Wireless connectivity
How it works
Crazyradio 2.0 is a long range open USB radio dongle based on the nRF52840 from Nordic Semiconductor, featuring a 20dBm power amplifier and LNA.
The Crazyradio 2.0 is not only for usage together with the Crazyflie family of devices, since it’s an open project with open firmware and a Python API, it’s a great building block for systems that require more predictable latency compared to WiFi and doesn’t have the same requirements for bandwidth. The hardware comes with a bootloader that enables firmware upgrades via USB without any additional hardware needed.
The Crazyradio 2.0 is compatible with the Crazyflie eco system.
Depending on the installed firmware, the Crazyradio 2.0 can run in two different modes:
- Crazyradio PA emulation - it behaves like a Crazyradio PA. This is the firmware that is initially available.
- Crazyradio 2.0 - a new set of protocols and capabilities that will improve the communication in the ecosystem. This is work in progress and will evolve over time.
Specifications
Specifications will be available here soon
Features
- Radio power amplifier giving 20dBm output power
- Open source firmware
- Firmware upgrade via USB
- Low latency
Mechanical specifications
- Weight: 7g
- Size (WxHxD): 63x18x8mm (including connectors)
Electrical specification
- Based on the nRF52840 chip from Nordic Semiconductor
- Cortex-M4F processor at 64MHz with 1MB of flash and 256Kb of RAM
- 2.4GHz ISM band radio
- USB device peripheral
- 100 radio channels
- 1 Mbps, 2Mbps and long range (125kbps and 500kbps mode) Bluetooth® low energy modes
- 250kbps IEEE 802.15.4 mode
- 1Mbps and 2Mbps Nordic proprietary modes
- Extra signals available via soldering pads enabling custom expansions
- 3 I/Os
- GND
- 3.15V out
- 5V in
- Standard USB-A connector
- Programming connector
Radio specification
- 20dBm output power (100mW)
- Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
- RP-SMA connector
Usage
To get started with your Crazyradio 2.0, please see the Getting started with the Crazyradio 2.0 tutorial.
Firmware flavors
There are two flavors of the firmware: Crazyradio PA emulation firmware and Crazyradio 2.0 firmware
The Crazyradio PA emulation firmware, makes the Crazyradio 2.0 behave like a Crazyradio PA. The Getting started with the Crazyradio 2.0 tutorial shows the steps to install the firmware and drivers. From there, you are able to install the CFclient and communicate with the Crazyflie.
The Crazyradio 2.0 firmware is under development and more instructions will be added here later.
General usage
Connect the Crazyradio 2.0 to a USB port on your computer.
Flashing firmware
Enter bootloader mode by holding the button while connecting the Crazyradio 2.0 to a USB port. Install firmware by
copying a .uf2
file to the USB drive.
Development
The source code for the Crazyradio 2.0 firmware can be found on github
Resources
If you have any further questions please contact support@bitcraze.io