External radio module (CC1101)

[hollow hazel]

https://telegra-ph.translate.goog/Podklyuchenie-vneshnego-modulya-CC1101-na-Flipper-Zero-01-23?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ru&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Connection instructions are available here. The firmware will be available later.

[silk fox]

Food for thought; using the internal one in conjunction with an external one yields full duplex like EvilCrowRF. With that you could actually implement UHF RFID reading (and possibly emulation too) https://github.com/zaphoxx/zaphoxx-uhf-rfid

[umbral grove]

Also rolljam attack maybe

[hexed dagger]

Did someone tried this with positive results? I am interested in building this board so i can use custom antennas

nvm Firmware is not yet available

[hollow hazel]

The article has a test for 433 MHz reception. Reception range increased by 6 times

Now I am preparing tests for 315 and 868 MHz

[raven snow]

Also you can order or DIY pcb for external cc1101 module from here
https://github.com/hitriy/external-cc1101-pcb

(Not tested)

[hollow hazel]

You are a little hasty 🙂 I'm thinking of making a compact 5V powered version

[raven snow]

Cool

I'm just like to made simple PCBs:)

[hollow hazel]

Tests
Передатчик - transmitter, приёмник - receiver, внутренний - internal, внешний - external

[hollow hazel]

External radio module (CC1101)

[hollow hazel]

Live hack: if you need to work with 868 MHz, you can use the antenna from your router at 2.4 GHz. Reception and transmission can be within 30 meters

[paper tinsel]

This my Yagi Antenna for 433 Mhz, on external cc1101 module I was receive signal from 37 meters inside building, working very good

[raven ember]

Simple mini external board with 5v to 3.3v regulator. Any ETA on the firmware release date?

[hollow hazel]

Today I will build OFW

[raven ember]

Cant wait! Keep up the great work!

[hollow hazel]

20 - 40 minutes and everything will be ready

[hollow hazel]

@raven ember

[raven ember]

Can't wait to test it out.

[paper tinsel]

in case anyone is wondering what exactly the pinout is:
CC 1101 (E07 M1101D) - Flipper Zero
1 GND - GND
2 3v - 3v
3 DO - 6 DO
4 CS - 4 CS
5 SCK - 5 SCK
6 MOSI - 2 MOSI
7 MISO - 3 MISO

[frosty ferry]

Thanks for your work ! - one of the best PR

[trail cedar]

If i make pcb from this file what do i need more to attach cc1101 module to it and connect to gpio? Thanks

[raven snow]

And flash the firmware with external module support. But i'd reccomed to use pcb from @hollow hazel

[hollow hazel]

I will finish the design and publish the Gerber files soon

[trail cedar]

Perfect thank you for your work !!

[trail cedar]

Yes thanks for your answer but i mean what do i need to attach the c1101 to the pcb and then to connect the pcb to the flipper, i thinks it should be pin receptor on top and pin connector on the back ?

[raven snow]

It should be something like this

[trail cedar]

Thanks So i need to solder 11 pins 2.54 mm to the board ? and what the black receiver is called so i can buy it please?

[raven snow]

CC1101

[trail cedar]

I mean the black piece on J3, is it a receptor for the CC1101s 8 pins ? What is it called please

[raven snow]

Ah, I see. I'll let you know the part number later

[hollow hazel]

PBS-4 x2

[trail cedar]

Thanks 🙏

[frosty ferry]

This are the pins that worked :

in case anyone is wondering what exactly the pinout is:
CC 1101 - Flipper Zero
1 GND - GND
2 3v - 3v
3 DO - 6 DO
4 CS - 4 CS
5 SCK - 5 SCK
6 MOSI - 2 MOSI
7 MISO - 3 MISO

[raven ember]

I was going to order some boards soon that have a 3.3v regulator. If any devs want a free board just message me and I'll get one to you.

[hollow hazel]

Thank you, but I'm already making such a board and even assembled a prototype

As a result, I came to such a small board

Supply ripple without linear regulator

Ripple after linear regulator. I plan to experiment with the capacitance of capacitors, it may be possible to reduce the level of interference

[raven ember]

O man that's awesome I wish I could make my own boards and not just have them outsourced.

Good call on the dual pinout for both modules. I was just going to add a nrf24l01 pinout as well so the board could be used to add either or. What value caps are you running?

[hollow hazel]

10 uF and 0.1uF

[trail cedar]

Hi Quenon thanks for you prototype it looks really nice, did you finish it already ?

