MLC – Projects

Backstory

After making my digital etch-a-sketch kit, It was noticed by the UKESF and I was asked to produce a similar kit to introduce radio frequency communication to A-Level students.

I was initially given a Grove RF Link kit to use with the Seeeduino Lotus. This was a great starting point and allowed me to make the first program to test the concept of the project I was planning to build.

As I continued to test, I struggled with range issues. This was potentially because the link kit I was given had seen better days but thankfully I had some NRF24L01 modules available and I decided to interface them with the Seeeduino Lotus.

The PCB I designed included a logic level converter because the NRF modules operate on 3.3V logic level. Later re-reading the datasheet for the radio modules I realised that the input puts are 5 volt tolerant, meaning I had no need for the logic level converter. Similarly I realised the communication protocol was bidirectional whilst my logic level converter wasn’t. This was obviously frustrating but thankfully an easy fix!

The new NRF24L01 modules had much better range and also allowed for communication on multiple channels, which I though would be helpful to explain how radio communication works!

PCB Design

I then decided to make a shield for the Seeeduino Lotus to interface the new radio modules.

Activity Guides

I then created two activity guides to help students learn in pairs, these also introduced morse code to the students allowing them to create their own messages in morse code and transmit them over radio to one another!