Particle Mesh Wi-Fi Bundle + Grove Sensor Kit

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Sign Up for our May 30th Particle Webinar: Accessible IoT: Rapid Prototyping to Scale with Particle

 

 

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About

The Particle Mesh Wi-Fi Bundle is a great way to start your exploration of the latest Particle Mesh hardware and software. This Wi-Fi bundle provides the key hardware and supporting platform to  build mesh networking for your IoT project. Particle Mesh means you can create local networks that collect data, share messages, and connect to the Internet through a Particle gateway.

The bundle comes with three mesh-ready boards: the Argon, a powerful board that can act as a gateway between your home Wi-Fi network and your local Particle Mesh network and two Xenons, the end points or network repeaters, so you can start to experiment with a multi-device Particle Mesh network.

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The included Particle FeatherWing Tripler is perfect for any prototyping project. The Tripler provides space to add-on up to two FeatherWing accessories without any stacking header needs. And, last but certainly not least, the bundle includes the Particle Debugger, which gives you the power of professional debugging at a fraction of the cost. Using this accessory, you’ll be able to

program Particle mesh-ready hardware over common interfaces like JTAG and SWD, using open source tools like GDB. JTAG ribbon cable included.

 

 

As always, prototyping is free and Particle customers receive 10 free micro networks which means one gateway (like the Argon) and up to 10 additional devices (like Xenons). Please refer to our pricing documentation for more information.

 

 

 

All Particle Hardware is designed from the ground up to work with the Device Cloud; a powerful set of tools and infrastructure to build, connect, and manage your IoT fleet.

 

Contents

  • 1 Argon Kit
  • 2 Xenon Kits
  • 1 Particle FeatherWing Tripler
  • 1 Particle Debugger

 

Argon Kit (1)

The Argon is a powerful Wi-Fi enabled development board that can act as either a standalone Wi- Fi endpoint or Wi-Fi enabled gateway for Particle Mesh networks. It is based on the Nordic nRF52840 and has built-in battery charging circuitry so it’s easy to connect a Li-Po and deploy your local network in minutes. The Argon is great for connecting existing projects to the Particle Device Cloud or as a gateway to connect an entire group of local endpoints.

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Xenon Kit (2)

The Xenon is a low cost mesh-enabled development board that can act as either an endpoint or repeater within a Particle Mesh network.

The Xenon is mesh only and designed to function as the endpoint of your IoT network. It is based on the Nordic nRF52840 and has built-in battery charging circuitry so it’s easy to connect a Li-Po and deploy your local network in minutes. The Xenon is best for connecting sensors, motors, pumps, valves, and points of data-interest. Pair it with an Argon or Boron gateway to get all that great data into the Device Cloud.

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Particle Debugger

Using this accessory, you’ll be able to program Particle mesh-ready hardware over common interfaces like JTAG and SWD, using open source tools like GDB. Supports the open source CMSIS-DAP specification and DAPLink firmware developed by ARM.Comes with one JTAG ribbon cable.

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Featherwing Tripler (Expansion Header)

The Tripler provides space to add-on up to two FeatherWing accessories without any stacking header needs. Compatible with the newest generation of Particle developer kits (Particle Mesh). The Tripler has three breakouts for each pin on a Feather, as well as plain grid proto holes. In addition, three sets of pins are cross connected with a full strip of connected pads for GND and 3.3V

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Grove Starter Kit for Particle Mesh

This Grove Starter Kit is designed to work with Particle Mesh.

 

The Particle Mesh series is a kit that can create local network that collect data, share message, and connect to the internet. The Grove Starter Kit for particle mesh comes with seven different components that work out-of-the-box with Particle hardware and let you focus on learning the basics. The kit comes with a Grove Shield for Particle Mesh, a variety of analog Grove sensors that are able to read environmental conditions and events, plus a few Grove actuators that will help you experience what’s going on in your code.

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Important Dates

Enrollment Begin: May 22 2019

Enrollment Ends: July 1 2019

RoadTesters Selected: July 15 2019

Product Shipped: July 16 2019

RoadTesting Begins: July 23 2019

Reminder/Update Email: Aug 23 2019*

Submit Reviews By: Sept 23 2019*

*The element14 RoadTest Staff will send this reminder/update email.

**If a RoadTester is unable to meet the deadline, please notify the RoadTest Program Lead, , as soon as possible before the deadline.

