Week 4 Lab
Contents
Interfacing
- Download and install processing http://processing.org/download
Serial Interface, for debugging
Sketchbook->Examples->Communication->ASCIITable
Basic text output from the microcontroller,
Serial.print()
and
Serial.println()
Use this to verify values and behavior inside of a program, for debugging. Examples:
- Displaying values of sensors
Serial.print(val)
- Checking program flow.
Dimmer
Examples->Communication->Dimmer Controlling a physical LED with the computer.
modifying for rudimentary keyboard control
void loop() { char val; // check if data has been sent from the computer if (Serial.available()) { // read the most recent byte (which will be from 0 to 255) val = Serial.read(); if((val>='0')&&(val<='9')) analogWrite(ledPin, 28*(val-'0')); } }
- Connect up the TIP120 driver circuit and motor from last week. Voila! You have a simple motor speed control, through the computer.
controlling from a Processing app
See the commented out Processing code at the end of Dimmer example.
- In Processing, open a new sketch, and copy this code into it. Save this sketch as "arduino_test" or something like that.
- Try running this sketch. When you do, it may give you an error about "COM1" or something of that sort. You need to tell the program what serial port your arduino is connected to. On my computer, I see this output in the Processing window:
Available serial ports: Stable Library Native lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7 Java lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7 [0] "/dev/tty.modem" [1] "/dev/cu.modem" [2] "/dev/tty.usbserial-A900acnt" [3] "/dev/cu.usbserial-A900acnt" [4] "/dev/tty.Bluetooth-PDA-Sync" [5] "/dev/cu.Bluetooth-PDA-Sync" [6] "/dev/tty.Bluetooth-Modem" [7] "/dev/cu.Bluetooth-Modem"
- I know that my serial port is the "tty.usbserial-A900acnt", which is listed as device number 2 ([2]), so I go back into the processing code and change the line that says
port = new Serial
... to readport = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[2], 9600);
- Now if I run the sketch again, I know that it will be properly communicating with the Arduino. You will need to modify that line to reflect whichever serial port your arduino is connected to.
- I know that my serial port is the "tty.usbserial-A900acnt", which is listed as device number 2 ([2]), so I go back into the processing code and change the line that says
- Upload the original (unmodified) Dimmer code to your arduino in the arduino software. Your processor should now be running that code... waiting for input!
- Run your newly created arduino_test sketch in processing. You will see a small graphic window, as you drag your mouse forwards and backwards across that window, your motor should speed up and slow down. Allright!! Now you have a simple graphical interface!
Pachube
http://www.pachube.com/ "a service that enables you to connect, tag and share real time sensor data from objects, devices, buildings and environments around the world. The key aim is to facilitate interaction between remote environments, both physical and virtual."
Homework
With your sensor, build a simple computer/microprocessor project. Establish communication between the computer and processor, either controlling the device with commands from your computer program, or driving the computer program with information from the processor. You may use Processing, and adapt one of the simple examples we have seen in class, or you can use any other program you are comfortable with (Flash, MaxMSP, PD), so long as you can demonstrate it to us in class next week. We will take the first part of class to look at your ideas for these projects.
Extra
Connecting to various external devices and components: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Main/ComponentLib