Bluetooth WS2811 Controller With Windows Phone and MSP430G2 Launchpad

Look at the video, then you see what you get here.

Against the hype of Android and Arduino my project is based on Windows Phone 8 and a microcontroller from Texas Instruments.

I have nothing against a fringe group, and I'm so happy about this :-)

Should you find any errors, feel free to correct me!

I've upload the new Version to the Windows Store. It's called: Spektrum

http://www.windowsphone.com/de-de/store/app/spektrum/32a8a064-f03e-45b8-a1cd-5d8b194a1af1

also i've uploaded the µC Code, please use spektrum.ino in step 6

Step 1: Accessories Required

For this project you will need:

1. Windows Phone 8 or 8.1 (Mine is a Samsung Ativ-S with WP8.1 Preview for Developers installed)

2. Texas Instruments Launchpad MSP430G2553 V1.5 (ordered cheap & directly from TI)

3. Wireless Serial 4 Pin Bluetooth RF Transceiver Module HC-06 RS232 with backplane (from ebay.cn)

4. some arduino breadboard wires

5. some WS2811 or WS2812b LEDs on strip, i used 10 LEDs for development

6. some Software, you can download it for free (explained later)

7. A Hyper-V capable Computer (Intel Core i3 or higher)

Otherwise the Windows Phone emulators does not work.
Debuggin or developing directly on the device is still possible!

Step 2: Windows Phone SDK 8.0 + Coding4FunToolkit

I use Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2012 because the newest version does not yet support the Coding4Fun Toolkit.

Download Visual Studio Express 2012

After the software has been installed, a manual update for the nuget package manager must be done.

The Color Picker used in my App is from Coding4Fun, more info here:

Download Coding4Fun Toolkit

Install it as follows:

Note: Nuget packages must be added separately for each project, open the Menu 'Tools' / 'Nuget Package Manager' / 'Manage Nuget Packages for Solution and search for "coding4fun".

In the search results select: "Coding4Fun Toolkit - Controls" and click 'Install'

If everything was successful, the solution explorer shows the corresponding entries for this solution.

Here I had to conclude that it still did not work with Visual Studio 2013.

Step 3: Register Your Phone for Development for Windows Phone 8

The outstanding article from Microsoft is nothing to add:

register your phone for development

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps/ff769508(v=vs.105).aspx

Step 4: Install Energia and WS2811 Library

Energia is an open-source electronics prototyping platform started by Robert Wessels in January of 2012 with the goal to bring the Wiring and Arduino framework to the Texas Instruments MSP430 based LaunchPad. Energia uses the mspgcc compiler by Peter Bigot and is based on the Wiring and Arduino framework. Energia includes an integrated development environment (IDE) that is based on Processing.

Download Energia

Here I would like to mention the exceptionally friendly forum community of 43oh.com. Thanks to all who have supported me.

43oh.com Forum

here's the link to the library

ws2811 driver library

Step 5: Wire the Components

Connect the Power Supply to the Bluetooth Module and TX Port to 13 (P2.5) and RX to 12 (P2.4)

Connect the Power Supply to the LED Stripe and Connect the Data PIn to 15 (P1.7)

In my configuration I use a LED-strip with 10 LEDs.

You have to make adjustments in the energia-code if you have a different number of LEDs.

Step 6: Download Code for Phone and ΜC

The code is Originated by reverse engeneering and is in alpha status.
Thanks to the developers, I'll mention you still here later.

Everything i need i have picked up from 3 different sources, Microsoft and from the Nokia Developer Forum.

For Windows Phone you can download the source Code via github:

Download Windows Phone App Source

The source code for the µC is attached.

ToDo:

more exeption handling

save rgb color to µC ---> use spektrum.ino and the new Windows Phone App: Spektrum

http://www.windowsphone.com/de-de/store/app/spektrum/32a8a064-f03e-45b8-a1cd-5d8b194a1af1

Step 7: Troubleshooting / FAQ

Comments

[PeterS17]

I just want to show you what I did with your project.

[Heyup]

well done mate that looks really cool :)

[StefanWxx]

awesome!

...and i drive Ford too 8)

[StefanWxx]

Feel free to correct me!

[KalyanR2]

Hi! I wanted to do your project for an upcoming event. please can you guide me in detail so as what to do and how to implement the car headlights using it?

Thanks a ton :)

[ismael95]

Could you upload the Windows Phone app to the Store? Cuz I'm not able/I don't know how to put it in my Lumia. Thanks.

[StefanWxx]

sorry for my late answer:

I've made some updates, windows app is now available:

http://www.windowsphone.com/de-de/store/app/spektr...

and use µC Code from step 6

:-)

[BlackStar Vvek]

Hi, I'm developing a mobile controlled walking robot using servo motors. I can control it through desktop app using serial communication(USB). But its very difficult to understand bluetooth connection by sockets, device host name, etc.. I re-coded your app to send simple messages for switch case like - "walk","stop","turn_left",.... But I can't even connect to the bluetooth device (I'm using HC-05). It throws me the exception "Not in Range". Can you help?

[PeterS17]

I made your project but my result is 50% succes. The Bluetooth.ino code working good with the windows phone app from the github but the Spektrum.ino code does not work with the Spektrum app from the windows app store. Can you help me why?

[StefanWxx]

i tested it myself, same problem at my side... will figure it out tommorwo, mayby i've uploaded wrong code, but i don't see the wrong code at this time sorry. i've programmed another launchpad, and it doesn't work too.

[PeterS17]

Anyway, I tested with the new wiring but still does not work. Thank you for your help and thanks for the quick response!

[StefanWxx]

I've checked the uploaded spektrum.ino and flashed it on a msp430 launchpad... It worked, litte bug: first led has different color after power off and on.
Why it did not initially work for me, I can not find out anymore

[PeterS17]

Hm. For me it is still does not work. If I upload the spektrum.ino, the first led is turning green for a second and turning off. The Spektrum app can connect to the bluetooth modul, but after that nothing happening. One more thing please, the bluetooth modul connecting to the launcpad P1.1 and P1.2 or P2.5 and P2.4?

[StefanWxx]

in the faq is another ino for testing, but without saving feature

[StefanWxx]

It has to be connected to P1.1 and P1.2 because the hardware serial ports are used. the first led is turning green because the flash has no data, this is the strange behaviour with the bug.

[StefanWxx]

Hi, what exactly doesn't work? ..could not connect, commands not recognized? etc..

Is the wireing ok? look at the new picture

[PeterS17]