24 Channel RS485 or WiFi Controller

[JHinkle]

Here's a picture of my controller.

The controller can be populated for "Wired" - RS 485 bus communication or "WIFI" based wireless communication.

The firmware on the controller can detect how the board is populated and adjusts communication either between the RS485 driver or the RB-XV wireless module.

Now that I have my controllers, I can start sequencing.

HLS is aware of my custom protocol and flipping between the two is very easy.

I made three mistakes on this board.

1. I looked, I verified, I looked again – AND I still had the wrong layout foot-print for the RJ45 connector.

I wanted the 90 degree version and I placed the 180 degree version – I’ll change that on the next board revision if I make one.

2. I did not add a shorting jumper between one of the pins on the RN-XV and 3.3v supply to get it in the back-door Adhoc mode.

I had to solder a wire and clip to get the module to program.

3. I did not add a single pin to be used for Scope probe ground.

If you look closely – you’ll see wire I added to different places on the board to get the ground for the scope probe. A GND probe pin makes life easier.

Joe


ControllerBoth.png

[dirknerkle]

Looks nice and clean -- and compact, too! You might turn the RNXV around 180 degrees so that someone could use the RNXV with the RPSMA connector and an external antenna. Effective range is the #1 concern for folks who mess with wireless and a high-gain external antenna is a simple solution to that. Just an idea that would add capability...