Bluetooth Communication - Python

1 - Transmitting data from Python to the Arduino Software (IDE) serial monitor

To test this examples (made for windows):

• Connect the parts with the Arduino as shown in the image
• Connect the Arduino to the PC using USB connector.
• Transfer the .ino file located in Arduino_Bluetooth folder to the Arduino using the Arduino Software (IDE).
• In the Arduino Software (IDE), from the menu: Tools>Port>Serial ports, choose the port where the Arduino is connected.
• If you don't know the COM port number, double click on ActivateVirtualEnv.bat which will opens a Command Line(CLI) and activates a virtual environment for you.
• Execute this: python -m serial.tools.list_ports -v
• You will get a list of available ports with info, you need something like this(My Arduino is connected to COM5): USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM5)
• If you have a paired Bluetooth to the computer, you should get results like(this is not what you need now): Standard Serial over Bluetooth link (COM3)
• Open the Arduino Software (IDE) serial monitor.
• Double click on ActivateVirtualEnv.bat
• Execute in the CLI: python Transmitter.py
• The transfer of data should be printed in both the CLI and (IDE) serial monitor.
• The LED is turned ON in the beginning of the transfer and OFF in the end.

2 - Receiving data using a CLI instead of the IDE serial monitor

If you get the steps above done, you can start the next steps which uses a CLI to replace the (IDE) serial monitor.

This example uses the miniterm to listen to a specific port, you can explore the many useful options offered by this tool.

• Before executing the Miniterm-listen-to-COM.bat, right click on it and choose edit(any simple editor can do the job) change the port number that you used for the serial monitor.
• Now execute Miniterm-listen-to-COM.bat
• Now the miniterm is listening to the COMx (where the Arduino USB is connected, mine is COM5) save the file.
• Open a CLI using ActivateVirtualEnv.bat
• And execute: python Transmitter.py
• You should see the same as in the first example.

3 - Using Python to Transfer/Receive data

In this third example we will use a python class to receive data, which can be useful for developping a Python application.

• As the step above, open a CLI using ActivateVirtualEnv.bat
• Edit the Receiver.py and change the COMx as above(mine is COM5) save the file.
• Open a CLI using ActivateVirtualEnv.bat
• Execute: python Receiver.py
• Open a CLI using ActivateVirtualEnv.bat
• Execute: python Transmitter.py
• You should see the same as in the first and second examples.

4 - Python GUI to communicate with the Arduino

Next update!

Links:

• A very useful video to get started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tcn496oxnk
• GitHub related to the video above: https://github.com/LessonStudio/Arduino_Bluetooth
• Examples based on: https://pyserial.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html
• Class copied from: https://stackoverflow.com/a/56632812/12866855