[zitoune]

Hello together,

I have a few suggestions which would make the WeatherDuino better in my opinion. Since I do not want to claim anything this should only be ideas and I am willing to contribute if anybody finds it also useful.

• SD Card Logger for the TX Module
  To prevent data loss in any case I would find it great if the TX module would have an SD card data logger. They can be simply bought and be attached to the SPI connector and all data could be logged in ascii at each radio transmission. So if the transmission fails or the receiver is out of power/order you still have the data.
  
• TX Module with GSM modem
  Since the Pro2 PLUS runs a webserver with its wifi chip you simply could transmit some data over internet. So if your TX node is far away you could transmit the data via mobile network (if it is available). With the use of a good antenna with a bit of gain it's likely to get a connection in a lot of places.
  I bought myself a SIM 800L and I will do some experiments as far as my prototype gets ready.
  
• Software interface for special user modules on TX boards
  Maybe it is possible to add a special software interface to be configured in the config file to call some user specific stuff e.g. a snow height sensor.My idea would be that you can collect some extra data from some other I2C slaves emulated by an Arduino nano to make sure all the data is already waiting to be collected and the main program is not influenced.In summing up a additional device could be added for each sensor which simply calls predefined data from a specific I2C slave and writes it to the corresponding variable.Another intention of me is, to make a calibrated temperature measurement board based on a ADS1220 and a PT100 sensor to get very precise readings with 0.1°C accuracy.
  

I'm still waiting for all my parts to arrive at my home... shipping from china can last a long, long time  . When finally everything is here I'm planning to create a detailed assembly instruction for the WeatherDuino boards. Maybe it will help someone who is not as much into electronics.

So I'm curious about your feedback.

Regards

Hello Engolling,

1. If you had the data logger on the TX directly, you will also need to consider adding the same feature on the AQM board. If ever you are suing several TH units (like I do) I guess it would be troublesome to get the data back from the various TX units in case of transmission failure? Let's say we manage to do it, it would be necessary to compile the different files together to have one single file (with the need to respect the timestamps order for each measure made). In addition, I think the purpose of the recent upgrad Werk did was to actually strengthen the data transmission using the RH library.

2. This solution would imply buying a data only SIM card which would require as many SIM as you have TX units (+ the AQM) as they may not be installed at the same place. What would be the business case to transmit to GSM network (or GPRS, 3G, etc..)? It would be possible but nowadays I believe everyone has a good and reliable wifi connection?
The practical case however, would be to transmit an alert, like some home alarm systems do. This would actually be very handy if you need to monitor some critical measurement - let's say a temperature rising above a certain threshold, or anything that would trigger something. Werk has already provisioned the System with a possibility to customise some code and trigger an alarm; in this case I think the GSM transmission can be useful.

3. I will let Werk comment; that might be a bit challenging but still.

Good luck with the construction of your station. 

Thanks
Zitoune