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Now, I am going to learn embedded programming in microcontroller. I am going to create a device that will receive signal from wireless transmitter. The range will be less than 30 meters. So, I have some questions about toolkit.

  1. What type of transmitter and receiver should I use that receive and send signal up to 30 meter?
  2. What kind of microcontroller and board should I use to create embedded system?
  3. Do I need any other circuit or device like antenna or anything else?

I am new in microcontroller.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Is that 30 meters line-of-sight or are there obstacles (trees, or maybe even enforced concrete) in the path? Transceivers that can achieve 30 meter line-of-sight might do only 3 meter between office floors! \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:05
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yes, there may be obstacles in the path. \$\endgroup\$
    – Shell
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ Be more specific, or you won't get any meaningful answers. \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ After your reply, I have a doubt about Transceivers. So, I can't get single if there any obstacle in the path and the range is more than 3 meters? Suppose, there is wall between the devices then it will not be connected? right @WoutervanOoijen? \$\endgroup\$
    – Shell
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ When you say 'less than 30 meters' you have not said anything meaningful yet. No solution will give that range if that 30 meters is solid steel and it extends all around you. So you have to think about what you want to be able to transmit through. The substance is probably more important than the distance. Some substance (a plain glass window) will not be much of a problem. Others (steel mesh window) can be a big problem. I am just trying to get you to specify your requirements properly. \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 11:05

2 Answers 2

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Since you are new to microcontrollers, your best course of action would be to get an Arduino (there are several types). While they are designed for beginners, they also have a lot of flexibility. enter image description hereenter image description here

Peripherals for the Arduino are called shields, and they have many options for doing wireless. One option you might want to consider is Bluetooth, which can cover up to 100m out in the open, and quite a bit less indoors. You didn't say whether you will be indoors or outdoors. There are many Bluetooth shields, such as this one. In almost all cases, the antenna is already included on the board.

If battery life on the remote device is a factor, you might also want to investigate Bluetooth Low Energy, which has a range similar to "classic" Bluetooth but consumes much less power. It is quite new (there is no native support for it in Windows 7, for example), but since you will be providing both ends of the wireless link, this should not be a problem.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks sir, for your opinion. But, I don't want to make my device discoverable in other devices like mobile, tablet and PCs. Is it possible to make it visible only for my transmitter device? \$\endgroup\$
    – Shell
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 5:19
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Nimesh Assuming you are going to just make one pair of these devices, then when you set them up, you will put one in discovery mode for just a few minutes and pair the two modules up. After they are paired, you can make them non-discoverable since they will then have stored the MAC ID's of the other Bluetooth module. \$\endgroup\$
    – tcrosley
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 5:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Nimesh Will the remote transmitter be some sort of wireless device? Just wondering if you might be able to get that off-the-shelf. \$\endgroup\$
    – tcrosley
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 5:24
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    \$\begingroup\$ -1 : How does "since you are new to microcontrollers" lead to "you should use an Arduino"? Why not 8051, PIC, ARM, ...? \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 7:31
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Nimesh Maybe I wasn't clear -- you only have to make one of the devices discoverable once for a few minutes to enable pairing; once that is done, they will reconnect when they fall in range without you having to put them back in discover mode again. That's what pairing is for. \$\endgroup\$
    – tcrosley
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:44
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Since, you are new to micro controller & embedded systems you should start with very basic micro controllers such as 8052( 8051 architecture) or MSP430G2231 (Launchpad kits are available with In system programming) which are very small yet useful and easy to understand. It will be helpful for you to learn the very basic functioning of controllers & you can easily switch to any higher level controllers.

enter image description here Since, there are lots of wireless protocols and modules available in the market. You can start with basic ASK/QPSK transceiver which can be simply implemented using Serial port of the controller & are easily available at cheaper rates than other devices. Or you can use zigbee, level of complexity varies from very simple(peer to peer) to moderately complex(mesh topology).

Range of modules :

Zigbee upto upto 500m ASK/QPSK : upto 150m (Ranges vary indoor and outdoor) No need to use antennas. You can, if you want to improve range little more.

Choose controllers which is being used by many beginners so you can discuss and get help support easily.

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    \$\begingroup\$ -1 : How does "since you are a beginner" lead to "you should use a basic micro like ..."? Why not arduino, PIC, ARM, ...? \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 7:31
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    \$\begingroup\$ World is full of possibilities, combinations and permutations. 8051 is one of the primary architecture in the field of micro-controllers & is very easy to use and understand, once you know very basics OF ANY CONTROLLER you can easily relate or switch to other controllers.. Well, what you are saying is also true selecting that particular device isn't necessary btw OP is free to select & that was my personal opinion. \$\endgroup\$
    – rahulb
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 8:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ What you say holds for AVR and ARM (Cortex) too, and also for PIC if you don't try to understand the assembly language. If you just state your own preference (based on using one particular architecture), say so! \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:37
  • \$\begingroup\$ As I can see there is a Reply button down there and you can make OP available to your suggestions point of view and understanding of Controllers. As simple as that ! I did my job ! \$\endgroup\$
    – rahulb
    Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 9:47

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