Scribd
Upload
56 views9 pages

RF1100-232 Module Overview and Setup

The document provides information about configuring and using an RF1100-232 RF 433MHz transceiver module. It describes what the module is, how it works, how to connect it, and its command codes for setting parameters like baud rate, channel, and TX power. It also describes software created by the author to configure the module through a graphical user interface.

Uploaded by

gezahegn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
56 views9 pages

RF1100-232 Module Overview and Setup

The document provides information about configuring and using an RF1100-232 RF 433MHz transceiver module. It describes what the module is, how it works, how to connect it, and its command codes for setting parameters like baud rate, channel, and TX power. It also describes software created by the author to configure the module through a graphical user interface.

Uploaded by

gezahegn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RF1100-232 RF 433MHz

Transceiver Module

I have recently started using the RF1100-232 module in an Arduino


based project. I found it really difficult to find any useful detailled
information on this module. The only info to go on was a document I
found on some Russian website that appeared to be a machine
translated version of the command table that is otherwise only
available in Chinese. This really is a shame as this module is some
very useful piece of technology.

So I on this website decided to collect all the information I have found


out in the hope that it will be useful for others who are also thinking
about using this module.

What does it look like?

It looks exactly like this:

This is the spring antenna version. It is also available with an SMA


connector.
The dimensions are 41mm x 21mm (without antenna or SMA

connector).
What does it do?

The module allows wireless transmission of serial port data. The


connectors on the module are a TTL-Level (5Volt) serial port and the
5Volt power supply for the module.

The module will transmit wirelessly the data it receives on the Rx


input line. And data received by the module will be sent out the Tx
line.

The module supports baud rates of 4800, 9600 and 19200 bit/s. 256
individual channels can be selected.

Now, the really interesting part is that this module also supports
point-to-multipoint transmission. This means that, when one module
is transmitting data, *all* other modules that are on the same
channel and within range will receive the same data.

Connecting the RF1100-232 module

The module requires a 5Volt power supply. Connect GND of your


power supply to the GND pin on the module and the 5Volt of your
power supply to the Vcc pin on the module.

The serial port on the module is a TTL level port. This means it uses
0Volt and 5Volt levels. It also seems to work fine with 3.3Volt levels.
DO NOT connect the serial port on the module to a normal COM
port that uses RS232 levels! These COM ports use up to +-15V
levels and would damage the module!

If you use a USB to serial converter, make sure you are using one with
TTL levels. The module also works fine when connected to the TTL
level serial port on an Arduino.

The following picture shows the RF1100-232 module connected to a


FTDI USB to serial converter. Please note that you need to connect Tx
on one side to Rx on the other side and vice-versa.
This is in fact all you need for a "base station" that connects to a
computer via USB. It gets its power from the USB port.

RF1100-232 command table

Set serial port baud rate

Text Command Code Baud Rate Description


Length 2 bytes 1 byte 0x01: 4800
Format hex hex 0x02: 9600
Fixed 0xA3, 0x3A 0x01/0x02/0x03 0x03: 19200
Example: sending 0xA3, 0x3A, 0x03 to the module sets the serial port
baud rate to 19200.

Set channel communication rate (not supported/implemented


according to the documents I found)

Text Command Code Channel Rate Description


Length 2 bytes 1 byte
Format hex hex
Fixed 0xA5, 0x5A 0x64

Set channel

Text Command Code Channel Number Description


Length 2 bytes 1 byte Channel number from
Format hex hex 0x00 - 0xFF
Fixed 0xA7, 0x7A 0x00-0xFF (256 channels)
Example: sending 0xA7, 0x7A, 0x10 to the module sets the channel to
16 (0x10 hex).

Set module ID

Text Command Code Module ID Description


Length 2 bytes 2 bytes 2 bytes module ID
Format hex hex 0x0000 to 0xFFFF
Fixed 0xA9, 0x9A 0xFF, 0xFF
Example: sending 0xA9, 0x9A, 0x00, 0xFF to the module sets the
module ID to 255 (0x00FF hex).

