JeeNode (v6)

The JeeNode is a low-cost combination of radio and microcontroller board:

Think of the JeeNode as an Arduino + Xbee shield + Xbee, but smaller and less feature-full than the XBee.

The JeeNode is based on an Atmel ATmega328 - the same as an Arduino - and was inspired by Modern Device's Really Bare Bones Board, which is like a minimal implementation of an Arduino. The USB communication interface has been removed and any USB-to-TTLSerial based on the FTDI232R chip is guaranteed to work as connection. Being compatible with Arduino boards such as the Duemilanove means that you can use the IDE to upload a sketch using any PC running Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux.

The radio is a HopeRF wireless module, which is available for the 433, 868, or 915 MHz frequency bands. It is not compatible with the XBee - the RFM12B has its own very lightweight RF12 driver library.

For a high-level introduction to the JeeNode, see this weblog post.

Specifications

See the JeeNode specs page for technical details, list of parts, etc.

The on-board voltage regulator can supply up to 250 mA @ 3.3V (or less, if the input voltage is high).

How to Get It

Kits and boards are available in the Shop.
Or create your own boards (see below for schematic PDF and EAGLE files).
Dimensions: 21.1 x 80.7 mm (excluding FTDI connector).
Everything is provided as open source, both hardware and software.

How to Build & Use It

The manual is available as PDF, see JeeNode-v5.pdf below. Make sure that you have all the parts needed, see the JeeNode Specs and this overview:

NOTE: The diode is no longer needed, nor included with the kit.

There is a step-by-step overview on the weblog about putting all the components on the JN5 board. There are also some nice videos by eeepcro and u0421793 on YouTube.

Connect a 1/4-wavelength wire antenna to pin 1 of the radio module:

  • for 433 MHz, use a 165 mm wire
  • for 868 MHz, use a 82 mm wire
  • for 915 MHz, use a 78 mm wire

That's it - you're done, you are ready to move on to JeeNode Tips.

Pinouts

See Also

The JeeLink and JeeNode USB are pre-assembled SMD variants which plug directly into USB.

Related Weblog Posts


DSC_1969.jpg (35.6 KB) jcw, 2010-09-25 10:57

JeeNode-v5.pdf (340.7 KB) jcw, 2010-09-25 10:57

JN5-pinout.pdf (76.4 KB) jcw, 2010-09-25 10:57

DSC_1973.jpg (36.5 KB) jcw, 2010-09-25 13:17

DSC_2490.jpg (159.5 KB) jcw, 2011-04-29 01:33

jlpcb-128.pdf - v6 (35.8 KB) jcw, 2011-04-29 11:36

jlpcb-128.png - v6 (82.1 KB) jcw, 2011-04-29 11:36

jlpcb-128.brd - v6 (39.5 KB) jcw, 2011-04-29 11:36

jlpcb-128.sch - v6 (262.9 KB) jcw, 2011-04-29 11:36