Crowduino v1.1

Description¶

Crowuino V1.1 is almost the same as Crowduino V1.0. It adds Wireless program funtion and improved a little that the RX and TX will be lighting when only plug 9v DC supply in the version 1.0. it will be lighting only when program the 328 now.

The Crowduino is Arduino compatible board. Based on arduino Duemilanuve Schematic, 100% compatible to its existing program, shield and IDEs.

it is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328 (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, a reset button, and a XBee socket. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

Crowduino differs from all preceding boards in that it contains Shield and XBee socket . it adapts to all the shield that compatible with arduino Uno. it also adapts to the Xbee modules from Digi,and any module with the same footprint.

Model MCA01328A

Summary¶

Features¶

• It contains Bee Shield that you can wireless communicate to the microcontroller
• Flat DC Jack.
• Inherits all of Arduino Duemilanuve's features.
• Compatible to Uno's pin layout, screw hole and dimensions.
• Evolved with SMD components.
• Dimensions(mm):70.0(L)x58.3(W)x11.8(H)

Interface Function¶

Usage¶

Except 100% compatible with Arduino,Crowduino has another funtion that it also adapts to the Xbee modules from Digi,and other Bee module with the same footprint.

Wireless program¶

Hardware needed: 1. Crowduino V1.1
2. Two XBee module.
3. USBSerial Adapter.
4. USB cable.

Software needed: 1. Arduino IDE
2. X-CUT software

Configure the XBee Module

Step 1. Configure the transmitter¶

One XBee will act as the 'reset transmitter', it will be attached to the computer via USBSerial adapter and wireless send programming commands to the receiver. Lets set this one up first

Connect XBee modem to your computer using USBSrial Adapter. Note: push the switch to 3V3.

And start to configure the X-CTU.

Once you've connected/tested that you can communicate with the modem, go to the configure tab and read in the current setup

Then set the following:

The PAN ID should be some 4 digit hex number that will only be used by these two modems - to prevent confusion

Set the baud rate to 57600.

Next we'll set the Packetization Timeout. This is what determines how long to wait before sending the characters over. We're doing some 'bulk transfer' when sending 10K programs over, so you'll probably want this number high like 10

Set pin D3 to be a digital input

And set the Digital IO change detect to FF. Technically you can set it to 0x08, which is the mask to listen for only D3 but this certainly works fine.

Then press the Write Button, the transmitter is set up to send the current status of pin D3 to any listening modems. Note: If one of the steps is set to wrong.press the restore button, then set all of the steps again.

Finally setup the USBSerail Adapter so that the RTS pin will reset the Arduino. For Mac/Linux it will already be done but if you're using Windows you'll need to make a slight change to the driver preferences. In the Device Manager, select the USB COM port

Then right click and select Properties

Click on the Port Settings tab, and click on Advanced...

Make sure Set RTS On Close is selected. Click OK.

Step 2. Configure the receiver¶

Now we will set up the other XBee so that it will listen to changes on pin D3. Connect it to the FTDI cable and read in the current configuration just like the first one.

The PAN ID should match the transmitter's

Set the baud rate to 57600 to match the transmitter, again

Next we'll set the Packetization Timeout. This is what determines how long to wait before sending the characters over. We're doing some 'bulk transfer' when sending 10K programs over, so you'll probably want this number high like 10

Set pin D3 to be a digital output, default LOW.

Set the I/O Output to Disabled. This will prevent the receiver from displaying the status update in the serial line and instead just toggle the matching pin.

Finally, set I/O line passing input address to FFFF. If you set up unique addresses for the receiver and transmitter xbees, of course you should change this to match but FFFF will match all addresses.

Now write the changes to the receiver XBee.

Step 3. Hardware install¶

solder to connect JP1 at the bottom of Crowduino V1.1.
Plug the receiver XBee to Crowduino, Plug the transmitter XBee to USBSerial Adapter. Power the Crowduino via DC 9v power supply or USB, connect the USB serial Adapter to computer via USB.

Now you can reprogram the Crowduino and also watch the serial monitor from more than 100 feet away. Don't forget the serial monitor must be at the same baud rate as programming because the XBees can only talk at their configured baud rate.

FAQ¶

There are a number of switches that I am unsure of the function of, not having seen them on another Arduino board:

Q: 3V3_VCC_5V: Does this convert the entire board to output 3V3 or 5V, or is it input voltage?

A: This is the input voltage choice switch.
If you push the switch to 3v3, and set the output pin to high, the votage of it is 3v3.
If you push the switch to 5v, and set the output pin to high, the votage of it is 5v.

Q :What does the "serial select" switch do?

A: This switch is to choose Rx, Tx PIN of XBee connect to RX, TX of atmega328 or RX, TX of XBee connect to TX, RX pin of atmega328.
The theory is that if you connect the RX pin of XBee to TX pin of atmega328, The Xbee or XBee compatible Bee can communicate with atmega328 through Serial port. if you connect the RX pin of XBee to the RX pin of atmega328, the RX pin of XBee will connect to the TX of FTDI, the XBee can commucate with you computer through Serial port.

Resources¶

• Crowduino Schematic in PDF
• Crowduino V1.1 eagle files
• Adafruit XBee radios Wireless Arduino programming/serial link
• X-CUT software

How to buy¶

Please visit this page to purchase Crowduino.

Support¶

If you have any problem about how to use it, you can connect to us at the bottom-right of bazzer or contact to techsupport@elecrow.com to get technology support.