APC220 Problem Communicating with each other (PC to Arduino or viceversa)

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hello arduino-er, just bought mine last week and having an awesome time for it.
here is my quick questions.

  1. Arduino detect COM3(my com port) but i cant seem to send any command to arduino.
  2. I tried uploading the code using apc220, also failed (i noticed the 256bytes capabilities, but just trying).
  3. My code runs fine when using usb-powered at computer, but it wont run if i used adapter(the adapter is also using usb-cable to power the arduino). I set the code to blink once every loop for test purpose.
  4. I have no way of knowing if arduino is transferring data to my pc, since i cant even send from pc to arduino, much less test the reverse. Is there any way i can test if the arduino is transferring any data using COM3?
  5. I heard you cannot used usb-powered if i want to use APC220. Is that true? Do i need a battery then?
const int trigPin = 2;
const int echoPin = 4;
float temp;
int tempPin = 0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{  
    delay(1000);
    room_heat_sensor();
    delay(1000);
    ultrasonic_sensor();
  
}

void room_heat_sensor()
{
  temp = analogRead(tempPin);
  temp = temp * 0.48828125;
  Serial.print(temp);
  Serial.println();
}

void ultrasonic_sensor()
{
  long duration, inches, cm;
 
  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
  delayMicroseconds(2);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
 
  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
 
  inches = microsecondsToInches(duration);
  cm = microsecondsToCentimeters(duration);
  
  Serial.print(inches);
  Serial.print("in, ");
  Serial.print(cm);
  Serial.print("cm");
  Serial.println();
}

long microsecondsToInches(long microseconds)
{
  return microseconds / 74 / 2;
}

long microsecondsToCentimeters(long microseconds)
{
  return microseconds / 29 / 2;
}

p/s : i didnt connect the heat sensor and ultrasonic sensor in the pic below, but it still gives me random gibberish data continuously nonetheless.


800×532 9.3 KB

800×532 9.3 KB


Below is some of the instruction i've followed
http://www.swanrobotics.com/Wireless_Arduino
http://fritzing.org/projects/wireless-arduino-with-apc220
http://www.appconwireless.com/NEWS/shownews.php?lang=en&id=6
and many others.

Any help is very much appreciated :slight_smile:

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