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Pro2 PLUS Receiver

Overview

The WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS was released in 2017, as the successor of the Pro2 receiver.

As microcontroller, the Pro2 PLUS, uses an ATMEL AT Mega 2560, with 256K of RAM and 8K of SRAM. Compared to its ante-successor, the bigger memory size and the enhance hardware, allowed us add several new features and functionalities.
Following we will enumerate some of them:

  • Touch color TFT display
  • WiFi capability (among other things, allows direct upload to WU without the need to have a connection to a PC or Raspberry - Stand alone Mode).
  • Sync system time with NTP servers
  • Mini Web Server - allows monitoring real time weather data from anywhere on your local network.
  • 2 GPIO ports plus 1 GPO port (can drive a relay up to 50mA) which can be used to control external devices, such as heaters, watering systems, etc.
  • Davis VP2 emulation was enhanced with support to the LOOP2 command.
  • Last 12 hours graphics of the most important weather variables ( Atmospheric pressure, Wind Gust and Speed, Rain, Outside Temperature and Humidity).
  • Support for the WeatherDuino Air Quaility Monitor (see below for a detailed section on this matter).
  • Internationalization - User can chose interface language (Check here the list of currently available languages).

For a full comparison between WeatherDuino receivers, please see the (WeatherDuino Receivers - Comparison Chart)

The addition of the Touch driven Color display, allowed us to display the weather data organized in several screens. Per example, data from all the seven extra sensors supported (Davis standard), can now be seen at once in the just one screen of data.
To navigate between all the data screens, just touch on one side of the screen. A touch on the right side advance to next data screen, a touch on the left side return to previous data screen. There is also other touch actions which will be described later.

Pictures bellow illustrate some of the available data screens:

pro2plus_overview_01.jpg pro2plus_overview_04.jpg pro2plus_overview_02.jpg
pro2plus_overview_04.jpg weatherduinopro2plus_rx_v130_revb_assembled_style.jpg pro2plus_overview_03.jpg

We take backward compatibility very seriously. Despite all the new features, the Pro2 PLUS can work with the same transmitters used in older receiver versions. This way, any existing users can take the vantages of the Pro2 PLUS by just upgrading the receiver, without having to change anything in the hardware of their existing transmitter units.


Notes on some of the Required Parts

Despite the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS receiver being supplied as an almost fully assembled receiver, for a complete assembling it still requires some specific parts.
A detailed parts list (includes info and pictures of all the specific parts), can be downloaded from here: WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS - Parts List.
All parts can be easily found on several eBay sellers, or at local electronic parts store. Pay attention to details when buy any of those parts.

Let's start by the microcontroller.
The Pro2 PLUS uses a Meduino Mega2560 Pro-mini board, a reduced size version of the traditional Arduino Mega 2560.
The best place (and perhaps the only one) to find and buy this board its on eBay. Do a search by Meduino mini Mega.
This board is available in two versions, one with female double headers already welded, and another supplied with male double headers not welded. We recommend the last option. Why? If you intend to install the Meduino board in a socked (recommended) it make more sense install female sockets on the PCB, by other hand if your prefer to weld the Meduino board directly to the PCB (not recommended) you have all you need as the male double pin headers are supplied together with the Meduino board.
A special note to Australian users: Seems that the seller can ship the Meduino board from Australia, allowing a quick delivery, however always compare the price against the Hong Kong shipping alternative.

Now the TFT display.
The WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS receiver only works with the model and type of TFT display specified on the parts list. Pay special attention when buying this part, specially since lately some variants of the supported model started to be available through some eBay sellers. Don't buy a model that is “almost like” the one pictured in the parts list (take special attention to the back side picture), most probably it will not work for you.

Which Barometric and Temperature / Humidity sensors could be used?
As usual with WeatherDuino systems, there are always some options.

Barometric sensors:

  • BME280 (Bosh)
  • BMP280 (Bosh)
  • BMP180 (Bosh)
  • BMP085 (Bosh older model, but still usable)

Temperature / Humidity sensors:

  • SHT31 (Sensirion)
  • SHT21 (Sensirion)
  • HTU21D

The list above describe the generic name/version of the sensor. Generally those sensors are sold installed in small boards called modules, which are available from several sellers in several shapes and pinouts. Once again, pay attention to the models pictured on the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS - Parts List.

The Pro2 PLUS supports the BOSCH integrated environmental sensor BME280, which combines in just one unit, individual high linearity, high accuracy sensors for pressure, humidity and temperature.
It may make sense using just one module instead of two separated modules, one for barometric pressure and another for Temperature / Humidity. Just an hint, the choice its yours.

