How to monitor bluetooth incoming signals

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

Hi:

I want to give it a try: how to control a toy car using Arduino and a bluetooth module. I downloaded an Android app that runs in the tablet, it has forward, reverse, left and right buttons. I think I must identify with commands it sends for every button press.

Now, as far as I know I must use Tx and Rx pins, won't it interfere with the USB serial comm that I need to use to print values on the IDE monitor?

Thanks

2

Now, as far as I know I must use Tx and Rx pins

No, you don't.

won't it interfere with the USB serial comm that I need to use to print values on the IDE monitor?

Yes, it will.

3

Now, as far as I know I must use Tx and Rx pins, won't it interfere with the USB serial comm that I need to use to print values on the IDE monitor?

Load a non serial program on the arduino and you should be able to use the bluetooth module in a direct connection with the arduino serial monitor (connect tx/tx, rx/rx, and gnd/gnd).

4

zoomkat:
Load a non serial program on the arduino and you should be able to use the bluetooth module in a direct connection with the arduino serial monitor (connect tx/tx, rx/rx, and gnd/gnd).

Excuse me but, what do you mean by loading a "non serial program"? If I can't use the serial communication port, how do I monitor the variables, etc.?

5

rva1945:
Excuse me but, what do you mean by loading a "non serial program"? If I can't use the serial communication port, how do I monitor the variables, etc.?

You directly connect to the bluetooth module using the serial monitor, bypassing the arduino chip. Bottom is a dummy program that does not open the arduino serial port. If you look at the below schematic of an arduino, you can see three important components, the FTDI FT232RL USB/serial TTL chip, the arduino ATMEGAB chip, and the J1 pin header. When the dummy program is loaded on the arduino, you can connect the bluetooth tx to the TX1 pin on the J1 header and the bluetooth rx to the RX0 pin on the J1 header. This connects the bluetooth tx to the FT232RL rx, and bluetooth rx to the FT232RL tx. The ATMEGAB chip is bypassed as its tx/rx pins are in a high impedance condition (or at least they seem to be).

http://brittonkerin.com/annotateduino/arduino-duemilanove-schematic.png

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:

}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

}