Hello Mikal thank you for your support with these libraries I was wondering if the Mega supported newsoftserial library have been released yet

I could use some help. I am using this for my GPS. I am trying to get the bearing and i understand that the GPS does that for you.

// track angle
parseptr = strchr(parseptr, ‘,’)+1;
trackangle = parsedecimal(parseptr);

Is the above in the code for the bearing?
if it is, i can not get it to tell me bearing.
It prints random numbers and sometimes some weird characters. Every other part of the code works and i have written my own distance code that works. I also wrote code for telling me bearing from my current location to a different GPS point. I would like to get my current bearing when i move but i can not get the above code to work. Any help would be appreciated.

Mikal

I am using your newsoftserial library and the example gps code that comes with it.

Mikal

I was able to easily switch my formulas over to the tinygps library. So i will use that one since it gives heading. Thank you.

Not to be unappreciative but … is there any documentation? For example: it is not obvious in NewSoftSerial myGPS(3, 2); if pin 3 is TX or RX. I’m sure I can connect up to a serial LCD and figure it out but it would be nice if there was documentation.

As a suggestion, perhaps grab all the docs associated with: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Serial and alter them to describe NewSoftSerial. Less work for you (or someone knowledgeable) and it would allow beginners to compare and contrast. Thanks!

I am using 10c of your NewSoftSerial and see strange behaviour in my sketch.
I can call the print method from the sketch but when it is called from a lib
via a ptr passed in to the “translator” contructor, print does nothing. I have put this on the o-scope to verify.

nss.print(‘X’, BYTE); // Put this in for DEBUG. It works.

translator.sendPackerRequest();

if (translator.waitForPacket() == true) { // The “print” in “waitForPacket()” does nothing…
Serial.println(“DEBUG: Received Packet”);
// Received packet, and passed checksum. Now parse it.
//translator.parsePacket(); // Done in waitForVipecAPacket now
//translator.translate();
//translator.sendPacket();
}
else {
//Serial.print(“.”);
Serial.println(“DEBUG: Failed to Receive Packet”);
}

I am trying to load your code into my arduino and its not working. I am new and maybe I don’t understand what to do. I have an Arduino and a gps and I am pasting your code into my version 18 of the arduino IDE and it comes up with errors. Do I need to download TinyGPS to arduino? Please help.

Hi there

Is there any development version of this that has already support for the Arduino Mega? If not I’ll start porting it soon.

Does the new newsoftserial version (10c) makes the feedgps() function of tinyGPS not compatible or something?

i mean:
////////////////////////////////////////////////
from newsoftserial
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
This means that you can’t write code like this:
void loop()
{
if (device1.available() > 0)
{
int c = device1.read();
…
}

////////////////////////////////////
tinyGPS
bool feedgps()
{
while (nss.available())
{
int c = nss.read();
if (gps.encode(c))
{
// process new gps info here
}
}
}
////////////////////////////////////////////

I’m using tinyGPS with a ping ultrasonic sensor. I didnt try to create a newsoftserial object for the sensor (yet), but it seems that it fails to work as it does, when I use it without the gps and a newsoftserial object.
For example, I have set my vehicle to stop its motors when the sensor reads an obstacle in a distance of 70cm. Instead, the vehicle stops well below 70cm and sometimes it does not stop at all.

here’s what I do:

void loop()
{
get_gps_data();
if (newdata)
{
if(sensor_readings < 70) avoid_obstacle_routine();
forward();
}
}
—————————————–
bool feedgps()
{
while (nss_gps.available())
{
if (gps.encode(nss_gps.read()))
return true;
}
return false;
}

void get_gps_data()
{
nss.begin(4800);
unsigned long start = millis();

// Every 1 second we print an update
while (millis() – start < 1000)
{
if (feedgps()) newdata = true;
}

if (newdata) gpsdump(gps);
nss_gps.end();
} // end of get_gps_data()

——————————————-

What am I doing wrong? Should I declare an nss object for my sensor? Maybe not use the nss.end() method in the end of the get_gps_data function. I’m kind of lost here :(

Very impressive library! I’m just having one weird issue: I have to use the same baud rate on the NewSoftSerial instance as I do on the hardrware UART or there seem to be sync issues.

