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TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules — Parallax Forums

TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-03-06 03:28 in General Discussion
Hello everyone! I'm trying to use the TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules. I'm
trying to send sensor data from my robot (BS2SX) back to the receiver (BS2
w/ LCD) to display the data. (It may be be as great as something NASA puts
on Mars or Eros...but it's still really cool!)

Anyway, It works using the "digital output" on the RWS-434, but NOT with the
"linear output". I've tried both a 22k ohm resistor and a 47k ohm resistor
for the pull-down resistor. I simply can't receive anything on the linear
output.

Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions? It works (most of the time),
but since the digital output pulses continuously, between readings it also
shows 255, 0, and some other strange values. Again... nothing at all on the
linear output line which is where it "should" work better directly
interfaced to the Stamp (according to Reynolds Electronics -
http://www.rentron.com).

I have everything connected as shown in the drawings here:
http://www.rentron.com/Stamp_RF.htm except I'm using a BS2SX with the
transmitter instead of a BS1. I'm also using the TWS-ANT 433MHz
stud-mount - whip style antennas which bumped the total price up to $28
instead of $13 for just the transmitter and receiver...but I didn't want to
worry about the antenna part of the system. If I can get this to work
reliably, it'll be the BEST $28 I've ever spent on any Stamp project!

Also, is it possible to string together the bytes to construct word length
values? Or can I transmit more data at a time? I'm not too sure how Serin
and Serout really work with the TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules. Am I
limited to transmitting a single byte at a time?

Here's the test code I'm using:

*****************************************
TRANSMITTER:
*****************************************

'{$Stamp BS2SX}
' pin 7 - TWS-434 RF Transmitter

x var word
N2400 con 1021' N2400 baud on BS2SX
RFdata var byte ' byte of data to transmit via RF
sync con "A"
junk con 126

DIRS = %0110111111100000 ' Configure Pins 0=input 1=output
OUTS = %0000000000000000 ' Configure State 0=low 1=high

MAIN:
for x = 0 to 255
RFdata=x
serout 7,N2400,[noparse][[/noparse]junk,sync,RFdata]
pause 50 'Shorter Pause and it Does NOT work
next
goto MAIN

*****************************************
RECEIVER:
*****************************************

'{$Stamp BS2}
' pin 0 - RWS-434 RF receiver (Linear Output)
' pin 15 - LCD Display

sync con "A" 'RF Synchronization Byte
dat var byte 'RF Data Storage Variable
N2400 con 16780 'N2400 baud (MAX)

N9600 con $4054 ' Baudmode for 9600 bps inverted for BS2
I con 254 ' LCD Instruction prefix value
CLR con 1 ' LCD clear-screen instruction
LINE2 con 192 ' LCD Address of 1st char of 2nd line
L1_C7 con 135 ' LCD Address of line 1, character 7

DIRS = %100000000000001 ' Configure Pins 0=input 1=output

MAIN:
serin 0,N2400,[noparse][[/noparse]WAIT(sync),dat]
serout 15,N9600,[noparse][[/noparse]I,CLR] ' Clear the LCD screen
pause 1
serout 15,N9600,[noparse][[/noparse]"Data: ",DEC dat] ' Print message
goto MAIN

END
*****************************************

Thanks for any help I can get on this...
- Brice

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-01 00:26
    Hello everyone! I'm trying to use the TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules. I'm
    trying to send sensor data from my robot (BS2SX) back to the receiver (BS2
    w/ LCD) to display the data. (It may be be as great as something NASA puts
    on Mars or Eros...but it's still really cool!)

    Anyway, It works using the "digital output" on the RWS-434, but NOT with the
    "linear output". I've tried both a 22k ohm resistor and a 47k ohm resistor
    for the pull-down resistor. I simply can't receive anything on the linear
    output.

    Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions? It works (most of the time),
    but since the digital output pulses continuously, between readings it also
    shows 255, 0, and some other strange values. Again... nothing at all on the
    linear output line which is where it "should" work better directly
    interfaced to the Stamp (according to Reynolds Electronics -
    http://www.rentron.com).

    I have everything connected as shown in the drawings here:
    http://www.rentron.com/Stamp_RF.htm except I'm using a BS2SX with the
    transmitter instead of a BS1. I'm also using the TWS-ANT 433MHz
    stud-mount - whip style antennas which bumped the total price up to $28
    instead of $13 for just the transmitter and receiver...but I didn't want to
    worry about the antenna part of the system. If I can get this to work
    reliably, it'll be the BEST $28 I've ever spent on any Stamp project!

    Also, is it possible to string together the bytes to construct word length
    values? Or can I transmit more data at a time? I'm not too sure how Serin
    and Serout really work with the TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules. Am I
    limited to transmitting a single byte at a time?

    Here's the test code I'm using:

    *****************************************
    TRANSMITTER:
    *****************************************

    '{$Stamp BS2SX}
    ' pin 7 - TWS-434 RF Transmitter

    x var word
    N2400 con 1021' N2400 baud on BS2SX
    RFdata var byte ' byte of data to transmit via RF
    sync con "A"
    junk con 126

    DIRS = %0110111111100000 ' Configure Pins 0=input 1=output
    OUTS = %0000000000000000 ' Configure State 0=low 1=high

    MAIN:
    for x = 0 to 255
    RFdata=x
    serout 7,N2400,[noparse][[/noparse]junk,sync,RFdata]
    pause 50 'Shorter Pause and it Does NOT work
    next
    goto MAIN

    *****************************************
    RECEIVER:
    *****************************************

    '{$Stamp BS2}
    ' pin 0 - RWS-434 RF receiver (Linear Output)
    ' pin 15 - LCD Display

    sync con "A" 'RF Synchronization Byte
    dat var byte 'RF Data Storage Variable
    N2400 con 16780 'N2400 baud (MAX)

    N9600 con $4054 ' Baudmode for 9600 bps inverted for BS2
    I con 254 ' LCD Instruction prefix value
    CLR con 1 ' LCD clear-screen instruction
    LINE2 con 192 ' LCD Address of 1st char of 2nd line
    L1_C7 con 135 ' LCD Address of line 1, character 7

    DIRS = %100000000000001 ' Configure Pins 0=input 1=output

    MAIN:
    serin 0,N2400,[noparse][[/noparse]WAIT(sync),dat]
    serout 15,N9600,[noparse][[/noparse]I,CLR] ' Clear the LCD screen
    pause 1
    serout 15,N9600,[noparse][[/noparse]"Data: ",DEC dat] ' Print message
    goto MAIN

    END
    *****************************************

    Thanks for any help I can get on this...
    - Brice
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-01 01:50
    With the BS2SX, you're using 2400 "TRUE" with a value
    of 1021 for the baudmode.

    16780 for baudmode with the BS2 is 2400 "INVERTED"
    Try changing either one to match. IE,, if you're transmitting
    TRUE, then receive TRUE.

    There is nothing set in stone as for using the digital or linear outputs
    on the RWS-434, but most people have better results when using
    this output with serial communications.

    The pull-down resistor helps clean up the linear output signal, and will
    remove the pulses from the digital output as well.

    Regards,

    Bruce
    webmaster@r...
    http://www.rentron.com


    > Here's the test code I'm using:
    >
    > *****************************************
    > TRANSMITTER:
    > *****************************************
    >
    > '{$Stamp BS2SX}
    > ' pin 7 - TWS-434 RF Transmitter
    >
    > x var word
    > N2400 con 1021' N2400 baud on BS2SX
    > RFdata var byte ' byte of data to transmit via RF
    > sync con "A"
    > junk con 126


    > *****************************************
    > RECEIVER:
    > *****************************************
    >
    > '{$Stamp BS2}
    > ' pin 0 - RWS-434 RF receiver (Linear Output)
    > ' pin 15 - LCD Display
    >
    > sync con "A" 'RF Synchronization Byte
    > dat var byte 'RF Data Storage Variable
    > N2400 con 16780 'N2400 baud (MAX)
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-04 07:08
    Bruce,

    Yes, that was it!!! I'm using the linear output now and I'm VERY impressed.
    Here's the correct settings:

    Transmitter:
    N2400 con 17405 'BS2SX (TWS-434 Transmitter)

    Receiver:
    N2400 con 16780 'BS2 (RWS-434 Receiver)

    EVERYONE: Stop what you're doing... grab your credit card and head on over
    to http://www.rentron.com and get a bunch of these NOW!!! Don't wait... you
    DON'T know what you're missing.

