MAXBOX STARTER 18 PAGE 1/8

START WITH ARDUINO PROGRAMMING V3.1 maXbox

PHYSICAL COMPUTING WITH RGB LED
Today we enter a topic in programming called
embedded computing with the internet; we code a
RGB LED light on a Arduino board with a breadboard
on which we switch off or on the light by a browser
on an android device with our own web server and
their COM protocols too. Hope you did already work
with the Starter 1 till 17 (especially the 17) at:
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/maxbox/

Arduino hardware is programmed using a Wiring-

based language (syntax and libraries), similar to C++
and Object Pascal with some simplifications and
modifications, and a Processing-based integrated
development environment like Delphi or Lazarus
with Free Pascal.

Current versions can be purchased preassembled; Let’s begin with HTTP (Hypertext Transfer
hardware design information is available for Protocol) and TCP. TCP/IP stands for
those who would like to assemble an Arduino by Transmission Control Protocol and Internet
hand. Additionally, variations of the Italian- Protocol. TCP/IP can mean many things, but in
made Arduino — with varying levels of most cases, it refers to the network protocol itself.
compatibility — have been released by third
parties; some of them are programmed using the Each computer on a TCP/IP network has a
Arduino software or the sketch firmware. unique address associated with it, the so called
The Arduino is what is known as a Physical or IP-Address. Some computers may have more
Embedded Computing platform, which means than one address associated with them. An IP
that it is an interactive system that through the address is a 32-bit number and is usually
use of hardware, firmware and software can represented in a dot notation, e.g. 192.168.0.1.
interact with its environment. Each section represents one byte of the 32-bit
address. In maXbox a connection with HTTP
represents an object.

This lesson will introduce you to Arduino and the In our case we will operate with the local host. It
Serial communication (see Tutorial 15). We will is common for computers to refer to themselves
now dive into the world of serial communications with the name local host and the IP number
and control our lamp from a browser to a web 127.0.0.1.
server by sending commands from the PC to the GET THE CODE
Arduino using a serial monitor with interface. As you already know the tool is split up into the
toolbar across the top, the editor or code part in
In our case we explain one example of a HTTP the centre and the output window at the bottom.
server which is an intermediate to the COM serial Change that in the menu /view at our own style.
communication with the AVR based micro
controller on Arduino. In maXbox you will start the web server as a
Another Controller is the Delphi Controller . A script, so the web server IS the script that starts
Delphi Controller and the DelphiDevBoard were the Indy objects, configuration and a browser too
designed to help students, Pascal programmers (on board: Options/Add_ons/Easy_Browser/.
and electronic engineers understand how to Before this starter code will work you will need
program micro controllers and embedded to download maXbox from the website. It can be
systems especially in programming these devices down-loaded from
and targets (see links at the end). http://www.softwareschule.ch/maxbox.ht
m (you’ll find the download maxbox3.zip on our
This is achieved by providing hardware (either website in your personal download area). Once the
pre-assembled or as a DIY kit of components), using download has finished, unzip the file, making
course material, templates, and a Pascal sure that you preserve the folder structure as it is.
compatible cross-compiler and using of a If you double-click maxbox3.exe the box opens a
standard IDE for development and debugging default demo program.
(Delphi, maXbox, Lazarus or Free Pascal).

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Test it with F9 / F2 or press Compile and you can With these tools you can build serial
open now the script example: communication apps easier and faster than ever.
443_webserver_arduino_rgb_light5.txt First we start with the web server and second we
explain the COM port. After creating the object
If you want to get the whole package with Arduino we use first methods to configure our server
sketches too, then try the zip-file: calling Port and IP. The object makes a bind
http://www.softwareschule.ch/download/ connection with the Active method by passing a
ardpac.zip web server configuration.
HTTPServer:= TIdCustomHTTPServer.Create(self);
Now let’s take a look at the code of this project.
Our first line is So the object HTTPServer has some methods and
program Motion_HTTPServer_Arduino42_RGB_LED_Light; properties like Active you can find in the
TIdCustomHTTPServer.pas unit or
IdHTTPServer library. A library is a collection of
• This example requires two objects from the
code or classes, which you can include in your
classes: TIdCustomHTTPServer and
program. Once a unit is tested it’s stable to use.
TComPort so the second one is to connect and
transport with the COM ports to Arduino Indy is designed to provide a very high level of
(see below). TComPort by Dejan Crnila are abstraction. Much more stuff or intricacies and
Delphi/C++ Builder serial communications details of the TCP/IP stack are hidden from the
components . (It will be in your download area
after Indy programmer. A typical Indy client session
publishing this issue). looks like this:
It is generally easy to use for basic serial
with IndyClient do begin
communications purposes, alternative to the Host:= 'zip.pbe3.com'; // Host to call
TurboPower ASYNCPro . Port:= 6000; // Port to call the server on
It includes 5 components: TComPort, Connect; // get something to do with it
TComDataPacket, TComComboBox, end;
TComRadioGroup and TComLed.