Radio Frequency modules
By last, but not less important, lets talk about the Radio Frequency modules.
The Pro2 PLUS uses the same well tested radio frequency modules, also used on the Pro2 system. All the radio frequency modules are available in 433Mhz and 315Mhz versions. The large majority of WeatherDuino users are using the 433Mhz version. The use of 433MHz RF radios for hobby projects is allowed in most country's around on the world, however for the rare cases where some national regulation doesn't allow the use of the 433MHz frequency, users can use the 315MHz version of the same RF radio module. Performance is almost the same with a slightly vantage for 433MHz.
To be sure you get the correct RF radio modules, and that they will fit nicely on the PCB, once gain refer to the pictures on the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS - Parts List.

You may also would like to read these articles:

General Assembling Guide / Hints

As happen with any electronic circuit, some cares should be taken during assembling. The Pro2 PLUS Receiver PCB have some static sensitive IC's, so please take the usual cares when dealing with this kind of devices. If needed, please use Google for more info about this matter.
The Pro2 PLUS receiver is supplied with all the SMD parts already assembled, making of it an almost finished system. To finish it, users just have to weld to the board, some single and double pin headers, and a few connectors.

mega_mini_usbmod.jpgThere is a very important procedure, that should always be done on the Meduino Mini Mega board before installing it onto the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS receiver board.
Always remove the diode illustrated on the picture on the right (Click to enlarge).
A failure of doing this procedure main lead to permanent damages in the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS receiver, in the event that the main power supply fails, and board remains powered by the USB port only.
Removing the diode, insures that the Receiver only gets power when powered through the external power supply.

In general we use connectors and pin headers with a pin space of 2.54mm. There many types of connectors that fit on the pcb, use your preferred ones.
For the Meduino Mega Mini board we recommend installing female double header connectors on the pcb side.
Once all the pin headers and connectors have been placed and welded to the pcb, your Pro2 PLUS board will look similar to the picture below on the right.

Pro2 PLUS green pcb (current version) Pro2 PLUS pcb with connectors installed
weatherduinopro2plus_rx_v200_reva_rdm.jpg pro2plus_assembled.jpg

Now that all pin headers and connectors are installed, its time to start with the connections.
The pinout of all connectors is clearly labelled on the board, so, correctly connect any of the required parts, its only a matter of pay attention to the labels on the board and the labels on each part being connected.
By experience we know that connecting the TFT display to the board, is the operation which raise more doubts. For this reason, we are including here a table with the pins correspondence between the Pro2 PLUS pcb and the TFT display.

Connections - TFT Display
TFT Display Pro2 PLUS pcb
T-IRQ T-IRQ
T-DO T_MISO
T-DIN T-MOSI
T-CS T-CS
SDO(MISO) - Not used
LED LED+
SCK SCK
SDI(MOSI) MOSI
D/C DC
RESET RST
CS CS
GND GND
VCC VCC
3.3V - Not used

The great moment is coming. It's almost time to apply power to the board and program it.

Before applying power to the Pro2 PLUS board, first measure the output voltage of your power supply. Make sure output voltage is in the range of 7.5V to 9V.
Powering the system with a voltage greater than 9V will make that the voltage regulators produce excessive heat.
Under normal working conditions the 3.3V voltage regulator runs just slightly warm, and moderately hot when the TFT backlight is turned on, but never very hot.


Installing and Configuring the software

If you are a newcomer to the system you may would like to start by reading some general info about: Programming WeatherDuino devices,
otherwise continue reading.


At this point we are assuming that you already have all the required libraries installed.
After loading the Pro2 PLUS software in Arduino IDE, the first thing that should always be done, is revising all user configurable options. Click on the Config_Option.h tab, all user configurable options are here.

faq_arduinoide_config_options.jpg

Here you will define things like your Station_ID, Time Zone, user interface language, and many other things. Revise them all, and edit each one to suite your personal case. Each user configurable option include comments about their use, and available options. Every option is almost self-explanatory.

After having finished revising and editing all the user configurable settings, click on the Credentials.h tab. Here is where credentials to access some services are stored. Per example, if you have enabled the direct upload to Wunderground option, you need to provide your access details. Bellow you can see how the Credentials.h file looks like.

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//         WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS RF Receiver v6.x
//               Personal Credentials File
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//
//
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   WiFi Credentials
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#define WIFI_SSID        "My_WiFi_Station_ID"
#define WIFI_PASSWORD    "My_WiFi Password"

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   WU Credentials
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#define WUNDERGROUND_STATION_ID "xxxxxxxxxx"           // WU Station ID
#define WUNDERGROUND_PWD        "xxxxxxxxxx"           // WU Station Key (It's more secure use Station Key than your WU account passw)

Now that the software is configured, save the changes and try to compile the code. If there aren't any compile errors (it should not have any) you are almost ready to upload the compiled code to the receiver microcontroller.

