Download SimpleBGC 32bit 3-Axis Software User Manual

1. Overview
Connection to computer
The controller has either a Mini- or Micro-USB (depending on the version). To connect the board to the
computer you will need to install a driver to first establish a connection. If the driver is not installed
automatically, you can download it — for all operating systems - follow the link:
http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/pages/usbtouartbridgevcpdrivers.aspx
NOTE: For the "Tiny” version the driver for Windows can be downloaded here
http://www.st.com/web/en/catalog/tools/PF257938. This is latest official driver from ST company. But it was reported,
that it does not work under Windows 8. In this case, try previous version, that should work:
http://www.basecamelectronics.com/files/drivers/VCP_Setup.zip
After you have installed the driver and connected the controller with USB you will see a new virtual COM
port in the GUI in the Connection dropbox. Its name should appear upon connection.
You can connect the controller to a computer and supply power from a battery simultaneously. Again be
careful and observe polarity of battery terminals because when a USB connection is established, the in-built
reverse polarity protection is off (some versions are not equipped with such protection).
Wireless connection
To connect you can also use a wireless connection through a Bluetooth-to-Serial converter on the board
side and USB-Bluetooth adapter from the PC side (your PC may of course have built in Bluetooth). On the
board side working converters are, for example: HC-05, HC-06, Sparkfun BlueSMiRF and other Bluetooth
2.1-compatible modules. The converter should have at least 4 outputs: Gnd, +5V, Rx, Tx and it attaches to
the controller at the corresponding slot (located near the USB port) marked with UART (or Serial).
Regardless of the boards labeling the board's pins are TTL logic- not RS232.
Bluetooth module connection is shown in the Appendix B.
NOTE: Bluetooth module should be set for baud=115200 and parity=None or Even. Under None the board can be
connected to the GUI with parity set to either. However to update the board firmware through the Bluetooth
connection parity on the device must be set to Even. Working with different baud rates is possible (just change
parameter Advanced->Serial Port Speed to match module's baud rate) but some operations like realtime data
monitoring, will be slowed down, so better to configure bluetooth module. To change Bluetooth module settings, see
its manual. Starting from firmware version 2.55, there is a tool under “Board” →“Configure bluetooth...” that can
configure most popular bluetooth adapters (see Bluetooth module configuration).
Serial-over-Network (UDP) connection
This type of connection allows to configure SimpleBGC controller remotely, when it is physically connected
by UART to another device, that can communicate with the GUI over network (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Internet).
Before connecting, you have to configure local port where GUI listens for incoming UDP messages, and
remote host and port to send outgoing messages (optional). You can do it in the “File → Settings..” menu.
The list of supported devices and detailed instructions will be published on the our web site.
Running the application
1. Attach USB cable (or, if connection over Bluetooth, pair the devices. Default password is 1234 or
0000, generally).
© Basecamelectronics® 2013-2015
7