Forum Discussion

Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
13 years ago

DE0 FPGA board , how to connect it to another FGPA wirelessly using two xbee sensors

can someone tell if it's possible to make two fpga's to communicate and send data without cables using two xbee pro sensors ?? and if it's possible can you assist me in doing that , like writing codes m and how to connect it to fpga ?? would really be grateful if someone helped me in it because im really stuck on it and it's on my graudtion project ...thankss

7 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    i know but i really got stuck on it and i have a deadline , so i tried to ask for help

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    i know but i really got stuck on it and i have a deadline , so i tried to ask for help

    --- Quote End ---

    No, you didn't, you asked for us to do the work. You need to learn how to ask for help in such a way as to get some help.

    Here's a suggestion;

    --- Quote Start ---

    Hi guys, for my graduation project I have to XXXX. I'm new to FPGAs and would like some help and direction.

    Here's what I am supposed to do YYYY.

    Here's what I've done so far .... (or link to a PDF with a report)

    I'm stuck on this aspect ZZZZ. I've tried AAAA, BBBB, and CCCC, but without much luck.

    Could you guys please provide some suggestions on how to proceed.

    --- Quote End ---

    At least show us you've put in some effort, and ask specific questions.

    So in response to my rephrasing of your request for assistance:

    1) Can two Xbee modules communicate with each other? (read the data sheet)

    2) How do Xbee modules get their data? How are you going to connect an FPGA to the modules?

    3) Where is your data going to come from? Are you going to send data from a PC to the FPGA, which sends it via Xbee to another FPGA, which is then read by another PC?

    Your graduation project involves writing a report. Start writing that report now, starting with a description of what you are supposed to do. Call it the "Project Overview" or "Project Objective". Then write some notes about the features of the Xbee, along with how it can be interfaced to the FPGA, basically the questions I've just asked you. Add cross-references to your notes, i.e., when you make a statement in your document, back it up with a page number in a data sheet.

    Here's an example:

    http://www.ovro.caltech.edu/~dwh/correlator/pdf/altera_jtag_to_avalon_analysis.pdf

    This document is simply a set of my notes. Its not written for anyone in particular, though its written in a style to show others how these components work. Get in the habit of writing good notes, it will serve you well. This document is written using Latex (which supports makes it easy to write bibliographies and add hyperlinks) and the figures were drawn using Inkscape. All free software.

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    okii that was harsh , so i will be rephrasing my questions again:

    1) how could i connect xbee module to FPGA ? and what kind of interface langauage i will be using?

    2)in the data sheet it is possible to make two xbee modules to connect but , is it possible to use it to send data thorough FPGA ??

    3)in case of being able to make them communicate , from where i can start teaching my self to write the code for it to use in my project?

    here's the my project proposal :

    Proposal for a Home Automation System

    with Remote and indoor Control Project

    Abstract

    The objective of this project is to enable users to remotely control their home appliances and systems using a WSN and cell phone-based interfaces. To access the control unit, the user should type an authentication code via Keypad. Upon being properly authenticated, the cell phone-based interface at home (control unit) would relay the commands to a FPGA kit that would perform the required function/action, and return a function completion code that would be displayed on a LCD. As well, the project will have a new ways to control the lights, air-conditioner, T.V and others appliances in the home.

    Expected End Product:

    The following is a list of expected end products and other deliverables.

    1.) A FPGA controller module that can perform the following:

    a. Receive instructions and commands from a messaging device on a communication network

    b. Monitor a device status from an electronic interface

    c. Control target devices through an electrical interface

    2.) A list of approved message input commands that the device is capable of executing

    3.) Develop a user manual for reference by the end user.

    4.) Project plan is required to defined and outline project approaches and deliverables.

    5.) Project poster is required to showcase the project to the students and faculties members.

    6.) Design document is required to outline our technical requirements and system’s functionalities.

    7.) Final report is required for documentations on the overall project, including; end results, success, failures, etc

    Technology Considerations

    The considerations for this system will include a choice of networks, communication protocols, and interfaces.

    1.) Cellular Networks: The widely available networks are based on GSM. This network provides a wide area of coverage and can be utilized more cost-effectively for this project.

    2.) Communication protocols: The available communication protocols are UART,DTMF and SMS. The SMS is the most efficient because this project requires a cellular communication and limited data to be sent.

    3.) I/O interfaces between FPGA kit and devices: Serial or parallel I/O will be considered as options for connection between the GSM receiver and the FPGA kit. Using the FPGA, a control circuit will be implemented to control the electrical appliances.

    FGPA kit used in my project : DE0

    link for xbee module is attached
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    okii that was harsh

    --- Quote End ---

    No it wasn't. Its called "advice". Learn to take it.

    --- Quote Start ---

    1) how could i connect xbee module to FPGA ? and what kind of interface langauage i will be using?

