icydash
Newbie level 6
Hey everyone! So I'm trying to design a wireless lighting system for my band, where at the "control station" end I have matlab running code / outputting over UART to a Xbee, which transmits to the "receiving end." At the receiving end, I would like the Xbee to transmit the data to a microcontroller, which turns on and off the corresponding correct color light. It's just a little fun hobby project.
What I would really like to do (for the receiving end) is: when the correct microcontroller pin goes high, it switches a relay (or something; maybe you have better ideas?) which allows a full 120V through to a plugged-in lighting unit (maybe i'll plug in a strobe, or a siren, etc). I was hoping to maybe build in three or four outlet plugs in which you could plug in effects units (a strobe, two colored lights, and a siren light), and have my system switch on and off the correct ones when the command is given from the control station.
Obviously, I'd like to build this for as cheap as is possible.
So far I've decided for the control station to use matlab and this:
https://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9111
I should just be able to connect my PC via UART to the Xbee using the above chip, and that should pretty much take care of that whole end.
The receiving end I have more trouble with. I think I'll also use an Xbee, and a 3.3V voltage regulator, and probably a PIC 18F452....but then I'm not sure how to handle the higher end (120v) power and switching on and off the lighting components when the microcontroller gives the correct signal (sets the correct pin high). Should I use a relay for this? What kind?
Any thoughts, component suggestions, idea bashing welcome =) Sorry for the long post.
Oh and if I would be better off posting this in a different section of the forum, please let me know -- I wasn't sure where to post it =)
What I would really like to do (for the receiving end) is: when the correct microcontroller pin goes high, it switches a relay (or something; maybe you have better ideas?) which allows a full 120V through to a plugged-in lighting unit (maybe i'll plug in a strobe, or a siren, etc). I was hoping to maybe build in three or four outlet plugs in which you could plug in effects units (a strobe, two colored lights, and a siren light), and have my system switch on and off the correct ones when the command is given from the control station.
Obviously, I'd like to build this for as cheap as is possible.
So far I've decided for the control station to use matlab and this:
https://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9111
I should just be able to connect my PC via UART to the Xbee using the above chip, and that should pretty much take care of that whole end.
The receiving end I have more trouble with. I think I'll also use an Xbee, and a 3.3V voltage regulator, and probably a PIC 18F452....but then I'm not sure how to handle the higher end (120v) power and switching on and off the lighting components when the microcontroller gives the correct signal (sets the correct pin high). Should I use a relay for this? What kind?
Any thoughts, component suggestions, idea bashing welcome =) Sorry for the long post.
Oh and if I would be better off posting this in a different section of the forum, please let me know -- I wasn't sure where to post it =)
