Android & Bluetooth module.

Android phone is becoming more popular, most of the android phones equipped with Bluetooth. Just wonder how we can make use of the powerful android phone to interact with MCU like Atmel AVR, PIC or even Arduino. I think that more interesting projects can be done with the bluetooth connectivity to Android:)

After some studies, I found out that in Android 2.0, Google enhanced the Bluetooth API and come with an Bluetooth Chat sample for communicating devices with RFCOMM (SPP profile). So I did a try and it really works very well!



Let's try it out! The Bluetooth module that I used is a very tiny one with PCB antenna, it can control device over 10 meters at least, good enough for small project:) It is programmed to use as RFCOMM, so it can act as a wireless UART, good fit for all the MCU! With only 4 wires, 3.3v/Gnd/Tx/Rx, no programming needed, you can directly connect the module to your MCU UART.


Here is my demonstration video:


For the bluetooth sample code, you can find it in the Android SDK or here.

Sharp GP2D12 Analog Distance Sensor

It is an Infrared distance made by Sharp, you can see this sensor used in many hobbist projects. I got one in my electronic bag, but still not yet have a test. Robotroom website got a quite good measurement on the GP2D12 analog voltage against the distance, it may be a good reference if you are going to work on GP2D12. Another good reference is from uCHobby, they connect a GP2D12 with servo and visualize the measuring in radar like pattern with "Processing", source codes are provided as well:)

Links:
RobotRoom:GP2D12 Distance Measurement Detector
Visualizing Sensor Data with Arduino and Processing

4D OLED with Arduino.

4D Systems makes some really nice serial OLEDS. They aren't hard to use, but the documentation for them is very scattered. This tutorial pulls together the various pieces i've found so that you can get up and running very quickly.

Link:
http://jennylc.com/4d/

Arduino with 8x8 LED matrix

Bryan from HK who did a test run of using MAX7219 LED drivers on Arduino.


He also used camera as input and output the 8x8 Led matrix, of course the matrix cannot output the whole image, but it will be an semi-random pattern.

Link:
http://www.bryanchung.net/?p=177