Weatherstation - Project Overview

This entry is a quick overview of how the weatherstation operates. Previous posts go into more detail about how the device was programmed and constructed.

Weatherstation - Receiving the data

In a previous post, I went over how the weatherstation data will be accessed--an Arduino-based webserver. However, this implementation had a major limitation: no data logging or visualization. I decided to switch to uploading the received data to Xively, which provides the data logging and visualization.

Robot - Update

Here's a quick video showing what the robot can do.

Weatherstation - Programming the Chip

The MSP430G2553 was programmed using Energia. This final script is essentially a culmination of code from my previous posts, with an emphasis on maximizing battery life. As such, I have decided to only have the microcontroller poll the sensors every 30 s, so most of its operation will be in deep sleep mode.

Weatherstation - Protoboard

Now that I have the weatherstation working on a breadboard, it's time to solder it onto a protoboard for a more permanent solution.

Weatherstation - Barometric Pressure Sensor

I ended up getting a BMP180 pressure sensor. I also made a major change to my weatherstation: I have decided to make the transmitter using a 430G2553 microprocessor. By using deep sleep mode and only taking readings every 30 s or so, I can run the weatherstation off of two D batteries for much longer than an Arduino.

Robot - Wireless Communication: Receiver

In this post, I'll go over how to make the robot respond to commands sent by the transmitter. You'll need the parts outlined in a previous post. These parts include a motor driver, 433 MHz receiver, and some Arduino-compatible device. The robot chassis has limited space, so I used an Arduino nano clone.

Robot - Wireless Communication: Transmitter

Now that the robot can respond to commands programmatically, the next step is to get the robot to listen for and respond to wireless commands. RF communication will be accomplished using the same library (VirtualWire) and components as my previous post, entitled Arduino Weatherstation – RF Communication. 

I'll split this part into two posts. The first will go over how to make the transmitter. The second will detail how to get the robot to respond to the transmitter's commands.

Robot - Motor Driver

This post is the first in a series of posts outlining the components needed to get a tank chassis robot up and running.

Robot - Introduction

I've begun working on a remote-controlled robot with a friend. It consists of a tank chassis and two DC motors. On the left is a picture of the chassis after assembly. The main goal of this project is to design a robot that can be controlled wirelessly by the user. Ideally, the robot will be controlled via two joysticks that can operate both treads independently.

In the next few posts, I will go over the components required to get an Arduino to control the robot directly.

Weatherstation - Internals

The weatherstation's internals are pretty much complete. I just have to solder the antennas onto the transmitter/receiver and the headers onto the barometric pressure sensor. I'll split this entry into three parts: first I'll go over how I made the antennas, second I'll go over the parts/operation of the transmitter, and third, I'll go over the operation of the receiver.

Arduino Weatherstation - RF Communication

I'm still waiting on my SparkFun Redboards. In the meantime, I received one 433 MHz transmitter and one 433 MHz receiver. Since I have a TI MSP430G2553 and a Duemilanove lying around, I thought I'd get them "talking" to each other.

Arduino Weatherstation - Temperature

I ended up purchasing a DHT22/AM2302 sensor, so I quickly put together a rudimentary Arduino sketch to read the temperature and relative humidity and calculate the dew point.

TI Launchpad Morse Code Generator

In electric circuit theory lab, we were assigned one of several projects using a TI MSP430 microcontroller. I chose to make a simple Morse code generator. I programmed the microcontroller code using Energia, which allows you to program the TI as if it were an Arduino.

This simplifies programming immensely, with functions for outputting square waves and blinking the onboard LED. In hindsight, if I were to re-do this project, I would use the millis()function instead of delay() to set the timing.

Arduino Weatherstation

I'm currently gathering the components to make an Arduino-powered weatherstation. Currently, I plan to measure temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity. One Ardiuno will sit outside, preferably near an outlet and measure and transmit weather data via a 433 MHz transmitter. The second Arduino will have a 433 MHz receiver and will receive the first Arduino's weather data, displaying real-time stats.