nRF24L01 RF Wireless Transceiver 2.4Ghz Module

Specifications

• Chipset: nRF24L01+
• Frequency: 2.4 GHz ISM Band (Universal compatibility)
• Max Data Rate: 2 Mbps (Configurable to 1Mbps or 250kbps)
• Interface: SPI (4-pin standard)
• Operating Voltage: 1.9V – 3.6V (Strict 3.3V recommended)
• Logic Voltage: 5V Tolerant Inputs (Directly connect to Arduino IO)
• Max Range: ~100m (Open area), ~30m (Indoors)
• Channel Count: 125 selectable channels (Great for avoiding WiFi interference)
• Antenna: On-board PCB Antenna
• Power Consumption: Ultra-low (11.3mA TX, 13.5mA RX, 900nA Power Down)

Features

• Based on the popular nRF24L01 from Nordic Semiconductor
• Supports 126 RF channels
• Works at the 2.4 GHz frequency range
• High data rate of upto 1 - 2 Mbps
• Programmable output power : 0, -6, -12, or -18dBm
• Has a maximum range of around 25 m
• Supports SPI interface, which allows easy interface with microcontrollers
• Onboard antenna for optimum performance
• Low-power 1.9 ~ 3.6V, only 1uA on Power down mode
• When working with datarate of 2Mbit/s, the peak current is 12.5mA.
• Power-down mode power consumption is 400nA.
• Standby mode power consumption is 32uA.
• Standard DIP type pinout for easy Interface through jumper wires or breadboard

Applications

• Wireless Peripherals: Custom mice, keyboards, or game controllers.
  Robotics: Remote control for rovers, quadcopters, and battle-bots.
• Home Automation: Mesh networks for temperature sensors or light switches without WiFi bloat.
• Audio Streaming: Low-fidelity voice transmission (Walkie-Talkie projects).

Project Evolution

• Prerequisites (The "Before"): You should be comfortable with basic Arduino wiring and the SPI protocol. If you've successfully used a wired sensor (like an ultrasonic distance sensor), you are ready for this.
• The Upgrade (The "After"): This module unlocks Telemetry & Remote Control. Instead of reading a sensor on a screen attached to the Arduino, you can read that sensor from a different room.
• Effort Level: Intermediate. Requires installing the RF24 library and understanding "Transmitter" vs. "Receiver" code logic.

Package Includes: 

• 1 x nRF24L01 RF Wireless Transceiver 2.4Ghz Module

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does this module work with ESP32?
  Yes, it works perfectly with ESP32 using the standard VSPI or HSPI pins (3.3V logic).
• Can I transmit audio with this?
  Yes, but quality is low (8-bit, mono) due to bandwidth limits. Good for voice, bad for music.
• What is the real-world range?
  Expect 20-30 meters indoors through walls, and up to 80-100 meters in clear line-of-sight.
• Can I increase the range?
  Yes, by lowering the data rate to 250kbps, you can significantly boost signal reliability and distance.
• Why is my module not initializing?
  90% of the time, it is insufficient power. The 3.3V pin on some Arduino clones can't supply the peak current. Add a capacitor!
• Can I use this for WiFi?
  No, this is a raw RF transceiver. It cannot connect to your home WiFi router or the internet directly.
• How many modules can talk to each other?
  You can create a mesh network with up to 6 pipes (addresses) listening simultaneously, or thousands sequentially.
• Is the antenna included?
  Yes, the zig-zag trace on the board is the PCB antenna. No external antenna is needed.
• Does it interfere with WiFi/Bluetooth?
  It operates on the same 2.4GHz band. Use channels >100 to avoid standard WiFi congestion.
• Do I need a driver for Raspberry Pi?
  No specific driver, but you need to enable SPI in raspi-config and use a Python library like pyRF24.
• Can I use 5V logic from Arduino?
  Yes, the data pins (IO) are 5V tolerant. Only the VCC (Power) pin must be 3.3V.
• What is the difference between nRF24L01 and nRF24L01+?
  The "+" version supports 250kbps mode (longer range) and better sensitivity. We stock the "+" version.
• Can I send images?
  Technically yes, but it will be very slow. It is not recommended for video or high-res images.
• Does it support Ack (Acknowledgement) packets?
  Yes, the hardware handles auto-acknowledgement and packet re-transmission automatically.
• What is the "Adapter Board" I see listed?
  That is a voltage regulator board that lets you power the nRF24L01 with 5V and stabilizes the current.
• Why are there 2 GND pins?
  To make wiring easier; they are connected internally. You only need to connect one.
• Is this compatible with the NRF24L01+PA+LNA module?
  Yes, they use the same chip and can communicate with each other perfectly.
• How do I change the channel?
  It is done in software: radio.setChannel(115);.
• Does it work with STM32?
  Yes, standard SPI compatibility allows it to work with almost any microcontroller, including STM32.