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OMG It's an RF Project now

A project log for HydroPWNics

An open source hydroponic garden control, monitoring, and grow system with cloud database and dashboard.

avrAVR 05/15/2015 at 05:530 Comments

So after thinking about the hardware as it stands(current revs/thoughts on teensy compatibility) I came to a conclusion: while its super nifty and easy to use a premade ESP8266 module, I'd like to further maximize the cost of the PCB so I'm going to integrate the ESP8266 chip, circuit, and antenna all into the Module Hub PCB.

I am still going to produce a prototype of the module hub as it is now as I need to test if the DCDC regulator's PCB layout allows for correct operation of the regulators (first time using these TPS chips). Once I confirm the layout on the DCDC regulators I will perform a redesign and integrate all the circuitry into one fantastically cost effective PCB. I've done 2.4GHZ RF before at a previous job so I know how to do PCB antennas and traces to minimize noise etc (can't comment much on the work because you guys know). This is going to be my first RF PCB on my own so I'm bound to screw it up but that's just the case with PCBs in general in my field its usually 3 times a charm, but then again every PCB is always work in progress, you can always doing it better and better. Anyways this means I will be sticking with the current hardware choices and not including Teensy compatibility as much as I like the idea, I don't feel like making another microntroller footprint (my least favorite part of the process, so much typing), and I'd like to challenge myself further with the addition of RF. Stay tuned for more PCBs and HydroPWNics!

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