I explain: First, I successfully H/W 4800 read, parse and H/W 4800 serial print NMEA data from a GPS module, confirming the data by looking at it in a serial monitor app. Second, I repeat this success now using NewSoftSerial, connecting the GPS to RX pin 2 and setting 4800 baud on both NewSoftSerial pin 2 and H/W UART. Third, all I change is baud to 9600 on UART and now there is a problem. The board generates correct output for a second or two, but then the data generated gets choppy and corrupted and finally ceases. It’s like it’s having trouble synchronizing the 4800 baud on pin 2 and the 9600 on the H/W. Though I know the two are really uncorrelated.

Can you help? Does this have to do with trying to use two serial interfaces at once? Any suggested corrective action?

Thank you!

High Mikal,

Many Txs for the NSS!
Unfortunately I cannot receive proper datas from my 9DOF Razor board (8Mhz) sent by the standard serial to my 2009Board (16Mhz), no matter which boud rate. The razor reports properly via the 3.3V FTDI to the serial screen on the computer. Sending datas from the razor to the 2009board (receiving with nss) and resending via standard serial to the computer does not work. If I send 1 digit with one serial.print from the razor it is ok, two digits it still receives the first one only. If I do it with two serial prints (one digit each), I can put it through to the computer.- Strange
May I kindly ask to help?- many thanks in advance,
b.r.
Wolfgang

Right, after running some more tests, also using a nss object for the ping, I realised that the lib was working fine. It was actually the ping that was closing obstacles in a shallow angle and couldn’t detect them, unless it was close enough so the echo was able to reflect and return to the ping in order to take a measure.

Thanks for what might be the most useful Arduino library ever! But.. :)
Recently I have started using some Teensy2.0 boards, and I have a problem with NSSv10c and receive when using high pin numbers. I have a test controlling four Sony camera modules. Cam1 on arduino pin 14&15, cam2 16&17, cam3 18&19 and cam4 on pin 20&21. Cam1 works fine both send and receive. But cam2,3&4 will only transmit and does not receive incoming data (read() == -1). I have scoped the pins and conformed there is data on all tx&rx pins, but only the NNS instance using pin 14&15 receives data. I have also made sure only one NSS instance will send and receive before moving one to the next one as stated in the using multible NSS examples.

High Mikal,

Yes, it triggers the datas to be sent, thereafter 25 mills delay, as faster I can´t receive anything. If I want to send -179 from the razor with hardware serial to the 2009board receiving with nss, what would be the best code at what max speed?

many thanks in advance for your help!

b.r.
Wolfgang

Dear Mikal,

this send the datas from the razor at 38400 baud, rolli is type int and is defined in main page. If connected to the comp directly, datas are received in perfect order.

void printdata(void)
{
rolli= int(ToDeg(roll)+180);
if (Serial.available()) {
Serial.read();
Serial.print ((rolli));
}
}

This receives the data from the razor and send to serial window of Arduino 0018:

#include
NewSoftSerial Gyro(4,5);
byte roll=0;

void setup() {
Gyro.begin(38400);
delay(100);
Gyro.flush();
Serial.begin(57600);
delay(100);
}

void loop() {

Gyro.print(1);
delay(30);
if (Gyro.available()) {
delay(25);
Serial.println(Gyro.read(),BYTE);
}

Gyro.flush();
Serial.flush();
}

If I add more Serial.print(Gyro.read(),BYTE), I receive more bytes (amount how many digits are sent), which are not correct ASCII characters. If there are no more bytes, I receive -1.

many thanks again,
b.r.
Wolfgang

@Mikal: It is most likely a pin mapping/interrupt related problem. I can swap pins on any of the four NSS instances controlling cameras, and the one using pins 14&15 start working both ways. While the others will only transmit.

@Mikal: Sorry, forgot to answer you specific question about a single NSS on high pins. I left the project at work, so I will test that first thing tomorrow morning.

@Mikal: I have just confirmed that a single NSS object on pin 20&21 does not work with the Teensy 2.0, so the problem is most likely not related to using multiple objects.

@Mikal: After some more testing, it would seem that NSS receive on the Teensy 2.0 will only work if PORTB (PCINT) pins are used as RX pins.

But supposing I need send to this command to Arduino:

Print #4 , Chr(&H80) ; Chr(&Ha4) ; Chr(&H30) ; Chr(&H02) ; Chr(&H09);

(this command is a command to be send to a fingerprintsensor)

How can I accomplish that task with NewSoftSerial ??

