Communications

Communications

The local rover-to-rover communication subsystem will be built on the Zigbee mesh networking protocol. We will interface a Microchip Zigbee module with the PIC32 via an SPI interface. This will require a full Zigbee stack running on the PIC32.

Zigbee:

Zigbee is a local communication protocol that uses mesh networking. Although we are only demonstrating two rovers, the mesh networking provides a scalable solution. The Microchip MRF24J4DMA Zigbee module has a max range of 400 ft and operates at 2.4 GHz. The Zigbee module communicates over SPI with the PIC32. The Local Communication will receive 3.3 V from a DC to DC converter on the PIC32 custom board which will step the original 7.4V from the LiPo battery to 3.3V. The Local Communication will receive a clock signal from the PIC32 internal clock and will communicate over SPI with the PIC32.