Where I live I can’t really get my hands on an arduino pro micro without waiting an extensive amount of time for the delivery. Can I by any chance use an arduino nano for the job without having to buy a seperate usb compatibility chip?
The nano and uses the 328p, not 32u4.
The 32u4 makes it easier to make USB/MIDI devices though.
(It's possible to achieve this with a 328p as well, just not as trivial)
Pick the board that makes most sense in terms of your project requirements.
You won't have to buy a separate chip for USB/Serial conversion,
you'll need a mini USB for the Nano instead of micro USB cable (used for the Pro Micro)
Related
Hello and happy holiday to all
I am using platformio for an arduino project for the first time. I have purchased this ESP32 borad:
EC Buying ESP32-DevKitC Development Board ,ESP32 Development Board Equipped with WROOM-32D Module Integrated WiFi Bluetooth Module Microprocessor Interface SPI I2C I2S Suitable for Arduino
I am new to all this and need to know what board I should pick in PLATFORMIO for this board. I have loaded the core 32 from Espressif 32 and have the large list of ESP32 boards.
just want to make sure to pick the correct board to match the one purchased. Here is also the link to amazon on the board purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B64SD16T?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Thanks to all you wonderful people who can help.
I have not tried any boards listed as I did not what to damage this new board.
You won't damage an ESP32 by choosing the wrong PlatformIO board. The worst that will happen is that you won't be able to flash your program to the board, or it won't run correctly when it's flashed. While it's not impossible to brick an ESP32 by configuring security options, that's not something PlatformIO is going accidentally do to your board.
You can search the list of available boards on the web and look for a close match.
The most important thing is to get the correct processor type - figure out whether you have ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, ESP32-C3 (or eventually some other kind of ESP32). Only consider PlatformIO boards for that specific CPU. Then look for the size of the flash storage. Usually any board that matches that spec will work.
esptool.py, the program PlatformIO uses to flash the firmware to the board, will detect the CPU type, so if you have an ESP32-S2 and try to flash code for an ESP32 to it, it will detect this and report an error.
In your case you might try the generic Espressif ESP32 Dev Module:
[env:esp32dev]
platform = espressif32
board = esp32dev
If your first try doesn't work, it's safe to try another.
I have a fairly complex project done on Arduino2560, which I want to port to a standalone Atmega328. My problem is that one feature in the project is that it can communicate with my computer via serial (I made a C# program to handle it on the computer side, using the COM3 port). However, Arduino uses the USB communication for a virtual serial port, and I got a bit confused about how it could be done for the Atmega. It has the RX-TX lines, but what's next? Maybe use some serial-USB converters? What's the best approach for this? Is there anything I should be careful about?
Thanks.
Considering you mention a specific port COM3 on your computer I guess we can assume you have a native RS-232 port (one of those with the sub-D9 male connector that we were used to in the old days but are not so common anymore).
If that's the case, then you can get an RS232 level shifter. You'll just have to make the connections to RX, TX, Vcc, and GND and this device will change the RS-232 voltage levels to whatever your board requires (most likely 5V or 3.3V). Some (maybe most) high-end development boards include this kind of level shifter so maybe check yours in case you already have it (if you do you'll probably see a MAX232 IC somewhere). Or if you are crafty you can also DIY.
If you prefer to connect to a USB port (then, of course, it won't be COM3unless you explicitly change the configuration on Windows Device Manager) you can go for a USB-to-serial adaptor. On that front, you have many choices, starting from the cheapest at maybe 5$, but I'd rather choose one based on the FTDI chip, which is nowadays quite ubiquitous and has proven its reliability. This one is a good example, and at the same cost as the level shifter.
Now, are there any differences between using the native RS-232 or the USB adaptor? The answer is, for most practical purposes, no. If you go to the fine details, like buffer sizes, there will be differences, but if you need to go there you'll need to study the details in both cases to see if the port you have (or the one you're planning to add) meet your needs. For most scenarios, I would choose the USB, if only because you have it everywhere (most laptops don't have a native RS-232).
All of the above (based on RS-232 and/or USB) will work fine for cables running up to 5 meters (~15 ft.) for USB or maybe 10 to 15 meters (~30-45 ft.). This should be enough for most hobbyist or at-home projects. If you want to run longer cables you'll have to go for something like RS-485.
If you choose now the USB adaptor and you think you might need to relocate your board in the future to end up more than 20 meters (15 of RS-232 + 5 of USB) away from your computer just make sure your adaptor includes a TX Enable signal (TXEN). Most adaptors based on the FTDI chip will have this signal on a pin (like the one I linked above), and that will make your life way easier if you want to use RS-485 on a two-cable half-duplex bus.
EDIT: based on the feedback below there is new info that deserves a quick update.
