Overview
The RFnode playerZ board is an Arduino based board
designed for laser tag. The software is based off the Miles Tag protocol version
1 so is compatible with other systems based that are also using this protocol.
Each board contains a radio that is used to realtime
scoring, proximity functions, wireless configuring and node grouping (a number
of nodes can make up a player).
The board is designed to be ether a Zombie headset to be
worn by a player or as the internals of the Laser tagger.
Features
·
Arduino core (powered by an ATmega328)
·
Sound support (uses a WTV020 sound module with
support of upto 512 different sound files stored on a microSD card)
·
Radio support (uses the nRF24l01+ radios with
signal range upto 1km*)
·
Programmable radio output: radio can be set to
only send short range signals that are only received by other nodes within a
few meters.
·
Low cost (our target cost is that you are up and
playing for less than $100)
· 1Wire/iButton support (for ingame pickups)
·
i2c support
·
TTL UART support (used for debugging and
supports commands)
·
6 button input (more can be added)
·
56Khz IR emission and reception (depending upon
lens setup has a range of over 200m)
·
Lithium battery with micro USB charger built in.
Zombie headset mode
Each headset has 2 IR leds for emitting short range
Zombie damage from the Zombies head to any other player within range. Zombie
damage is also transmitted via low powered RF to other players within 2-3
meters of the zombies.
Zombies have IR hit sensors positioned on the front and
back of the head.
Tagger mode
The board (node) can also be used as the internals of a
player’s tagger. The player can choose to have a head sensor wired to the
tagger (Currently how most laser tag is played) or the node can be grouped to a
player wearing a Zombie headset.
Can be added to Nerf guns in a none destructive way (clips to Nerf rails).
Can be added to Nerf guns in a none destructive way (clips to Nerf rails).
Node Player grouping
The MilesTag protocol only supports 256 unique players (8
teams of 64 players). For us to be compatible with MilesTag and compatible
systems this affects us too but it only affects the IR data, our radio code
supports 65025 unique nodes.
We have designed it so any number of nodes can be
assigned to a player, this means that if we wanted too we can assign 1000
taggers to one player or 1000 headsets to one player. If you want to have
multiple taggers per game we support it
Radio Proximity
We have radios with programmable output so we can control
the range to add proximity based game elements. We use this to do Zombie damage
if you are within 2-3 meters of a zombie but we use this also for a number of
other features like Capture points, if you are with an area with a capture node
you can capture it. We also support the sending and receiving of powerups from
nodes, if you want to be a medic you can but watch out for the
In Game PickUps
As the boards support iButtons we can use these for in
game pickups. This could be used for items like weapon upgrades, health packs
or game objectives hidden around the playing field. We also support wireless
Pickups too.
Backend Server Support
Our nodes like to talk to our server and our server can
talk back. Not only do we use this for real time scoring but we can also use
this to send you power ups mid game. Don’t like your taggers gun profile? Just use
your smartphone or a connected device to select a new one and we will update
your tagger with a new one. Want to know where you team is? We can tell you
which nodes they are near on a map. Want to know your stats mid game? we can
give you more data then you poke sharp
stick at.
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| One of the new designs compared with RFnodeB1 board used in current prototypes. |
 |
| My Modded Nerf gun with attached board and lens. Nerf gun is dual purpose can be used for lasertag and can still fire Nerf. |
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