Home automation, Robots, Vending machines. What do they have in common?
The answer is computers controlling hardware. Making lights go on and off. Controlling motors, relays and other electronic components.
Liberty Basic for windows makes programming simple but lacks the ability to directly control or interface with hardware (except the parallel port).
To make hardware interface coding simpler a set of functions is required to facilitate the communication with external hardware. Because the arduino is the most widely used hobby micro controller in the world and has so much support it is the obvious choice make a set of simple functions for LB users to take advantage of this great platform for there projects.
The things covered in this article are limited to simple port I/O (Input and output).
Test if pin is high or low
Get input from buttons and other sensors connected to the arduino
Set a pin high or low
Turn things on and off like lights, buzzers, motors, ect.
PWM (Pulse width modulation) output
Dim lights, Control servo motors, interface with variable speed motor controllers
PWM (Pulse width modulation) input
Get input from things like sliders and position information
The Arduino Code
To make liberty basic talk with an arduino they have to speak the same language.
In this case a string is used and send over to the device followed by a carriage return character CHR$(13)
The only thing you really have to understand about the arduino code is that it must be download to the arduino board using the arduino IDE.
This can be download from the following link. http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Note: This code is done in arduinos special form of c and is not basic code.
<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">// Buffer to store incoming commands from serial port
String inData;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Serial conection started, waiting for instructions...");
}
void loop() {
while (Serial.available() > 0)
{
char recieved = Serial.read();
inData += recieved;
// Process message when new line character is recieved
if (recieved == '\n')
{
String Param0 = getValue(inData, ' ', 0);
String Param1 = getValue(inData, ' ', 1);
String Param2 = getValue(inData, ' ', 2);
String Param3 = getValue(inData, ' ', 3);
String Param4 = getValue(inData, ' ', 4);
String Param5 = getValue(inData, ' ', 5);
inData = "";
int valParam0 = Param0.toInt();
int valParam1 = Param1.toInt();
int valParam2 = Param2.toInt();
int valParam3 = Param3.toInt();
int valParam4 = Param4.toInt();
int valParam5 = Param5.toInt();
//Serial.print(valParam0);
//Serial.print(valParam1);
//Serial.print(valParam2);
//Serial.print(valParam3);
//Serial.print(valParam4);
//Serial.print(valParam5);
if ( Param0 == "get")
{
pinMode(valParam1, INPUT);
Serial.println(digitalRead(valParam1));
}
if ( Param0 == "set")
{
pinMode(valParam1, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(valParam1, valParam2);
Serial.println("1");
}
if ( Param0 == "pwm.out")
{
analogWrite(valParam1, valParam2);
Serial.println("1");
}
if ( Param0 == "pwm.in")
{
Serial.println(analogRead(valParam1));
}
}
}
}
String getValue(String data, char separator, int index)
{
int found = 0;
int strIndex[] = {
0, -1 };
int maxIndex = data.length()-1;
for(int i=0; i<=maxIndex && found<=index; i++){
if(data.charAt(i)==separator || i==maxIndex){
found++;
strIndex[0] = strIndex[1]+1;
strIndex[1] = (i == maxIndex) ? i+1 : i;
}
}
return found>index ? data.substring(strIndex[0], strIndex[1]) : "";
} </span>
The Liberty Basic Demo
The demo program shows off the basic functionality of the library.
The Com port that the arduino is on must be placed in the com port number text box.
A pin must be selected and a value to send must be entered.
The 4 buttons on the left are used to execute the functions.
The return value is populated by the what is returned by the arduino.