Figure 1:
The GUI of the Win App

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Indy is different than other so called winsock with HTTPServer do
begin
components you may be familiar with. If you've
If Active then Free;
worked with other components, the best approach If not Active then
for you may be to forget how they work. Nearly begin
all other components use non-blocking Bindings.Clear;
bindings.Add;
(asynchronous) calls and act asynchronously. bindings.items[0].Port:= APORT;
They require you to respond to events, set up state bindings.items[0].IP:= IPADDR;
machines, and often perform wait loops. //'127.0.0.1'; 192.168.1.53'
• In fact there are 2 programming models used in Active:= true;
onCommandGet:= @HTTPServerGet;
TCP/IP applications. Non Blocking means that
PrintF('Listening HTTP on %s:%d.',
the application will not be blocked when the [Bindings[0].IP,Bindings[0].Port]);
application socket read/write data. This is end;
efficient, because your application don't have to
wait for a connection. Unfortunately, it is
complicated to develop.

Log Result

<<extend>>

Actor HEX in the BOX

Control LED
Matrix Indy HTTP Server
HTTP Service
<<include>>

Start COM Interface

Start HTTP Server
Browser Web Form Win Form
Open Browser
Com Interface

Arduino Board RGB LED

Arduino Terminal Monitor

System Micro Controller Boundary

Figure 2: The Use Case

• Host names are "human-readable" names for
So let’s get back to our HTTP Create in line 123.
IP addresses.
In line 131 and 132 you see port and IP address An example host name is max.kleiner.com, the
configuration of a Const, instead of IP you can www is just a convention and not necessary.
also set a host name as a parameter. Every host name has an equivalent IP address,
e.g. www.hower.org = 207.65.96.71.

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3: A few gadgets for Arduino

if uppercase(localcom) = uppercase('/LED')
The full target of the request then
begin
message is given by the URL
cPort.WriteStr('1')
property. Usually, this is a URL that writeln(localcom+ ': LED on');
can be broken down into the RespInfo.ContentText:= getHTMLContentString('LED is: ON');
protocol (HTTP), Host (server system), end
script
else
name (server application), path info if uppercase(localcom) = uppercase('/DEL') then begin
(location on the host), and a query. cPort.WriteStr('A');
writeln(localcom+ ': LED off');
• So far we have learned little RespInfo.ContentText:= getHTMLContentString('LED is: OFF')
end;
about HTTP and host names.
Now it’s time to run our program
at first with F9 (if you haven’t done yet) and
HTTP request messages contain many headers
learn something about GET and HTML.
that describe information about the client, the
The program (server) generates a standard
target of the request, the way the request should
HTML output or other formats (depending on
be handled, and any content sent with the request.
the MIME type) after downloading with GET
Each header is identified by a name, such as
or HEAD.
"Host" followed by a string value. It then does a
request.
So our command to shine on a LED is ../LED and
• You can also switch with F5 in a browser to
to switch off is ../DEL (127.0.0.1:8000/LED).
switch LED on and off:
Those are GET commands send with the browser,
or /R for Red or /G for Green. webswitch:= NOT webswitch;
if webswitch then
The first line identifies the request as a GET. begin
A GET request message asks the Web server cPort.WriteStr('1') //goes to Arduino
application to return the content associated with RespInfo.ContentText:=
the URI that follows the word GET. getHTMLContentString('LED is: ON Switch');
end
The following shows the magic behind in the else
method HTTPServerGet(): begin
procedure HTTPServerGet(aThr: TIdPeerThread;
reqInf: TIdHTTPRequestInfo; respInf: TIdHTTPResponseInfo);

One word concerning the thread: In the internal cPort.WriteStr('A');

RespInfo.ContentText:=
architecture there are 2 threads categories.
getHTMLContentString('LED is: OFF Switch')
First is a listener thread that “listens” and waits end
for a connection. So we don't have to worry about end
threads, the built in thread TIdPeerThread will be
served by Indy through a parameter:

