APC220 Wireless Communication Module for Arduino+USB Convert

[Nosepo]

Hello all, I found a great wireless module for us multiwii copters. This rf systems have a 0.6 milles of radio coverage with two ways of communication. Is small, pretty, easy and cheap. This pack comes with two rf modules and one usb ttl convert for get connected to laptop easily.

Features:

- 478MHz Operation
- 1200 m Range - depend on transmitter power supply
- 19200bps transfer rate
- GFSK Mode
- Low cost
- Small and light weight
- Distance: up to 1000m in open area
- Dimensions: 39mm x 19mm x 2.8mm
- The RF Modules (pair) offer two way communications over long distances. Use the modules directly via USB or connect them to your microcontroller. It include a pair of transceivers.
Package:
- 2x APC220 RF Modules with antenna
- 1x USB-TTL Converter

Price: 49USD with free shipping worldwide.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VKnJCmv0Jw
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/apc220-wireless-communication-module-for-arduinousb-converter.html

[Nosepo]

The Manual of it:

http://www.yerobot.com/products/manual/APC220%20Mannual.pdf

[Gaza07]

I have a pair of these and they work great with the mega pirate code, using serial 3 on a flyduino mega,
Is there a way to setup the multiwii code to use these using the same serial 3 port ?

[Loosi]

Hi!

Someone got it working?

I setup the modules for Serial-Rate 57600 and Trasmit Rate 19200, with a selfmade testscript it is working on the arduino promini, but not with multiwii V1.8
I changed the following lines in the code:

config.h

Code: Select all

/* This is the speed of the serial interface. 115200 kbit/s is the best option for a USB connection.*/
#define SERIAL_COM_SPEED 115200

to

#define SERIAL_COM_SPEED 57600

MultiWiiConf.pde

Code: Select all

g_serial = new Serial(this, portPos, 115200);

to

g_serial = new Serial(this, portPos, 57600);

Its working with the FTDI connector, but not with the apc220

Is it possible that it is to much data for the graphs? Reading the PID settings is working fine, but there are no graphs.

Greetings

Daniel

[PatrikE]

Yuo ned to change speeed in the gui to.

Code: Select all

  g_serial = new Serial(this, portPos, 115200);

/Patrik

[Loosi]

Hi!
....
I changed the following lines in the code:

config.h

Code: Select all

/* This is the speed of the serial interface. 115200 kbit/s is the best option for a USB connection.*/
#define SERIAL_COM_SPEED 115200

to

#define SERIAL_COM_SPEED 57600

MultiWiiConf.pde

Code: Select all

g_serial = new Serial(this, portPos, 115200);

to

g_serial = new Serial(this, portPos, 57600);

...

[PatrikE]

Yepp...

[Loosi]

you see, already changed and compiled it
i will play around tonight when i´am back from work. is it working for you with this changes? i mean read out the pid settings is working, but the graphs are empty

[PatrikE]

Sorry didn't se that..
The eyes is the fist thing that goes blind...

Can this be something?
- 19200bps transfer rate
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/apc220-wireless-communication-module-for-arduinousb-converter.html

/Patrik

[Loosi]

Hmm, there are 2 Rates to configure:
1) Serial Rate - the rate that will be used to communicate with the pc / microcontroller, this can be up to 57600
2) Serial RF Rate - the rate that will be used to send the data from the one module to the other, this can be up to 19200

If i understand the manual correctly, the module receives the data with 57600baud, puts it in its buffer and then send it to the other module with 19200baud, that puts it in its buffer too and sends it to the pc with 57600baud.

[µC]---57600--->[buffer]---19200--->[WIRELESS]---19200--->[buffer]--->57600--->[PC]

the only thing i can explain why it is not working is that it is to many data for the buffer and that causes an overflow in the apc220 module, cause the communication between the modules is only 19200baud maximum but the data comes in with 57600baud. i will try some other configurations tonight.

[PatrikE]

It sounds like some data is lost on the way..
Most likely a overflow.
There is qite a lot data shuffled each time.

[Gaza07]

These modules work fine on the mega pirate code and supply the apm Mission planner with gps info and allow setting of way points, you can alter PID settings and see raw sensor data, it is setup on serial 3 on a flyduino mega, I would have thought a mega board running multiwii should be able to work with these to but I m no coder so wouldnt have a clue how to get it working,
these modules have a range of upto 1000m and are a better choice than the much lower range bluetooth modules,
even more so once multiwii get a fully working gps

[nhadrian]

Did you guys finally succeed on using these modules with GUI?

[Loosi]

Yes, see viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1087&p=7449&hilit=apc220#p7449