Exploring Arduino, 2nd Edition

15Wireless RF Communications

Parts You'll Need for This Chapter

• Arduino Uno or Adafruit METRO 328
• USB cable (Type A to B for Uno, Type A to Micro-B for METRO)
• Half-size or full-size breadboard
• Assorted jumper wires
• 220Ω resistor
• Piezo buzzer
• 5V 1A USB port wall power supply
• 315 MHz momentary type RF receiver (or a similar receiver in a frequency appropriate to your country)
• Single-button 315 MHz RF remote control (or a remote in a frequency appropriate to your country)
• Controllable power relay module (IoT Power Relay from Digital Loggers, Inc.)
• AC lamp
• Pocket screwdriver
  • CODE AND DIGITAL CONTENT FOR THIS CHAPTER
  • Code downloads, videos, and other digital content for this chapter can be found at:
  • exploringarduino.com/content2/ch15
  • Code for this chapter can also be obtained from the Downloads tab on this book's Wiley web page:
  • wiley.com/go/exploringarduino2e

It's time to untether! A common requirement in many microcontroller projects is wireless connectivity. There are many ways to achieve wireless connectivity, but the most basic is simple RF (radio frequency) modules. These come in many shapes and sizes, but most have a similar mode of operation: when a single input changes on the transmitter, a matched output changes on the receiver module. Effectively, they operate just like a wire, with one bit of information going in and out at a time. This chapter introduces the concept of wireless communication in general, but specifically focuses on simple RF communications. The next ...