[hollow hazel]

Hello, yes, I ordered boards yesterday. Here are the gerber files for the blue modules with 8 pins

Bill of materials:
C1, C4 - 10uF
C2, C3 - 0.1uF
DA1 - XC6219B332MR (You can pick up any 3.3 V regulator in the same package and with the same pinout for a current of more than 100 mA)
XP1 - Male connector PLS-8
XS1 - The CC1101 module is soldered here

[trail cedar]

Thank you !! For 10uf and 0.1uF is it 50V ?

[hollow hazel]

Yes, but suitable for any voltage, even 6.3 V

[mellow plank]

I have built, and this is awosome.. sometimes when Im in frequency analyzer, it keep capturing some frequency, I didnt know where it from, due to extended range.. Thank you @hollow hazel

[trail cedar]

Thanks, last question
Is it ok for the regulator to be 3.3v 1.5A?
Last piece then i build it 😀

[trail cedar]

Or this one : LDO 3.3V 150mA SOT-223

Is it suitable ?

[hollow hazel]

Name the specific chip model, you need to check the pinout compatibility

[trail cedar]

I just found this one : TOREX XC6219B332MR-G, I thinks it is same as yours

[hollow hazel]

Yes that's it

[past basalt]

Where do I get the firmware for it

Can it also send signals

?

[mellow plank]

#1067200607557001246 message

[trail cedar]

To use 868mhz frequence do we just need a different antenna ?

[hollow hazel]

Better is a special CC1101 module at 868 MHz. A 433 MHz module will not be able to broadcast well on 868 MHz

I ran a simulation of the output stage circuit to find out.

[trail cedar]

Yes i understand, could nrf24 be a good choice ?

[mellow plank]

What type of module cc1101 that you mean? Can you show what type?

So the blue and the green is more for 433mhz?

[hollow hazel]

Their operating frequency is usually written directly on the modules

868 MHz

[lethal wasp]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143384230601 for example

[mellow plank]

Thank you, I had the green one that said works in 433 mhz

But the blue one is this

Features:

(1) Operating voltage: 1.8 V 3.6 V We recommend close to 3.3 V but not more than 3.6 V

(2), 915, 868, 433, 315 mh ism and SRD spectrum

(3) the highest rate is 500 KBPS, 2 FSK, GFSK and MSK modulation mode

(4) high sensitivity (DDM less than 1.2 KBPS-1%, 110 packet error rate)

(5) error detection and hardware control incorporated in the CDN Multipoint Communication Address

(6) low current consumption (RX, 15.6 mA, 2.4 KBPS, 433 Mhz)

(7) programmable control output power and support for all frequencies up to + 10 DBM

(8) Wireless activation function, compatible with the low power electromagnetic activation function, will wake up the low power sleep mode equipment

(9) Supports automatic cleaning before access to the transmission channel (CCA), listen to the transport system

(10) frequency synthesizer with fast frequency jump system

(11) The address of the module can be configured software, software programming is very practical Separation by immersion

(12) Standard interface for integrated applications

(13) Separate 64 bytes RX and TX FIFO data

(14) Transmission distance: 200 m (depending on the specific environment condition and the transmission speed setting, etc.)

What I know, mostly doors, gates, key fob is using 433, and what electronic that use 868 mostly?

Got it

[mellow plank]

@hollow hazel hi can you explain what js VD1? Thanks

[hollow hazel]

LL4148

[patent aspen]

@hollow hazel great job!!! congratulations and thank you!!! 🙂🙂🙂

[trail cedar]

Is this mandatory ? Since you didnt mention in bom? Thanks

[hollow hazel]

Yes, you need to put a diode. It protects the module from damage if it is connected incorrectly. I'm sorry, I just forgot to include it.

[hollow hazel]

You can use ANY diode in a Minimelf package (SOD-80)

[trail cedar]

Thanks im about to build

[dire solstice]

10 pin module at work. Wired up just like the 8 pins. Seems to be picking up all the same frequencies as the internal did, just on steroids now. Pretty cool!

[grave condor]

any chance I could get the gerber file?

[hollow hazel]

Unfortunately, not yet

[lethal wasp]

Where did you buy the black case from?

[dire solstice]

Simply dyed an official orange case with Rit Synthetic

[raven ember]

New mini boards with 3.3v regulator

[trail cedar]

Thanks @hollow hazel

[echo pebble]

How did u manage to connect it like that

[trail cedar]

I used quenon’s custom pcb

[echo pebble]

Where can i get it from

[sharp niche]

Will there be a 5v one coming anytime soon?

