Need help, total noob, looking for hardware that receives 5-6 different signals

[Mokibi]

the title says it all. I need a chip that receives 5-6 different signals (in the form of letters?) simple data or what keyword to use....erm... text?
and then converts it into one signal and shoots it out to an antennae like 50+( maybe 100?) feet away. is this possible? and if so, where can
I find it for cheap? I don't need it now, but I would like to know for future reference.

thank you for your time and help!

-Elvin

 

[RetroTechie]

Sounds like you could use a microcontroller with Wi-Fi addon. Microcontroller gathers the signals, creates a data packet & sends it out over Wi-Fi. On the other side, any Wi-Fi enabled networking gear to receive that packet & make sense of it.

Or one of those RF modules like what's used for in-house remote controls, garage door openers etc. Wouldn't know what a typical range is for those, or how to extent that if needed.

If data rate is low, you might have more options. If line of sight is available, you might also use a laser / infrared based setup.

 

[jiripolivka]

What about an IR television control? The handheld unit transmits a code upon hitting a specific button, the receiver in the TV responds to that code. Similar controls are used with CD-players, etc. Instead of the IR light you can use the LED current to key a radio transmitter like a car-key device, and extend the range by adding suitable directional antennas. You can find details in MAKE website and elsewhere.

 

[Mokibi]

thanks alot, i'll look into it as soon as I can. Thing is, I mean you probably know, it needs to be 5-6 different signals, like A1, A2, A3, etc, those signals contain information in text form or w/e. that information, then gets sent to the chip that can receive all 6 signals, then gets translated into one signal, then sent to a tower 100 feet away. What about this one? In the tower, it receives that 6 signal (all six in one signal) and then converts it to readable information for X. cant say what exactly, but i'll take these hints to heart and see what I can do. Thanks a bunch!

 

[jiripolivka]

thanks alot, i'll look into it as soon as I can. Thing is, I mean you probably know, it needs to be 5-6 different signals, like A1, A2, A3, etc, those signals contain information in text form or w/e. that information, then gets sent to the chip that can receive all 6 signals, then gets translated into one signal, then sent to a tower 100 feet away. What about this one? In the tower, it receives that 6 signal (all six in one signal) and then converts it to readable information for X. cant say what exactly, but i'll take these hints to heart and see what I can do. Thanks a bunch!

The IR remote controls I indicated are rather good to send simple separate commands. If you need to send separate signals like audio or video, then there are two possible methods:

1. If the signals are low-frequency like audio, you can use time multiplexing: switching their samples faster than the top frequency limit, and transmitting one wide-band channel. Synchronously switching the complex signal at receiver will separate individual channels.
2. If you need to continuously transmit all 6 channels, then you must find six transmitters and receivers, each operating at a specific frequency. Crosstalk between the channels must be suppressed by good filters.

3. There are commercial TV FM transmitters and receivers operating at 2.45 GHz band. Most can set one of four frequencies but I never tested a pair or more running side-by-side. You would have to buy and test them and see how many channels you can operate together. Similar devices are sold for less than $50, used may be found cheaper. Newer sets also operate at 5.8 GHz band, both those bands are "license-free" but they also suffer by interference from other devices and microwave ovens.

4. RC airplane models and RC toys utilize several channels for remote control. The data rate or signal bandwidth is usually small as the controls drive mechanisms only. You can try such controls for your signals. As several RF bands are used, like 27 MHz, 40 MHz and more, you can combine several devices .

Developing such complex system is possible but you would have to start with the legal problem- frequency bands are mostly licensed to make sure interference-free operation. Those bands used without a license suffer by interference.

 

[Mokibi]

I drew a picture on paint of what the idea is more or less. Hopefully you can make something of it. It's not finished, I didn't include where the info is sent, but basically it gets translated again and blahdy blah, anyways....
I was looking for something more like this; the chip in the center must not be thicker than .5 - 1" thick, (know who can make this? like a hardware comp.....not to mention the software needed for this lol....) cannot be wider than 3 - 4" and no taller than 2". These are all guesses, the final dimensions i'll post later (but its around this amount) so the chip in the center receives six digital signals like text, collects the information into a packet, then sends it to a chip which processes this info and turns it into one packet, sends that info to that second chip on the right, and then shoots it out to a receiver 50 - 100ft away (wow I hope I'm not repeating myself lol...) do you guys know anything about whether or not these chips exist at these sizes? this is what I meant by six signals, I know they have to be at different channels (you know, I'm curious, how does sprint/at&t/whoever, send out so much information to millions of people in one area with low interference rates? if I can figure that out, I know It'll definitely help me with this project (one of the key elements that i'm missing) but is there a chip that has 6 transmitters in one? at different frequencies? thats small and light (oh yeah, pretty light too........)
I think this is possible, but I bet there are massive complexities. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And who knows, someday I might just reveal why I'm asking all of this..... well....... someday. lol. Thanks again!