Cutipy-MicroPython Bluetooth LE demo

Intro

Here we will demonstrate basic Bluetooth LE (low energy) connectivity between an android device and a CutiPy running MicroPython. The application will connect to the CutiPy via the onboard RS9116 radio module, once connected the user can 'wirelessly' toggle an led and send text messages to the LCD.

Required Materials

1. Android device (Smartphone)

2. CutiPy device running MicroPython

3. A personal computer

Steps

ON YOUR PC:

1. Connect your CutiPy to your personal computer using a microUSB cable (Steps covered here)

2. Copy blechat.py into the CutiPy drive

3. Reset your CutiPy board to update the file system

4. Establish a REPL terminal connection

5. Enter the following commands into the REPL terminal to launch the CutiPy's bluetooth application

   import blechat
   ble = blechat.BleChat('EMAC Demo')  # 'EMAC Demo' can be any string less than about 16 chars
   ble.start(demo=True)
   

   The CutiPy bluetooth connection should now be discoverable.

ON YOUR ANDROID DEVICE:

1. Download the BLE Scanner App from the Google Play Store

2. Open the app

3. Find the EMAC Demo entry. It will have the Alias cutipy
   

   

   Figure 1: BLE SCANNER APP
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   

4. Click CONNECT

5. On the next screen, click the arrow next to Custom Service

6. Clicking the ‘N’ button will toggle LED1 (Indicated by purple arrow)

7. Clicking on the ‘W’ button (Indicated by red arrow) will bring up a text entry box that will send text to the CutiPy LCD screen File:Example.jpg

8. The text 'clear' can be sent to the clear the LCD, 'exit' can be sent to stop the app.