Electronics Night: 2.4 GHz Radio with nRF24L01+

Electronics Night is a study group on an intermediate or advanced topic in electronics on the third Thursday of the month. June’s session will be more practical than usual, introducing 2.4 GHz radio communication using Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF24L01+ modules.

nRF24L01+ is a chip that provides a cheap and reliable way for Arduinos and other microcontrollers to communicate with each other. Integrated modules with the chip, radio circuitry and PCB trace antenna on board are available on eBay for $1-$2. Longer range versions with an external SMA antenna and on board power amplifier and low noise amplifier only cost a little more. Communication with the microcontroller is through a 4-pin SPI interface plus one to two additional pins.

In this Electronics Night, we will go over nRF24L01+ conceptually, and then show examples of both Arduino and non-Arduino code that use it.

A limited quantity of modules will be available for sale. 2.4 GHz is a license free ISM band in the United States. However, the transmitter must be FCC certified, and the modules we will use are not certified. At Hack Manhattan, we use nRF24L01+ modules under Part 97 of the FCC Rules, which requires an amateur radio license.