interface MiRF to PC?

Wireless & IoT
1

Hi,

i plan to make a project.

It is a wireless daily time recorder using RFID and a PIC microcontroller.

The components are connected “wirelessly” to the PC which has the database.

I wish to use the MiRF 2.4GHz to transmit data to the PC.

My question is:

  1. Is it possible to connect the MiRF to a PIC microcontroller?

  2. Do I need to use another MiRF as a receiver being interfaced/connected to the PC?

  3. Would it be okay to use a bluetooth dongle instead of an MiRF to be connected to the PC?

Thank you in advance for the help.

2

The MiRF should be possible to interface to a PIC, the only hassle is that you must shift the levels a little bit - I’ve never done this, so I can’t help.

But try to look into interfacing 3.3v parts to a 5v system.

You’ll need two MiRF’s, one plugged into the PC and one for the PIC.

Bluetooth should work pretty well too, but I hear that it’s kinda clunky to get it set up properly - I’ve not looked into BT links myself for some time.

Good luck!

Edit: Coming to think of it, you might be able to run your PIC at 3.3 volts too (check the datasheet), which will take care of the level problem.

3
  1. Would it be okay to use a bluetooth dongle instead of an MiRF to be connected to the PC?

If you mean, the RFID end is MirF and PC end is Bluetooth, then its a no no. Though they operate in 2.4Ghz range, they cant communicate directly, unless you can play with the BT chip/baseband processor.

You could use the same circuit whene you interface PIC to MiRF, hook the PIC’s UART port to the PC.

Good luck with your experiments

HTH

Jay