Set TX power

Text Command Code TX Power Description


Length 2 bytes 1 byte transmit power (dbm)
Format hex hex 0x00, 0x05, 0x07
Fixed 0xAB, 0xBA 0x00/0x05/0x07/0x0A or 0x0A (10 decimal)

Example: sending 0xAB, 0xBA, 0x0A to the module sets the TX power
to 10dbm.

Read config from module

Command
Text Returned Data Format
Code
Length 2 bytes 1 1 byte 1 byte 1 byte 1 byte 2 bytes
byte
Format hex hex hex hex hex hex hex
Channel Baud Module
Fixed 0xA6, 0x6A 0xA6 Channel Power
Rate rate ID

Example: sending 0xA6, 0x6A to the module returns the following


data containing the module's current config:

0xA6, 0x10, 0x64, 0x03, 0x0A, 0x00, 0xFF

0xA6 - start of config dump (fixed)


0x10 - Channel number 16 (0x10 hex)
0x64 - Channel rate (fixed)
0x03 - 19200 baud
0x0A - 10 dbm TX Power
0x00, 0xFF - 2 byte module ID

Unlike the more familiar AT commands, these commands have to be


sent as binary, not as ASCII text. So you can't just use any standard
terminal program.

That's why I have written a nice little application that lets you send
these commands to the module.

The RF1100-232 Configurator

This is a little program I wrote that allows you to configure a


RF1100-232 module with a few mouse clicks. You can also monitor
serial communication in hex or in ASCII and send data to the module;
also in hex or ASCII. The download link is at the bottom of this page.

Here is what the interface looks like:


1 - Enter the COM port name the RF1100-232 module is connected to.

2 - Select the serial port speed that the module is currently set to. You
can select the 3 speeds that the module supports (4800, 9600 and
19200) from the drop-down list or type any speed in the text box.

3 - The Open and Close buttons open or close the COM port. If you
have changed a setting in the COM Port Group (COM port name or
speed) and want to apply this setting, just click Open again. This will
first close the COM port if it was open, then open it with the new
settings.

4 - This checkbox indicates whether the COM port is currently open


(checked) or closed (unchecked). This is informational only, you can't
click on the checkbox.

5 - This text box will display anything that has been sent from the
application to the module, either raw data or configuration
commands.

6 - This text box will show data received by the module. This will
include any data transmitted between any other modules on the same
channel and within range. This allows this program to be used as a
data sniffer for troubleshooting communication between other
modules.

7 - The Clear button clears the data in both text boxes.

8 - When this checkbox is checked the Receive text box will only show
the module's responses to config commands, not any other received
data. This can be useful when there is a lot of traffic in the air.

9 - Here you can select whether you want to send raw data to the
module in hex or ASCII format. This option also influences the way
that any received data is being displayed in the Received text box (6).

10 - Enther the data to be sent to the module here. When (9) is in hex
mode you can only enter pairs of hex digits (0-9, A-F), each pair
representing 1 byte. If there is an error in the text box (odd number of
digits or non-hex digits), the background of the text box will turn red
and the Send button will be deactivated. The data will be send to the
module in binary format. In ASCII mode there are no restrictions on
the text you can enter. The data will be send to the module as ASCII
encoded text.

11 - Clicking the Send button sends the entered data to the module in
either binary or ASCII format.

12 - Here you can configure the module and send the configuration
commands individually. Select the serial port speed (4800, 9600 or
19200), channel number (0 - 255), Module ID (0 - 65535) or TX
power (0, 5, 7 or 10 dbm). Then click the corresponding Set button to
send the command. If you set the serial port speed of the module, the
COM port will automatically be set to the new speed. The Channel and
Module ID text boxes automatically check the validity of the entered
values as you type. If there is an error, the text box background will
turn red. If everything is OK, the background will change to pale green.
(see screenshots above and below)

13 - This button allows you to read the current config from the module.
The results will be populated in the parameter boxes above (12).

The following is a screenshot showing invalid data in 2 text boxes.


