how to get wireless control of arduino from pc?

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

hello everyone!

I am new to arduino, so please forgive if I ask the obvious...

I want to control an arduino wirelessly from my laptop (simple control messages based on midi signals to switch LEDs on and off).

Am I correct, that I would need 2 arduinos with a xbee-shield - one connected to my laptop via USB (and controlled by processing in realtime), the other somewhere in the room?

I just want to know, that I got it right, before I buy the hardware, so any help is much appreciated!

thanks!
leo

2

If you don't need a lot of range then you could use a bluetooth module with the arduino.
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=699

Then you would need

  1. a computer with bluetooth
  2. an arduino
  3. the bluetooth module

I've seen the module used with the basic stamp so it should work with the arduino as well

3

One simple solution is WIFI -
http://asynclabs.com/store?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=17&category_id=6

There are many resellers too. just google it.

4

Xbee is a quality but expensive solution. Anyhow you don't need an Arduino in the PC side, just one xbee there.
At the other side you need a xbee+arduino
If you don't need to use a specific protocol, there are real unexpensive rf tx&rx digital modules for short distance serial transmission (for example, check aurel modules)
Regards