RoadTesters

Terms and Conditions

RoadTest

Terms and Conditions

Particle Kit IoT Bundle

These are the terms and conditions which govern the Particle Kit IoT Bundle contest. This Contest requires participants to submit an application indicating their previous experience with this type of equipment/component, information on what they would do to test the equipment/component, and the applicant’s desire to post a thorough review of their experience with images, photos, or other supplemental materials. Participants will be required to meet the Conditions for Participation.  The winners of this RoadTest will receive the item(s) listed below. RoadTest Reviews are due no later than 60 days after the receipt of the item(s). No other prizes are offered.

The Principal terms of the Competition:

The following words and phrases are used in these terms and conditions and have the meanings given to them below.

(RoadTest or Contest)

Key dates:

Applications Close: midnight (GMT) on June 24 24 2019

Announcement of Winner (estimated): June 27 2019

Prize: Particle Kit IoT Bundle

Additional Prizes: none

Competition Site: https://www.element14.com/community/groups/roadtest?ICID=menubar_resources_roadtest

Site or element14 Community: www.element14.com/community

Judges: members of the element14 community team chosen at the Organiser’s discretion.

Judging Criteria, All of the following which will have equal weighting:

· Demonstrated competence with the technologies including links or descriptions of past projects

· Qualifications as indicated by current job role and/or schooling/vocational training;

· A thorough description of how the prize would be tested;

· Likelihood that the Applicant will blog about the prize and provide a review on element14.com;

· Originality;

· Innovation.

Organiser: Premier Farnell plc (registered in England and Wales under company number 876412) whose registered office is at Farnell House, Forge Lane, Leeds, UK

Conditions for Qualification: in addition to meeting the requirements of these terms, all persons applying to take part in the Contest (each one an Applicant) must:

· Provide a RoadTest application describing what he/she would do if awarded the Prize including similar previous projects, product experience and qualifications

Terms: these terms and conditions which govern the Competition and to which the Organiser reserves the right to make changes from time to time and the latest version of these Terms from time to time will be posted to the Site.

  1. Eligibility
  2. Applications:
  3. Selecting Winners:
  4. Liability:
  5. General:

1.1 Save as set out in these Terms, the Contest is open to any natural or legal person, firm or company or group of natural persons or unincorporated body.

1.2 All Applicants must be aged at least 18 at the time of their application.

1.3 Applicants must not enter the RoadTest if doing so or taking part may:

1.3.1 cause the Organiser and/or themselves to be in breach of any agreement (including but not limited to any contract of employment) to which they are a party or in breach of any law, regulation or rule having the force of law to which the Organiser or the Applicant may be subject or any policy of the Organiser or the Sponsor;

1.3.2 Require the Organiser to obtain any licence, authorisation or permission to deal with the Applicant; or

1.3.3 Be in breach of any policy or practice of their employer. Some employers prohibit or restrict their employees from taking part in competitions such as these or receiving prizes under them and the Organiser respects those policies and practices.

The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any Application made in breach of these Terms and to reject any Application which it reasonably believes may be or become in breach. The Organiser reserves the right to require evidence in such form as the Organiser may reasonably require of any Applicant’s compliance with any of these Terms and to disqualify any Applicant or Participant who cannot provide such evidence reasonably promptly.

1.4 Multiple applications are not permitted.

1.5 Applications may not be submitted by an agent whether acting on behalf of an undisclosed principal or otherwise.

1.6 The Contest is NOT open to:

1.6.1 Any person or entity who is a resident or national of any country which is subject to sanctions, embargoes or national trade restrictions of the United States of America, the European Union or the United Kingdom;

1.6.2 Any employee, director, member, shareholder (as appropriate) or any of their direct families (parents, siblings, spouse, partner, children) (“Direct Families”) of the Organiser and Sponsors; or

2.1 Each Applicant must fully complete and submit a RoadTest Application by the Application Close.

2.2 By submitting a Registration Form, each Applicant:

2.2.1 Authorises the Organiser to use his or her personal data (as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998) for the purposes of running and promoting the RoadTest;

2.2.2 Authorises the Organizer to copy, reproduce and publish their application should they be accepted as a Participant;

2.2.3 Will be deemed to have read, accepted and agree to be bound by these Terms. Applicants are advised to print and keep safe these Terms;

2.2.4 Authorises the Organiser to copy, reproduce and use the Application and/or Review for the purposes of the RoadTest and as otherwise contemplated by these Terms. The Organiser will not be responsible for any inaccuracy, error or omission contained in any reproduction or use of the Project Blogs.

