wireless/remote LED control?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello all,

Total newbie here, hoping for some help with parts to get.

I want to implement my own version of something like this:

However, I would like to be able to do the display part wirelessly. I.e., somehow I'd like to have a set of LEDs that I can control remotely. So my PC would run, and send the relevant information/control signals to periodically turn on/off LEDs. The distance is only a few meters, and the data will not be highspeed. Oh, and I'd want the display to be powered via battery (so no long USB cable).

I'm thinking of getting the Arduino starter kit (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoStarterKit). To do the wireless part I think I should get two Xbees (series 1) .. does that sound right? Do I need to get some other small boards to setup the Xbees? From some videos I've seen it seems I may have to?

Can I do this with one UNO? Do I need anything else? Any specific information would be really helpful since I'm new to this.

Thanks for any guidance.

PS: Any idea where I can get the starter kit, it seems sold out on the site. I'm in the US

2

I have no idea about the official starter kit, but note, the starter kit will contain other things than are just necessary for your current project. There are other various starter kits out there.

You mention batteries, and not wanting to use a long USB cable. Do you need the unit to be completely self contained, or would it be acceptable to have it run off of A/C power? If so, you can still control it via wireless methods. Otherwise, you will need to figure on how long your batteries will last. I would hope that you would be using rechargeable batteries instead of going to the store and buying 1-2 9 volt batteries every day. FWIW, I have a 5000 maH cell phone battery charger that I let my Arduino run for about 4 days before it drained the battery. I think I paid $20-25 for the battery. But if you can just plug it into the wall, all you need is a USB charger and cable, or a cord that provides 7-12 volts through the aux. power connector.

If you are an advanced user, there are ways to get much longer runtime from an Arduino, that are covered here: Gammon Forum : Electronics : Microprocessors : Power saving techniques for microprocessors

In terms of wireless methods connecting a PC to an Arduino, as you mention xbee, but there are other methods as well. For example, you could get a bluetooth serial connection for the Arduino for about $10 and if you don't have bluetooth on your computer, you can get a bluetooth USB adapter for a few dollars.

Radioblocks are another option that is cheaper than I remember xbee's being: Dewisport - Situs Judi Live Casino, Slot Games, IDN Live Terpercaya Di Indonesia

3

MichaelMeissner:
I have no idea about the official starter kit, but note, the starter kit will contain other things than are just necessary for your current project. There are other various starter kits out there.

I realize I'll probably get more than what I need, but that's ok. This way I can experiment a bit and then work toward that goal. Do you think either of the two kits mentioned are better?

Also, would I be able to build this project with just one UNO? I assume the UNO would be at the display end with a wireless receiver, and the PC would be sending signals w/o the need for another UNO, right?

You mention batteries, and not wanting to use a long USB cable. Do you need the unit to be completely self contained, or would it be acceptable to have it run off of A/C power? If so, you can still control it via wireless methods. Otherwise, you will need to figure on how long your batteries will last.

Ah .. good point. I think I might be able to use AC power. Am I right in assuming that most power consumption would come from lighting the 4 or 5 LEDs? And that an LCD would take more power to display? (Most of the time the information won't change, so I could put things into a sleep mode if that's possible while still keeping the display active). I may update the information only once an hour or so (and only occasionally more frequent than that).

In terms of wireless methods connecting a PC to an Arduino, as you mention xbee, but there are other methods as well. For example, you could get a bluetooth serial connection for the Arduino for about $10 and if you don't have bluetooth on your computer, you can get a bluetooth USB adapter for a few dollars.

thanks for the additional links. I am looking for the easiest and most cost effective way to do the wireless part, hadn't thought about bluetooth at all before.

I appreciate the help, so much to learn :slight_smile:

4

levon:

MichaelMeissner:
I have no idea about the official starter kit, but note, the starter kit will contain other things than are just necessary for your current project. There are other various starter kits out there.

I realize I'll probably get more than what I need, but that's ok. This way I can experiment a bit and then work toward that goal. Do you think either of the two kits mentioned are better?

Yep, I figured you wanted additional stuff to play around with other than making your first project. If you were looking for low cost kit and lived in the USA, Terry King (who posts in these forums) maintains a store, and sells this kit, shipping it from his home in Vermont. From the picture, it looks a bit more organized than the kit I bought, which just had a bunch of unlabeled components in a plastic bag. The kit has his clone of the Arduino that has better support for mounting sensors, etc. http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=360.

