Moteino are in the house !

So after researching online which node I would use for the sensors/actuators network, I first had a look at the Jeenodes as they are quite popular and cheap. The main issue today is that they are using a RFM12B radio module from HopeRF, and this part number have been phased out last year. The replacement unit is the RFM69W, which is not yet supported by Jeenodes. So far, the best developments made around the RFM69W/HW and Arduino comes from Felix Rusu of LowPowerLab: the Moteino.

As it was designed to be a wireless node, the RFM69W is directly soldered on the Moteino pcb and there are different options for antennas (no antenna, 1/4 wavelength wire, SMA connectors, etc.)
There is no FTDI chip on it to save space and also costs.

For the gateway, you need a Moteino USB as this one has to be permanently powered, the USB connectivity & power feed is a better solution.

I also took a Power Shield as it drives & charge a LiPo battery and provide juice for the node. Once assembled with a cheap HK$45 LiPo pack from Sham Shui Po, it looks nice !

Now the tests. Once the library installed, there is an exemple for the node, and one for the gateway. The gateway still plugged to the computer, and you open the Serial monitor inside Arduino IDE, and the strings start to be transmitted.

The range is more than what is needed, but it will help to have a wireless connection between the sensors (pH, Water Temperature, Air Temperature, Humidity, Light, EC, etc), the actuators (pH up, pH down, Nutrients A, Nutrients B, Water), and the controller (Raspberry Pi with IoT software).