Second Generation Packet Radio Module

Hardware

• Based on FTDI FT232R USB-UART chip.
• Utilizes the same output stage as FirstGenerationPacketRadioModule.
• Schematic (PNG).
• PCB Artwork:
  

• Design files (EAGLE Format) Including
  • Schematic
  • PCB Artwork
  • Gerber and drill files used for production
  • 7Zip Archive

Software

• FT232R EEPROM programmed using MProg, from FTDI, using packet_radio.ept template.
  • Standard configuration, device renamed to 'USB Packet Radio', manufacturer to 'Monash' and 'Load D2XX driver' set.
  • Don't set 'Load D2XX driver' if you want to use the Virtual Com Port (VCP) drivers.

Sample chat program:

• Written in Visual C# 2008 Express Edition.
• Uses .Net Framework 3.5 (Wikipedia), particularly WPF. Might only work on Windows Vista (haven't tested XP etc): check .Net 3.5 System Requirements.
• Uses D2XX drivers (not VCP!)

Version 2

• VS Project Files: 7Zip Archive
• Source code (Window1 routines only, download the archive for everything else!) Window1.xaml.cs2.html
• Avoids launching a second thread to handle RX events, uses WPF Dispatcher instead. Simplifies updating user interface etc (single threaded!)
• Operation:
  1. Scans for all USB FTDI devices available when 'Scan' is clicked, and returns details of any called "USB Packet Radio".
  2. Attempts to connect to a selected device at selected baud, 1 stop bit, no parity.
  3. Subscribes to RX_CHAR events.
  4. Uses WPF Dispatcher to handle incoming data whenever the GUI is idle (that is, most of the time!).
  5. Sends entire contents of chat text box when 'send' is clicked.

Version 1

• VS Project Files: 7Zip Archive
• Source code (Window1 routines only, download the archive for everything else!) Window1.xaml.cs.html
• Uses method described at http://arbel.net/blog/archive/2007/02/16/dispatch-it.aspx to update the user interface from a second thread.
• Operation:
  1. Scans for all USB FTDI devices available when 'Scan' is clicked, and returns details of any called "USB Packet Radio".
  2. Attempts to connect to a selected device at selected baud, 1 stop bit, no parity.
  3. Subscribes to RX_CHAR events, launches a Background Worker object to handle incoming data, which dumps received characters into receive text box.
  4. Sends entire contents of chat text box when 'send' is clicked.
• Screenshot: