I was wondering if there was a way to read data coming from various sensors on the Arduino Uno with an external power source connected.
I'm fairly new to Arduino and was told that it was unwise to have both the 5V USB cable and an external 9V power source connected to the Arduino at the same time. The context is that I am building a Micromouse with multiple analog sensors that will likely have to be calibrated to drive straight and turn precisely. We expect to be using the built in serial monitor for Arduino but don't know how to access this without using the USB cable.
I did some research and found that for the Teensy board, it is possible to cut the power wire of the cable, leaving only the TX and RX wires to transmit data. I don't know if this is at all possible or advisable for Arduino (Using External Power and USB with the Teensy USB development board Option #2 for reference).
I know that Digital ports 0 and 1 can be used to transmit data but I am not sure what sort of hardware (cable) I need to do this and what the sample code would like.
If anyone could shed some light, I'd really appreciate it.
We expect to be using the built in serial monitor for Arduino but don't know how to access this without using the USB cable.
It's connected to a serial port. Any wireless mechanism that replaces the wire will work.
I don't know if this is at all possible or advisable for Arduino
It's possible, not not needed. The Arduino will operate just fine with both external power and the USB cable connected.
I know that Digital ports 0 and 1 can be used to transmit data but I am not sure what sort of hardware (cable) I need to do this and what the sample code would like.
Yes, you do. You are using it already. Or, I assume you are even though you didn't actually post any code.
PaulS:
It's connected to a serial port. Any wireless mechanism that replaces the wire will work.
Which serial port is this on the Arduino Uno? Are you referring to just the two digital pins?
What kind of wireless mechanisms are available for this function?
PaulS:
It's possible, not not needed. The Arduino will operate just fine with both external power and the USB cable connected.
So even if the external power and USB cable are supplying different voltages the Arduino can handle this just fine? How does this affect the total power input/output?
Pins 0 and 1 are routed through the same chip that the USB cable connects to, so there is ONE serial port that can be communicated with by the PC (through the USB cable) or by hardware connected directly to pins 0 and 1.
What kind of wireless mechanisms are available for this function?
Lots. XBees are my preference but there are lots of others.
So even if the external power and USB cable are supplying different voltages the Arduino can handle this just fine?
The external power is routed through a voltage regulator. So, they are NOT supplying different voltages.
How does this affect the total power input/output?
I don't understand the relevance of this question.