<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">dim pins$(100)
'Populate pin list
for x = 0 to 13
pins$(x) = str$(x)
next x
nomainwin
WindowWidth = 360
WindowHeight = 445
UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2)
UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2)
listbox #main.PinSelector, pins$(, [listbox1DoubleClick], 10, 82, 130, 320
statictext #main.statictext2, "Pin Selector", 10, 62, 130, 20
textbox #main.ValToSend, 165, 32, 170, 25
statictext #main.statictext4, "Value To Send", 165, 12, 170, 20
statictext #main.statictext5, "Return Value", 165, 62, 175, 20
textbox #main.ReturnValue, 165, 82, 170, 25
button #main.button7,"Set Pin High/Low Status",[Set.Pin], UL, 165, 117, 170, 25
button #main.button8,"Get Pin High/Low Status",[Get.Pin], UL, 165, 152, 170, 25
button #main.button9,"PWM Output (Servos)",[PWM.Out], UL, 165, 187, 170, 25
button #main.button10,"PWM Input",[PWM.In], UL, 165, 222, 170, 25
statictext #main.statictext11, "Com Port Number", 10, 12, 145, 20
textbox #main.ComPortNo, 10, 32, 130, 25
open "LB Ultra Simple Arduino Demo" for dialog as #main
print #main, "trapclose [quit.main]"
wait
[Set.Pin]
gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win]
return.value = AD.Set(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection, Val.To.Send)
print #main.ReturnValue, return.value
wait
[Get.Pin]
gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win]
return.value = AD.Get(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection)
print #main.ReturnValue, return.value
wait
[PWM.Out]
gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win]
return.value = AD.PWM.Out(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection, Val.To.Send)
print #main.ReturnValue, return.value
wait
[PWM.In]
gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win]
return.value = AD.PWM.In(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection)
print #main.ReturnValue, return.value
wait
[quit.main]
close #main
end
[Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win]
print #main.ValToSend, "!contents? Val.To.Send";
print #main.ComPortNo, "!contents? Com.port.Selection";
print #main.PinSelector, "selection? Pin.Selection"
return
'Begin Arduino Code here -------------------------------------------------------
'These functions can be added to any program to provide arduini power input and output
'Descriptions for functions are in there comments
function AD.Set(com.port, PinNo, value)
'Set an Arduino pin high or low,
'Will return 1 one if successful, 0 if not
AD.Set = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"set ";PinNo;" ";value))
end function
function AD.Get(com.port, PinNo)
'Will return the current state of the input pin
'1 for high, 0 for low
AD.Get = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"get ";PinNo))
end function
function AD.PWM.Out(com.port, PinNo, value)
'Set the PWM output on the select pin to the value
'Will return a 1 for success and 0 for failure.
AD.PWM.Out = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.out ";PinNo;" ";value))
end function
function AD.PWM.In(com.port, PinNo)
'Get the PWM input from the pin
'Will return a value of 0 to 1023
AD.PWM.In = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.in ";PinNo))
end function
Function AD.talk.to.device$(port,msg$)
'Send a Message to the arduino and return the result sent back by the device
if msg$ <> "" then
'Open the com port
open "COM" ; port ; ":9600,n,8,1" for random as #ArduinoCOMPort
'Send message to device
print #ArduinoCOMPort, msg$
'Wait until there is a carriage return
while foundLF = 0
while lof(#ArduinoCOMPort) > 0
temp$ = input$(#ArduinoCOMPort, 1)
buffer$ = buffer$ + temp$
if temp$ = chr$(13) then
foundLF = 1
exit while
end if
wend
wend
'Place the returned text in to AD.talk.to.device$
AD.talk.to.device$ = buffer$
close #ArduinoCOMPort
else
Notice "Improper Message Received, Must contain a command"
end if
End function
</span>
Just the Library and function descriptions
The bare naked functions are below with commented explanations for what they do.
<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">'Begin Arduino Code here -------------------------------------------------------
'These functions can be added to any program to provide arduini power input and output
'Descriptions for functions are in there comments
function AD.Set(com.port, PinNo, value)
'Set an Arduino pin high or low,
'Will return 1 one if successful, 0 if not
AD.Set = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"set ";PinNo;" ";value))
end function
function AD.Get(com.port, PinNo)
'Will return the current state of the input pin
'1 for high, 0 for low
AD.Get = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"get ";PinNo))
end function
function AD.PWM.Out(com.port, PinNo, value)
'Set the PWM output on the select pin to the value
'Will return a 1 for success and 0 for failure.
AD.PWM.Out = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.out ";PinNo;" ";value))
end function
function AD.PWM.In(com.port, PinNo)
'Get the PWM input from the pin
'Will return a value of 0 to 1023
AD.PWM.In = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.in ";PinNo))
end function
Function AD.talk.to.device$(port,msg$)
'Send a Message to the arduino and return the result sent back by the device
if msg$ <> "" then
'Open the com port
open "COM" ; port ; ":9600,n,8,1" for random as #ArduinoCOMPort
'Send message to device
print #ArduinoCOMPort, msg$
'Wait until there is a carriage return
while foundLF = 0
while lof(#ArduinoCOMPort) > 0
temp$ = input$(#ArduinoCOMPort, 1)
buffer$ = buffer$ + temp$
if temp$ = chr$(13) then
foundLF = 1
exit while
end if
wend
wend
'Place the returned text in to AD.talk.to.device$
AD.talk.to.device$ = buffer$
close #ArduinoCOMPort
else
Notice "Improper Message Received, Must contain a command"
end if
End function</span>
mmiscool
Mar 26, 2015
Using an Arduino as a slave board
Arduino serial interfacing and basic function library (This article is a work in progress)By Mike Molianri
Home automation, Robots, Vending machines. What do they have in common?
