03-04-2016, 23:37
Hi,
I'm throwing this one out there for discussion.
Is there a need for a simple set of test tools when trying to debug.
On the whole, the project is very simple and for all intents it should work day one, but we all know that "murphy" comes into the equation.
The reliability of various components sourced on EBay at times leads to hours of frustration and also workman ship.
I finally have my TX and RX boards operational and have just finished off the WD unit as the WD seemed to be a no brainer. I was surprised that I got all my connections to the TFT unit the right way round first time.
Alas, this effort was to come undone, when no data was being received on the WD unit (Werk I love the display, it was clear to see and understand
I wish I had kept that dual trace HP CRO I gave away many years ago, so, having acquired an SDR (software defined radio) I started to analyse the 433Mhz, to say I could see the output from the TX unit but no output from the RX unit (yes relay set to 1).
Having had to replace the TX module in the earlier days with the TX board, I suspected the same item (sourced from the same company) was at fault. "Murphy" really played havoc with me, as the replacement unit gave no output.
Last night , with multimeter in hand I went tracing (good practice), maybe my soldering was at fault, it wasn't soldering, also I had TX Led blinking. Well I found my issue and I was "missing" connectivity from the Drain of the T2 (2N7000) to pin3 of the TX connector, yet I had conductivity from tT2 Drain to R3. It happens and so I made up a short jumper to resolve. Alas, still no significant blip at 433Mhz, (I do see a very short burst at 433.9000 (but this could be anything).
My next line of attack will be to look at making up some simple code to output some dummy test data from the RX unit, so that I have a "constant" test bed that I can refer to.
Werk, this is no reflection on the project as I have come to "learn" and appreciate the simplicity and value of all your hard effort. Even the upgrade to the latest software version was a pleasant experience.
But I think when adding in "radio" signals into a project, that there needs to be some quick simple test tools that can help guide the "novice" user out there that they are not going raving mad.
I'm throwing this one out there for discussion.
Is there a need for a simple set of test tools when trying to debug.
On the whole, the project is very simple and for all intents it should work day one, but we all know that "murphy" comes into the equation.
The reliability of various components sourced on EBay at times leads to hours of frustration and also workman ship.
I finally have my TX and RX boards operational and have just finished off the WD unit as the WD seemed to be a no brainer. I was surprised that I got all my connections to the TFT unit the right way round first time.
Alas, this effort was to come undone, when no data was being received on the WD unit (Werk I love the display, it was clear to see and understand
I wish I had kept that dual trace HP CRO I gave away many years ago, so, having acquired an SDR (software defined radio) I started to analyse the 433Mhz, to say I could see the output from the TX unit but no output from the RX unit (yes relay set to 1).
Having had to replace the TX module in the earlier days with the TX board, I suspected the same item (sourced from the same company) was at fault. "Murphy" really played havoc with me, as the replacement unit gave no output.
Last night , with multimeter in hand I went tracing (good practice), maybe my soldering was at fault, it wasn't soldering, also I had TX Led blinking. Well I found my issue and I was "missing" connectivity from the Drain of the T2 (2N7000) to pin3 of the TX connector, yet I had conductivity from tT2 Drain to R3. It happens and so I made up a short jumper to resolve. Alas, still no significant blip at 433Mhz, (I do see a very short burst at 433.9000 (but this could be anything).
My next line of attack will be to look at making up some simple code to output some dummy test data from the RX unit, so that I have a "constant" test bed that I can refer to.
Werk, this is no reflection on the project as I have come to "learn" and appreciate the simplicity and value of all your hard effort. Even the upgrade to the latest software version was a pleasant experience.
But I think when adding in "radio" signals into a project, that there needs to be some quick simple test tools that can help guide the "novice" user out there that they are not going raving mad.