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One of a practical way to learn much more begin
idHTTP:= TIdHTTP.Create(NIL)
about actually writing HTML is to get in try
maXbox editor and load or open a web-file memo2.lines.text:= idHTTP.Get2('http://127.0.0.1')
with the extension html. Or you copy the for i:= 1 to 10 do
output and paste it in a new maXbox instance. memo2.lines.add(IntToStr(i)+' :'+memo2.lines[i])
finally
Then you click on the context menu and idHTTP.Free
change to HTML Syntax! end
In this mode the PC is a master and executes
the control algorithm while the Arduino or Delphi
Controller acts as an interface slave and follows • The Object TIdHTTP is a dynamically
commands coming from the PC or browser allocated block of memory whose structure
through its RS232 port. Each RGB field in these is determined by its class type. With the
records reflects a state of the sensors and method Get1 you can download files.
actuators of the LED in those sense only actors as
begin
LED light are in use.
myURL:=
A running Arduino (M485A) monitor server will 'http://www.softwareschule.ch/download/maxbox_examples.zip
accept commands on input through a RS232 port: zipStream:= TFileStream.Create('myexamples2.zip', fmCreat
idHTTP:= TIdHTTP.Create(NIL)
if (val=='1'){ try
digitalWrite(ledPin11,HIGH); } idHTTP.Get1(myURL, zipStream)
else if (val=='A'){
digitalWrite(ledPin1,LOW); Of course a lot of lines to get a file from the web try
} it shorter with the magic function wGet():
if (val=='2'){
wGet('http://www.softwareschule.ch/download/maxbox_starter17.pdf',
digitalWrite(ledPin2,HIGH); }
'mytestpdf.pdf');

Figur 4: The Browser controls It downloads the entire file into memory if the
When the browser starts from script the server is data is compressed (Indy 9 does not support
ready for commands to pass chars to the serial streaming decompression for HTTP yet). Next we
communication. When a the server application come closer to the main event of our web server in
finishes with our client request, it lights the LED line 40, it’s the event onCommandGet with the
and constructs a page of HTML code or other corresponding event handler method
MIME content, and passes the result back (via the @HTTPServerGet() and one object of
server in TIdHTTPResponseInfo ) to the client TidPeerThread.
for display.
writeln(localcom+ ': LED on');
RespInfo.ContentText:= getHTMLContentString('LED is: ON');

Have you tried the program, it’s also possible to You can use them as server as the way to serve
test the server without Arduino or a browser. files of many kinds!
When you run this code from the script
102_pas_http_download.txt you will see a
content (first 10 lines) of the site in HTML format
with the help of the method memo2.lines.add:

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5: maXuino Together Settings

SERIAL LINE
int val = 0;
Please read more about serial coding in Tutor 15!
// variable to store data from the serial port
The serial communications line is simply a way int ledPin11 = 11;
for the Arduino to communicate with the outside // LED connected to digital pin 11 or the inbuilt 13!
world, in this case to and from the PC (via USB)
and the Arduino IDE’s Serial Monitor or from void setup() {
pinMode(ledPin11,OUTPUT);
the uploaded code to I/O Board back. // declare a LED's pin as output mode
We just create and configure our COM settings erial.begin(9600); // connect to serial port
(depends in which COM port a USB hub works). ..}
procedure TForm1_FormCreateCom(Sender: TObject);
begin
In the main loop we have an “if statement”. The
cPort:= TComPort.Create(self);
with cPort do begin condition it is checking the value in (Serial.read).
BaudRate:= br9600; The Serial.available command checks to see if any
Port:= COMPORT; //'COM3'; characters have been sent down the serial line. If
Parity.Bits:= prNone;
any characters have been received then the
StopBits:= sbOneStopBit;
DataBits:= dbEight; condition is met and the code within the “if
end; statements” code block is now executed, you see if
‘1’ then ON and if ‘A’ then OFF.
The condition of checking is simply a char it’s up
The Arduino can be used to develop stand-alone to you to code a protocol of your own .
interactive objects or it can be connected to a
void loop () {
computer to retrieve or send data to the Arduino val = Serial.read(); // read on the serial port
and then act on that data (e.g. send sensor data if (val !=-1){
out to the web or write data on a control LED). if (val=='1'){
digitalWrite(ledPin1,HIGH);
Now we change to the Arduino editor to explain }
how he handles our commands (chars). else if (val=='A'){
Serial.begin tells Arduino to start serial and the digitalWrite(ledPin1,LOW);
number within the parenthesis, in this case 9600, }
Serial.print("Data entered: ");
sets the baud rate (chars per second) that the
serial line will communicate at.

