need help in selecting wireless module for robot control

Hi Guys

I am new to this forum. I don’t know much about wireless modules, tried to search over the internet but its getting more confusing. there is a lot of discussion about range vs power. apart from that there is a bluetooth and rf modules. The whole idea is to have a wireless link between 4wd rover control and laptop. I am using atmega168 for rover control which is interface throught a serial port to the laptop. can some one pls help me selecting a wireless module for such a application with a range of 400 -800ft.

thanks in advance

tama

As the final destination is a laptop then I would strongly suggest bluetooth as this would save you from having to also construct a RF to laptop adapter, as bluetooth adapters already exist.

That said, the range will not reach 800 ft even outside.

Suggestion: I’ve had success using Digi/Maxstream XBee modules. Plug and play. Serial port of microprocessor connects to serial port of XBee with no need for RS232 converter. PC side: XBee connects to PC serial port using an $8 RS232 level shifter module. Or you can buy a ready to go $90 XBee with USB.

Comes with pre-installed firmware to do wireless serial port extension - transparently after you setup. The XBee with this firmware looks like a modem, has AT commands, etc.

Get the original XBee series 1, not the newer ones intended for ZigBee rather than for serial port extension.

XBee are $19. XBee Pro are a bit more and have about 50mW. You can select the antenna type when you buy, or get them with coax connectors and put on what you want - like a big rubber-ducky on the robot and a bigger high gain on the land side unit.