RC Plane V-1 (Transmitter)

Today I am going to make the transmitter part of the RC plane with the NRF24lo1 module. It is a widespread module in the case of transmitting and receiving data. When I was a child, I always liked to play with RC toys. It was one of my favorite things to play. Then one day, I saw on Youtube many videos on readymade RC transmitter and receiver projects. Then I thought to make this homemade and easy-to-make transmitter and receiver with an NRF module. This project is easy to make, but you have to be careful when dealing with the NRF24lo1 module. This module is susceptible; in case of giving it the power, it can only take 3.3volts or a bit less but more will damage it immediately. I will also give you a demo video of the making of this transmitter and receiver. I will also do projects like RC cars, or hovercraft with this transmitter and receiver. So let us start to make the transmitter first.

The things you need to build the transmitter is given below:

• 1x Arduino Pro Mini 3.3v 8Mhz (you can use any Arduino board).
• 1x Joystick
• 1x Nrf24lo1
• 1x AMS1117 3.3 volts regulator
• 1x 5 volts boost converter
• 2x 20k potentiometer
• Zero PCB board
• Female header
• 1x 104 pf capacitor
• 1x 100uf 25/50v capacitor
• 1x 10uf 25v capacitor
• 1x Toggle switch
• 1x SPDT switch

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM EXPLANATION:-

First, I solder Arduino Pro Mini with female headers on a Zero PCB board. And I also solder female wire header to Arduino Pro Mini's programming wires.

Then I solder the NRF module with female headers on a double-sided PCB board, and I also solder wires(wires of NRF module) on the upper side of the female headers and don't forget to connect a 10uf 25v capacitor on the output and GND of the NRF module

Then I solder the AMS1117 3.3volts regulator on the upper left side of the double-sided PCB board, and I connect a 102 pf capacitor to the input and GND of the 3.3volts regulator. I also attached a 100uf 50v capacitor to the input of the AMS117(This is optional).

Then I connect the output and GND of AMS1117 to the VCC and GND of the NRF24lo1 module, respectively.

Then I connect the wires of the NRF module to Arduino Pro Mini according to the circuit diagram.

Then I connect the VCC, GND, OUT of the throttle potentiometer(20k pot) to RAW, GND, and A0 of the Arduino Pro Mini, respectively.

After that, I solder the joystick to a Zero PCB board according to the pictures.

Then I connect the VCC, GND, X-axis, and Y-axis of the joystick module to RAW, GND, A1, and A2 of the Arduino Pro Mini, respectively.

After that, I connect the VCC, GND, and OUT of another potentiometer (Channel 2) to RAW, GND, and A3 of the Arduino Pro Mini, respectively.

Then I connect the COM and SW1 of the toggle switch to RAW and D4 of the Arduino Pro Mini, respectively. (also connect a 10k resistor to the SW1 and GND of the Arduino).

Lastly, I connect RAW and GND of Arduino Pro Mini to the output of dc 5v boost converter and the INPUT and GND of 5v dc boost converter to 3.7v Li-po battery.

WIRING DIAGRAM:-

5v boost converter>>3.7v li-po battery

• input >> VCC
• GND >> GND

Arduino>>5v dc boost converter

• RAW >> output(5volts)
• GND >> GND

Joystick>>Arduino

• VCC >> RAW
• GND >> GND
• X axis >> A1
• Y axis >> A2

Potentiometer(throttle)>>Arduino

• VCC>> RAW
• GND >> GND
• OUT >> A1

Nrf24lo1>>Arduino

• VCC >> output of AMS1117 3.3volts
• GND >> GND of AMS1117
• 10 >> CSN
• 9 >> CE
• 13 >> SCK
• 11 >> MOSI
• 12 >> MISO

Potentiometer(channel 2)>>Arduino

• VCC>> RAW
• GND >> GND
• OUT >> A1

Toggle switch(channel 1)>>Arduino

• COM >> RAW
• SW1 >> D4
• SW1>> 10k resistor >> GND

At first, I take a plastic box. You can also make a box as you want. There is no measurement of it. You can take measurements as your wish.

Then I cut two holes on the front, one on the left and one on the right, respectively, for the joystick and the throttle potentiometer(20k potentiometer), and I also cut two circular holes at the front side for the toggle switch and another(10k - 20k)potentiometer(channel 2).

Now I fix the toggle switch and the potentiometer inside the holes on the front side with hot glue. 

Then I hot glued the throttle potentiometer on the tall hole's side and hot glued a stick on the potentiometer to push and pull the throttle.

Then I lifted the joystick module with some styrofoam to bring it out of the joystick hole that I cut earlier and hot glued the joystick at this place.

Then I place the Arduino Pro Mini 3.3v board at the center bottom point inside the plastic box.

Then I place the NRF module and AMS117 3.3volts regulator board at the center top point inside. (NOTE: Don't forget to tape the bottom of the PCB board of the NRF module and Arduino Pro Mini).

Then I cut another hole on the front at the center of the plastic box and hot glued the SPDT switch for the power on and off.

Lastly, I cut a small hole on the left of the plastic and hot glued the programing wires of the Arduino Pro Mini and the power wires(6-12 volts). 

And your transmitter is done and ready to go now on the next step, we will make the receiver.

Below Is the code is for the transmitter. But the receiver tutorial is for another project. However, this transmitter project is already big enough. So I will make the receiver for this transmitter as soon as I can. However, the receiver will not be a universal receiver; you will not be able to use it for every hobby-grade toy. The receiver project with full details is coming soon, so follow me on Instructables.