pyXY - Synapse SM700 Dev Board May Be better than Xbee and seems cost effective
8 X 12 bit analogue inputs could do a RC controller without Arduino's
This Data Sheet details the SM700PC1 module, which includes:
- Powerful 32-bit TDMI ARM7 microprocessor
- Large on-board memory resources
- 2.4 GHz RF Frequency (2400 - 2483.5 MHz)
- -96 dBm Rx sensitivity
- Up to 100mW output power
- +20dBm Tx output power
- 16 RF Channels
- 2.0 to 3.6 Volts Vcc
- Small footprint: 1” x 1.4” (25.4mm x 36.5mm)
- Low power consumption:
- Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C
- Transmit mode……193mA
- Over 1.5 miles range
- Receive mode………30mA
- FCC, CE and IC certified
- Integrated F-antenna
- Accurate 12-bit ADC for precision sensors
- Small surface-mount IC footprint
- Freescale MC13224V 32-bit ARM7 Processor
- Integrated 2.4GHz 802.15.4 transciever
- Up to 100mW Output Power
- 96k RAM
- Arduino Shield Compatible
- 12-bit ADC, 2 UARTS, I2C and SPI
- SNAPpy Interpreter (Python-like language)
- Over-the-Air Programmable with Another Synapse Module!
- Can be used as a Synapse shield for Arduino
Description: It may look like a regular ol' Arduino shield, but don't be fooled, the pyXY (pronounced 'pixie') is a full blown shield-compatible development board. The heart of the pyXY is the Synapse SM700 wireless network module, a mesh network powerhouse that packs a 32-bit ARM7 processor with plenty of on-board memory. What's more, the SM700 can be programmed in SNAPpy, a Python derivative that makes building interactive networks a snap.
The shield-compatible form factor and pin assignment make this the perfect platform to develop a wireless sensor device, but if you want to add it to your existing Arduino-powered application, no worries. The pyXY has jumpers to swap the TX and RX lines, effectively taking it from development board to Arduino shield.
Don't underestimate the processing power of the SM700, though. With 96k RAM, 46 GPIO pins including 8 12-bit ADCs, and the SNAP OS, the pyXY is a capable board all on it's own. Simply connect the board to your computer using a 3.3V FTDI Basic Breakout and download the Synapse Portal software and you're ready to write and deploy some SNAPpy script. If you have more than one module, you can even program them over-the-air! The Portal software also allows you to tether your Synapse network to full-featured Python scripts on your computer, giving your mesh access to an entire world of libraries and resources.
Comments
Sparkfun claim the pyXY is pin compatible with the Xbee breakouts here are the data sheets on SF's site
pyXY Data
Xbee Breakout
Sparkfun have a Arduino shield form breakoutfor the pyXY which would be good fo my design as it woul piggyback onto the Arduino in the TX. Would probably want something more compact for the RX however
I have been tinkering with a home brew 6 channel controller for a while now on and off and have tried to use UDP and normal 2.4Ghz wifI hardware which did have significant latency issues. However the Xbee solution solves the latency problem practically quite well based on my experiments. If you listen to the servos you can hear the latency variance in the 2.4Ghz wifI video.
Please see Arduino Xbee Receiver or Revisiting the 6 channel Xbee based controller the first video used a Arduino for the TX & RX second video used a Netduino Plus for the TX and a Fez Panda II for the RX it turned out the Arduino path made for a much simpler better performing solution on many fronts not least being deterministic and so easy to program.I will retain the Netduino Plus for the returning telemetery where real-time performance will not be such an issue, nice wee board the ND+
I have asked tech support at Sparkfun to clarify if they know if pyXY and Xbee can work together.
Both devices use 2.4GHz 802.15.4 protocol I have two XBee Pro 60mW U.FL Connection - Series 1 (802.15.4) as they are quite cheap I may get a pair next month anyway as the pyXYare is 100 mW and the Xbee is 60mW see if the range is much better. I get a pretty good 1000 meter rabnege with a 60 mW Xbee and 5dBi antenna
Latency?
I have had a synapse chip set on the bench for a year now.
Nice to program but form factor (pin spacing really) has made it difficult for to quickly prototype projects.
Do you think they can be used as a direct replacement for Xbee? I noticed that they also sell the modules in an xbee form factor so can plug them into the xtreambee modules and hopefully just configure to get working?