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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Rand alThor on October 21, 2008, 07:14:47 PM

Title: Wireless Connections
Post by: Rand alThor on October 21, 2008, 07:14:47 PM

Hello. I'm working on making my projects go wireless and I was looking at this chip right here: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=144 (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=144)

The problem is I don't exactly know how to use an antenna. do you just send /receive signals from it? I.e. if you have an antenna, would it be like this:

                          ______
signal in --------------|_____|--------- signal out
?

Also any good info on wireless stuff would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
                         

Title: Re: Wireless Connections
Post by: Admin on October 23, 2008, 10:49:24 PM

This antenna has two connections, one for RF ground and one for RF out. You should see both on any wireless device.

Search around here for:
Easy Radio
Zigbee
XBee
Bluetooth

Title: Re: Wireless Connections
Post by: szhang on October 24, 2008, 01:21:03 AM

That's just an antenna, you need an RF source.

I'd recommend a bluesmirf, they use bluetooth, are very easy to use.  I also have some xbee chips but I prefer the bluesmirfs.  (though the xbee pros have a really long range).

Oh, and those usually come with their own built-in antenna.

EDIT:

BTW, those antennas are for the Nordic chips, which are fairly easy to use, though you would have to do software error detection/correction because those chips will pick up static.