CASP supports exchanging data between micro-controller and host computer with very low latency Ethernet or WiFi communication. Data received from the micro-controller can then be used in CASP models on host computer or can be visualized with the help of CASP GUI widgets such as plotters, dials, 2D/3D graphs.
This example project demonstrates how to establish WiFi communication between Arduino MKR1000 (Arduino Uno R4 can also be used) that supports on-board WiFi101 library and the host (native) computer using CASP. We try to acquire analog data from the target board to the host PC through WiFi and plot the data on the host PC. We also try to control the on-board LED present on the target board from the host PC.
Pre-Requisites
- Arduino MKR1000 (or any Arduino board supporting WiFi101 library)
- CASP software is installed along with CASP Python Libraries (optional).
- Arduino BSP is installed.
- The project files are located at CASP installed directory ‘CASP/support/examples/communication/8_wifi101’. These are also available for download at this link.
Connection Diagram
Connect the circuit as shown below. Connect any sensor to the ADC pin A0 of the target board for sensing. We use the on-board LED at pin-6 for controlling.
Following are the steps to properly program the target board
- Connect the target board to the host PC via a USB cable.
- Note the serial port number to which the board that is connected to the host PC, from the host operating system.
- Run CASP and load the ‘target_model’ project.
- The WiFi101 block WiFi is set to Station mode. User may need to enter SSID and password of the network to which the device should be connected. The Local IP address parameter shall be configured as assigned by the network DHCP client of the network.
- Open Home->Simulation->Setup Simulation Parameters menu item. Under TargetHW->General tabs set ‘Target Hardware Programmer Port’ parameter to the serial port to which the board is connected.
- Build the model and program the board by clicking on Run button.
Following are the steps to run the native model on the native PC
- Before continuing, the host PC shall be connected to the same network as the device is connected.
- Load the ‘native_model’ project. Open the ‘native.wsp’ workspace file and double click on the ‘SimPanel IP’ block and set Remote IP address shown in below figure.
- Run the model by clicking on the Run button. A simulation panel window should start and communicate with the target board.
- Screen shot of the output simulation panel running on host PC is shown below.
