The RR5x5™ (five-by-five), which is under development, is a DIY add-in board for the X-10 RR501 transceiver. It will replace the MCU, turn it into an all-housecode transceiver, add an optically isolated RS232 port, a galvanically isolated 50-ohm BNC coax connector for an improved input antenna, one optically isolated DI channel, one optically isolated DO channel1, 64KB SPI EEPROM for macros, timers, RF/IR codes etc., 8KB SPI F-RAM (with trillions of erase/write cycles) and a battery-backed I2C RTC that will maintain accurate time during power outages as well as record the time at which it switches to battery so you can determine the length of the outage when power is restored. It gives full uncensored realtime access to both PLC and RF signals and can also report RF and PLC signal strength. It does sacrifice the relay to make room for the various connectors. The MCU can be field updated over the serial connection.
Once configured using a PC serial connection, it can run unsupervised, with a PC connection, or with roZetta™/Zarduino™. When running supervised, events are reported in real-time via the RS232 port.
I plan to provide Windows/Linux/OSX interface software as well as an Android application that will interface to your LAN via WiFi. Connecting the RR5x5™ to your LAN only requires an external Serial-to-Ethernet adapter. Or you can create a peer-to-peer connection between an Android and a WiFi to Serial adapter. NOTE: The optocoupled RS232 link requires 5V-12V on DTR so any Ethernet-Serial or WiFi-Serial adapter must supply that.
I will post pictures as development proceeds.
NOTE: There have been at least three versions of the RR501. The RR5x5™ will work with the two newer versions but it's yet to be determined whether it will work with the oldest version.
1. Two diagnostic outputs use two additional optional DO channels.
Copyright: No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. This restriction extends to reproduction in all media.
