Anaren CC110L AIR BoosterPack
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The Anaren CC110L AIR BoosterPack comes in a typical LaunchPad way, with a nice packaging including
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The two supplied MSP430G2553 are already flashed with a ready-to-use demo program. The CD includes a monitor --for Windows only.
Testing the CC110L modules can be done in just a couple of minutes with the monitor. |
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Since there are two CC110L modules, it is strongly recommended to have two LaunchPads.
Place each BoosterPack on one LaunchPad, with the antenna on the right and with the two rockets one on top of the other. |
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The RF module only used 5 I/Os. Most of them can use alternative pins thank to shorts on the Anaren BoosterPack.
Everything is clearly explained on the User's Manual. By default, pins 18 and 19 corresponding to P2_6 and P2_7 are used, requiring the optional crystal not to be soldered on the LaunchPad. |
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Library for Energia
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Anaren supplies a library for Energia. They are included in the Energia distribution.
The library for Energia comes in two flavours:
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On Mac OS X, with the two LaunchPads connected, open the Terminal and launch the command to list the ports:
> ls /dev/tty.uart* On the same Terminal window, launch the command for the 1st LaunchPad:
screen /dev/tty.uart-E2FF467625823E43 Open another Terminal window and launch the command for the 2nd LaunchPad:
screen /dev/tty.uart-3CFF467AF9CB2D41 Each window displays the messages sent (TX) and received (RX) by the corresponding LaunchPad.
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On the first tests I've conducted, communication works fine with a distance of 8 metres (~26 feet) between the two modules, with a wall between.
On a second batch of tests, communication goes up to 30 metres (~100 feet), with multiple walls in between. I didn't have the opportunity to test on even larger distances. Outdoor tests reach a distance of 100 metres (~330 feet) with no obstacle between the two radios. |
Networks Topologies
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The basic example provides a perfect start for RF with a simple point-to-point connexion.
The kit comes with two CC110L AIR BoosterPacks. |
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The CC100L also features more advanced capabilities: multiple modules can form a star network.
For the star network, two sketches are supplied: one sketch for the hub, and another for the sensor. Only the radio number needs to be changed, with one different number for each sensor. I built and ran my first star network in less than 10 minutes! More kits are required for the extra Each kit comes with two CC110L AIR BoosterPacks, so extra kits are required. For example, the network shown on the right has 6 radios, so 3 kits for 6 CC110L AIR BoosterPacks are needed. |
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Autonomous Board
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One great feature is, each BoosterPack can be used without the LaunchPad.
Each BoosterPack comes with all the contacts ready to solder and plenty of space for additional components. This is especially helpful for a star network: no need to buy as many LaunchPads as CC110L AIR BoosterPacks! The User's Manual provides all the details, including schematics and BOM. |
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Pins Map
Pros
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Cons
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Wrap-Up
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Useful Links
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