Cheap 2-Way Bluetooth Connection Between Arduino and PC

INTRODUCTION

In the guide, I will explain how I managed to send data back and forth between a PC and Arduino via a cheap Bluetooth HC-05 transceiver, which can be found for less than $10 on ebay with the breakout board. The version I have used in this project does not have a breakout board so it’s little cheaper but  more difficult to solder.  I strongly recommend buying the module with the breakout board. This Bluetooth transceiver basically acts as a generic serial COM port.

The PC to Arduino Bluetooth serial connection can be useful in many applications such as controlling servos, motors, and writing to LCDs. The Arduino to PC connection can be useful in applications where the Arduino reads sensors then pass their values  via serial Bluetooth to a PC for processing. The distance for this transceiver is about 30 feet or so but it really depends on many other variables. This is ideal for indoors projects.

The only downside of this cheap Bluetooth transceiver is the absence of headers which means you have to solder at least 4 wires. Then there’s the absence of power LED as well as no TX/RX LEDs. I did not consider these features a necessity but some of you might want to pay more and get an enhanced version of this transceiver with all of these features.

The Bluetooth serial module I bought has the following specs:

— Default COM setting: 9600, N, 8,1
— Default Password/pairing code: 1234.
— Supports the AT command to modify the baud rate, device name, passkey, master/slave, etc.
— Supports baud rates 2400 -1382400.
— Based on the CSR Bluetooth chip BC417143
— Bluetooth specification v2.0 + EDR
— Power supply: +3.3VDC 50mA
— Frequency:  2.4GHz ISM band
— Modulation:  GFSK(Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying)
— Emission power:  ≤4dBm, Class 2
— Sensitivity:  ≤-84dBm at 0.1% BER
— Speed: Asynchronous:  2.1Mbps(Max) / 160 kbps, Synchronous: 1Mbps/1Mbps
— Security:  Authentication and encryption
— Size: 26.9mm x 13mm x 2.2 mm.
— Working temperature: -20 ~ +75 Centigrade
— Dimension: 26.9mm x 13mm x 2.2 mm

CREDITS

During my research, I have benefited from many projects on this and related topics. I have listed them in the references section.

RELATED PROJECTS

1) In a previous project, I used a Pololu Wixel and an Arduino to control a robot remotely from a PC terminal. Here, I will show similar data exchange functionality but without the robot.

2) I also hacked the RF system of cheap wireless car toy and used the Arduino to transmit signals.

 

 

Step 2: Load the Arduino test sketches

NOTE: When uploading sketches from the Arduino IDE to the Arduino microcontroller, make sure your Bluetooth transceiver TX pin/wire is not connected to the Arduino’s RX pin (pin 0) . Else, this may prevent your PC from sending sketches to the Arduino microcontroller.

Check the video to see how these demo sketches work.

I have two Arduino test sketches. The first one is a “send test.” The Arduino microcontroller sends numbers to the PC over serial Bluetooth. So if you have a terminal emulator running on your PC, such as Tera Term, you will see a list of numbers rolling down your emulator’s screen.

I have done almost no error trapping in my code to keep the code clear and simple. I trust the developers will add it per their requirement.

The second Arduino test sketch is a “get test.” If you type 1 on your keyboard, from the terminal emulator application such as Tera Term, the Arduino’s pin 13 LED will turn on. If you click 0 on your keyboard, the LED will turn off.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// REMIXED BY: TECHBITAR (HAZIM BITAR)
// LICENSE: PUBLIC DOMAIN
// DATE: MAY 2, 2012
// CONTACT: techbitar at gmail dot com

int counter =0;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
delay(50);
}

void loop() {
counter++;
Serial.print("Arduino counter: ");
Serial.println(counter);
delay(500); // wait half a sec
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// REMIXED BY: TECHBITAR (HAZIM BITAR)
// LICENSE: PUBLIC DOMAIN
// DATE: MAY 2, 2012
// CONTACT: techbitar at gmail dot com

char INBYTE;
int  LED = 13; // LED on pin 13

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
Serial.println("Press 1 to turn Arduino pin 13 LED ON or 0 to turn it OFF:");
while (!Serial.available());   // stay here so long as COM port is empty
INBYTE = Serial.read();        // read next available byte
if( INBYTE == '0' ) digitalWrite(LED, LOW);  // if it's a 0 (zero) tun LED off
if( INBYTE == '1' ) digitalWrite(LED, HIGH); // if it's a 1 (one) turn LED on
delay(50);
}

For more detail: Cheap 2-Way Bluetooth Connection Between Arduino and PC