Need suggestion for RF module

[Nipam]

Hello,

We are currently working on IoT based application.

Our system contains Two types of configuration, Master node and slave nodes. Now all nodes have sensors interfaced with Host micro-controller. All nodes are battery operated. Now our purpose is send sensors data from all slave nodes to Master node over RF at some particular interval i.e. 1 hour. To achieve this idea, we require mesh topology so all nodes can communicate with each other and also with Master node and also cover maximum distance.

Please find below queries regarding the same.

1. Please suggest RF module which is suitable to our system.
2. Does any module support mesh network stack?
3. If mesh supported, then what will be the configurations required for Gateway(Master node)?
4. I found nRF24l01+ module which is suitable but not sure about whether this module supports mesh network stack or not.

Any kind of help will be appreciated.

Thanks, Nipam

[awneil]

Many examples of Mesh Networks using nRF24L01: www.lmgtfy.com

Yes, there are many modules which support Mesh stacks - but the Nordic forum is not the place to advertise competitors products!

Zigbee is, of course, a Standard Mesh protocol - and there are plenty of modules supporting Zigbee.

Also, most vendors have their own simplified, proprietary Mesh stacks.

Both Zigbee and many of the proprietary mesh stacks are based on IEEE 802.15.4 - so make that a starting point for your googling...

[Nipam]

Hello awneil,

Thanks for your quick response.

I did googling as the same you shared link. But from that I found that people worked with Arduino platform(in my case working with different micro-controller) and from there I didn't understand how routing table is managed for gateway(in my case master node).

Yes, zigbee is standard mesh protocol. As per my findings, Zigbee requires extra routers to achieve Mesh network. In my case, there is no need for extra routers. Just two configurations, one is End-point(also work as Router) and Master node(Gateway). We require low memory footprint for mesh network stack.

Can you please guide me on which parameters are necessary to build gateway device - Master Node(like RAM, Flash, etc)? Does Gateway device work on battery operated?

Thanks, Nipam