Hello! I would first like to mention that I am a complete Arduino Noob -- So please describe things in the simplest possible terms. Thanks.
I am starting a project where I need to have an Arduino equipped with GPS that can transmit information back to either my laptop or another Arduino wirelessly (Not using WiFi however, needs to be either RF or Bluetooth). However, the Sparkfun GPS Shield (Combined with GPS Module) uses the TX and RX (0 and 1) digital pins on the Arduino, which most other wireless modules also seem to use.
Is there a wireless module that any of you recommend? BlueSmirf? Xbee? How do I attach it?
However, the Transmitter would suck up the all important TX (pin 1) on the first Arduino, and the GPS system requires both the TX and the RX if I am correct. Is it possible to piggyback 2 devices on this port? Can I bypass the TX port somehow?
Only if you let it. Use NewSoftSerial and some other pin(s), instead.
Is this a pin on the Arduino Uno? Which pin is it?
I just realized that the Receiver that matches this transmitter was discontinued. What are some good alternatives that would allow one of my arduinos (with GPS) to communicate with a second Arduino? Thanks.
Is this a pin on the Arduino Uno? Which pin is it?
NewSoftSerial is a software serial class, similar to the HardwareSerial class (implemented by the Serial object), except that it can use any two pins. Kind of like the any key.
Thanks for the clarification. I don't know if you saw, but I updated my previous post, because I cannot use the RF Receiver because it was discontinued. I think Xbee is the right choice here, but I'd like to consult you guys before spending the big bucks on it.
I know this is going to sound ridiculous (Yo dawg I herd u leik Arduino Shields), but would it be possible to stack a Sparkfun Xbee Shield on top of the GPS Shield? This might be a really dumb question, but I figured that I would ask ( SparkFun XBee Shield - WRL-12847 - SparkFun Electronics )
It's not a dumb question at all. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Some shields can be stacked, but the XBee needs to be on top, because of the antenna, and the need to broadcast and receive data, and the GPS needs to be on top, because of the antenna, and the need to receive data.
Also, when using the shields, but shields attempt to use the serial port pins (0 and 1).
There are non-shield breakout boards for both the GPS and the XBee, so either one could be connected using a non-shield arrangement, using other than pins 0 and 1.
Some shields can be stacked, but the XBee needs to be on top, because of the antenna, and the need to broadcast and receive data, and the GPS needs to be on top, because of the antenna, and the need to receive data.
Cant I purchase an antenna for the GPS that extends outside of the module itself? And according to Sparkfun, "The serial pins (DIN and DOUT) of the XBee are connected through an SPDT switch, which allows you to select a connection to either the UART pins (D0, D1) or any digital pins on the Arduino (D2 and D3 default)."... I'm assuming that I could use D2 and D3 instead of 0 and 1, freeing up the space for the GPS....
Can you recommend a different breakout board for the Xbee? Especially if I can buy it at sparkfun.
Doesn't the sparkfun shield have an option to use ports 2 and 3 instead of Tx/Rx?
The serial pins (DIN and DOUT) of the XBee are connected through an SPDT switch, which allows you to select a connection to either the UART pins (D0, D1) or any digital pins on the Arduino (D2 and D3 default).
I would very much rather buy everything in one place rather than needing to order twice and pay extra shipping.
dtfgator:
... I cannot use the RF Receiver because it was discontinued.
Buying units from other sellers is not a drama.
You can still buy similar units from ebay sellers like 'workshopequipments' (based in China).
Their prices are reasonable & include shipping worldwide.
eg: use their "Transmitter module 315M/433M Hz 100 meter 9912" with their "RF RFID Superheterodyne Receiver module 315MHz 9927"
these are a matching pair according to their "How to pair:" table on the ebay pages.
Both work at "DC 3V-5V +/-0.5V"
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