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and this is our way of sending data back from If you're using a standard breadboard, you'll
the Arduino to the PC. In this case the print need to use wires to reach the Arduino. Run 3
command sends whatever is within the wires (red, green and blue) to the pin sockets on
parenthesis to the PC, via the USB cable, where the Arduino. Run the other wire (black) to one of
we can read it in the monitor window or in the GND sockets on the Arduino. The colours
maXbox. aren't essential but they will help you remember
what the wires are connected to and black is a
BREAD BOARD FLOW convention for ground GND!
At last but not least some words about Once the connection to a client socket is
breadboards and electronics. A breadboard (or completed, the server connection is
protoboard) is usually a construction base for indistinguishable from a client connection. Both
prototyping devices of electronics. The term end points have the same capabilities and
"breadboard" is commonly used to refer to a receive the same types of events. Only the
solder less breadboard (plug board). listening connector is fundamentally different,
With the breadboard you prepared above or as it has only a single endpoint.
below, add three wires for power to RGB light and Sockets provide an interface between your
one for ground GND for your AVR controller. network server or client application and a
Place 3 resistors and LED as shown. Make sure the networking software. You must provide an
longest leg of the LED is to GND, connected to the interface between your application and clients
minus. The resistors don’t have a direction, so it that use it.
doesn’t matter which way it goes in.
Sockets let your network application
communicate with other systems over the
network. Each socket can be viewed as an
endpoint in a network connection. It has an
address that specifies:

• The system on which it is running.

• The types of interfaces it understands.
• The port it is using for the connection.

A full description of a socket connection

includes the addresses of the sockets on
both ends of the connection. You can
describe the address of each socket
endpoint by supplying both the IP address
6: Breadboard Settings
or host and the port number.

Figure 7: PWM Signal measure in Oscilloscope

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In the next line we just start a browser to test our Links of maXbox, Web of Things, Arduino
server in a so called frame work flow. and Indy:

procedure letOpenBrowser;
// TS_ShellExecuteCmd = (seCmdOpen,seCmdPrint,seCmdExplore);
begin
//ShellAPI.ShellExecute(Handle,PChar('open'),'http://127.0.0.1:80/',Nil,Nil,0);
S_ShellExecute('http:'+IPADDR+':'+IntToStr(APORT)+'/','',seCmdOpen)
end;

Try to change the IP address in line 132 of http://www.softwareschule.ch/download/

IP:= IPADDR with a DHCP or dynDNS address, webofthings2013.pdf
so you can reach Arduino from an Android, but also
change settings. http://www.softwareschule.ch/
maxbox.htm
Some notes at last about firewalls or proxy-servers. http://www.indyproject.org/
It depends on your network infrastructure to get a Sockets/index.EN.aspx
file or not, maybe you can’t download content
cause of security reasons and it stops with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino
Socket-Error # 10060 and a time out error. http://fritzing.org/
Furthermore, it also depends on the firewall in use http://sourceforge.net/projects/maxbox
at both ends. If it's automatic and recognises data http://sourceforge.net/projects/
that needs a response automatically it will work. delphiwebstart
It needs an administrator to open ports etc. you’re
http://www.blaisepascal.eu/index.php?
stuffed or configured. actie=./subscribers/
Hope you did learn in this tutorial the theme of UK_Electronics_Department
Arduino with a web server. The Arduino is an
amazing device and will enable you to make http://www.blaisepascal.eu/subscribers/
anything from interactive works of art to robots. vogelaar_elctronics_info_english.php
With a little enthusiasm to learn how to program
APPENDIX DELPHI CONTROLLER
the Arduino and make it interact with other
components a well as a bit of imagination,
you can build anything you want.
The Arduino can also be extended with the use
of Shields which circuit boards are containing
other devices (e.g. GPS receivers, LED Cubes,
LCD Displays, Sneakers, MIDI Synthesizers,
Ethernet connections, etc.) that you can simply
slot into the top of your Arduino to get extra
functionality.

The Arduino board is made of an Atmel AVR

http://www.blaisepascal.eu/index.php
microprocessor, a crystal or oscillator (basically a ?actie=./subscribers/UK_Electronics_Department
crude clock that sends time pulses to the micro-
DELPHI SCHEMA
controller to enable it to operate at the correct what
type of Arduino you have, you may also
have a USB connector to enable it to be
connected to a PC or Linux to upload or
retrieve data. The board exposes the
micro-controllers I/O (Input/Output)
pins to enable you to connect those pins
to other circuits, buses or to sensors, etc.
Feedback please to: [email protected]

Literature:
Kleiner et al., Patterns konkret, 2003,
Software & Support

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