If this has already been ask I apologize as I cannot find it using the search option, please send link.
For my first project I'm thinking of building a monitor, in stages, for my outdoor pond (about 30 feet from the house) with wireless data transmission for various conditions like water level, waterfall pump failure, icing, and maybe even the occasional Heron that likes to feed on my Koi. I'm also leaning heavily towards the Netduino board as I would like to leverage my C# skills.
Anyhow, when I look at the specification for the Netduino board, it specifies an operating temperature of 0 to 70C. Right now it's -8C outside and will probably go to -13C tonight. The coldest I ever remember it being here (Rochester NY) is maybe about -28C (-18F maybe -20F) but that is very very rare.
The Arduino site lists no specific temperature specification, but links to the Atmel specification.
The Atmel processors (ATmega328 and AT91SAM7X512) for both both boards are rated from -40C to +85C; well withing my requirements.
So the question is, can I also assume the Arduino board is also limited to some range less than the microcontroller? What board factors might limit the temperature range for such a project?
Thanks
Best Answer
Well, my first guess is that temperature operation would be limited by the oscillator. Now, I'm flying completely by the seat of my pants here, as I haven't looked at the parts on the Arduino. If you pull the specifications on the parts, my guess is that the oscillator is the part with the most limited range. Typically, the bigger the temperature range, the more expensive the oscillator. The other factor that may come into play is the frequency offset.
As the temperature shifts, the oscillator frequency will shift as well. For a wireless system, this may mean that the transmitter/receiver frequency will shift as well, possibly enough to make the range decrease.
Dave