JLux

Hi Mikal,
I really like the idea of what you’re doing with NewSoftSerial, but
I’m having trouble compiling it into a sketch for my Serial graphicl LCD 128×64.
Using Arduino-0018 with a duemillanove 328p.
OpSys:Win2000 Pro SP4. Have the used run.bat to sort the java PATH.
The NewSoftserial directory is in my sketch folder.
Getting these compile errors:-

27: error: NewSoftSerial.h: No such file or directory In function ‘void setup()’:
In function ‘void loop()’:
Bad error line: -2

Now, I have been a programmer in days gone by, is the any other way to direct the compiler to non-standard libraries ? Or, am I missing something really basic?? :-(

tia aka ged

@Mikal
I’m having some issues using your library with my Parallax RFID reader.
I have outlined the issue on the Arduino forums here http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1273612596/0
If you have any insight on what might be wrong it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mikal:

Isn’t you “object.available()” caveat in “Using Multiple Instances” violated in you TwoNSSTest.pde example?

Thanks.

Hey Mikal,

Great work with this library !!

But I have a little trouble using it … I saw in other forum that the delay function can have trouble while using the librarie, so I try to avoid this problem (Ì really need delay in my application) by openning and closing the serial connection each time I need it. But I can’t figure why, but my program seems to be block when I call the begin function (in the loop place for example) …
Can you help me figure what’s the problem ??
A little response would be really appreciated, and if you really need it I can send you a sample code…

Thank you very much !!!

Fred

Oups just a modification for my previous post, I’m using the serial to communicate between two arduino (or more) with simple RF component…

And the begin does not fully block, it seems to stay on the begin function for a random time, or perhaps the time to the RF receiver to get any signal on its pin …

Just for you to know, I’m trying to build an simple architecture with one arduino for the server role, and many other arduinos in emitters role, and each emitter arduino send data to the server arduino.
So I need to use both hardware serial to send data, because with this one the end() method really disable the pins allowing me to send data with an other arduino (two RF transciever cannot be active in the same time), and then newsoftwareserial to do the listen task, because I need to know if an other arduino is sending data in order to know if can emit something…

I really need help on this, I’m not an electronik an arduino specialist !!!

Thank you anyway for your great work !!

Hi Mikal,

I’m going to have a look at the overflow() function to see if it can help me. But if I don’t open and close the connection when I need to use the serials functions, like if I start the serial function only in the setup, then when I use the delay() function somewhere in my code, the delay seems to be really untrustable… (1000ms in the code looks like 5000ms in the reality !!)
Do you think there’s a way to avoid this kind of trouble ??
Perhap’s by disabling the interuption while I’m not using it, but I’m not sure how to realize this (maybe I remember I see a function for that…) ?

Thanks, Mikal.
If I do want to repeatedly cycle between multiple instances, would you recommend 2 consecutive calls to object.available()…the first to “activate” the instance, and the second to do the work…or is there a more elegant approach? Just curious: Why did you choose not to automatically “activate” an inactive instance that is being referenced? Efficiency? I am, after all, making a conscious attempt to use the instance.

Regards.

Hi,
I manage to isolate the part that was causing problem in my program. There’s two weird things, the first one is the begin method, I don’t know why but she take time to pass if there’s no data on the RF receiver … the second one still the delay that are not acurate when the serial is activated …

I found a solution to my problem by modifiying the HardwareSerial librairie, I manage to create differents methods like endTX() or endRX() for the serial, in order to allow me to use them like I want…

Thank you anyway for your help, really appreciate it … But If you manage to identify the problems I was talking about don’t hesitate to contact me !!!

Bye !!

I have been having issues with incorrect read data. It is consistently corrupted. I am running at 115,200 BAUD. I have not had any problems sending data, but I keep getting -32640 when I should be getting zero. I am really confused because 0 is always 0 in all binary number systems. I was wondering if I was having an issue with the timing on the stop bit or perhaps my BAUD rate is too fast.

@Wolfgang

Hi, I try to connect the 9DOF to Arduino 2009 too.
I try to power supply it with the external connector because I read that it needs 70mA and Arduino 3.3V is limited to 50mA.

I use your code and I receive caracters but it is scrambled.

I don’t succeded in receiving good caracters.

Do you get that ?

Regards.