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Obbsso Gadget Lab

Explore the World of DIY Smart Gadgets

March 2017

Tutorials

EaseWatcher: Smart Surveillance Made Easy

EaseWatcher is a comprehensive DIY smart surveillance system that empowers users to create a robust and customizable security solution for their homes or businesses. This innovative system combines cutting-edge technology with ease of use, allowing individuals to monitor and protect their properties with confidence.

With EaseWatcher, users can effortlessly connect multiple cameras, triggers, and alarm channels to create a seamless surveillance experience. The system’s modular design enables users to add or remove components as needed, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of applications.

EaseWatcher’s advanced features include:

  • Real-time video streaming and recording
  • Motion detection and alert notifications
  • Customizable alarm channels for instant notifications
  • Support for multiple camera types and protocols
  • Cloud-based storage for secure and convenient access

By leveraging the power of EaseWatcher, users can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their properties are protected and monitored around the clock. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to safeguard your family and assets or a business owner seeking to enhance security…

Projects

Monitoring Network Traffic: Bluetooth Network Monitor

You can read about the newer version of the Bluetooth network monitor here, but I suggest you continue reading this article.

I often encounter slow download speeds or online gaming lag, and every time I have to log in to my router’s web page or via SSH to check if it’s because of others in my household downloading/uploading, unstable network connections, or simply a server issue. It’s really frustrating. So, I decided to create a device that displays network statistics in real-time, making it more convenient to monitor network traffic.

The monitor consists of an ATmega328P @ 20MHz, a 160×128 1.8-inch color LCD, and a Bluetooth module, powered by 5V USB. It has a button that long-presses to adjust the LCD brightness and short-presses to switch display modes. Since it’s powered by USB, I added support for V-USB.

Enclosure Design:

  • Uses an A8 paper display holder
  • Removes the back clip part
  • Adds rubber feet

Monitor Modes:

  • Display Mode 1:
    • Downlink sync
    • Uplink sync
    • Download rate
    • Upload rate
    • 25-second historical chart
    • Flat
    • Packet loss
    • WAN IP
    • Time
    • Email notification
  • Display Mode 2:
    • Download rate
    • Upload rate
    • 40-second large historical chart

Future Plans:

  • Add more
…
Insights

Bluetooth Module Communication: Configuration and Testing

A Simple Way to Make Your Project Wireless with Serial Bluetooth Modules

Using serial Bluetooth modules is a straightforward way to make your project wireless, as they can transparently transmit standard serial data to another connected Bluetooth module, without requiring additional code.

Adding Bluetooth to Your Project for Mobile Control

To add Bluetooth to your project for mobile control, simply insert a slave module and connect to it via your phone. However, getting two modules to communicate with each other requires understanding some basic concepts.

How Bluetooth Modules Work

Bluetooth modules work in slave and master modes. Slave modules cannot initiate connections with other Bluetooth devices, but can accept connections. Master devices can be set to master or slave mode, and in master mode, they can initiate connections with other devices. Be sure not to make the mistake of buying two slave devices! You need two master devices or one master and one slave device.

What to Note When Buying Bluetooth Modules

Sometimes, eBay sellers may not provide much information about their modules. To determine whether a module is a slave or master device, be sure to check the following:…

Libraries

Introduction to nRF905 Wireless Transceiver IC Library

The nRF905 is a wireless transceiver IC similar to the nRF24L01, but with a working frequency of 433/898/915MHz, offering a longer range and more IO pins. Although the data rate of nRF905 is only 50Kbps, lower than the 2Mbps of nRF24L01, this library provides considerable flexibility.

The library supports the use of interrupts and allows for the option of connecting two modules, as their status can also be accessed through the IC’s status registers. Additionally, the library supports basic collision avoidance mechanisms.

NOTE: v3.0.0 of the library was released on 12th September 2017, the default CD pin has changed and the AM pin is now used by the library.

Download

Arduino: [HERE] and [Documentation] (or use the Arduino library manager and search for “nrf905”)

AVR (non-Arduino): [HERE] and [Documentation]

nRF905ATmega48/88/168/328Arduino UnoDescription
VCC3.3V3.3VPower (3.3V)
CED7 (13)7Standby – High = TX/RX mode, Low = standby
TXEB1 (15)9TX or RX mode – High = TX, Low = RX
PWRB0 (14)8Power-up – High = on, Low = off
CDD4 (6)4Carrier detect – High when a signal is detected, for collision
…

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Insights Tutorials

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Unlocking the ATtiny85: A Beginner’s Guide to Programming and Hacking

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