APC220 Radio; Arduino
Introduction
APC220 is a transmitter--receiver. Use TTL/USB converter in computer.
Note the pins:
- No pins in J2 and J3: Programming is possible
- Pins on J2-1 and J2-2: transmit using radio
- Pins on J3-1 and J3-2: save data to SD card
Radio transmits all data written using Serialprint() commands to the ether.
Theory
Set the freqs
Set the freqs when plugged on Arduino, use pins GND, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, and use program called apc220cfg.ino from Andoya Space Center. The one on arduino is connected already, but the other connected on computer need to be programmed using an Arduino.
Frequencies
433.050 MHz - 434.800 MHZ.
RF Magic
Rf Magic http://www.dfrobot.com/image/data/TEL0005/rfmagic.rar can be used but it unreliable. You should use Arduino to program radio.
USB-TTL converter
Need VCP (Virtual COM Port) drivers; use those from SiLabs.com CP210x USB-UART VCP drivers. Run CP210xVCPInstaller_x64 at https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers
APC220 Pinouts
- VIN: Module power supply
- GND: Ground
- RX: Data receive through serial protocol
- TX: Data transmit through serial protocol
- SET: Mode Setting
- AUX: For other commands
- EN: Enable module
Use Arduino's pins GND, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
It only need four pins connect with Arduino board.
Note: Disconnect the RX and TX pin with Arduino before download program, otherwise the program download fails.
Arduino
apc220cfg https://learn.andoyaspace.no/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/apc220Cfg.zip can be used to set the transmitter frequency and other data
commands:
r : Read apc220 radio config
e : go into echo mode: receive char, add 1 and return
n : no more echo - back to normal
w : Write apc radio config ...
'W' FFFFFF R P B C - number of letters indicates precise number of digits
FFFFFF: frequency: 434000 (434 MHz) range 418000-455000
R: Rf data rate - 1/2/3/4 equals 2400/4800/9600/19200bps
P: Radio output power - 0 .. 9 9 equals 13dBm(20mW).
B: UART baudrate - 0/1/2/3/4/5/6 equals 1200/2400/4800/9600/19200/38400/57600bps
C: Byte Chek Parity - 0/1/2 equals NoCheck(8N1)/EvenParity(8E1)/OddParity(8O1)
Write example: w 434000 3 9 3 0 is...
434,000 MHz 9600 baud in air, 20mW, 9600baud on UART, No Parity(8N1)
After 30 seconds with no keyboard input we will emit a char every two second
PARAgoing into ping mode - emit a char every two second on apc220 ! 66 68 70
Library: https://github.com/PaulStoffregen/SoftwareSerial
J2 & J3
/*
Modified on March 09, 2021
Modified by MohammedDamirchi from https://github.com/PaulStoffregen/SoftwareSerial
Home
https://electropeak.com/learn/interfacing-apc220-rf-transceiver-data-communication-module-with-arduino/
*/
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(10, 11); // RX, TX
void setup() {
// Open serial communications and wait for port to open:
Serial.begin(9600);
while (!Serial) {
; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for native USB port only
}
// set the data rate for the SoftwareSerial port
mySerial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() { // run over and over
if (mySerial.available()) {
Serial.write(mySerial.read());
}
if (Serial.available()) {
mySerial.write(Serial.read());
}
}
Terminal program
Br@y++:n Terminal v.1.9b https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/