2.2.5 Licenses the Organiser to use the intellectual property in the Project (IP) for the purposes of this Contest. As between the Applicant and the Organiser the IP remains owned by the Applicant.

2.2.6 Grants the Organiser the right to use his or her likeness, photographs, logos, trademarks, audio or video recordings without restriction for the purposes of Contest or the promotion of it or the Site;

2.2.7 Agrees to participate positively in all publicity surrounding the Contest;

2.2.8 Agrees to be responsible for all expenses and costs incurred by him or her in preparing for, entering and participating in the Contest (save for any expenses expressly agreed by the Organiser to be borne by it in these Terms);

2.2.9 Confirms that he or she owns all IP used in his or her application or Project or Blogs and indemnifies the Organiser from any claim by a third party that use of any material provided by an Applicant to the Organiser infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party;

2.2.10 Agrees not to act in any way or fail to act in any way or be associated with any cause or group which would have a negative impact on the reputation of the Organiser and/or the RoadTest.

2.3 All applications submitted to this RoadTest must meet the following criteria:

2.3.1 Applicants must be the author, creator and owner of the proposed review idea. Applicants must not submit someone else’s idea;

2.3.2 The proposed application must be reasonably achievable by the within the time constraints of the Contest;

2.3.3 Applications must not include or propose any of the following, the inclusion of which shall render any proposed application ineligible:

(a) Applications which relate to socially taboo topics, such as illicit drug use or sexual gratification;

(b) Applications that are or could reasonably be considered to be illegal, immoral, discriminatory or offensive as determined by the Organiser;

(c) Applications in relation to them which if accepted would infringe or breach any of the policies or terms of access or use of the Site.

2.4 No Application may contain any of the hazardous substances identified by Article 4 of Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament on the Restrictions on the Use of Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment ("the Directive") or the use of such hazardous substances in the in any such Project must not exceed the maximum concentration values set out in the Directive.

3.1 Winners will be selected by the Organiser on the basis of the quality of his or her application and its adherence to these Terms.

3.2 The total number of Winners selected will be at least the minimum number set out above but the actual number is at the sole discretion of the Organizer and/or the Sponsor, if applicable.

3.3 The Organiser will use all reasonable efforts to announce the Winners via an update to the RoadTest page by the date listed above.

3.4 Winners agree to take part in all publicity which the Organiser or the Sponsor wishes to use to promote the RoadTest, the Products featured or other Contests with which the Organiser may be connected from time to time.

3.5 Details of the Winners may also be published in the media.

3.6 Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes, duties or other charges payable in relation to any prize.

3.7

4.1 The Organiser hereby excludes all and any Liability arising out of the Contest or the acceptance, use, quality, condition, suitability or performance of any Prize, even where that Liability may arise from the Organiser’s negligence.

4.2 Nothing in these Terms will affect any Liability of the Organiser for death or personal injury arising from its negligence, for breach of Part II of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (in the event that any entrant is entitled to claim rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1987) or for any matter in relation to which it would be illegal for the Organiser to exclude or to attempt to exclude its Liability.

4.3 Subject to 4.2, neither the Organiser, any parent company nor any subsidiary of the Organiser or such parent company or any of their directors, officers and employees (together referred to in these terms and the ‘Associates’) makes any guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this Competition or the Prizes potentially available under it. Neither the Organiser nor any of its Associates shall be responsible for any Liability that may arise out of or in connection with person’s participation in this Competition, the claiming, redemption or value of any prizes under it, the use or enjoyment of such prizes or any events or circumstances arising out of or in connection with any of them. Any implied warranties of condition, merchantability or suitability or fitness for purpose of any of them are hereby expressly excluded. Wherever used in these Terms, ‘Liability’ shall mean any and all costs, expenses, claims, damages, actions, proceedings, demands, losses and other liabilities (including legal fees and costs on a full indemnity basis) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the matter concerned.

5.1 The RoadTest is organised and sponsored by the Organiser. The Organiser reserves the right to delegate all or any of its powers, rights and obligations arising in relation to the RoadTest to any Associate and certain such rights and powers are assumed by the Organiser on behalf of itself and each Associate. Reference to “Organiser” shall be deemed to include reference to each Associate.

