talking? Beyond about 10k AGL you're not going to be able to talk to any towers anymore depending on their location and other factors.

#3 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 04:01 AM

If you're doing a HAB though cellular may not be your best bet - how high are you talking? Beyond about 10k AGL you're not going to be able to talk to any towers anymore depending on their location and other factors.


Thanks for the info! The cell connection is only a tertiary way of communication, i'm going to have two RF signals as well. This is all about learning and whatnot, and I want to add some cool features along the way, so I totally agree that a cell signal alone would not be a wise decision, but it's certainly fun!

#4 Chris Walker

Chris Walker

    Secret Labs Staff

  • Moderators
  • 7767 posts
  • LocationNew York, NY

Posted 08 September 2010 - 04:16 AM

Thanks for the info! The cell connection is only a tertiary way of communication, i'm going to have two RF signals as well. This is all about learning and whatnot, and I want to add some cool features along the way, so I totally agree that a cell signal alone would not be a wise decision, but it's certainly fun!


I think it goes without saying that photos of the UAV would be awesome...

Welcome to the community,

Chris

#5 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:25 AM

I think it goes without saying that photos of the UAV would be awesome...

Welcome to the community,

Chris

I will be taking lots of pictures as I build it, and then hopefully at launch! I haven't even received my netduino yet, but i've ordered lots of parts and ready to get rolling!

And thanks!

#6 greg

greg

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Posted 08 September 2010 - 12:51 PM

just make sure you have VERY good tracking hardware in there -- it's easy to lose your sensor package as Sparkfun found out.

#7 Patrick

Patrick

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 54 posts
  • LocationTampa

Posted 08 September 2010 - 02:08 PM

Johnny Five, When I woke up this morning, I was certain that I'd be the first to send my netdiuno to near space but now I'm shaking in my boots. :) All joking aside, I'm doing a high altitude balloon project with the netduino as well. I think I'm going with the prepaid Boost Mobile Accutracking phone for my tracking and recovery (knowing that I'm going to lose contact for most of the launch) and am going to log GPS and sensor data to an SD card. Have you managed to find a GPS that works at high altitudes? I've heard the Copernicus does but I'm hesitant to use it because of it's interface.

#8 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:29 PM

just make sure you have VERY good tracking hardware in there -- it's easy to lose your sensor package as Sparkfun found out.

Yes, thank you ;) I've read through that whole article and found it very informative. I hope to not lose mine!

Johnny Five,

When I woke up this morning, I was certain that I'd be the first to send my netdiuno to near space but now I'm shaking in my boots. :)

All joking aside, I'm doing a high altitude balloon project with the netduino as well. I think I'm going with the prepaid Boost Mobile Accutracking phone for my tracking and recovery (knowing that I'm going to lose contact for most of the launch) and am going to log GPS and sensor data to an SD card.

Have you managed to find a GPS that works at high altitudes? I've heard the Copernicus does but I'm hesitant to use it because of it's interface.

I just ordered the GPS shield from SparkFun. I know it doesn't work at high-altitudes, but it's basically plug-n-play, and I plan on using it as a stand-in while I develop (and learn everything) until I find a replacement unit. However, I think I know what I want to buy:

http://www.u-blox.co...6-HW-09003).pdf

Specifically the NEO-6Q-0. It says it works at 50,000 meters! Also, it has an UART and USB interface. I've just never soldered/connected raw connections like that before, so I have lots of learning.

My real issue has been that I want include a RF module to implement APRS, however the one module that (seems) perfect that I can find is the eXtend shield, and i'm not sure it's what I want to use, however I can't find any other transmitters that are as long range!

I have a gdocs spreadsheet i'm constantly updating with information on what i've already ordered, and what i'm thinking of ordering, for this project. I'd be willing to give you view access if you wish! Just give me a gmail account in a message.

Good luck!

#9 greg

greg

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:34 PM

Yes, thank you ;) I've read through that whole article and found it very informative. I hope to not lose mine!

I just ordered the GPS shield from SparkFun. I know it doesn't work at high-altitudes, but it's basically plug-n-play, and I plan on using it as a stand-in while I develop (and learn everything) until I find a replacement unit. However, I think I know what I want to buy:

http://www.u-blox.co...6-HW-09003).pdf

Specifically the NEO-6Q-0. It says it works at 50,000 meters! Also, it has an UART and USB interface. I've just never soldered/connected raw connections like that before, so I have lots of learning.

My real issue has been that I want include a RF module to implement APRS, however the one module that (seems) perfect that I can find is the eXtend shield, and i'm not sure it's what I want to use, however I can't find any other transmitters that are as long range!

I have a gdocs spreadsheet i'm constantly updating with information on what i've already ordered, and what i'm thinking of ordering, for this project. I'd be willing to give you view access if you wish! Just give me a gmail account in a message.