    2)in the data sheet it is possible to make two xbee modules to connect but , is it possible to use it to send data thorough FPGA ??

    3)in case of being able to make them communicate , from where i can start teaching my self to write the code for it to use in my project?

    --- Quote End ---

    Obviously you read the data sheet, but of course its all gibberish unless you've had to do this type of thing before, so I'll take a quick look and point you in the right direction.

    p5 and 6 have the electrical specifications. The important questions to ask are what is VCC and how do I talk to the module. p5 shows VCC = 3.3V which means it is compatible with the FPGA I/O pins. p6 indicates that communications is via a UART and some logic levels. p7 Describes how you talk to the thing - look at Figure 2‐01 - replace "Microcontroller" with "FPGA" and you'll see where your design has to fit into the picture.

    --- Quote Start ---

    here's the my project proposal ...

    --- Quote End ---

    Great. Now make sure to put that in the report that you need to hand in.

    --- Quote Start ---

    The objective of this project is to enable users to remotely control their home appliances and systems using a WSN and cell phone-based interfaces. To access the control unit, the user should type an authentication code via Keypad. Upon being properly authenticated, the cell phone-based interface at home (control unit) would relay the commands to a FPGA kit that would perform the required function/action ...

    --- Quote End ---

    Do the Xbee modules "speak" the same wireless language as a cell phone? If not, you cannot talk to the module from your phone.

    p4 of the document states they are ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 compliant. Does your phone speak Zigbee?

    I know most phones speak Bluetooth (to talk to hands-free devices), but I'm not sure about Zigbee.

    --- Quote Start ---

    The following is a list of expected end products and other deliverables.

    1.) A FPGA controller module that can perform the following:

    a. Receive instructions and commands from a messaging device on a communication network

    b. Monitor a device status from an electronic interface

    c. Control target devices through an electrical interface

    --- Quote End ---

    Why have you selected an FPGA for this task? What you are proposing is really a microcontroller project. Of course, you may have been told to implement this using an FPGA. In that case, I would recommend using a NIOS microcontroller for most tasks, and some HDL for specific control interfaces.

    --- Quote Start ---

    Technology Considerations

    The considerations for this system will include a choice of networks, communication protocols, and interfaces.

    1.) Cellular Networks: The widely available networks are based on GSM. This network provides a wide area of coverage and can be utilized more cost-effectively for this project.

    2.) Communication protocols: The available communication protocols are UART,DTMF and SMS. The SMS is the most efficient because this project requires a cellular communication and limited data to be sent.

    3.) I/O interfaces between FPGA kit and devices: Serial or parallel I/O will be considered as options for connection between the GSM receiver and the FPGA kit. Using the FPGA, a control circuit will be implemented to control the electrical appliances.

    --- Quote End ---

    The modules you have selected are not GSM, they are Zigbee.

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    of course it was advice and i really liked it :) ,that was kinda helping , i will focus on reading some data for it , and ask later if needed anything

    but u asked why i used FPGA , so in the future i can implement my project in mass production using ASIC'S would be much more cheaper than microcontroller isn't it?

    i will post a simple design of my expected project block diagram later .

    Also about the xbee communicating with cell phones it won't , it will jsut receive data from other interfaces such air condtion and send it to FPGA , FPGA through GSm module would contact the Cell phone
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    of course it was advice and i really liked it :) ,that was kinda helping

    --- Quote End ---

    Great, I'm glad it helped.

    --- Quote Start ---

    but u asked why i used FPGA , so in the future i can implement my project in mass production using ASIC'S would be much more cheaper than microcontroller isn't it?

    --- Quote End ---

    Not unless you are selling 10k units per month. ARM Cortex series microcontrollers are ~$1 (LPC8xx series).

    http://www.mouser.com/new/nxpsemiconductors/nxp-lpc800/

    TI MPS430 devices are cheap too.

    https://estore.ti.com/msp-exp430g2-msp430-launchpad-value-line-development-kit-p2031.aspx

    If you want to make this "cheap" then using an off-the-shelf microcontroller is hard to beat.

    If you want something your phone can talk to, then buy a Bluetooth Low Energy kit, eg., TI and Nordic have them

    https://estore.ti.com/cc2540-mini-development-kit-p2190.aspx

    http://www.mouser.com/productdetail/nordic-semiconductor/nrf51822-dk/?qs=sgaepimzzmvquebtxbmqhzojdvgx4vk9

    iPhone 4S and newer "speak" BLE.

    --- Quote Start ---

    Also about the xbee communicating with cell phones it won't , it will jsut receive data from other interfaces such air condtion and send it to FPGA , FPGA through GSm module would contact the Cell phone

    --- Quote End ---

    Ok. When you write up your report, make it clear that you understand there is a difference between the different RF protocols.

    Cheers,

    Dave