Connecting Arduino to ARC
Programming Arduino
On the previous step, you were instructed to download a firmware soucecode zip file for the Arduino that you'd like to use. Extract the contents of your zip file somewhere on your hard drive. I create a Arduino folder in My Documents and keep them in there.
Enter the folder with your Arduino firmware source file. I'll use the Arduino Mega as an example, but the process is the same for the other Arduino versions.
Do you have Arduino IDE programming software installed? If so, double click on the *.INO file and it will load the project into the Arduino IDE software. Otherwise, download Arduino software from HERE.
When the software loads, the main file will be the EZ-B firmware. The only field that really matters for you to notice is the BAUD_RATE. You will need to know the BAUD_RATE when connecting to ARC in the next step of this tutorial.
Connect your Arduino to the PC via the USB cable
Let's configure the Arduino IDE for your Arduino board. In my example, I'm using the MEGA so I selected that. If you're using an UNO or Duemilanove, select that instead.
Specify the COM PORT for your Arduino to be programmed
Press the UPLOAD button, which will compile and program the Arduino to become an EZ-B
There you go, the Arduino has been programmed and is now an EZ-B. The next step will demonstrate how to connect ARC to the EZ-Arduino. Or is it EasyDuino? OR EZDuino?
Remember, you don't have to perform these steps each time. The Arduino will remember the programming when it is turned off and back on again. The program is inside of the Arduino memory until it is reprogrammed. So, feel free to close the Arduino IDE program and move to the next step.
Any for that board will work. They just create a virtual COM port in Windows, which you select in ARC.
All these updates are so exciting!
DJ, I assume you can use the EZ-B as connection 0 and add the arduino to connection 1 to give yourself additional I/O correct?
What If the arduino has WiFi already? Can we use it wirelessly?
Yes to the ezb #1
yes to the WiFi version of arduino. Look in the getting started guide for the WiFi enabled arduino
Great tutorial
I used my Arduino today, com3 on ARC
sharp sensor:
used port ADC3
sharp IR radar
ADC graph
ADC meter
ADC read
All went well
That's great news! Appreciate the feedback
@DJ-Sures,
Any updates on adding "Capabilities"? I'm looking to use an Arduino Mega as an EZ-B controller, but need to add (I think?) a library to manage some Neo Pixels. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks,
John
John, think you want this: https://synthiam.com/Products/Controls/Misc/Neopixel-Ring-16158