Good luck!


XBee: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9411

They are out of stock but it's got a 40 mile LOS range. You might look at this instead though with a high gain antenna -- it should be sufficient for your needs. Please note that these transmitters require a lot more power (the first one is around 800mA when transmitting) so you might need a separate power source just for your transmitter.

#10 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:46 PM

XBee: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9411

They are out of stock but it's got a 40 mile LOS range. You might look at this instead though with a high gain antenna -- it should be sufficient for your needs. Please note that these transmitters require a lot more power (the first one is around 800mA when transmitting) so you might need a separate power source just for your transmitter.

Greg, thanks, this is one of the devices i've seen already that is mentioned in the SparkFun article, but it looks like he didn't have a good experience with it. I don't know enough about RF, but I do know networking, and understand the TCP/IP vs UDP analogy that he gave. So now i'm trying to find a long range RF transmitter that uses UDP and not TCP/IP, except... in RF terms.

I was looking at this: http://www.radiotele... Data Sheet.pdf

Know anything about RF?

And thanks for your replies, they are greatly appreciated!

#11 greg

greg

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:56 PM

Greg, thanks, this is one of the devices i've seen already that is mentioned in the SparkFun article, but it looks like he didn't have a good experience with it. I don't know enough about RF, but I do know networking, and understand the TCP/IP vs UDP analogy that he gave. So now i'm trying to find a long range RF transmitter that uses UDP and not TCP/IP, except... in RF terms.

I was looking at this: http://www.radiotele... Data Sheet.pdf

Know anything about RF?

And thanks for your replies, they are greatly appreciated!


RF is black magic voodoo. I work for AT&T Mobility (not the radio piece though) and I see all the RF engineers with chicken blood on their hands and feathers flying by their desks. I don't intrude in their rituals because I'm too scared.

However, with the XBee modules you don't need TCP/IP -- it can be a straight serial connection.

Depending on how high your HAB goes chances are you are going to lose communication with it at some point - hobby-grade electronics generally aren't built for what we do to them <grin>. However, remember you're not going to have LOS issues with a HAB (hopefully!), so it'll be more of a range thing. What altitude are you aiming for?

#12 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:04 PM

RF is black magic voodoo. I work for AT&T Mobility (not the radio piece though) and I see all the RF engineers with chicken blood on their hands and feathers flying by their desks. I don't intrude in their rituals because I'm too scared.

However, with the XBee modules you don't need TCP/IP -- it can be a straight serial connection.

Depending on how high your HAB goes chances are you are going to lose communication with it at some point - hobby-grade electronics generally aren't built for what we do to them <grin>. However, remember you're not going to have LOS issues with a HAB (hopefully!), so it'll be more of a range thing. What altitude are you aiming for?

Hah, no I didn't mean I needed TCP/IP for the module, I was using the analogy the SparkFun article was using. He said that the XBee module was transmitting in a fashion that filled the airspace and corrected mistakes it saw, meaning it took longer to send data, instead of just sending out the data and not fixing errors. I'd rather use the latter.

I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations :P I may just use the XBee, but i'm OCD and want things to be as best as I can make it the first time, instead of just getting it to work. I'm sure you know how it is!

#13 greg

greg

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationChicago, IL

Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:21 PM

Hah, no I didn't mean I needed TCP/IP for the module, I was using the analogy the SparkFun article was using. He said that the XBee module was transmitting in a fashion that filled the airspace and corrected mistakes it saw, meaning it took longer to send data, instead of just sending out the data and not fixing errors. I'd rather use the latter.

I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations :P I may just use the XBee, but i'm OCD and want things to be as best as I can make it the first time, instead of just getting it to work. I'm sure you know how it is!


I think (don't quote me) that you can disable a lot of the error correction on the XBee. They give you a lot of control over it with the X-CTU utility.

#14 Chris Walker

Chris Walker

    Secret Labs Staff

  • Moderators
  • 7767 posts
  • LocationNew York, NY

Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:24 PM

I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations :P

:)

#15 Johnny Five

Johnny Five

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts

Posted 09 September 2010 - 12:05 AM

So I decided not to use the Cellular Shield linked there. After doing a bunch of reading, it looks like that particular module is a PITA. I found another module that people have already used in HAB projects, and it includes an integrated TCP/IP stack as well as support for INTEGRATED PYTHON. http://www.semicondu...t=42834#details For only $80? Yes please. You can find breakout boards for around $30-60 from Europe, but $75+ here in the states. I'll just use a friend from Europe to send me one....




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

home    hardware    projects    downloads    community    where to buy    contact Copyright © 2016 Wilderness Labs Inc.  |  Legal   |   CC BY-SA
This webpage is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.