NJ Roadmap
New Member
Currently my PIC-based lawn irrigation controller is all hard-wired to the environment - moisture sensor, temp sensor, rain sensor and solenoid valve wired directly to the PIC board. I'd like to make this wireless to rid the project of all the wires which would have to run from the kitchen to the garden, but I don't have a clue about how to go about it as I don't know ANYTHING about RF microelectronics!
My obvious idea is a PIC at each end with some form of serial RF communication inbetween. I'd like the main PIC indoors for easy user control (LCD+keypad on main board) and a smaller PIC outside for valve actuation, data collection and transmission to the main PIC. Some form of RF-modulated serial communication between the two is what I expect will be easiest unless someone has a better idea?
So basically what I'm proposing is this:
LCD+keypad -> User Interface PIC ----RF-----> Field PIC -> Valve + sensors
What I've got underlined is what I need to build. The rest already exists. I'm open to buying rx/tx modules and interfacing them with the current setup and the Field PIC, but would prefer to build the rx/tx circuit from scratch if it isn't too much hassle as this would allow me to keep costs down. Any ideas?
Edit: I have also realised that the Field PIC would need a decent supply to power the sensors and valve. That can be taken care of.
My obvious idea is a PIC at each end with some form of serial RF communication inbetween. I'd like the main PIC indoors for easy user control (LCD+keypad on main board) and a smaller PIC outside for valve actuation, data collection and transmission to the main PIC. Some form of RF-modulated serial communication between the two is what I expect will be easiest unless someone has a better idea?
So basically what I'm proposing is this:
LCD+keypad -> User Interface PIC ----RF-----> Field PIC -> Valve + sensors
What I've got underlined is what I need to build. The rest already exists. I'm open to buying rx/tx modules and interfacing them with the current setup and the Field PIC, but would prefer to build the rx/tx circuit from scratch if it isn't too much hassle as this would allow me to keep costs down. Any ideas?
Edit: I have also realised that the Field PIC would need a decent supply to power the sensors and valve. That can be taken care of.