Has anyone looked at these chips? They are available for less than $4. +They seem relatively simple to use and Microchip provides ZigBee or a light weight alternative stack. Unfortunately the reference design for the PCB and antenna look to be a little beyond what I want to mess with.
I would very much like to see a reasonably priced breakout board for this chip!
So would I! And maybe … others?
raidfibre:
I would very much like to see a reasonably priced breakout board for this chip!
Looks like Microchip [has one. Now we need someone to try them out.](http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=2018&mcparam=en535996)
I ordered two of these breakout boards from microchip. Breakout boards are about $18 - but the module itself is only about $10. Microchip has several (including zigbee) stacks available for free (as long as you run it on a pic.
I’ll let everyone know how they work once they get here.
I got them. They came on a non breadboard friendly module for one of microchip’s dev boards. My plan is to take them off the carrier board.
I layed out a combo breakout board / wireless node over the weekend and should have PCBs back next week.
Stay tuned…
I’m also keenly interested in using these with Arduino boards.
The MRF20J40MA module has all the bits in one SMT board, already FCC certified. About $10. Should be available next month. I’ve got a few on order.
Just got these in today. Cute little buggers. Now I just need to find time to mount them up and write some code…
Has anybody had time to mess with these modules yet? RealLife keeps getting in the way of me spending some quality time with them…
From the press release: “A variety of wireless networking applications are appropriate for the MRF24J40MA module, such as industrial monitoring and control, home and building automation, remote control, low-power wireless sensor networks, lighting control and automated meter reading.”
Industrial monitoring and control? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think I would be comfortable working in a factory that depended on wireless communication to control the machinery. :shock:
Otherwise, these look really interesting. I’ve wanted to play with the XBee units, but I think they’re awfully expensive. These look like they would be much more affordable and have the same abilities.