How to choose SPI type used by RF24 library from application?

Question

I am developing a device with Ethernet shield (with Wiznet W5100) and NRF24L01+. I need to use Soft SPI due to a bug in the Wiznet chip. Next I am developing a different device with NRF24L01+ only. I want to use hardware SPI (besides other things it already contains a socket for NRF24L01+ connected to the default Arduino SPI pins).

It is very inconvenient to enable/disable #define SOFTSPI in RF24_config.h every time I want to work on the other device.

Is there a way how to choose the SPI type used by RF24 library in the application?

My current solution is to make a copy of RF24 to RF24_SoftSpi and RF24Network to RF24Network_SoftSpi. I enabled SOFTSPI in "_SoftSpi" versions (+ renamed all files, fixed includes and #ifndef statements in headers to avoid ambiguous errors).

Then in an application I just include RF24_SoftSpi instead of RF24 and RF24Network_SoftSpi instead of RF24Network to use software SPI.

With this workaround it is difficult to make updates to "_SoftSpi" libraries when a new feature is released.

Do you know of any better solution?

• Mikael Patel: This might help; itead.cc/wiki/IBoard

Answer 1

Using this RF24 library set, I am able to use or not softspi by doing #define SOFTSPI on my sketch, there's no need to define it on the RF24_config.h, you should be able to define it on your own sketch.

EDIT:

Arduino 1.6.5

#include <SPI.h>
#include "RF24.h"
#include "printf.h"
#define SOFTSPI //Define pins RF24_config.h
/****************** User Config ***************************/
/*** Set this radio as radio number 0 or 1 ***/
bool radioNumber = 0;
/* Hardware configuration: Set up nRF24L01 radio on SPI bus plus pins 7 & 8 */
RF24 radio(8,9);
....
....
void setup() { ... }
void loop() { ... }

• Michal Foksa: thank you for your answer. Would you be so kind and add an example into your answer including Arduino IDE version you use?
• Carlcox89: See edited answer above
• Michal Foksa: #define directive does not have any impact on library build. Libraries are compiled separately and do not take any directive from sketch into account. Verify your sketch with and without the #define SOFTSPI directive. Size of the result will not change, but it should by approx 2kb.
• Michal Foksa: This solution does not work unless proven otherwise
• sekdiy: Try defining Soft SPI before including the RF24 related headers.