approach for comms over RF Transmitter & Recei

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hi,

BACKGROUND:

I'm seeking some advice re how to approach communications between remote Arduino units that have an RF Transmitter (MO-SAWR-A, http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/General/MO-SAWR.pdf), with the single base Arduino unit that has an RF Receiver (MO-RX3400-A http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/General/MO-RX3400.pdf). Apparently the way they work is that what the transmitter 'sees' on its data pin is what the receiver outputs on its data pin

QUESTIONS:

a) Should I just be looking as treating them as a serial connection perhaps?

b) If yes then would the best library to use be the one here http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/SoftwareSerial? (I note there is also the following libraries however I'm not sure they're appropriate: Wire - Arduino Reference, Arduino Playground - SerialControl)

c) Or in fact, noting the fact that the slave remote unit is just collecting door closed/open event and using the RF Tx/Rx to get this back to the master unit, could I just connect the output pin to the transmitter input. Then the open/closed signal is effectively sent back and could be used by the master no? But would this approach be a bit of a battery drain on the slave remote detector Ardunio unit perhaps.

d) Anyone know of an article/blog that specifically addresses using these RF Tx and Rx with Arduino units?

thanks

2

@Richard - thanks. This makes sense. Re your last paragraph you don't happen to know which library might already provide these type of capabilities?

3

Isn't this exactly what the VirtualWire library is for?

4

thanks - I'll look into it

I didn't see it listed at http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Libraries, but I see it now in the long list of links at Arduino playground