TFMini-S not working with Arduino Mega

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Hello Everyone,
I have project where i am using Arduino MEGA 2560 and TFMini-S for distance measurement.
I uploaded the pre-made library example code as shown below with pin 53 & 51 for TX & RX using Arduino MEGA.

Currently i am getting the message in Serial communication monitor as-
TF Mini error: too many measurement attempts
Last error:
ERROR_SERIAL_BADCHECKSUM
65535 cm sigstr: 65535

Can anyone please help me out as i have very limited information for MEGA and how RX/TX works ?
Thank you in advance. Look forward to hear any positive news.

The code i am using-

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include "TFMini.h"

// Setup software serial port
SoftwareSerial mySerial(53, 51); // Uno RX (TFMINI TX), Uno TX (TFMINI RX)
TFMini tfmini;

void setup() {
// Step 1: Initialize hardware serial port (serial debug port)
Serial.begin(115200);
// wait for serial port to connect. Needed for native USB port only
while (!Serial);

Serial.println ("Initializing...");

// Step 2: Initialize the data rate for the SoftwareSerial port
mySerial.begin(TFMINI_BAUDRATE);

// Step 3: Initialize the TF Mini sensor
tfmini.begin(&mySerial);
}

void loop() {
// Take one TF Mini distance measurement
uint16_t dist = tfmini.getDistance();
uint16_t strength = tfmini.getRecentSignalStrength();

// Display the measurement
Serial.print(dist);
Serial.print(" cm sigstr: ");
Serial.println(strength);

// Wait some short time before taking the next measurement
delay(25);
}

2

Why are you using software serial on the Mega when it has three more hardware serial ports on the board?

What do you want to do with this data?

3

You should post code by using code-tags
There is an automatic function for doing this in the Arduino-IDE
just three steps

  1. press Ctrl-T for autoformatting your code
  2. do a rightclick with the mouse and choose "copy for forum"
  3. paste clipboard into write-window of a posting

best regards Stefan

4

Hey Mike, I simply copy the MOSI & SS pins from UNO and used in MEGA.

20210725
20210725786×606 117 KB

20210725_1
20210725_11508×838 195 KB

Besides i have more devices already using PWM pins. And 3 of TFMini-S already hooked up. Code that i posted here is just for setup 1 TFMini to make sure it works OK. Than COPY logic all over in project.
Thanks.

5

Thanks Stefan,
I will do that next time.

6

That is where you are going wrong. Why not use one of those free serial ports? Software serial is a last resort when it comes to communicating.

All those pins on the Mega are first and foremost digital pins, then they have other uses if you want them.

7

Hi, @Riski6

// Setup software serial port
SoftwareSerial mySerial(53, 51); // Uno RX (TFMINI TX), Uno TX (TFMINI RX)
TFMini tfmini;
[/quote]

Where does the UNO come in?

Tom... :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

8

Hi Mike,
I could use them if i choose not to go with some RGB LEDs with PWMs.
I have few PWM bits already used by motors and LEDs.

So, i selected those 51,53 bits for RX&TX while trying to test my code shown above before dumping in my main code. Which is not complete yet. I watched several videos to understand all the hardware 1st and code as i go. I will see if i can switch few bits around to use TFMini.

Thanks for the replys.

9

Hi Tom,
The code you see is standard code from the example that comes with TFMini-S Library. This code is only designed with UNO that's why you see UNO !
But my actual hardware has more PWM and motors, ultimately made me to use MEGA.
I will go with what mike said and re-arrange the pinout or may be take some LED out to fit everything in.

Thanks for the reply.

10

Do you know there is a soft PWM library?
Much better to use this than a soft serial library.

11

Hi,

Have you tried the example code on a UNO, to prove it works for a start?

Tom... :smiley: :+1: :australia:

12

This is happening with my system too. I tried the given solution, let's see!

13

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