Connect to Home WiFi

[Pseudomizer]

Hello guys,

I received my flutter. I added the long range antenna and the connector pins. I uploaded the range test ino program and it worked after I upgraded to IDE 1.8.4. My 1.6.5 version didn't cut it. When I say worked I mean uploaded and the lights were blinking as I only have one flutter to test here.

With that said, I need your help here. I am simply trying to connect flutter to my existing WiFi network. I tried to include the regular libraries and code on how to connect an Arduino to my network with radio.begin(), etc. but the standard libraries are clashing with the flutter libraries.

I was trying to find your API documentation and the member structures of flutter online but I couldn't. So before I reinvent the wheel here.... Can somebody help me with a simple .ino file on how to connect my flutter to my existing WPA2 network?

Thanks in advance.

[Pseudomizer]

I also would like to point out that your tutorial doesn't work either.

http://flutterwireless.com/tutorials/003.html

Flutterlib.h doesn't exist and if you change it to Flutter.h like in your examples it complains about members not being present in radio e.g. begin.

[psp1024]

Hey Pseudomizer.
Sorry for the confusion, but Flutter aren't built to connect to your home WiFi.
The only way to connect it to your home network is with additional hardware, such as the Network Shield:

Network Shield (Flutter Base Station)
The Network Shield connects to your home router and creates a bridge between your mobile devices, the Internet, and Flutter. The Network Shield gives you all the benefits of our mobile app but also lets you use Flutter to interact with the web: send a tweet, log sensor data to the web, or build a web page that controls your real world projects. Giving you a second network in your home with 100x the coverage of your wifi network, the Network Shield is perfect for connecting your projects to each other, your mobile devices, and the web.

This shield features a Texas Instruments wifi module with special SmartConfig setup that lets you connect Flutter to any 802.11b/g wifi network with just a few taps on our mobile app. And also features an ethernet jack for a simple solid connection between Flutter and the outside world.

[Pseudomizer]

Thanks.

This means I would need two flutters to talk to each other over long distance and a network shield.

I have tried this before with Arduinos, network shield and two Xbee shield and two Xbee pros. I have to go through one house and about 650 feet total distance and Xbee pros didn't cut it. Hence my attempt to use flutter.

So before I go through the hassle and order a second flutter and everything, it doesn't sound like that flutter could solve my problem as well then. Having an Xbee pro with supposedly 1 mile distance and flutter with 1 mile distance will give me the same results.

Am I correct with my assumption here?

[psp1024]

I'm not familiar with Xbee's myself, but doing a bit of research I would say it depends highly on which Xbee model you were using.
Flutter runs around 900Mhz (http://blog.flutterwireless.com/improvements-to-flutters-frequency-hopping-code) which is how it accomplishes the 1km range. Now, there is a trade off between connection distance and connection speed. From what I recall the maximum transmission speed is around 1.2Mbs, but it can't handle that over a 1km range. I believe you have to lower the transmission speed in order to accomplish the 1km range, but I'm not sure on those details.

Oh, and here's a Xbee comparison guide:
https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide
If you have a Xbee running on 2.4GHz, that makes sense that 650ft is too far. That said, with the flutter ORIGINAL firmware/software I was only able to get about 300ft through a manufacturing plant... lots of metal, some concrete walls, etc. I have not tested the range from a normal house. Depending on construction and such, the wireless signal could get through just fine or might get stopped dead in it's tracks. AKA, mileage may vary.

[Pseudomizer]

Correct. I did my research back then as well and I went with the Xbee pro at 900hz for distance reasons.

I did built 2 Arduinos with 2 Xbee pros and line of sight I did get almost 3/4 mile distance. However, having to go through one house didn't work out at the desired 650 feet.

Testing it short distance I was able to go through 2 houses back then before Signal loss.

Anyway, I am concerned now that flutter will have the same characteristics as the Xbee pro which is not bad but won't meet my needs.

[psp1024]

Given your explanation, I would say yes most likely it will have similar issues. If you have a Flutter Pro, and got a second Flutter Pro, you could probably figure out a way to attach a different antenna that is mounted on the outside of the buildings. No idea what Xbee looks like on that front. Alternatively there is the whole 'mesh networking' aspect. If you have a light post or something in-between where you could throw another Flutter, it might be enough to complete the path to your final destination.