Text box (10) has an odd number of digits and text box Channel has
an invalid character w.
Change log

V1.0 - 28/02/2012
initial release.

Download
This software is provided as freeware.
Of course the usual disclaimer applies. This software is provided as-is
with no warranties whatsoever. In other words, I'm not responsible if
you break or damage anything by using this software. Use it at your
own risk.

You need to have Microsoft .NET 4.0 installed to run this software.

Text Command Code Baud Rate Description


Length 2 bytes 2 bytes 2 bytes module ID
Format hex hex 0x0000 to 0xFFFF
Fixed 0xA9, 0x9A 0xFF, 0xFF
Example: sending 0xA9, 0x9A, 0x00, 0xFF to the module sets the
RF1100-232_Configurator_1.[Link]

Common questions

Powered by AI

The automatic channel validity checking in the RF1100-232 Configurator enhances user experience by providing immediate feedback on data entered into channel and module ID fields. If entered values are invalid, the text box background turns red, while valid inputs change the color to pale green. This feature aids in preventing configuration errors, making the process of setting up communication parameters more intuitive and error-free .

The RF1100-232 module uses binary command sequences for setting configurations such as baud rate, channel, module ID, and TX power. Commands must be sent in hexadecimal format, not ASCII, requiring software capable of sending such data. The RF1100-232 Configurator is a program developed to facilitate this process, providing a graphical interface to set these parameters easily, monitor communication, and troubleshoot .

Managing baud rate settings is crucial for optimizing communication efficiency on the RF1100-232 module. Different applications may require specific data transmission speeds; however, utilizing the highest supported baud rate of 19200 bps can enhance data throughput in environments with fast data transfer needs. Conversely, lower baud rates (4800, 9600 bps) might be more suitable for applications prioritizing reliability over speed, especially in areas with potential interference .

The RF1100-232 Configurator provides an intuitive GUI which simplifies module configuration compared to traditional command-line interfaces that require precise input knowledge. It offers features like automatic error checking and easy access to configuration options, improving usability for non-specialists. However, traditional command-line tools may offer more flexibility for expert users who need direct control for scripting and automation, revealing a trade-off between ease-of-use and flexibility .

Inaccurate serial port configuration of the RF1100-232 module, such as connecting to a high-level RS232 port rather than TTL, risks exposing the module to voltages up to ±15V, potentially damaging it. Additionally, incorrect baud rate settings could lead to communication failures or data corruption. Ensuring configurations align with TTL levels and using correct command sequences can mitigate these risks .

The point-to-multipoint transmission feature allows one RF1100-232 module to broadcast data to multiple modules on the same channel. This is beneficial in applications like remote sensor networks where a central node collects data from various sensors simultaneously. It simplifies network topology and reduces the need for multiple individual connections, streamlining data aggregation and enhancing system scalability .

The RF1100-232 module requires a 5-volt power supply. Connecting the module involves connecting the power supply's GND to the module's GND pin and the 5-volt line to the Vcc pin. The serial port on the module is a TTL level port using 0V and 5V levels and should not be connected directly to a standard COM port which uses RS232 levels up to ±15V, as this could damage the module. Using a USB to serial converter with TTL levels or connecting to a TTL level serial port on an Arduino is recommended .

The author faced significant challenges in finding detailed information about the RF1100-232 module as most information was only available in Chinese, and they could only find a machine-translated document from a Russian website. To overcome these challenges, the author consolidated all the information they discovered and created a helpful resource for others intending to use the module .

The RF1100-232 module enables wireless transmission of serial port data and supports baud rates of 4800, 9600, and 19200 bps. It allows point-to-multipoint transmission where data transmitted by one module can be received by all other modules on the same channel within range. This capability is useful in scenarios requiring broadcast communications, such as sensor networks or real-time data logging .

Software version updates play a pivotal role in maintaining the reliability and functionality of applications like the RF1100-232 Configurator by addressing security vulnerabilities, fixing bugs, and possibly introducing new features to enhance user experience. Regular updates ensure compatibility with evolving technical standards and user requirements, thus maintaining operational integrity over time .

You might also like