SparkFun RFM69 Breakout (915MHz) [WRL-12775] - (AD13510)

Description:

This is the Sparkfun RFM69 Breakout, a small piece of technology that has all the available pins on the RFM69HCW module, to make the transceiver easy to use. The RFM69HCW is a cheap and versatile radio module that operates in the unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) radio band. It is perfect for building cheap short-range wireless networks of sensors and actuators for home automation, citizen science, and more.

This RFM69HCW operates at a frequency of 915 MHz and is capable of transmitting at speeds of up to 300 kbps at 100mW, but you can change both of those values to suit your application. For example, you can maximize range by increasing transmit power and reducing data rate, or you can reduce both for short-range sensor networks that sip battery power. At full power and with simple wire antennas, the RFM69 board can get messages from one side of a large office building to the other through numerous internal walls. Outdoors, it can reach 500 meters or more. With more complex antennas and modulation schemes, similar parts have successfully transmitted from space to earth (by very clever ham radio operators; your mileage may vary)!

The RFM69HCW uses an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) to communicate with a microcontroller, and several good Arduino libraries are available. It supports up to 256 networks of 255 nodes per network, AES encryption features to keep your information private, and transmits data packets up to 66 bytes long.

Sparkfun sells two versions of the RFM69HCW: this 915 MHz version and a 434MHz version. Although the ISM band is license-free, the band itself is different in different areas. Roughly speaking, 915 MHz is for use in the Americas, and the 434 MHz version is for use in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Consult local regulations for other areas.

Dimensions: 0.8" x 1.1"

Features:

• Transmit Power: -18 dBm (0.016 mW) to +20 dBm (100 mW) in 1 dBm steps
• Receive Sensitivity: up to -120 dBm at 1.2 kbps
• Modulation Types: FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK, OOK
• Bit Rates (FSK): 1.2 kbps to 300 kbps
• Voltage Range: 1.8 V to 3.6 V
• Current Consumption: 0.1 µA in sleep, 1.25 mA in standby, 16 mA in receive, 130 mA in transmit (max.)
• Encryption: 128-bit AES (optional)
• Packet Buffer (FIFO): 66 bytes

Documents:

• Schematic
• Eagle Files
• Hookup Guide
• Datasheet (RFM69HCW)
• LowPowerLab RFM69 Library
• Radiohead Library
• GitHub