CHAPTER-5

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENT

Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is required to

program the NODE MCU board.

5.1 PROGRAMMING ARDUINO

Once Arduino IDE is installed on the computer, connect the board with
computer using USB cable. Now open the Arduino IDE and

choose the correct board by selecting Tools>Boards>Arduino/Genuine

Uno, and choose the correct Port by selecting Tools>Port. NODE MCU is
programmed using Arduino programming language based on Wiring. To
get it started with NODE MCU board and blink the built-in LED, load the
example code by selecting Files>Examples>Basics>Blink. Once the
example code (also shown below) is loaded into your IDE, click on the
‘upload’ button given on the top bar. Once the upload is finished, you
should see the Arduino’s built-in LED blinking. Below is the example code
for blinking:

5.2 ARDUINO – INSTALLATION

After learning about the main parts of the NODE MCU board, we are ready
to learn how to set up the Arduino IDE. Once we learn this, we will be
ready to upload our program on the Arduino board. In this section, we will
learn in easy steps, how to set up the Arduino IDE on our computer and
prepare the board to receive the program via USB

cable.
Step 1: About Arduino board

First you must have your Arduino board (you can choose your favorite
board) and a USB cable. In case you use NODE MCU, Arduino
Duemilanove, Nano, Arduino Mega 2560, or Diecimila, you will need a
standard USB cable (A plug to B plug), the kind you would connect to a
USB printer as shown in the following image.

Figure.5.1 USB Cable

In case you use Arduino Nano, you will need an A to Mini-B cable instead
as shown in the following image

Figure.5.2 A TO MINI-B CABLE

Step 2: Download Arduino IDE Software

You can get different versions of Arduino IDE from the Download page on
the Arduino Official website. You must select your software,which is
compatible with your operating system (Windows, IOS, or Linux). After
your file download is complete, unzip the file.

Figure.5.3 Opening Arduino

Step 3: Power up your board

The NODE MCU, Mega, Duemilanove, Arduino, and nano technology

automatically draw power from either, the USB connection to the
computer or an external power supply. If you are using an Arduino
Diecimila, you have to make sure that the board is configured to draw
power from the USB connection. The power source is selected with a
jumper, a small piece of plastic that fits onto two of the three pins
between the USB and power jacks. Check that it is on the two pins closest
to the USB port. Connect the Arduino board to your computer using the
USB cable. The green power LED (labeled PWR) should glow.
Step 4: Launch Arduino IDE

After your Arduino IDE software is downloaded, you need to unzip the
folder. Inside the folder, you can find the application icon with an

infinity label (application.exe). Double-Click the icon to start the IDE

Figure.5.4 Launching Arduino IDE

Step 5: Open your first project

Once the software starts, you have two options:

To create a new project, select File --> New

 Figure.5.5 Arduino Software Opening New File

To open an existing project example, select File -> Example ->

Basics->Blink.

Figure 5.6 Selecting File Type

Here, we are selecting just one of the examples with the name Blink. It
turns the LED on and off with some time delay. You can select any

other example from the list.

Step 6: Select your Arduino board

To avoid any error while uploading your program to the board, you must
select the correct Arduino board name, which matches with the board
connected to your computer.

Go to Tools -> Board and select your board.

Figure 5.7 Selecting Board Type

Here, we have selected Arduino Uno board according to our tutorial, but
you must select the name matching the board that you are using.

Step 7: Select your serial port

Select the serial device of the Arduino board. Go to Tools -> Serial Port
menu.This is likely to be COM3 or higher (COM1 and COM2 are usually
reserved for hardware serial ports). To find out, you can disconnect your
Arduino board and re-open the menu, the entry that disappears should be
of the Arduino board. Reconnect the board and

select that serial port.

Figure 5.8 Selecting Serial Port

Step 8: Upload the program to your board

Before explaining how we can upload our program to the board, we must
demonstrate the function of each symbol appearing in the

Arduino IDE toolbar

Figure 5.9 Uploading Program To Board

A- Used to check if there is any compilation error.

B- Used to upload a program to the Arduino board.

C- Shortcut used to create a new sketch.

D- Used to directly open one of the example sketch.

E- Used to save your sketch.

F- Serial monitor used to receive serial data from the board and send the
serial data to the board.

Now, simply click the "Upload" button in the environment. Wait a few
seconds; you will see the RX and TX LEDs on the board, flashing. If the
upload is successful, the message "Done uploading" will appear in the
status bar.
Note: If you have an Arduino Mini, NG, or other board, you need to press
the reset button physically on the board, immediately before clicking the
upload button on the Arduino Software.

5.3 ARDUINO – PROGRAM STRUCTURE

We will study in depth, the Arduino program structure and we will learn
more new terminologies used in the Arduino world. The Arduino software
is opensource. The source code for the Java environment is released
under the GPL and the C/C++ microcontroller libraries are under the
LGPL. Sketch: The first new terminology is the Arduino program called
“sketch”. Structure Arduino programs can be divided in three main parts:
Structure, Values (variables and constants), and Functions. In this tutorial,
we will learn about the Arduino software program, step by step, and how
we can write the program without any syntax or compilation error.

Let us start with the Structure. Software structure consist of two main

Function:
 Figure 5.10 Program Structure

PURPOSE: The setup () function is called when a sketch starts. Use it to

initialize the variables, pin modes, start using libraries, etc. The setup
function will only run once, after each power up or reset of the

Arduino board.

INPUT:

OUTPUT:
RETURN:

PURPOSE: After creating a setup () function, which initializes and set the
initial values, the loop () function does precisely what its name suggests,
and loops consecutively, allowing your program to change and respond.
Use it to actively control the Arduino board.

INPUT:

OUTPUT:

RETURN: