2

I'm working an a home automation project, using a Raspberry Pi. What I want to do is connect an RF 433 MHz transmitter to control RF-controlled light switches, and a ZigBee/XBee module to connect to other devices such as curtain rails. I will probably be programming in Node.js, as I am already familiar with JavaScript.

Both of these modules (RF and ZigBee) need to be connected to the Pi's UART pins, correct?

If so, is it possible to connect both modules?

If so, how would I go about doing that? Perhaps using GPIO's as UART?

I am quite new to electronics so, if at all possible, please keep your answers simple.

Thanks!

PeterH
  • 123
  • 4

3 Answers3

1

The Zigbee module will need a UART connection, but the RF module likely will not. Although simple RF modules do use a serial protocol, it's usually done in software and wrapped in Manchester encoding to make the transmission more robust.

scruss
  • 9,117
  • 1
  • 25
  • 36
1

The RF-module doesn't require the UART pin. You can use any GPIO pin you like. So the library you are using (found at http://weejewel.tweakblogs.net/blog/8665/lampen-schakelen-met-een-raspberry-pi.html), can easily be modified. Just change line 14 in kaku.ccp to int pin_out = <<some-other-pin>> and recompile.

Gerben
  • 2,420
  • 16
  • 17
0

Idleman did a very nice tutorial about that where he uses the pi the remote activate power plugs :

frame formatting : http://blog.idleman.fr/raspberry-pi-10-commander-le-raspberry-pi-par-radio/ php interface : http://blog.idleman.fr/raspberry-pi-12-allumer-des-prises-distance/

The page is in french, though.

The global idea is you just need to send real-time frames containing an opening sequence, a Manchester coded frame and a closing sequence.

Bottom line, except for a line in his code calling a sequencer, you don't need anything.

y3t1
  • 41
  • 4