First, you don't have an old school RS-232 port on your PC and second you have to design the connection on the microcontroller's side.
With that in mind it's clear you have to go for the USB solution. But you need to choose if you shift both sides to RS-232 levels or you stay at TTL. That decision depends again on the length of your bus. If it'll be really short (up to 2 meters) then you can stay on TTL, otherwise better shift to RS-232 to be on the safe side. There are many people who will tell you they have much longer serial links but how reliable they are you'll never know.
Since you have to design the board, I guess it makes sense to integrate the MAX232 and a sub D-9 connector there and get the cable you mentioned for your PC.
Or, you can add only a connector on the board and get the Sparkfun level shifter I linked above for the micro's side plus the same USB to RS-232 for your PC.
I have the Arduino UNO board and I want to know if it is possible to use both the USB connection (for exchanging data) and the external jack to power supply it.
I will use the following cable: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41OMXaj5cPL.SY355.jpg with a AC-DC 5V adaptor in order to power supply the Arduino. However, I want to use also the USB connection in order to send some data from the computer.
Both will be connected at the same time.
In short, I want the Arduino to be able to run even if the computer is OFF and whenever I open the computer to send data to Arduino from USB connection.
Is this possible? Will the Arduino Uno board support it?
Yes. From the official Arduino website:
Power
The Arduino Uno can be powered via the USB connection or with an external power supply. The power source is selected automatically.
External DC power will override USB power if the Arduino detects it. [Source]
as other said, it is absolutely possible to have both usb and power jack plugged in.
but be aware that if you shut down your computer and turn it on after, when reading the usb port you'll restart the Arduino and might loose important data.
yeah both of them can be used. If you want to upload the code in arduino then simply use the usb cable otherwise keep it on adapter. it wont harm the device.
What I personally do is, I keep on plugging the adapter and remove the usb once I am done with uploading and then test it as normally the usb cable is quite small and I normally work on robots so I need long wires.
if you want just plugs it in, it's ok but Arduino board will chose one and usb has priority to other power source.
********* Very important :*****
if you are controlling other circuits, that are connected to an external power supply, with your Arduino and connecting it to your PC's usb, Arduino will have potential difference and it will cause current flow that will damage your PC and Arduino board. if you want to do such thing, you have to shield your Arduino board from your other circuits that you want to control and they have external power source. this could happen with optocouplers for digital ports, non signal analog ports with shield relays, and complex analog circuits for analog signals
I've recently built an Arduino-controlled robot(4WD platform) using a beginner's kit.
After uploading compiled program into Arduino, I was able to get 4WD motors working.
But when I disconnect the USB cable after successful "uploading" and I turn on the mobile platform switch, it doesn't move a bit.
What procedure is required for getting it to move (I mean.. having machine language permanently stored in AVR microcontroller's memory) without again connecting USB cable to Arduino and uploading program after I find the code working so that just turning on the switch of the robot make it start to move as programmed?
It REALLY sounds like a power issue.
-What is powering your arduino when the USB is disconnected?
The USB from a computer is often pretty strong (hight current) and a 9V battery might not cut it for electric motors and such.
If this is the problem you may want to try a more powerfull battery setup, like 4 AAs.
You may go the LiPo battery route from a source like Adafruit or Sparkfun. Then the problem is that a LiPo battery only produces 3.3V. Ugh, you'll need an circuit to bump the voltage to 5 (which Adafruit sells) and a charger. This may be your best choice if you're planning to use the robot a lot.
What I have in mind is having a number of sensors (temperature, accelerometer, sound level meter) that are controlled by a micro controller. What I want to do is take this information and transmit it wireless to a laptop that will take this information and put it on to a web server using Zigbee. I don't know where to start.
Since you don't have any hardware as of yet, you might want to give the Arduino a try. The hardware is affordable, can be connected to your system via USB while being programmable in-system.
The basic board can be extended via so called "shields", which offer additional features. In your case, the XBee shield would be appropriate. Connecting your laptop to a XBee module is as simple as using Sparkfun's breakout board and a mini-USB cable.
The Arduino has a large community, so you will find a lot of resources, like books, online material, example code etc.
We also provide wireless modules that can be used for serial data transmission. They can be found at www.starmanelectric.com Our modules are very similar to the xbee, but more plug and play. They can be a great for going wireless for the first time. Our devices are designed to function like a "wireless cable" so if you're used to using wires then you'll be up and running in no time at all. We also have circuit examples for transmitting to a laptop serial port or USB. Any micro-controller will be fine for this application, as long as it has a serial port and a few ADCs to sample your data. Our modules also provide simple analog in/out which can run in parallel to the serial. If you want to compare to other systems, I would google "wireless serial modules"
Regards,
Michael
Starman Electric