[raven ember]

Those are 5v boards 🙂

[sharp niche]

Can you run something like a ESP32 on the 5v and a CC1101 on the 3.3 volt, or does it all need to be the same voltage all the way across?

[somber plume]

this absolutely fucks

im gonna make one soon

Where would I go to get the parts?

Not exactly an expert on soldering

[grave condor]

great for just a coil

[raven ember]

Can't wait to test out my high gain antennas with the external cc1101.

[undone dock]

Have these on order, they should be "in-stock" on my tindie as of Monday. It's designed to accept both common pinouts for the cc1101 modules you find on AliExpress/amazon/ebay

[grave condor]

what’s your rssi with that antenna?

also what you guys scanning for ?

[charred basin]

@raven ember sent you a pm

[charred basin]

Success 😅

Don’t really know what’s the expected gain but, I felt the difference.

[charred basin]

@hollow hazel are the Gerber files available?

[hollow hazel]

not yet

[hexed dagger]

still not available? I wanna order some

the gerber files^

[charred basin]

Still waiting as well. Can’t wait to see it :)!

[echo pebble]

Hey guys does this module only work for 433 mhz frequencies?

[trail cedar]

No but it works best for 433mhz

[umbral grove]

the chip should be mostly identical to the internal one

[echo pebble]

Which antenna is the best to get the best range

[undone dock]

It's tuned for 433mhz. However, with some slight tweaks in the firmware it can go outside the standard ranges. That said it can mess up the module / fry it.

I have, in the works, a module tuned specifically for the 800-900 mhz band that will be fully pin compatible with existing CC1101 carrier boards

And yes that means it will be a plug and play add-on for the Mayhem hat

[hollow hazel]

No, at other frequencies the chip will not burn. It's just that the output stage passes frequencies from 300 MHz to 500 MHz. At other frequencies, the signal is quite weak.

I did some experiments and found that when connecting a 2.4 GHz antenna from NRF24L01, the 433 MHz module works well at 868 MHz

https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005001621733938.html

For high-quality work at 868 MHz, you can use a similar module

[undone dock]

I'm referring to the warnings that operating the chip outside of specs may damage it. Or at least that's what the file says when you edit it

[undone dock]

Yup, the module I built has a similar design and is pin-compatible with the 433Mhz version / NRF24 pinout also so same pinout 🙂 makes it easy for people to play around with the higher frequencies. That said my concern is the file itself you have to "enable usafe settings" it's unsafe from what I recall because In some cases your operating it outside the range it's meant to be operated at

[hollow hazel]

You have so few components on the board... And where do you have the output filters that are necessary for correct operation?

Judging by the datasheet, it is necessary to make a strapping for the chip

[undone dock]

Correct 🙂 I am working with Ebyte who is supplying me with a cc1101 with all the strapping / filtering taken care of, just need to Surface mount solder it 🙂

That said, I did build my own Cc1101 from complete scratch prior to this, for testing reasons 😅

[undone dock]

The module I am using is very similar to this one you linked, but a fraction of the size

[echo pebble]

What antenna is this

[undone dock]

Just a 433mhz antenna I had laying around

If your talking about the board, that's a custom CC1101 prototype I built

[echo pebble]

I went to the local shop and asked them for compatible antenna for the cc1101 module and they said only the original antenna will do

Any other longer antenna wont make a diff due to the output power from flipper

Im confused

[undone dock]

Ah. You'd want a 433Mhz antenna. You can get a higher gain antennas like a 5dbi but it only helps a little bit, I don't know exactly how much off the top of my head. Ultimately tho the module puts out a certain transmit power, that is mostly the limiting factor.

[hollow hazel]

Wow! This is amazing, you are awesome

[hollow hazel]

Almost everything is correct. If you connect a larger 433 MHz antenna, the reception quality will improve. But the transmission distance will remain the same due to the final output power of the chip, just like the shop told you.

I tried to connect a 3 dBi antenna, the sensitivity improved slightly compared to the original antenna

[echo pebble]

Thank you for explaining

[wild patio]

Can I ask how did you get it like that?

[raven ember]

I made it like that. simple board design using a 3.3v regulator on the backside,

[wild patio]

Can you tell me on how I can do it like that?

[charred basin]

You have to design a board to connect the CC1101 pins into the horizontal pins in the FZ and add a voltage regulator to step down the 5V to 3.3v since you’re going to connect the module to 5V pin in FZ instead of the 3.3 (aesthetics and compact purposes only).

