|
Description: The Wireless SD Shield allows an Arduino board to communicate wirelessly using a wireless module. It is based on the Xbee modules from Digi, but can use any module with the same footprint. The module can communicate up to 100 feet indoors or 300 feet outdoors (with line-of-sight). It can be used as a serial/usb replacement or you can put it into a command mode and configure it for a variety of broadcast and mesh networking options.
If you need to cover a larger distances use the XBee Pro model instead. These radios can get up to 1.5Km communication in line of sight. The on-board voltage regulator can supply enough current to power these radios. The shields breaks out each of the Xbee's pins to a through-hole solder pad. This shield is also compatible with other radios using the same socket. We carry a compatible Wi-Fi radio, the RN-XV WiFly Module. Plug it, configure it and your Arduino is ready to communicate with any Wi-Fi network!!!
Included on the board is a SD card slot accessible through the SD Library. When using the SD Library to access the card, Pin 4 is CS and cannot be used otherwise. SPI also relies on pins 11, 12, and 13 for communication.
Switch Settings:
Also on board is a switch allowing for control of radio communication via USB or the Arduino. Switch to USB when you when you need to program the Arduino and switch back to Micro to use the radio. This determine how the Xbee's serial communication connects to the serial communication between the microcontroller (ATmega328 or other) and USB-to-serial chip on the Arduino board.
When in the Micro position, the DOUT pin of the wireless module is connected to the RX pin of the microcontroller; and DIN is connected to TX. The wireless module will then communicate with the microcontroller. Note that the RX and TX pins of the microcontroller are still connected to the TX and RX pins (respectively) of the USB-to-serial converter. Data sent from the microcontroller will be transmitted to the computer via USB as well as being sent wirelessly by the wireless module. The microcontroller will not be programmable via USB in this mode.
With the switch in the USB position, the DOUT pin of the wireless module is connected to the RX pin of the USB-to-serial converter, and DIN on the wireless module is connected to the TX pin of the USB-to-serial converter. This means that the module can communicate directly with the computer. The microcontroller on the board will be bypassed, however, to do this you you must program the microcontroller with an empty sketch (see below), or, connect a jumper wire between the GND and RESET pin.
Empty Sketch:
void setup() {
}
void loop() {
}
Networking:
The Wireless SD Shield can be used with different modules with the same footprint as the XBee modules. The instructions links are for the XBee 802.15.4 modules (sometimes called "Series 1" to distinguish them from the Series 2 modules) and also for the XBee ZNet 2.5 or XBee ZB modules, both known as "Series 2" modules.
All the modules, basically have the same type of configuration parameters, but differ by the function that they implement and the topologies of networks that they can create. A XBee module can only communicate with other only modules of the same family. For the Series 2 modules you must also chose which firmware put on the module to give it Coordinator, Router or End Device functionality.
If you're looking for a complete guide to Series 2 radios check this book: Building Wireless Sensor Networks with ZigBee, XBee, Arduino, and Processing from O'Reilly
Configuration:
All Xbee radios can be configured using a series of AT commands. Detailed information about the AT commands and other literature can be found on each radio product page. There is a beginner's guide to XBee Configuration at the end of the official Arduino Wireless SD Shield page.
For a step-by-step instructions on reading and writing AT commands, see tutorials bellow:
Note: Full documentation for this products can be found at the Arduino Wireless SD Shield page.
Documents:
 |
My Cart
