Controlling Many Modules with one arduino -- wirelessly

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello all! I am new to this Arduino and micro controller stuff. I was just wondering what would be the best way to control multiple devices with 1 Arduino.

For example: The Arduino will wirelessly control 20 lights in your house.

What would be the best option for this? Bluetooth 4.0 can have a main controller, but can only connect 7 devices to the Bluetooth chip in total. This would only allow for the Arduino to control 7 lights(unless, of course, I used more Bluetooth chips).

Maybe just a wireless transceiver at 915MHz, but how would I differentiate one connected device from another?

What is my best option here?

Thanks,
HeyAwesomePeople(Bryan)

2

Bluetooth wont work unless you can disconnect from one then connect to another.

I would go with RF modules. Now the easy way to differentiate between them would be to send an ID number first, followed by the command. So if you have 20 receivers all getting the same data, you would assign a receiver to look for a certain ID and only then will it do that command.

You could also get Xbees (expensive) and network them together, but ultimately it will be the same concept. just with two way communication instead of assuming the receiver got the command and did it.