I know nothing about PCB design but in theory that’s it 😅

[undone dock]

Just dropped

[charred basin]

Gorgeous 🤤😍

[charred basin]

@undone dock is selling those on his Tindie too, that’s where I got mine

[undone dock]

This module will be compatible once it is released

Along with any cc1101 now available on the market

[charred basin]

Unplug one, add other. Easy-peasy lol smart move

[wild patio]

Link me pls

[charred basin]

https://www.tindie.com/stores/tehrabbitt/

[wild patio]

Thanks so if I already got the module cc1101 I just select the header and module right? Just want to make sure

[charred basin]

This module is plug and play. Just insert the module and you’re good to go. No programming or soldering needed

https://www.tindie.com/products/tehrabbitt/flipper-zero-5v-cc1101-miniboard-by-tehrabbitt/

[wild patio]

Thanks for the recommendation going to buy one now.

[charred basin]

Just make sure you add the header type to come with the pins already soldered

It’s already selected by default I think.

[hollow hazel]

In Russia, these modules are in great demand

[wild patio]

can i see how it is plug in to the flipper?

[wild patio]

I meant how does your module plug in the flipper doesnt seem there are wires there?

[wild patio]

Those are soldered on and connected to another board?

[echo pebble]

may i know how did you make it only the first half of it?

[undone dock]

These module boards you made? Why the reflow oven? Just for the pic? Just curious.

[hollow hazel]

Yes, these are my boards. In the reflow oven, first, group soldering of smd was carried out, then drying after washing, and lastly shrinkage of heat shrinkage

[undone dock]

Nice work! I've thought of investing in an oven but I'm wary of just buying just any old oven. What oven do you use?

Also is that a laser cutter next to it? Lol

@hollow hazel

[hollow hazel]

puhui t-962C

[undone dock]

Nice!!!! I'm jelly lol

[undone dock]

Do you need a PC to operate?

I'm thinking of finally getting one, it would definitely make my assembly easier lol

[hollow hazel]

No, thermal profiles are configured in the menu

[echo pebble]

Guys by chance did i messed up the wiring? I tried changing to external antenna but my flipper keeps crashing

Pardon my first time soldering

[hollow hazel]

I'm sure the problem is in the firmware you're using.

[echo pebble]

It worked before previously

Then i went to desolder it

And made it flat

[charred basin]

Check the hole on your CC1101 module, mine was all the way pushed down so it wasn’t making contact to the antenna male, had to add some copper wire on the cc1101 hole to make the contact with the pin make of the antenna

[undone dock]

I just got all the components I need to make these 🙂 I'm going to start a trial run of about 20-30 and see how it goes

[sturdy mesa]

I think this antenna isn't good enough, I m about to search anoter one

[hexed dagger]

Make one yourself, its way better than that small antenna

[undone dock]

Well trial run came out pretty sick

Prototype

RSSI: -69.0

[undone dock]

The blue boards on the left were the prototype of the prototype lol.

Early prototype

[echo pebble]

Slick

[echo pebble]

Power of external cc1101 on 5V

Power of external module + amplifier

[golden pumice]

That's awesome. I was just watching something by ereid using an rc car to do a test. Very impressive.

[umbral grove]

https://4zg.co/blog/rolljam-using-cc1101-to-jam-and-capture-rf/

🤔 that implementation needs two CC1101

can both internal + external CC1101 be used at once?

[echo pebble]

-14/15 dbm with two way amplifier

[sharp niche]

What brand/model amp is that? And I am assuming the box with the switch is a power supply?

[undone dock]

I misplaced mine the other day in the chaos of cleaning, now I gotta go find where I put it LOL... that said, I ordered some nice coax jumpers that should be less lossy / better noise profile, so less need for ferrites I hope

[echo pebble]

Nice! U get whole pcb soldered or just module?

Also how often I misplace something only to find when I do cleaning

Lol

[undone dock]

I got a whole amplifier lol

heh

I'm looking to source hard waveguide.

SMA to SMA

hard waveguide tube

[echo pebble]

If you have 3d printer u can print some nice box for it

[undone dock]

good thinking

[echo pebble]

I don’t. So I bought some boxes and fitted it there 😄

[undone dock]

those fuckers

😉

they do better than that coax

[echo pebble]

First time seeing this

[undone dock]

CC1101 --> AMplifier ---> Antenna

https://www.hasco-inc.com/cable-assemblies/sma-male-to-sma-male-141-semi-rigid-cable-using-rg402-aluminum-coax-8-inches/

not too pricy tbh

you know I like specs

[echo pebble]

1 pice or 3 ?

