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No input on RFM12PI

Submitted by togern on Fri, 25/04/2014 - 15:05

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and to monitoring/toying with RF in general, so I am attempting at my first project using the RFM12PI and a custom transmitter based on TinyTX3 (thus using an ATTiny84 and RFM12B).

The last couple of weeks I have tried to get the RFM12PI to work with my RPI, but I have not been able to receive as much as a byte of data! Unfortunately, although there are many great posts in here (and elsewhere), I have not been able to get it working.

My set up for the RPI is as follows:

And for the TinyTX3:

  • RFM12B at 433MHz, but it says 434MHz on the board - I do not suppose that this is significant!
  • 165mm antenna of solid one-strain core wire (bread board-compatible)
  • 3.3v supply voltage (have tried from both battery and Arduino)
  • Minimal program sending supply voltage level using JeeLib

My configuration is as follows:

As for the installation procedure I have followed Martin Harizanov's guide: http://harizanov.com/2013/08/rock-solid-rfm2pi-gateway-solution/

I have made the following observations when trying to get it to work:

  • Reboot RPI
  • Power cycle RPI (unplug/plug in)
  • The activity indicator on the RFM12PI turns on for a while during boot of the RPI
  • The activity indicator does not turn on at all when I try to transmit data to the RFM12PI
  • Minicom consistently says "offline" in the Ctrl-A screen
  • It does not matter whether I am in ipe-ro or ipe-rw mode
  • it does no difference to change to group 0

I have done everything as root.

Besides testing with the TinyTX3, I have used the transmitter of a Weber Style cooking thermometer which, according to its label, transmits at 433MHz. I would assume that I should be able to interpret packages from this unit if using group 0 on the RFM12PI, but no luck either.

I have tried to figure out a way to debug the RFM12B module (on both ends). For example, to verify that it actually powers on and tries to transmit/receive, but I have no idea how to do so.

All prints seem in good shape - no burns marks, funny smells or anything that would suggest broken hardware.

I really want this to work and highly appreciate any help that you guys can provide!

Best regards

-Anders

‹ Raspberry Pi + HDD build with IP Arduino nodes What would I need in a 3 phase instalation to monitor: ›
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ukmoose's picture

Re: No input on RFM12PI

Submitted by ukmoose on Fri, 25/04/2014 - 18:45.

The rfm12pi won't pick up all signals on 433/4 MHz even with the group set to zero, so I wouldn't expect it to pick up your thermometer.

The chances are the problem lies with your TinyTx as the Rfm12Pi boards are all tested prior to being dispatched.

If you look at the comments on Nathan's site about how to debug the TinyTx and also some comments on the libraries used (did you make all the modifications required?) .

Someone also had a similar issue on this forum last month, so you might try using the search and contacting the person who posted that.  Either way, please post back with your answer as it would appear the TinyTx is becoming popular! 

 

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togern's picture

Re: No input on RFM12PI

Submitted by togern on Sat, 26/04/2014 - 10:02.

Hi ukmoose,

Thanks for your reply!

I will discard the thermometer and focus solely on the TinyTX as transmitter.

I have looked through the comments on those of Nathan's sites that concerns TinyTX. I have checked up on the suggested library modifications.
As far as I could see there should be some problems with the Ports.h file of JeeLib, but as I am using Arduino IDE 1.0.5 there should be no need for modifications - the suggested modifications are already in place in Ports.h.

Also, I do not get any errors or warnings in the Arduino IDE, besides those two usual lines of warnings.

I am using Arduino-Tiny 0100-0018 with Tiny-ISP 2-0100-0001 and have replaced ld with the one provided here: https://github.com/TCWORLD/ATTinyCore/tree/master/PCREL%20Patch%20for%20GCC (for Mac)

Further, I have burned the 8MHz "bootloader" (BOD disabled), so the ATTiny84 should be able to talk to the RFM12B and I can run other small programs, like blinking a LED or writing to the serial console, on the ATTiny.

I have tried to debug the TinyTX_SendTest program from Nathan using SoftwareSerial and I get output in the serial console, so that works, but I may need to play a little more with this.
Any suggestions as to what might be interesting debug info? I will try to print as much as possible and see where that leads ..

Best regards

- Anders

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ltpitt's picture

Re: No input on RFM12PI

Submitted by ltpitt on Thu, 01/05/2014 - 09:48.

Hi there!

I am a total novice but I'd start trying to rely on things that have been already tested.

I'd investigate two factors:

  1. Software
  2. Hardware

Let's start with the file I've successfully used to test my tinytx:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3900156/TinyTX_SendTest.cpp.hex

Try to flash this guy and let's see if everything works.

Another important thing: which version of TinyTX you have?

If you have v3 read accurately this comment on Nathan's blog:

http://nathan.chantrell.net/20120707/using-the-tinytx-with-dht22-tempera...

(the one about pin numbers)

 

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Docin's picture

Re: No input on RFM12PI

Submitted by Docin on Thu, 19/06/2014 - 20:23.

Hi ukmoose,

 

So I can't sniff all the 433MHz data that come across my house ???

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