The Raspberry Pi Pico W is a microcontroller board that is based on the Raspberry Pi Pico, but with the addition of wireless connectivity features. Specifically, the Pico W includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allows it to connect to the internet and communicate with other devices wirelessly.
The Pico W is powered by a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor, which runs at a speed of up to 133 MHz. It also includes 264KB of RAM and 2MB of flash memory, which can be used to store programs and data. Additionally, the board has a variety of input/output (I/O) pins, which can be used to connect to sensors, actuators, and other devices.
The Pico W can be programmed using a variety of programming languages and development environments, including MicroPython and C/C++. This makes it a flexible and versatile platform for a wide range of projects, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, robotics, and more.
Here is one example how to use Raspberry Pi Pico W with micropython, one senzor connected via I2C and simple GUI on the android device using GUI-O via WiFi.
This is small module for splitting 1 signal to 4 receivers. It is part of the multiband SDR receiver, but it can be used standalone for any similar application.
In past I assembled small SDR receiver based on Raspberry Pi and SDR USB dongle based on software developed by PA3FWM. The problem was with limited usability by multiple clients connected to the Raspberry pi at the same time. The old SDR was retired and put aside for few years.
Then András Retzler ha7ilm developed (and stopped developing) OpenWebRx, which was the base for now regulry maintained and further developed OpenWebRx.de.
I recently built homelab server based on “proper” server infrastructure with plenty of RAM and lots of processing cores. I decided to setup OpenWebRx in one linux virtual machine with raspberry pi only as remote receivers serving single user (server itself).
“Special offer” came out for 5GHz antenna. It was posted on Polish web store Interprojekt, where I sometimes buy some equipment for long range WiFi point-to-point links.
Gold WiFi grid antenna, price 13 EUR
The antenna came well packed in carton with additional box for the feed. The grids were separated with paper to avoid scratches during transport.
Every wine producer needs to know their temperature during fermentation. There are many small producers (like in our family) without high-end equipment for fermenting the grapes and must. We produce wine for our own use (around 1000 litres) and the technology relies mostly on experience and limited information about the fermentation process. One of the most important paramters is temperature or more specifically, the temperature profile (time dependance), its gradient and maximum value as well. In the past I connected simple I2C sensor to raspberry pi and sent data to mysql database via WiFi connection. It is shame to mention the power consumption of such thermometer.
Loradunchy module on top of the low cost solar cell
Recently, I placed LoRaWAN gateway at the top of the vineyard to cover all future need for connecting winegrowing sensors in all neighbouring vineyards. The r.pi thermometer was upgraded to LoRa and I used my own design, the LoRaDunchy module with small LiPo battery, TMP75 as sensor element and small solar cell for supplying the power. Solar power is somehow overkill for this application, but I want to check the real life solar powered sensor. It would be good experience for future sensors which I intend to place in the field for monitoring the microclimatic conditions (and possible prediction of the vine diseases).
LoraDunchy Connection diagram for thermometer application
There was no3D model for RAK811 breakout board with GPS tracker, so I made it from the drawings. I added plastic housing to be used with velcro straps. I prepared two models, one with only RAK811 and small LiPo battery and second one, 4mm higher with enough space for additional PCB with custom electronics. Enjoy.
There are many steps from c source code to cloud data storage. Let’s start…
“To get the end, you must go back to the start” – Grandmother Yelsh
In this contribution I will describe how I started using Espressif ESP8266 with Eclipse and some other details how to store data in “usual” web server. I will not talk about the hardware too much. To follow the tutorial it is enough to have any ESP8266 module connected to serial port on PC either via USB/UART virtual cvom port or directly (rare these days). Two most common possibilities are either module with the USB/UART integrated on-board or separated USB/UART + ESP8266-xx module (usually on breadboard with some additional periphery):