[undone dock]

thats 1

lol

it's semi-flexible

[echo pebble]

Pircy lol

[undone dock]

they use them a lot for things like Microwave towers / RF for broadcasting

[echo pebble]

This thing is flexing bit?

[undone dock]

where you want minimal loss and your'e jumpering one thing to he other thing

well, flexible in the sense it's an aluminum tube.

[echo pebble]

Lol

[undone dock]

they're designed to be installed between devices.

[echo pebble]

I was thinking to use straight sma adapter from amp to cc1101 but bit of flexibility I like there

[undone dock]

so for instance, you might have a GPS Receiver, that puts out PPS signal

you'd feed that PPS into lets say an O-Scope

and lets say the receiver is velcro'd to the o-scope

never moving

[echo pebble]

It’s like permanent solution

[undone dock]

yup

it's super cool stuff

it's called "Semi-Rigid" if you wanna look on Alibaba

[echo pebble]

Love this! Looks like some manifold

[undone dock]

they do have it for like $3-8

[echo pebble]

I will look up

Thank you

[undone dock]

it's also used for things like this...

when you want to adapt to a chassis / case

so you can go like SMA inside the enclosure, to an SMA Female on the outside.

[echo pebble]

Nice industrial quality

[undone dock]

yeah. you see it in a lot of test equipment.

between the motherboards and the front connectors

there is one cable though that I have a borderline fetish for lmfao... it's called Heliax. it's a type of hardline cable (transmission towers, super low loss, etc.)

it's the 3rd from bottom, left side.

mmmm Heliax porn

@echo pebble TOTAL overkill but.... Imagine using this for the CC1101 LOL

"What losses" 🤣

only 5 euros... for that

I want it.

like damn

WHAT

there are 2 in stock.

https://www.electronicsurplus.it/en/Coaxial-cable-Andrew-Heliax-5-7-SMA-M-SMA-M-cm-40

its meant to be

you and I

haha

ouch, 32 euro shipping

[deep sage]

For some reason I have like 6 of those and I don’t even know what they are from

[hexed dagger]

so how much more range are you actually getting?

[echo pebble]

I honestly didn’t yet test the range

[bronze jay]

Why won’t the 315mhz Tesla open frequency play through? But the internal one will?

[bronze jay]

Anyone? lol

[hollow hazel]

oLego

[umbral grove]

👀

[hollow hazel]

This is Borsch Shield - an expansion board for STM32 Nucleo 64 debug boards. It has an LCD display with a touchscreen and many modules, such as RTC, EEPROM, IR and more

[echo pebble]

Lego nice

[echo pebble]

@hollow hazel a question, I know that you were able to make a external cc1101 module for the flipper and I’m not sure who wrote the code for external ir blaster could be you but idk. So my idea is a external ir receiver, it sounds like a cool idea so i would appreciate you taking a look at it if you have time if thats okay?

[hollow hazel]

No, I didn't do IR. Why do you need an external IR at all? Built-in IR works great

[echo pebble]

More reach? And also its just a extra feature and wouldn’t hurt anyone

And also i did try myself but ofc i failed cuz of my shitty C skills

[echo pebble]

@hollow hazel so what do you think?

i managed to do something compiling now

[hollow hazel]

I don't see any point in this. I do not know how and where such a solution can be applied. After all, usually even the built-in IR is enough to intercept parcels in the room

[haughty crag]

Link to the lego module?👀

[slate talon]

Hello everyone. Just a question. To put the external CC1101 on my fliiper will work or i need something specific ???

[shut canopy]

well, not directly. you'll need some m/f wires

[slate talon]

https://tenor.com/view/bruh-really-tell-me-more-no-way-wth-gif-21239271

[echo pebble]

And a firmware with the modified external radio code

[umbral grove]

does your cfw support it

i know squachware plans on supporting it

[echo pebble]

i dont think so

i should really start working on it again

[shut canopy]

what is this app i keep seeing that's like a cc1101 test? it shows signal strength i think?

[near matrix]

how do i make my own cc1101 module and what are the things i need

[hollow hazel]

Just google it

[near matrix]

no luck but i figured it out myself, thanks

[grave zealot]

it's really working ??? look like a troll 😅

[paper tinsel]

of course it works, it may not look professional but it works very well🙈

it is enough that it holds the dimensions of dipoles, directors and reflectors, aluminum tubes and PVC construction

[grave zealot]

Ok ok ty for this advice 😅

[near matrix]

can i connect it like this?

how do i connect it like that

[dull abyss]

Where to buy only pcb not module

[dull abyss]

I like it where do i get it?