Elecrow
RFM69 Shield
The RFM69HCW is an inexpensive and versatile radio module that operates in the unlicensed ISM (Industry, Science and Medicine) band, a set of frequencies ...
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The RFM69HCW is an inexpensive and versatile radio module that operates in the unlicensed ISM (Industry, Science and Medicine) band, a set of frequencies set aside for low-power, short-range, license-free radios. It’s perfect for building inexpensive short-range wireless networks of sensors and actuators for home automation, citizen science and more.
The RFM69 can get messages from one side of a large office building to the other through numerous internal walls. In open air you can reach 500 meters or more. With more complex antennas and modulation schemes, similar parts have successfully transmitted from space to the ground (by very smart amateur radio enthusiasts; your mileage may vary)!
The RFM69HCW uses an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) to communicate with a host microcontroller, and several good Arduino libraries are available. It supports up to 256 networks of 255 nodes per network, features AES encryption to keep your data private, and transmits data packets up to 66 bytes long.
The RFM69 Shield connects the RFM69 module to the appropriate lines on the Arduino. By using the RF69 Library, you can send and receive messages via standard 4-wire SPI. The library includes command structures for setting up anything from simple non-addressed point-to-point communication to fully addressed networks of clients and routers. The shield has on-board power regulation and level shifting. There are one pin headers and jumpers on the interrupt (nIRQ), interface select (nSEL), shutdown input (SDN) and GPIO2 lines so that you can cut the trace and reroute those lines if you need to for your project.
Features
- Frequency Range = Software configurable from ~240MHz to 980MHz
- Sensitivity = -118 dBm
- +17 dBm Max Output Power (Configurable)
- Data Rate = 1 to 128 kbps
- Digital RSSI
- Wake-on-radio
- Configurable packet structure
- Preamble detector
- TX and RX 64 byte FIFOs
- Low battery detector
- Temperature sensor and 8-bit ADC
- -40 to +85 °C temperature range
Specifications
- Transmit power: -18dBm (0.016mW) to +20dBm (100mW) in 1dBm steps
- Receive sensitivity: down to -120dBm at 1.2kbps
- Standby current：200uA
- Bit rates : 1.2kbps to 300kbps
- Work voltage: 5V
- Current consumption: 0.1uA sleep, 1.25mA standby, 16mA receive, 130mA transmit (max)
- Encryption: AES 128-bit (optional)
- Packet buffer (FIFO): 66 bytes
Package list
- RFM69 shield x1
Wiki & External links
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- ADC
- An analogue-to-digital converter reads a changing voltage and turns it into a number the microcontroller can use. It matters when connecting analogue sensors such as light, sound, or variable-resistor sensors.
- FIFO
- FIFO stands for "first in, first out", a way of handling stored items so the oldest one is read out first, like a queue. In electronics a FIFO is usually a small buffer that temporarily holds data, such as sensor samples or serial bytes, so a processor can collect it in batches instead of reading continuously.
- Headers
- Rows of connector contacts on a fixed pitch (commonly 2.54 mm) used to link a board to a breadboard, jumper wires, or another board. They come as male pin headers and female socket headers; when a module ships with pre-soldered headers it can be used straight away, whereas bare pads require soldering the pins yourself.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- RX
- RX means receive, usually showing data being received by the board. An RX indicator LED can help with troubleshooting USB or serial communication.
- Shield
- An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
- TX
- TX means transmit, usually showing data being sent from the board. A TX indicator LED can help you see when the board is communicating or uploading code.
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