ARMAWATCH & ARMACHAT - long range radio messengers

Cleaning code ... unifying user interface, rewriting communication, power saving

Something what is finished now

• Switching to white background, maybe it is bad step, but why wasting light
  you can change black/white theme in setup
• New font something middle between old small/big combination
• User name is auto updated in contact lists on all remote units. 
• Addressing and protocol adapted for future #meshtastic support.
• Soon you can send message to #meshtastic network, they nodes forward this message  to another Armachat unit, but you can not read this message on Meshtastic app :(
• Also working on adaptation Meshtastic mesh routing protocol for armachat (Full interconnection is little hard, but maybe in far future I want this)

Power management

I am searching way how to reduce consumption but I found only one way ... reduce backlit

• MCU 20mA
• LoRa 10mA
• Backlit 30mA

Total 60mA, if I switch-off lora, there is no receiving wake up.
If MCU go to sleep, display freeze.
Lowering backlight (no switch-off just to 10%)
I can go to 30mA with full runtime a little readable display

Next you can compare user interface (Black unit - OLD. Green unit - NEW UI)

MAIN SCREEN

ADDRESS BOOK

TEXT EDITOR

SETUP

• 865,2Mhz 
• LoRa SpreadFactor 12 
• 3 dbi antenna 
•  one unit in attic window, second in hand.
•  No direct view, some small hills and houses

Not reliable, I need some walking and search.

Poll for protocol finished, Meshtastic is winner ;) Yesterday I started protocol adaptation. I am not sure if I can fully implement routing in to Armachat device but I want negotiate with Meshtastic authors about injecting packet to Meshtastic network and then forward with they nodes.

For now I am very satisfied.  I think connection to  2km is very reliable.

I can imagine solution with only one simple repeating node above hill or church and cover large area with lot of users.

I created poll about future mesh protocol implemntation.

YOU CAN VOTE HERE>>> https://twitter.com/bobricius/status/1302689102970662913

#Armachat last version with perfect 30LED keyboard backlight (10mA 0.03W). 

PCB made in @aislerhq 
I think I am on edge of perfection.

Is GOLD/GREEN cool ?

Finally I get time to make small distance test, no direct view, between houses in village.
700-1500m ... maybe more, standard RFM95 20dB output, spread factor 12, 2dB antenna

• Unit on garden desk

• Unit in window, about 4m above ground

It is waterproof box for memory cards.
I need design separated keyboard and main board.
Of course it is still not doomsday resistant. just for fun ;)

Descriptions of RF LoRa Transceiver Module RFM95PW:

RFM98PW/RFM95PW RF LoRa Transceiver module series’ design is based on the high performance LoRaTM modulation technique RF98/RF96 chip, It operate at 169/433/470MHz (RFM98PW)  and 868/915MHz(RFM95PW) ISM band , The low receive sensitivity(–136dBm) coupled with Enhanced +30dBm output power ensures extended range and improved link performance.

240x240 IPS display and square buttons :)

You can also use bigger TFT display.

RFM95PW under module is footprint for clasic RFM95, also on board is optionall DS3231 with backup battery.

NEWS:

• Routing new board with higher power module RFM95 design is almost ready for factory.
• Board is little smaller as previous version (-10mm) 62mm x 77mm
• Accepting both RFM95 and RFM95PW lora modules
• Maybe is wearable with realy comfort keyboard and bigger display ( Armawatch killer ??? ).