The answer is computers controlling hardware. Making lights go on and off. Controlling motors, relays and other electronic components.Liberty Basic for windows makes programming simple but lacks the ability to directly control or interface with hardware (except the parallel port).
To make hardware interface coding simpler a set of functions is required to facilitate the communication with external hardware. Because the arduino is the most widely used hobby micro controller in the world and has so much support it is the obvious choice make a set of simple functions for LB users to take advantage of this great platform for there projects.
The things covered in this article are limited to simple port I/O (Input and output).
The Arduino Code
To make liberty basic talk with an arduino they have to speak the same language.In this case a string is used and send over to the device followed by a carriage return character CHR$(13)
The only thing you really have to understand about the arduino code is that it must be download to the arduino board using the arduino IDE.
This can be download from the following link.
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Note: This code is done in arduinos special form of c and is not basic code.
<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">// Buffer to store incoming commands from serial port String inData; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); Serial.println("Serial conection started, waiting for instructions..."); } void loop() { while (Serial.available() > 0) { char recieved = Serial.read(); inData += recieved; // Process message when new line character is recieved if (recieved == '\n') { String Param0 = getValue(inData, ' ', 0); String Param1 = getValue(inData, ' ', 1); String Param2 = getValue(inData, ' ', 2); String Param3 = getValue(inData, ' ', 3); String Param4 = getValue(inData, ' ', 4); String Param5 = getValue(inData, ' ', 5); inData = ""; int valParam0 = Param0.toInt(); int valParam1 = Param1.toInt(); int valParam2 = Param2.toInt(); int valParam3 = Param3.toInt(); int valParam4 = Param4.toInt(); int valParam5 = Param5.toInt(); //Serial.print(valParam0); //Serial.print(valParam1); //Serial.print(valParam2); //Serial.print(valParam3); //Serial.print(valParam4); //Serial.print(valParam5); if ( Param0 == "get") { pinMode(valParam1, INPUT); Serial.println(digitalRead(valParam1)); } if ( Param0 == "set") { pinMode(valParam1, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(valParam1, valParam2); Serial.println("1"); } if ( Param0 == "pwm.out") { analogWrite(valParam1, valParam2); Serial.println("1"); } if ( Param0 == "pwm.in") { Serial.println(analogRead(valParam1)); } } } } String getValue(String data, char separator, int index) { int found = 0; int strIndex[] = { 0, -1 }; int maxIndex = data.length()-1; for(int i=0; i<=maxIndex && found<=index; i++){ if(data.charAt(i)==separator || i==maxIndex){ found++; strIndex[0] = strIndex[1]+1; strIndex[1] = (i == maxIndex) ? i+1 : i; } } return found>index ? data.substring(strIndex[0], strIndex[1]) : ""; } </span>The Liberty Basic Demo
The Com port that the arduino is on must be placed in the com port number text box.
A pin must be selected and a value to send must be entered.
The 4 buttons on the left are used to execute the functions.
The return value is populated by the what is returned by the arduino.
