[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]LinkSprite low-cost narrowband powerline communication module  moves serial data over the power line network at a speed of 500 bps, and achieves the target of replacing serial cables by the ubiquitous power line network.

It can work on AC 220V/110V, 50Hz/60Hz, or DC line.

Simple MAC  powerline communication module carrier module includes not only the circuits regulate 110V/220V AC, coupling circuits, and other complex peripherals, but also can provide 5V power to the user’s device. It supports a baud rate of  600,1200,2400,4800 , 9600 or 19200bps (default baud rate). It also has a TTL level interface directly with the microcontroller’s RXD, TXD connection.

Simple MAC powerline communication module provides half-duplex communication function, it can achieve local communications through 220V/110V, 50/60Hz power line . This module provides users with transparent data transmission channel, has nothing to do with the user data transmission protocol, data transmission protocol to authenticate users from positive data transmission reliability. In the same transformer, multiple  modules can be connected to the same power line, in a master-slave communication mode.

[/vc_column_text][vc_tour][vc_tab title=”Basics” tab_id=”1389581257-1-98″][vc_column_text]The TXD and RXD of the module is a 5V TTL logic.

Pins A,B, and C on the module are used to select the baud rate. As the ABC three-pin defaults to an internal pull-up, default baud rate is 19200kps, other ABC baud rate configurations are in the following table:

Note: The above table represents a pick or not to pick 5V, 0 to GND.
Micro-controller module connection method is as follows (the default module baud rate is 19200):
Micro-controller serial port settings: 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity bit, no flow control bit.

Note: Power lines L and N has no polarity. (Requires safety attention when dealing with 110V/ 220V power supply).
The frame length is 20 bytes. If transmitting less than 20 bytes of data, the remaining portion of package will be filled with zeros (binary value 0x00).[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Powered with external DC” tab_id=”1393290409854-4-0″][vc_column_text]If we are going to supply external DC to power the module, please connect to VH:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Connection between Arduino and pcDuino” tab_id=”1389581257-2-78″][vc_column_text]Now we are look at how to communicate between Arduino Uno and pcDuino through a pair of Simple MAC modules. The UART level of Arduino is 5V, so we can directly connect the UART of simple MAC module to the UART of Arduino Uno. But the UART level of pcDuino is 3.3V, we need a level shifter in between shown below:

The final setup is shown below:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Test Codes and Results” tab_id=”1389581802687-2-3″][vc_column_text]The code for the Arduino Uno is shown below:

const int led = 13;

int flag=0;

void setup()

{

Serial.begin(19200);

pinMode(led,OUTPUT);

}

void loop()

{

char dat;

if(Serial.available())

{

dat = Serial.read();

Serial.write(dat);

}

else

{

Serial.print(“www.linksprite.com\r\n”);

delay(2000);

if(flag==0)

{

flag=1;

digitalWrite(led,HIGH);

}

else

{

flag=0;

digitalWrite(led,LOW);

}

}

}

The code for pcDuino end is as below:

#include <core.h>

int flag=0;

void setup()

{

Serial.begin(19200);

printf(“linksprite!:\r\n”);

}

void loop()

{

if(flag==0)

{

Serial.print(“pcDuino!\r\n”);

printf(“Data is send!\r”);

}

else

if(Serial.available())

{

printf(“%c”,Serial.read());

}

}

By using the above sample code, we are making pcDuino and Arduino exchange data.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Appendix” tab_id=”1389581850893-3-3″][vc_column_text]

1. SimpleMAC has a 5V output pin. It can supply power to other devices.
2. The signal level of UART of SimpleMAC is 5V.
3. The frame size of simpleMAC is 20 bytes. If more than 20 bytes are transmitted, please split the data.
4. User Manual of the simpleMAC module

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