    I have my robot transmitting sonar distance data (could be anything...sensor
    data, debug info, etc.) to a remote receiver (BS2 w/ serial LCD display).
    The range is INCREDIBLE!!! Here's what I'm using:

    Item: TWS-434 RF Transmitter Module
    Part Number: TWS-434
    Price: $6.50

    Item: RWS-434 RF Receiver Module
    Part Number: RWS-434
    Price: $6.50

    Item: 1/4 Wave Whip, 433MHz, Stud-Mount Antenna
    Part Number: TWS-ANT
    Price: $7.50

    Don't forget you need two of the antennas.

    Ok... I'm not exactly sure what the range is yet. But, with my robot on the
    floor in my living room, the TWS-434 running off 12 vdc, the transmitting
    antenna at a 45 degree angle (between the two decks on my robot), and me
    outside...walking down the street (remember it's transmitting through walls,
    brick, etc.)... well... let's just say the range is a WHOLE LOT MORE than
    400 feet! I'll have to hop in the truck and use the odometer to get an
    accurate range! WOW!!! If Pioneer 10 had one of these.... we'd still be
    listening to it!!! Well...not really. It's 7.1 billion miles away
    now...but you get the idea. :-)

    Thanks again to Bruce for pointing out my baudmode mistake.

    Best regards,
    Brice

    Original Message
    From: Webmaster@r... <breyno2@r...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 8:50 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules


    With the BS2SX, you're using 2400 "TRUE" with a value
    of 1021 for the baudmode.

    16780 for baudmode with the BS2 is 2400 "INVERTED"
    Try changing either one to match. IE,, if you're transmitting
    TRUE, then receive TRUE.

    There is nothing set in stone as for using the digital or linear outputs
    on the RWS-434, but most people have better results when using
    this output with serial communications.

    The pull-down resistor helps clean up the linear output signal, and will
    remove the pulses from the digital output as well.

    Regards,

    Bruce
    webmaster@r...
    http://www.rentron.com


    > Here's the test code I'm using:
    >
    > *****************************************
    > TRANSMITTER:
    > *****************************************
    >
    > '{$Stamp BS2SX}
    > ' pin 7 - TWS-434 RF Transmitter
    >
    > x var word
    > N2400 con 1021' N2400 baud on BS2SX
    > RFdata var byte ' byte of data to transmit via RF
    > sync con "A"
    > junk con 126


    > *****************************************
    > RECEIVER:
    > *****************************************
    >
    > '{$Stamp BS2}
    > ' pin 0 - RWS-434 RF receiver (Linear Output)
    > ' pin 15 - LCD Display
    >
    > sync con "A" 'RF Synchronization Byte
    > dat var byte 'RF Data Storage Variable
    > N2400 con 16780 'N2400 baud (MAX)





    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-06 03:28
    Hi,

    I believe I have asked this before, but I am still confused. I have a
    circuit that uses the TWS-434 and RWS-434 transmitter-receiver setup.
    At the transmitting end is a BS2 hooked up to an adc0838 and a digital
    1490 dinsmore compass. I want to receive the data over a wireless
    link. My program sends the data from each channel on the adc0838
    separately. It then waits and sends the compass information. The
    program then restarts. The confusing part is the receiving end. I do
    not want to use another stamp at the receiving end. Instead, I want to
    have the receiver hooked up to my laptop (RS232) and read the info
    using a QBASIC program or hyperterminal or something. Can I hook the
    RWS-434 directly up to the serial port? I have some DS275's(similar to
    MAX232's). I am not sure how I would use these. I have a good idea,
    but because the receiver(RWS-434) is not receiving data from the
    computer, do I ground that pin on the DS275 or leave it unconnected.
    Any help(schematics, comments, webpages) would be greatly appreciated.
    I am curious as to whether this will work or not. Also, any help on
    the programming would help(in QBASIC) to read the incoming data from
    the receiver. Or, if anyone has a simple hyperterminal setup to use.