Do you remember of having installed a PROGRAM / RUN switch? So, its time to use it!
Make sure that the switch is at PROGRAM position (switch open), and upload the code (using Arduino IDE obviously).

Initialization Sequence

The first time a new receiver runs, it needs to perform a special initialization sequence, which will make the receiver reboot by himself. This is a normal (and desirable) behaviour.
This initialization sequence ends only after the receiver had received at least one data packet from each of the three main sensors (Temperature / Humidity, Wind and Rain).
On the middle of the initialization, screen, you will see three letters (TWR) that will change from Red to Green once the corresponding data packed is received.

From what is write above, its easy to conclude that if you don't have a Transmitter unit already working and transmitting data, the receiver will stay forever in the initialization sequence. This is why we recommend to anyone that is starting to build an WeatherDuino weather station, to always start by assembling the Transmitter unit first.

On subsequent restarts, the receiver also will remain in the initialization screen, until it receives data from the three main sensors referred above.
Once the initialization sequence completes, you can start your preferred weather software.
Once communication is established the COM Led starts to blink, indicating an active communication between the receiver and the weather software.

Before starting your preferred Weather Software, don't forget to put the PROGRAM / RUN switch in RUN position (switch closed).
A symptom that you have forgot to put the switch in RUN position, its a system reboot each time you attempt to start the weather software.


Configuring Weather Software

Depending on some of the user configurable options, and the type of weather instruments used in each particular case, some specific settings may have to be configured on the weather software.
For detailed info on how to configure Cumulus 1 or Cumulus MX, please refer to this article: Configuring Cumulus Software.

Upgrading the software

Having your receiver always running the latest software its very important. That ensures you that are always up to date to latest features and getting the best performance.
The Pro2 PLUS receiver have the capability to inform you about the latest software version available. Navigate to the System Info data screen, there you can see nor only the installed software version but also the latest software version available.
NOTE: For this function to work, the receiver should have the WiFi active.

Upgrading the software is a straightforward process that isn't much different than initial programming. So, don't forget: any time you upgrade de software always revise and edit the user configurable options, as explained above.

Don't save some minutes to later loose some hours. Never copy / paste the Config_Options.h and Credentials.h file from a previous version to a new one, this can cause unforeseeable problems.

Here are the steps that we strongly recommend to be done on each software upgrade

  • Before stooping / exiting your weather software (Cumulus or other), if used or active, disable the use of the data logger.
  • Do a backup of your weather data.
  • Change the PROGRAM / RUN switch to PROGRAM position.
  • Upload the software to you receiver.
  • Let it reinitiate, and then change the PROGRAM / RUN switch to RUN position.
  • After the initialization sequence, check in the main data screen if there isn't any strange data (I'm just being caution).
  • Reinitiate your weather software, communication with the receiver should start immediately.
  • Now, if desired, on your weather software, enable the use of the data logger again.

User Interface - List of available languages

Currently, the user interface can be set to any of the following languages:

  • Czech - Translation by Zdenek
  • Dutch - Translation by Pierrelux
  • English - Base Language
  • French - Translation by Laulau
  • German - Translation by engolling
  • Italian - Translation by kraken1881
  • Portuguese - Translation by Werk_AG
  • Spanish - Translation by Ardummy

Isn't your language on the list?
So maybe you could contribute to the project with a translation. It will not took more than an hour of your time, and a whole country will thank you.

Where I can get the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS?

All info about prices, availability and how to order can be found here: WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS, prices and availability.

WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS Receiver - Air Quality Monitor

WeatherDuino Air Quality MonitorSince the WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS was released on the beginning of 2017, there was many developments in the software, which had increased its usability and functionality in many ways. One of those improvements was special: the Air Quality data. To take measurements of the air quality (PM2.5 and PM10), we have designed a totally new device denominated by Air Quality Monitor(Click to see detailed info).

This kind of data is so new that currently no weather software process them, so we have added three ways to allow the users to make use of them outside the Weatherduino system.
Air Quality data can be sent to:

  • Wunderground webpages.
  • A Thingspeak channel (See images bellow)
  • Your own server to store in a SQL database

The three options can be used simultaneously, or in any combination. Usage is defined in the user configurable options.

Since January 2018, Wunderground accepts Air Quality data from WeatherDuino weather stations.
By clicking on any of the links bellow, you see real time examples of a WU webpages with Air Quality data, provided by WeatherDuino weather stations:

There are many more Weatherduino weather stations sending Air Quality data to Wunderground, those listed above are just examples.

Example of Air Quality graphs plotted on an Thingspeak channel, from data sent by an Pro2 PLUS weather station at each 10 minutes.

ts_aqm.jpg

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