The official Arduino kit is supposed to be nice in that it has a real book to go with the parts that give detailed build instructions for each project, and since it is an official Arduino project, some of the money goes back to the Arduino team, that in terms funds this website.

Another company that I like their products on is Adafruit. They have several Arduino kits (including an official Arduino Uno R3):

It also looks like Adafruit now has stock of the Arduino starter kit: Arduino Starter Kit from Arduino.cc : ID 1078 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

levon:
Also, would I be able to build this project with just one UNO? I assume the UNO would be at the display end with a wireless receiver, and the PC would be sending signals w/o the need for another UNO, right?

Yes, assuming you use a communication device that connects to the PC vai USB. I imagine xbee has such a setup, I know bluetooth does, and I believe radioblock has an add-on.

levon:
Ah .. good point. I think I might be able to use AC power. Am I right in assuming that most power consumption would come from lighting the 4 or 5 LEDs? And that an LCD would take more power to display? (Most of the time the information won't change, so I could put things into a sleep mode if that's possible while still keeping the display active). I may update the information only once an hour or so (and only occasionally more frequent than that).

Like any project, you want to start small and grow in stages. First do it with the Arduino connected to the PC and use the serial connection. Then add in wireless. Then add battery support if using A/C current is sufficient. Initially, just light a LED, then you might go to having a screen that displays information. You can get 16x2 LCD screens pretty cheaply, or 20x4 for a little more. If you are turning this into a full display station, you might think about a real time clock that will tell the Arduino the time of day.

levon:
thanks for the additional links. I am looking for the easiest and most cost effective way to do the wireless part, hadn't thought about bluetooth at all before.

I appreciate the help, so much to learn :slight_smile:

You are welcome, have fun!!

5

Awesome, thanks for all the help, I agree with your start small and grow approach (what I plan to do also).

PS: Can't help to think from your name/picture that you might have a German connection. I was born and raised in Hamburg :slight_smile:

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levon:
Awesome, thanks for all the help, I agree with your start small and grow approach (what I plan to do also).

PS: Can't help to think from your name/picture that you might have a German connection. I was born and raised in Hamburg :slight_smile:

Historically I imagine the name comes from the town of Meissen which used to be known for its fine porcelain in the 16th century (according to Wikipedia, the factory was opened in 1710 and dominated European porcelain until 1756).

My grandfather on my father's side was the first Meissner of his family born in the USA. From what my father found out, they evidently departed Germany from the port of Bremerhaven. I think my father said it was in the 1890's or so.

7

Been to Bremerhaven .. not too far from Hamburg :slight_smile: Cool.

By the way, someone suggested that I could just use a XBee at the receiver end (w/o an UNO) if I wanted to just control/light up 4 or 5 LEDs .. does that sound doable? That would be a great minimalist approach.

I could have the Arduino with one Xbee connected to my PC as sender, a small breadboard with the XBee and 4 or 5 LEDs at the receiver end. Nice mimalist setup if it would be feasible.

Thanks again for the help, I'm sure I'll be back.

8

I've never used xbee's, so I don't know what they can do. I have been playing around with bluetooth. I also bought 2 radioblocks some time ago, but they are in the rather big pile of undone things.

In terms of Arduino/Arduino communication, there is also nRF24L01+'s (note, most of these run at 3.3v instead of 5v, so you might need a voltage converter). For example:
http://yourduino.com/sunshop2/index.php?l=product_detail&p=188

At a higher level is using a wifi shield on an Arduino.

For longer range, there are things like OpenSource RF: 無難に見つけておきたい転職求人情報

9

Well, wireless/remote LED control has many methods. Xbee module is a solution of 2.4GHz. If you need a economic solution ,you can consider the 433MHz solution. Compared to 2.4GHz, 433MHz could be more penetrated. There are many successful application about this stuff in Youtube.

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Forbelaw:
Well, wireless/remote LED control has many methods. Xbee module is a solution of 2.4GHz. If you need a economic solution ,you can consider the 433MHz solution. Compared to 2.4GHz, 433MHz could be more penetrated. There are many successful application about this stuff in Youtube.

Hi, can you recommend some specific parts/products, I'm still very new to this so I don't know what I would use if I were to decide on the 433MHz approach.

YouTube has been a great resource, agreed.

Thanks for your message

11

See the link above.