    Thanks for any information,
    Corey Centen


    --- In basicstamps@y..., "Brice D. Hornback" <bdh@c...> wrote:
    > Bruce,
    >
    > Yes, that was it!!! I'm using the linear output now and I'm VERY
    impressed.
    > Here's the correct settings:
    >
    > Transmitter:
    > N2400 con 17405 'BS2SX (TWS-434 Transmitter)
    >
    > Receiver:
    > N2400 con 16780 'BS2 (RWS-434 Receiver)
    >
    > EVERYONE: Stop what you're doing... grab your credit card and head
    on over
    > to http://www.rentron.com and get a bunch of these NOW!!! Don't
    wait... you
    > DON'T know what you're missing.
    >
    > I have my robot transmitting sonar distance data (could be
    anything...sensor
    > data, debug info, etc.) to a remote receiver (BS2 w/ serial LCD
    display).
    > The range is INCREDIBLE!!! Here's what I'm using:
    >
    > Item: TWS-434 RF Transmitter Module
    > Part Number: TWS-434
    > Price: $6.50
    >
    > Item: RWS-434 RF Receiver Module
    > Part Number: RWS-434
    > Price: $6.50
    >
    > Item: 1/4 Wave Whip, 433MHz, Stud-Mount Antenna
    > Part Number: TWS-ANT
    > Price: $7.50
    >
    > Don't forget you need two of the antennas.
    >
    > Ok... I'm not exactly sure what the range is yet. But, with my
    robot on the
    > floor in my living room, the TWS-434 running off 12 vdc, the
    transmitting
    > antenna at a 45 degree angle (between the two decks on my robot), and me
    > outside...walking down the street (remember it's transmitting
    through walls,
    > brick, etc.)... well... let's just say the range is a WHOLE LOT MORE
    than
    > 400 feet! I'll have to hop in the truck and use the odometer to get an
    > accurate range! WOW!!! If Pioneer 10 had one of these.... we'd
    still be
    > listening to it!!! Well...not really. It's 7.1 billion miles away
    > now...but you get the idea. :-)
    >
    > Thanks again to Bruce for pointing out my baudmode mistake.
    >
    > Best regards,
    > Brice
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: Webmaster@r... <breyno2@r...>
    > To: <basicstamps@y...>
    > Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 8:50 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] TWS-434 and RWS-434 RF modules
    >
    >
    > With the BS2SX, you're using 2400 "TRUE" with a value
    > of 1021 for the baudmode.
    >
    > 16780 for baudmode with the BS2 is 2400 "INVERTED"
    > Try changing either one to match. IE,, if you're transmitting
    > TRUE, then receive TRUE.
    >
    > There is nothing set in stone as for using the digital or linear outputs
    > on the RWS-434, but most people have better results when using
    > this output with serial communications.
    >
    > The pull-down resistor helps clean up the linear output signal, and will
    > remove the pulses from the digital output as well.
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    > Bruce
    > webmaster@r...
    > http://www.rentron.com
    >
    >
    > > Here's the test code I'm using:
    > >
    > > *****************************************
    > > TRANSMITTER:
    > > *****************************************
    > >
    > > '{$Stamp BS2SX}
    > > ' pin 7 - TWS-434 RF Transmitter
    > >
    > > x var word
    > > N2400 con 1021' N2400 baud on BS2SX
    > > RFdata var byte ' byte of data to transmit via RF
    > > sync con "A"
    > > junk con 126
    >
    >
    > > *****************************************
    > > RECEIVER:
    > > *****************************************
    > >
    > > '{$Stamp BS2}
    > > ' pin 0 - RWS-434 RF receiver (Linear Output)
    > > ' pin 15 - LCD Display
    > >
    > > sync con "A" 'RF Synchronization Byte
    > > dat var byte 'RF Data Storage Variable
    > > N2400 con 16780 'N2400 baud (MAX)
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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