In this chapter, two Simple Chat device prototypes were built using an Arduino, a 16x2 LCD, a RedBearLab BLE shield, and a littleBits number module. A discussion on hardwired and wireless communications was provided in this chapter. The key technical objectives for this chapter are as follows:
A prototype serial-based Simple Chat device software and hardware building instructions were presented.
The 16x2 LCD will display the text message sent by the serial monitor.
The littleBits electronic number module was introduced in this section as a rapid prototyping tool for serial transmission acknowledgement (validation).
The Nordic nRF8001 BLE IC internal architecture was discussed using a block diagram. Hardware and software building instructions for a prototype BLE based Simple Chat device were provided within the second project.
The RedBearLab BLE shield's basic functions were discussed using a block diagram. Instructions for adding the RBL_nRF8001 library to the Arduino IDE was explained...