5.2 The RoadTest may be terminated at any time if there are, in the sole opinion of the Organiser, an insufficient number of entries, or if the Applications are not of an appropriate standard for a competition of this nature. The Organiser has the right to cancel or suspend the RoadTest at any time due to circumstances outside its reasonable control.

5.3 The Organiser shall have the sole discretion to disqualify (without correspondence or right of appeal) any Applicant it considers to be adversely affecting the process or the operation of the RoadTest or to be in breach of these Terms or to be acting in a disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other Applicant or Participant.

5.4 The Organiser has the right to amend or add to these Terms from time to time. Revised Terms and Conditions will be posted on the Contest Site and it is a condition of entry to the RoadTest that Applicants agree to comply with these Terms and, if appropriate, such Terms as amended from time to time.

5.5 Headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation or construction of these Terms and Conditions.

5.6 These Terms and the operation of the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law and any claim or matter arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Comment List
Anonymous
  • Well the beginning part of the video was creative say the least. image Thanks for the share and I think the kit will work better for my intentions. Also thanks for your comment below.

  • That's good news after some struggle. 3 Xenons and an Argon connected in a Mesh image

     

    I've noticed there's "Share App Logs" option in the Particle Android App. Did you send them to the Particle team or which one did you send them?

     

    Bad that what happened the first time couldn't be figured out!

  • Now that I have at last got a working mesh network, I am very happy with the kit. I have tried all of the Grove devices and they all have their uses. It depends where you live but in the UK at least, it is better value to get the kit rather than separate components. The little OLED that works with the Azure Sphere also works well with the Particle devices if you buy a "Grove to female breadboard pin" cable. The chainable LED that mentions is a bit of a strange device (it is intended that you buy several and chain them together) but if you want a nice, bright RGB LED, it works well.

  • Hi ! I think I can say, tentatively, that my mesh is working properly now. I have no idea what the problem was, and Particle couldn't diagnose it either but, eventually, the Argon began to accept two simultaneous Xenon connections. I was stuck with that situation for a couple of weeks (which would have been enough for the RoadTest, but I bought a third Xenon because I wanted to test out a wider range mesh setup). I tried numerous combinations of which devices I powered up first, whether on battery power & USB or just USB or just battery and nothing persuaded the Argon to accept three Xenons at the same time. I also deleted my mesh network and created a new one, set up all the devices again etc etc. Eventually, just last week, I got all three Xenons breathing cyan and now they all behave perfectly (touch wood). I don't know if it was just luck, or whether this made any difference but I powered all four devices without batteries from four USB sockets on one of my PCs and I started up all three Xenons first then, while they were fast-blinking green, powered up the already-configured Argon.

  • The Grove Starter Kit ($35) comes with the following items,

    1. Grove Shield for Particle Mesh
    2. Grove - Button
    3. Grove - Rotary Angle Sensor
    4. Grove - Ultrasonic Ranger
    5. Grove - Temp&Humi Sensor
    6. Grove - Light Sensor V1.2,
    7. Grove - Chainable RGB LED V2
    8. Grove - Buzzer
    9. Grove - 4-Digit Display


    Now, what is useful vs useless in the kit. The #1 is essential and it will be required to connect your new generation Particle Mesh boards and Grove components. The remaining items may or may not be useful but that depends on the project you do. For example,

    • a Weather monitoring project makes #5, #9 useful
    • a Traffic detecting project makes #4, #9, #8 useful and
    • Home Automation projects can use almost all of them.

     

    The one I find least useful in the list would be #7.

     

    Cost comparison: The whole kit costs $35 while the Grove Shield for Particle Mesh alone separately costs $3 (link - https://www.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Shield-for-Particle-Mesh-p-4080.html ) that means you can buy the shield alone and use Grove components you already have or you can buy only what you need (link - https://www.seeedstudio.com/category/Grove-c-1003.html ).

     

    If you are interested to see what's inside the box, here is my unboxing of the road test kits!

  • Just should I buy the whole starter kit or specific grove items I need. In other words what is useful vs useless in kit

  • Any specifics about the issues you face? Or any error logs, screenshots? See if I can be of any help.

  • I'm giving it a shot now will let you know the outcome asap image

  • Oh has anyone tried the grove kit? I am interested for another project if they think the kit works for them...

  • Does not bode well with the issues running around. I will hold judgement for a while. Thanks to ruchir for commenting here.

    Clem