INTRODUCTION

RuBitlash is a Ruby interface with the wonderful Bitlash library for Arduino. Bitlash is an Arduino library that allows direct interaction via serial port with the microcontroller. Thanks to Bill Roy for writing it!

INSTALLATION

First of all you have to buy or own an Arduino, then install on it Bitlash (v0.95a or later) following the instructions on Bill Roy's site.

Then install RuBitlash gem and start playing with it:

> sudo gem install pbosetti-rubitlash --source=http://gems.github.com

USAGE

I'm still writing few docs, but the library itself is quite short. Look at it to know how to use it.

EXAMPLE

require "../lib/rubitlash"

# Instantiate the connection. Verbose mode is false
bl = Bitlash.new("/dev/tty.usbserial-A6004aLr", 57600, false)

# talk() writes its argument to Arduino and reports the reply:
r = bl.talk "print free()"
puts "Bytes free: #{r}"

# variables are accessed as keys of the Bitlash instance:
bl[:a] = 2              # writing
puts "a =  #{bl[:a]}"   # reading
bl.talk "d12=1"         # low-level
sleep 2

# Assigning Bitlash variables:
bl[:f] = bl.free        # commands and functions are mapped as methods
puts "f = #{bl[:f]}"

# Macro example
bl.macro "toggle13", "d13=!d13" # define a new macro
puts "\nMacros:"
bl.ls.each_with_index {|m,i| puts "#{i}:\t#{m}"}
bl.toggle13                     # calls the new macro
sleep 1
# but also:
# bl.run :toggle13        # this runs in background on Arduino
# sleep 1

# Some play
puts "\nStarting cyclic fade"
bl.pinmode(11,1)
t = t0 = Time.now.to_f
while (t - t0) < 5 do
  t = Time.now.to_f
  bl[:a11] = ((1.0 - Math::cos((t - t0)*Math::PI))*100).to_i # 2 Hz cycle
  sleep 0.01
end

bl.close