arduino networking on a budget, can it be done?

Using Arduino Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

My project requires "some kind of remote communication to the PC" in order to work. It doesn't have to be wireless, wired is fine. The project is a desktop JAVA app that can either use the serial data, or use web data gotten via PUT and GET (see GitHub - jjg/RESTduino: A sketch to provide a REST-like interface to the Arduino+Ethernet Shield)

I've just priced all the available options: Ethernet shields, WiFi sheilds, XBee (which I could make work I think)...and it's all really just too expensive.

I need to keep the price of the finished project super super cheap.

Is there another way to get this done? I guess the short question is "what is the cheapest way to maintain comms between PC and the ardunio?"

I guess I could just use a super long USB cable and use the serial data? That seems ghetto though...there's got to be a cheap way to do ethernet?

2

My project requires "some kind of remote communication to the PC" in order to work.

Just use the USB cable. It fits well with the ghetto thinking and budget.

3

Ethernet shield: $25. ArduServer.com

Maybe later... product not yet released: DCDWireless.com, if from-sensor-to-Arduino enough.

Or why not just a serial connection between them?

Level 4 of...

4

This is from a recent posting. I've just ordered and going to try out bluetooth.

http://randytsuch-bluetooth.blogspot.com/

Lefty

5

Can't you can get an old - win95/98 - PC/ laptop from a digital scrapheap for free. Connect the Arduino to its serial port and use the PC's network card ...

It takes some tinkering (python/php/...) but it could be the cheapest solution - not energy efficient although :wink:

-- update --
Maybe serproxy is an option - http://www.lspace.nildram.co.uk/freeware.html

6

Usb serial is definitely the answer. But if there is some prob with that, try an Ethernet module from mdfly.com for $16. http://www.mdfly.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_41&products_id=484

7

some kind of remote communication to the PC

How "remote"? You can do simple serial up to hundreds of meters using Cat5 with RS-422.

For shorter distances, you can use RS-232, with a serial-based Arduino to save cost.

For a "super super cheap" Arduino core (if you don't need shield compatibility), be sure to check out the RBBB.

8

try an Ethernet module from mdfly.com...

... but if you go that route... and many other Ethernet i/f modules are like this... you will need a source of 3.3v for the Ethernet i/f. (Of course, if you are using a Mega, it has an onboard 3v3 generator.)

One of the advantages of following unit is that it only needs 5v (it has a 3v3 generating circuit onboard)...

http://www.nuelectronics.com/estore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4

(About $20, (GBP 12.50))

9

Why not try DMX (RS-485), unique addressing, 32 nodes per master, and there is an absolute wealth of pc->dmx devices out there, you can even use the arduino as an opendmx interface

10

FuzzyOne:
Why not try DMX (RS-485)

Fascinating. Do you have a good reference for getting started? Simple web search reveals lots of complex details, but nothing that really explains it from a high level, like with maybe some easy tutorials.

11

If you have a search of the old forum, there is a few threads going into it, like you when i started playing with I found next to nothing to get me started.

When I get time i'll dig out the code I used with an example.