JeeNode transmit distance

[youevolve]

Hi Paul,

Love the new site!

I looked around, but couldn't find what sort of transmission distance to expect from the JeeNode. What are people's experiences with this device?

Thanks!

[oz]

Sorry about the slow response,

Re: transmit distance,

Our testing is informal so far

150 feet though three or four walls maybe
100 yds outdoors maybe. Both the developers live in cold and snowy climates, so when it gets warmer in the spring, maybe some harder specs will come out

Definitely not material for model rocketry but lots of uses around the house.

Paul

[solid_liq]

Did you ever get better information about the range? Range is a very important factor in my decision regarding whether or not to order four of the boards.

[oz]

The manufacture's site quotes distances much larger than the ones I listed above is all that I can say. We still haven't done any really hard testing. What's your app?

Paul

[stevech]

HopeRF RFM12B. Uses SiLabs chipset.

Range will vary by
Band: 433 is best; 868/900 about 30% less (laws of physics)
Antenna type
your chosen data rate and channel bandwidth - halve the channel bandwith (and data rate), great increase in range due to ability to demodulate weaker signals
your chosen settings for minimum RSSI and other filter configurations.
your packet size. Smaller = less probability of error
intermittent interference at your chosen frequency

Transmitter is about 2mW.
Simple wire antenna has essentially no gain.

My one test:
915MHz. Highest speed, widest channel (poorest range)
Simple wire antenna. Not carefully cut to correct length.
One node inside wood frame house, on desk, 1st floor
outside, receiving node: error rate too high at about 300-400 ft.

Effective useful range increases if you use ACK with retransmit to correct errors and/or forward error correction codes in the data.

Range would be better with line of sight, better antenna, lower data rate, narrower channel.

[oz]

Hey thanks for the great research and quotes from the datasheet stevech,

There is undoubtedly a lot of material on JeeNode range on the JeeLabs forum if one is interested.

Here's a blog post on RFCommunication details
http://jeelabs.org/2010/07/11/rf12-communication/

Here's a thread on antennas with an eye to getting 1000M line of sight out of a JeeNode
http://talk.jeelabs.net/topic/180

[stevech]

I should clarify earlier post

outside, receiving node: error rate too high at about 300-400 ft.

meaning the error rate, with the high data rate, is GOOD for the first few hundred ft. Range would improve with better antennas, lower data rate, narrower channel, etc.

[ihanna]

I should clarify earlier post

outside, receiving node: error rate too high at about 300-400 ft.

meaning the error rate, with the high data rate, is GOOD for the first few hundred ft. Range would improve with better antennas, lower data rate, narrower channel, etc.

How about the the climate? Is this device capable to handle extreme climates and weather? I want to buy this for my brother for his birthday! Please reply ASAP! His birthday is on Sunday and I have to order this from Amazon. So please reply. I am getting really tired from researching

[oz]

I don't think there will be issues with the climate - IF the units are in a water tight box. Water on any electronics usually quickly ruins them due to electrolytic reactions with the metal pads.

I don't think high humidity would be an issue for range.


Paul

[Aaronhycle]

Exactly what I was describing. Does your friend have many friends, or get out much?

[Remilqdmv]

I want to know what all of you throw for your max distance shots?

I throw a Star Destroyer or a Star Wraith for my distance drives...but this weekend for jr. distance comp at worlds i will throw pro destroyers