nRF24L01+ - Which network method should I use?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I have read much of the information at http://tmrh20.github.io/RF24/ , and class documentation for each different method, not that I understand it fully.

I am having a hard time figuring out which networking method I need, Network, Mesh, Ethernet. I want to have multiple masters and multiple slaves, where they all communicate with each other, except for a few slaves that will only accept commands to open or close a vent, I think I need Mesh but I am not quite sure...

Each Arduino has DHT11, DHT22, and/or a BMP180 reading temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, both indoors and outdoors. One sensor in each room, and one or two outside (one shaded, one un-shaded). The Living Room and Master Bedroom have displays showing the temperature from all other rooms and outside, these will be the network Masters. Other slaves will only need to receive commands to perform an action (open Close Vents) and report completion, maybe with an ackPayload. I don't need repeated updates from most of the sensors except for once or twice every few minutes so the Masters can update the displays and determine if it needs to send a command to open/close a vent.

After reading the above linked website, I found the link to MySensors and spent about a week going through their site and youtube videos but I don't really want to setup a Controller, so I want to avoid that unless it is absolutely necessary.

I only need help with which network to choose since I am fairly inexperienced with network communications programming and protocols, all other aspects of my project are fairly simple and easy. All RF24L01+ radios wired, tested with Simple nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz transceiver demo - #30 by Robin2 - Exhibition / Gallery - Arduino Forum, everything else is also wired, tested, and working. (Fingers Crossed)

Can an Advanced Arduino user that has experience with these radios and the library give me some hints and tips on which method I should choose for this radio networking fiasco I have undertaken?

Thank you in advance for your replies.
Jorge

BTW: I am using Uno's for sensors and Mega2560's for Masters.

2

You have not told us the distances between your nRF24s. If they are close enough so they can all communicate with one master then there would be no need to use the Network library.

The difference between the Network and Mesh systems is that the Mesh can dynamically add new members. If your configuration is fixed then I don't think the Mesh system is needed and it just adds extra overhead that will slow the system.

I have not had any need to use the Network or Mesh systems myself as I am using my nRF24s for radio control.

...R
Simple nRF24L01+ Tutorial

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Robin2:
You have not told us the distances between your nRF24s.

Maximum 100 feet

Robin2:
If your configuration is fixed then I don't think the Mesh system is needed and it just adds extra overhead that will slow the system.

It is fixed, for the most part. At some time in the future I'd like to make a beverage fetcher bot that gets a drink from the fridge and brings it to me. Is Triangulation a possibility with these radios? I haven't searched yet...

Robin2:
Simple nRF24L01+ Tutorial

Your tutorial is the sole reason I purchased these radios and exactly how I tested the ones I have, with and without the capacitors on the vcc and gnd. I don't think they are needed at all if the wiring is correct, I made a custom harnes that taps MOSI/MISO/SCK and GND from the ICSP port, with IRQ to pin 8, CE/CSN on pins 9/10. Thanks for the tutorials by the way.

4

japreja:
Maximum 100 feet

Then I would expect that you should be able to communicate directly with all the nRF24s from one master. Have you considered whether the master-and-two-slaves demo in my Tutorial would provide a basis for your project?

Capacitors are cheap. I can't think of any reason not to use them.

...R