Interface RCM5700 and RCM4510W

Hi,

My project is using Zigbee RCM4510W (wireless) and Ethernet RCM5700(wired) communication. This project involves 3 points. 2 of the points have each Zigbee and Ethernet module, And 1 point has only Zigbee module. Firstly, the point that has only independent Zigbee module will send information to another point, the Zigbee module of another point receives the information. Then this information will be transmitted from its connected Ethernet board to the next point through Ethernet cat 5 cable. So the Ethernet module of the next point receives the information.

I'm having problem with the hardware issue. In order to interface the Zigbee (RCM4510W) module and the Ethernet (RCM5700) module, either RS-232 serial or SPI serial connection is possible right?

Which means to say if I were to use RS-232 serial connection, these are the items I need:
3 RCM4510W Development Kit:
3 RCM4510W module
3 Prototyping board (for power suppply and USB programming port to PC and RS-232 ports)
3 Universal AC Adapter or backup battery (Power supply)

2 RCM5700 Deluxe Development Kit:
2 RCM5700 module
2 Interface board (for power supply, ethernet port, USB programming port to PC)
2 Prototyping board (to interface with external LCD board)
2 Serial Communication Accessory Board (RS-232 ports)
2 Serial Cable
1 Cat5 cable

My question is there any connection way that I can cut down my cost? Is SPI serial connection easier than RS232 serial connection? Which means that I don't need the Serial Communication Accessory Board and can go with the RCM5700 Standard Development kit instead?

So if this is the case, can I go without the RCM4510W Development kit? Which means the RCM4510W module will be sitting on the Prototyping board included in the RCM5700 kit. So the sequence goes like this, first layer which starts from the bottom is the Interface layer with RCM5700 module (which is getting the power supply and connected to PC), the second layer is the Prototyping board(included in RCM5700 kit) with RCM4510W sitting on it and interfaced with external LCD display. Then both modules are interfaced by soldered wire at both SPI ports.

Another question, SPI connection isst by soldering wire from one port of the RCM4510W to the RCM5700?

Last question, what is the Module Extension Header at the Prototyping board for?

Looking forward to any help. Really appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

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On Oct 18, 2009, at 6:17 AM, wannichew wrote:
> I'm having problem with the hardware issue. In order to interface
> the Zigbee (RCM4510W) module and the Ethernet (RCM5700) module,
> either RS-232 serial or SPI serial connection is possible right?
You're better off just interfacing an XBee module directly to the
RCM5700, instead of having the RCM5700 communicate with the RCM4510W
which communicates to the XBee module.

One option is to wire the XBee module directly to the RCM5700's
prototyping board. Another is to get the MiniCore Serial
Communication Board (part 20-101-1253) and then interface to a Rabbit
RF Interface Board. Contact Rabbit's sales department and ask about
the RF Interface Board -- it might only be sold as part of the "Mesh
Network Add-On Kit" you can get to go with a BL4S100-series SBC. The
RF Interface Board works well as a stand-alone, remote I/O-only XBee
node as well -- the Rabbit can interface to the I/O pins on a remote
RF Interface Board quite easily.

Finally, you may want to consider the BL4S100 instead of the RCM5700
-- it has Ethernet and ZigBee interfaces, and comes with a standard
enclosure and power supply. Includes some samples on using the
Ethernet and ZigBee at the same time.

-Tom Start a New Thread

I'm a big fan of Rabbit's products, but have you looked at the Synapse RF Engines from Synapse Wireless? http://www.synapse-wireless.com/

These IEEE 802.15.4 radio modules are affordable and have enough onboard I/O to actually eliminate the need for additional embedded devices, in many cases. They are programmed using a subset of the Python language (very straightforward and close enough to C that you can jump right in). I scoffed at them when I first saw them, but quickly realized these products have a huge potential. It might be worth your while to give them a look. As an engineering consultant, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these products to any client looking for a ZigBee-like wireless solution.

At the very least, take a look at their online instructional videos:

http://www.synapse-wireless.com/?mainID=5&subID&typeault

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