<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">dim pins$(100) 'Populate pin list for x = 0 to 13 pins$(x) = str$(x) next x nomainwin WindowWidth = 360 WindowHeight = 445 UpperLeftX=int((DisplayWidth-WindowWidth)/2) UpperLeftY=int((DisplayHeight-WindowHeight)/2) listbox #main.PinSelector, pins$(, [listbox1DoubleClick], 10, 82, 130, 320 statictext #main.statictext2, "Pin Selector", 10, 62, 130, 20 textbox #main.ValToSend, 165, 32, 170, 25 statictext #main.statictext4, "Value To Send", 165, 12, 170, 20 statictext #main.statictext5, "Return Value", 165, 62, 175, 20 textbox #main.ReturnValue, 165, 82, 170, 25 button #main.button7,"Set Pin High/Low Status",[Set.Pin], UL, 165, 117, 170, 25 button #main.button8,"Get Pin High/Low Status",[Get.Pin], UL, 165, 152, 170, 25 button #main.button9,"PWM Output (Servos)",[PWM.Out], UL, 165, 187, 170, 25 button #main.button10,"PWM Input",[PWM.In], UL, 165, 222, 170, 25 statictext #main.statictext11, "Com Port Number", 10, 12, 145, 20 textbox #main.ComPortNo, 10, 32, 130, 25 open "LB Ultra Simple Arduino Demo" for dialog as #main print #main, "trapclose [quit.main]" wait [Set.Pin] gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win] return.value = AD.Set(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection, Val.To.Send) print #main.ReturnValue, return.value wait [Get.Pin] gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win] return.value = AD.Get(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection) print #main.ReturnValue, return.value wait [PWM.Out] gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win] return.value = AD.PWM.Out(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection, Val.To.Send) print #main.ReturnValue, return.value wait [PWM.In] gosub [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win] return.value = AD.PWM.In(Com.port.Selection, Pin.Selection) print #main.ReturnValue, return.value wait [quit.main] close #main end [Get.The.Selctions.And.Textboxes.From.Main.Win] print #main.ValToSend, "!contents? Val.To.Send"; print #main.ComPortNo, "!contents? Com.port.Selection"; print #main.PinSelector, "selection? Pin.Selection" return 'Begin Arduino Code here ------------------------------------------------------- 'These functions can be added to any program to provide arduini power input and output 'Descriptions for functions are in there comments function AD.Set(com.port, PinNo, value) 'Set an Arduino pin high or low, 'Will return 1 one if successful, 0 if not AD.Set = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"set ";PinNo;" ";value)) end function function AD.Get(com.port, PinNo) 'Will return the current state of the input pin '1 for high, 0 for low AD.Get = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"get ";PinNo)) end function function AD.PWM.Out(com.port, PinNo, value) 'Set the PWM output on the select pin to the value 'Will return a 1 for success and 0 for failure. AD.PWM.Out = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.out ";PinNo;" ";value)) end function function AD.PWM.In(com.port, PinNo) 'Get the PWM input from the pin 'Will return a value of 0 to 1023 AD.PWM.In = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.in ";PinNo)) end function Function AD.talk.to.device$(port,msg$) 'Send a Message to the arduino and return the result sent back by the device if msg$ <> "" then 'Open the com port open "COM" ; port ; ":9600,n,8,1" for random as #ArduinoCOMPort 'Send message to device print #ArduinoCOMPort, msg$ 'Wait until there is a carriage return while foundLF = 0 while lof(#ArduinoCOMPort) > 0 temp$ = input$(#ArduinoCOMPort, 1) buffer$ = buffer$ + temp$ if temp$ = chr$(13) then foundLF = 1 exit while end if wend wend 'Place the returned text in to AD.talk.to.device$ AD.talk.to.device$ = buffer$ close #ArduinoCOMPort else Notice "Improper Message Received, Must contain a command" end if End function </span>Just the Library and function descriptions
The bare naked functions are below with commented explanations for what they do.<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">'Begin Arduino Code here ------------------------------------------------------- 'These functions can be added to any program to provide arduini power input and output 'Descriptions for functions are in there comments function AD.Set(com.port, PinNo, value) 'Set an Arduino pin high or low, 'Will return 1 one if successful, 0 if not AD.Set = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"set ";PinNo;" ";value)) end function function AD.Get(com.port, PinNo) 'Will return the current state of the input pin '1 for high, 0 for low AD.Get = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"get ";PinNo)) end function function AD.PWM.Out(com.port, PinNo, value) 'Set the PWM output on the select pin to the value 'Will return a 1 for success and 0 for failure. AD.PWM.Out = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.out ";PinNo;" ";value)) end function function AD.PWM.In(com.port, PinNo) 'Get the PWM input from the pin 'Will return a value of 0 to 1023 AD.PWM.In = val(AD.talk.to.device$(com.port,"pwm.in ";PinNo)) end function Function AD.talk.to.device$(port,msg$) 'Send a Message to the arduino and return the result sent back by the device if msg$ <> "" then 'Open the com port open "COM" ; port ; ":9600,n,8,1" for random as #ArduinoCOMPort 'Send message to device print #ArduinoCOMPort, msg$ 'Wait until there is a carriage return while foundLF = 0 while lof(#ArduinoCOMPort) > 0 temp$ = input$(#ArduinoCOMPort, 1) buffer$ = buffer$ + temp$ if temp$ = chr$(13) then foundLF = 1 exit while end if wend wend 'Place the returned text in to AD.talk.to.device$ AD.talk.to.device$ = buffer$ close #ArduinoCOMPort else Notice "Improper Message Received, Must contain a command" end if End function</span>Using an Arduino as a slave board | Home automation, Robots, Vending machines. What do they have in common? | The Arduino Code | The Liberty Basic Demo | Just the Library and function descriptions