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RFM12B & RFM69cw wireless transceiver modules

The RFM12 and RFM69 radio modules are low power and low cost radio transceiver modules that are useful for sending data between sensor nodes and a basestation and have been used extensively in OpenEnergyMonitor hardware units for some time.

This page provides a brief overview of both modules and how they can be used in conjunction with an Arduino based microcontroller for communication between sensor nodes.

The modules are manufactured by Hope RF, re-branded by RFsolutions in the UK. Sometimes called 'Alpha RF'. They are low cost RF transceivers available from Rapid, Farnell, or RS in the UK.

RFM12B Datasheet: http://www.hoperf.com/upload/rf/RFM12B.pdf
RFM69CW Datasheet: http://www.hoperf.com/upload/rf/RFM69CW-V1.1.pdf

Overview

	RFM12b	RFM69cw
Supply Voltage	2.2 to 3.8V	1.8 to 3.6V
Interface	SPI	SPI
Frequency	433MHz, 868MHz, 915MHz	433MHz, 868MHz, 915MHz
Open air range	150m	250m
In home range	Similar to WIFI network	Similar to WIFI network
Transmission power	5 dBm	13 dBm
Standby Current	0.3 uA	0.1 uA
Bit rate	115Kbps	300Kbps
Encryption	Sofware	128-bit AES Hardware

3 ISM band frequencies: 433MHz (worldwide), 868MHz (Europe), 915MHz (USA & Australia only).

JeeLib Arduino driver library

Maximum payload size: 66 bytes
Up to 30 nodes per network*
Up to 250 different network groups

The operating frequency of the modules is set in software. For best performance, the frequency chosen should match the hardware frequency of the module.

Node ID's can be 0-31 with 1-30 used for normal operation. ID 31 is special, as it can communicate with nodes on any network.
ID 0 is reserved for OOK operation.

Antenna

433 1/4 wave = 164.7mm
433 1/2 wave = 329.4mm
433 full wave = 692.7mm

868 1/4 wave = 82.2mm
868 1/2 wave = 164.3mm
868 full wave = 345.5mm

915 1/4 wave = 77.9mm
915 1/2 wave = 155.9mm
915 full wave = 327.8mm

Arduino Uno Connections

An RFM12/69 can be connected to an Arduino running at 5V with the following circuit. The 4.7k and 10k resistors are used to drop the voltage levels from the Arduino down to 3.3V so as not to damage the RFM12/69 module.

The 4.7k resistors can be replaced with a direct wire link and 10k resistors removed if the Arduino or ATmega microcontroller is running at 3.3V.

Credit to Michael Margolis from Arduino Cookbook for Arduino connection diagram.

Software

See: Sending data between nodes with the RFM12/69