I have a wireless lighting project that I've been working on for the past few months and have started ordering more parts.
The project is wireless lights that can be used on tables (as a part of a centerpiece) The lights are controlled by a touch screen tablet (has 2 arduino pro megas installed) The tablet has an NRF24L01+PA+LNA. (covered with aluminum foil) - The code for which during my testing has the radio set to minimum power.
The final version of the lights have a pcb that holds an arduino pro mini, 15 SK6812 RGBWW led's, and space for NRF24L01+PA+LNA.
During my testing i've been using a room in my house that gives me about 30 feet of space. and for testing I'm using 3 sk6812 RGBCW leds with the NRF24L01+ and arduino nano. They function will no issues.
The radios are all on the same channel, with auto ACK disabled on the lights and tablet code. there will be a total of 50 lights built in the end. The lights and tablet are powered with 18650 batteries and have step down regulators that provide separate power to the arduino's and radio with capacitors attached to the radios (there should be any issues with power available to get full performance out of the radio.)
Now for my question: I'm wondering if using the NRF24L01+PA+INA would be overkill on the lights and cause issues with smaller venue spaces. what would peoples thoughts be between the two radios.
Should also note that the main assembly to hold the lights will be a 3d printed design, with the light having separable light shades. (100mm x 100mm, with the pcb being 50mm x 50mm
srnet:
Whats the power output of the NRF24L01+ PNA+LNA module ?
The specs I found online for the NRF24L01+PA+LNA:
Operating Frequency: 2400MHz ~ 2524MHz
Modulation: GMSK
Transmit power: more than +20 dbm, 50Ω
Receiver sensitivity:-95dbm
Operating voltage: 2.7V ~ 3.6V
Max Emission current: 115mA
Max Receive current: 45mA
Operating temperature: -45 degrees to +85 degrees
Storage temperature: -45 degrees to +125 degrees
Gain Of PA: 20 dB
Gain Of LNA: 10 dB
That’s 100mw of power, totally unnecessary for things that are 10 meters apart. At 115 ma, that would also shorten battery life, depending upon how often it transmits.
You should not need a high-power nRF24 (with external antenna) within a single room. i have had communication between two low power modules at 110m outdoors with clear line of sight.
Why would a wireless device be covered with aluminium foil? - that will just prevent radiation.
WattsThat:
That’s 100mw of power, totally unnecessary for things that are 10 meters apart. At 115 ma, that would also shorten battery life, depending upon how often it transmits.
right now the tablet is the only part that does any transmitting, and the code right now does have it transmitting often, but i do plan to fix that as i get everything assembled.
srnet:
OK, thanks.
Can't use them here in the UK then, the standard power limit for unlicensed use here is 10mW.
Just as well perhaps even the standard low power modules disrupt my WiFi, so the high power ones might well affect my neighbours WiFi too.
That's interesting to know, as far as I can tell its legal for me to use here in ontario canada.
Robin2:
You should not need a high-power nRF24 (with external antenna) within a single room. i have had communication between two low power modules at 110m outdoors with clear line of sight.
Why would a wireless device be covered with aluminium foil? - that will just prevent radiation.
...R
Thinking back now, I've been able to replicate that range myself with these modules outdoors. so thanks for adding that.
The aluminum foil was something that I saw on a how to regarding interference with the module affecting performance. in my case it's within a custom tablet, that has multiple I2C devices, batteries and their charging circuits, and audio eq chip, and an array of potentiometers. and thus with so much wiring going near the module I figured it couldn't hurt to add the foil.
It looks like I'll be sticking to using the regular NRF24L01+ inside the lights thanks for the input folks. (also while my project is somewhat complex I do intend to post it on instructables once I'm done, so I'll come back an post a link once I'm done.)