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Hardware: RF & Wireless Technology

Hiktron edited this page Dec 9, 2025 · 3 revisions

Hardware: RF & Wireless Technology Overview

HIZMOS is built around a multi‑radio architecture that combines several specialized transceivers, giving it capabilities far beyond typical hobby devices. Each module is selected to cover a different band, modulation type, or protocol, enabling advanced testing, analysis, and educational experimentation in RF systems.

# 1. Dual GT24 Mini Modules (2.4GHz Long‑Range Transceivers)

HIZMOS includes two GT24 Mini modules — compact 2.4GHz digital transceivers designed for long‑range, low‑latency communication.

Technical Highlights

Frequency: 2400–2483 MHz

Modulation: GFSK

Output Power: Up to 20dBm (with proper regulation)

Range: Up to ~1.5 km with 6dBi antennas

SPI interface for fast MCU communication

High‑speed packet engine for real‑time apps

Why two modules?

Two GT24 modules allow:

Full duplex tests

Monitoring a channel while transmitting on another

Custom mesh networks

Device‑to‑device long‑range links (HIZMOS ↔ HIZMOS)

These modules are extremely useful for STEM wireless experiments, like building your own:

Remote sensors

Robot control links

RF data protocols

Packet‑level analyzers (legally, with your own devices)

2. Dual CC1101 Modules (Sub‑1GHz RF Transceivers)

HIZMOS integrates two CC1101 chips, the gold standard for sub‑GHz experimentation.

Technical Highlights

Frequencies: 315, 433, 868, 915 MHz

Modulation: ASK, FSK, GFSK, OOK

Excellent sensitivity (up to –110 dBm)

Configurable bandwidth from 58 kHz to 812 kHz

Low‑power mode for battery‑driven projects

Why two CC1101 chips?

Security researchers often need:

A dedicated receiver

A dedicated transmitter

Channel monitoring

Simultaneous capture & injection

RF replay labs

In labs, professionals use these setups to:

Study wireless key fobs

Evaluate rolling code robustness

Analyze custom RF protocols

Build controlled RF simulations

Important: Real‑world car keys use encryption/rolling codes. HIZMOS is designed for research on your own devices, not unauthorized interception.

3. Full IR System — TX & RX

HIZMOS includes a high‑power IR LED (transmit) and wide‑band IR photodiode (receive).

Technical Highlights

Supports 38kHz carrier (Sony, NEC, etc.)

Works with modulated & raw IR signals

Can log IR bursts for educational protocol analysis

Can replay signals for controlling your own devices

IR is a great STEM tool for learning:

Carrier modulation

Envelope detection

Manchester encoding

Remote control protocols

4. NFC + 125kHz: Dual‑Band Proximity System

HIZMOS includes:

PN532 → 13.56 MHz (NFC A/B/F, MIFARE, ISO14443)

125kHz module → LF cards (emulation + reading for compatible formats)

Engineering Power

Multiple read modes

Field strength measurement

Signal modulation tests

Card emulation for your own badges and projects

This allows you to experiment with:

RFID systems

Access control prototypes

Custom card formats

Digital identity labs

5. 5GHz Wi‑Fi & 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi (ESP32‑S3)

The onboard ESP32-S3 brings:

2.4GHz WiFi b/g/n (esp07)

5GHz WiFi (bw16)

Full packet-level monitoring

High‑speed BLE 5.0

Technical Power

Packet injection (in controlled lab environments)

Frame analysis

Beacon & probe exploration

RSSI mapping

Low‑latency handshake measurement

About deauthentication / handshake tools

These are standard features in:

Network security courses

Wi-Fi penetration testing labs

Router robustness testing

6. ESP32‑S3 N16R8 (Main MCU)

The MCU powering HIZMOS provides:

Dual-core Tensilica LX7 at 240MHz

16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM

AI instructions (vector ops)

Dedicated DMA engines for high-speed RF data movement

USB OTG

SPI/I2C/UART/CAN

This makes the device capable of:

Real‑time RF analysis

FFT and signal processing

Multi-threaded protocol decoding

Fast packet buffering

7. Modularity: Hats, Add‑ons & Hardware Expansion

HIZMOS exposes:

GPIO

SPI

I2C

UART

CAN

+5V, +3.3V rails

This enables:

5GHz radio hats

LF/HF RFID antennas

SDR-lite experiments

Sensor packs

Motor/servo control hats

You can expand HIZMOS endlessly with new modules.

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