Send HEX values to Arduino

FIVE MINUTE TUTORIAL

Project Description: Sending Hex values to an Arduino UNO

This simple tutorial will show you how to send Hexadecimal values from a computer to an Arduino Uno. The "Processing" programming language will be used to send the HEX values from the computer when a mouse button is pressed. The Arduino will use these values to adjust the brightness of an LED.

 

Learning Objectives

• To Send Hexadecimal (Hex) values from a computer to the Arduino
• Trigger an action based on the press of a mouse button
• Learn to create a simple Computer to Arduino interface
• Use Arduino's PWM capabilities to adjust brightness of an LED
• Learn to use Arduino's analogWrite() function
• Create a simple LED circuit

 

Parts Required:

• Arduino Uno or compatible board
• LED
• Breadboard
• 330 Ohm Resistor
• Computer - with Arduino IDE and Processing IDE installed

Fritzing Sketch

The diagram below will show you how to connect an LED to Digital Pin 10 on the Arduino.
Don't forget the 330 ohm resistor !
 

 
 

Arduino Sketch

The latest version of Arduino IDE can be downloaded here.
 

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/* ==================================================================================================================================================          Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino           Author: Scott C          Created: 21th June 2015      Arduino IDE: 1.6.4          Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html      Description: Arduino Sketch used to adjust the brightness of an LED based on the values received                   on the serial port. The LED needs to be connected to a PWM pin. In this sketch                   Pin 10 is used, however you could use Pin 3, 5, 6, 9, or 11 - if you are using an Arduino Uno. ===================================================================================================================================================== */ byte byteRead; //Variable used to store the byte received on the Serial Port int ledPin = 10; //LED is connected to Arduino Pin 10. This pin must be PWM capable. void setup() {  Serial.begin(9600); //Initialise Serial communication with the computer  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); //Set Pin 10 as an Output pin  byteRead = 0;                   //Initialise the byteRead variable to zero. } void loop() {   if(Serial.available()) {     byteRead = Serial.read(); //Update the byteRead variable with the Hex value received on the Serial COM port.   }      analogWrite(ledPin, byteRead); //Use PWM to adjust the brightness of the LED. Brightness is determined by the "byteRead" variable. }

 

 
 

Processing Sketch

The latest version of the Processing IDE can be downloaded here.
 

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/* ==================================================================================================================================================          Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino           Author: Scott C          Created: 21th June 2015   Processing IDE: 2.2.1          Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html      Description: Processing Sketch used to send HEX values from computer to Arduino when the mouse is pressed.                   The alternating values 0xFF and 0x00 are sent to the Arduino Uno to turn an LED on and off.                   You can send any HEX value from 0x00 to 0xFF. This sketch also shows how to convert Hex strings                   to Hex numbers. ===================================================================================================================================================== */ import processing.serial.*; //This import statement is required for Serial communication Serial comPort;                       //comPort is used to write Hex values to the Arduino boolean toggle = false; //toggle variable is used to control which hex variable to send String zeroHex = "00"; //This "00" string will be converted to 0x00 and sent to Arduino to turn LED off. String FFHex = "FF"; //This "FF" string will be converted to 0xFF and sent to Arduino to turn LED on. void setup(){     comPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[0], 9600); //initialise the COM port for serial communication at a baud rate of 9600.     delay(2000);                      //this delay allows the com port to initialise properly before initiating any communication.     background(0); //Start with a black background.      } void draw(){ //the draw() function is necessary for the sketch to compile     //do nothing here //even though it does nothing. } void mousePressed(){ //This function is called when the mouse is pressed within the Processing window.   toggle = ! toggle;                   //The toggle variable will change back and forth between "true" and "false"   if(toggle){ //If the toggle variable is TRUE, then send 0xFF to the Arduino      comPort.write(unhex(FFHex)); //The unhex() function converts the "FF" string to 0xFF      background(0,0,255); //Change the background colour to blue as a visual indication of a button press.   } else {     comPort.write(unhex(zeroHex)); //If the toggle variable is FALSE, then send 0x00 to the Arduino     background(0); //Change the background colour to black as a visual indication of a button press.   } }

 

The Video

 

The tutorial above is a quick demonstration of how to convert Hex strings on your computer and send them to an Arduino. The Arduino can use the values to change the brightness of an LED as shown in this tutorial, however you could use it to modify the speed of a motor, or to pass on commands to another module. Hopefully this short tutorial will help you with your project. Please let me know how it helped you in the comments below.

 
 

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