Going Wireless

After experimenting with several wired communication protocols, namely serial and I2C, we explored further into wireless communication protocols. In our final product, a wired setup would introduce unnecessary physical limitations, while a wireless setup will allow us to set up the system much more flexibly.

Thus, we moved on to investigating different methods of wireless communication. After some initial research, we identified RF and Bluetooth as the two best candidates for communication. Which to try first? Our kind friend and professor Aaron Hoover made that decision for us when he supplied us with two RN-41 Bluetooth modules to play with.

“ The RN41 is a small form factor, low power, simple to integrate Class 1 Bluetooth radio for OEMs adding wireless capability to their products.” Sounds perfect, right? It has a range of 100m, and can serve as a drop-in replacement for a serial connection, making it a good choice for fast iteration.

Here’s a picture of the RN-41!

So here’s the final plan —

1. Set up all three Arduinos with RN-41 bluetooth modules.
2. Set up the master computer with a bluetooth dongle.
3. Automate bluetooth connection between master + slave
4. Proceed with previously used control schemes