I opted to use an Arduino as a starting point. Using an ATmega 328 AVR on a breadboard, I could experiment various wireless technologies and see if what I wanted to do was realistic.
To begin with I was considering using an Xbee wireless module for communication, however this would increase the cost too much. What I settled on was a nRF24L01, which can be found on eBay for as little as $1.50 each. Arduino has a very good library for this and were very easy to implement.
Creating a mesh network with the nRF24L01 was actually quite simple, it has no more hardware requirements, it’s all in the code. By repeating the received message, the data is passed on to the next module in range. Of course if they’re all in range then this feature won’t be used much.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
