- Tue Nov 04, 2014 2:24 pm
#176597
Hi, first time poster here. Hoping for some advice on wireless hardware and control options for a project I'll be starting soon.
I want to have ~15-20 small, wearable wireless units detect when they're in the same location (separated by ~ 5 - 15m in an obstacle-rich environment) and automatically trigger RGB-LED programs etc. I.e. when two or more of the wearers come into range in the in the same place, a program would be triggered, preferably in time sync across the devices.
Each device may have a switch or button for cycling through various programs. One person may have a master switch to control the group. Android control would be ideal but not required.
Wondering if setting up a mesh with ZigBee or BT/BTLE radios would be overkill?
What controller/platform would you suggest? I think I need something running at least 8MHz for the LEDs.
Any thoughts much appreciated, I'm pretty new to wireless. Thanks for your time!
I'd love if I could keep the cost of each unit below $30 but if a better functioning system is available for a bit more I'd consider it.
Edit: Regarding the ZB/BT question - I know I could use something relatively cheap like this: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12770, and just do beaconing to detect local devices. But I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for the ability to synchronize the light show across each device. As long as the power requirements aren't much higher. Plus I think the ability to control the transmit power on BT/ZB would be a benefit to avoid triggering devices at long range.
I want to have ~15-20 small, wearable wireless units detect when they're in the same location (separated by ~ 5 - 15m in an obstacle-rich environment) and automatically trigger RGB-LED programs etc. I.e. when two or more of the wearers come into range in the in the same place, a program would be triggered, preferably in time sync across the devices.
Each device may have a switch or button for cycling through various programs. One person may have a master switch to control the group. Android control would be ideal but not required.
Wondering if setting up a mesh with ZigBee or BT/BTLE radios would be overkill?
What controller/platform would you suggest? I think I need something running at least 8MHz for the LEDs.
Any thoughts much appreciated, I'm pretty new to wireless. Thanks for your time!
I'd love if I could keep the cost of each unit below $30 but if a better functioning system is available for a bit more I'd consider it.
Edit: Regarding the ZB/BT question - I know I could use something relatively cheap like this: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12770, and just do beaconing to detect local devices. But I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for the ability to synchronize the light show across each device. As long as the power requirements aren't much higher. Plus I think the ability to control the transmit power on BT/ZB would be a benefit to avoid triggering devices at long range.