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Week 10

Assignments

  • [ ] Task 1: link 2 devices to communicate to each other.

Process

  • I do not have internet enabled Arduino devices in my lab, and while I thought it might be possible to do some bluetooth connectivity with a makeblock robot, I decided to try for the learning opportunity, in using arduino to send, receive, and decode IR signals.

  • My first test was with a single Arduino UNO and an IR remote, using a protocol from a tutorial linked below. It took a little experimentation to get to a point where the received signals were anything other than gibberish, but I eliminated all the protocols which did not work, and eventually got a successful NEC encoded signal to decode into a command code. simple receiver code Remote Receiver

  • I recognize that I could parse that into a more intelligible name for a button, but I decided to move on to phase 2, and decided to try using a second Arduino to send an encoded IR signal to be decoded by my receiver. For the sender, I am using a set built together to use an emitter and receiver together to do some range-finding, so it’s more than I need, but it will certainly work to send a signal. Having installed the IR-Remote library, I pulled two pieces of example code for “tinySender” and “tinyReceiver” and set them up on respective devices. tiny code transmit path

  • I loaded the sender with its code, and a simple repeating pattern, then unplugged it from the computer and set it with battery power, so I could know for sure the messages were not travelling by any other method.

  • AND behold! There was not much consistency, it seemed the sender and receiver could not be very far apart, and alignment was key, but I was able to get the serial monitor on the receiver to display that it had received commands from the sender. I even modified the code a little so that when a certain signal was received, it would be acknowledged with a beep on a piezo that I had plugged in. I imagine with a little work, these could be paired to share info across spaces where wires would be impractical, but I am not sure how effective it could be, at least, the way I currently have it set up.

Reflection

  • I do work as a service technician for other maker spaces in my community as needs arise, and have often collaborated on projects for Mardi Gras Parades and other large events. Currently I have been working frequently with a local Low-power FM radio station, and could see that being a means of helping to share messages of empowerment where they are needed, as well as connecting needs to resources.

  • Honestly, I have been craving a better connection between the makerspaces in the city, and may end up moving on from the school to participate in opening a new city level space that has recently been proposed, should that opportunity be open to me.

  • I know I can already use some physical computing to bridge technological gaps at the radio station, and have recently invested in hardware to do some autonomous gardening on my porch. I could imagine teaching classes on that, if I am successful in my prototype.

Tools