Nicla Vision Development Guide

Develop Nicla Vision applications for context-aware physical spaces using OpenMV and Bluetooth Low Energy.

Prerequisites

A Nicla Vision and, optionally, a Pareto Anywhere instance creating a context-aware space

• 

• Buy a Nicla Vision^* from the Arduino Store

  Support the ongoing development of the Arduino open source hardware ecosystem!

  ^* a standard USB A to micro-B cable is required—but not included!

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• [OPTIONAL] Run Pareto Anywhere on a PC

  Install and run Pareto Anywhere on a personal computer to make any physical space context-aware.

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• [OPTIONAL] Run Pareto Anywhere on a Raspberry Pi

  Install and run Pareto Anywhere on a Pi to make any physical space context-aware.

Prerequisites

Update to the latest bootloader and install OpenMV

Follow the official Getting Started with Nicla Vision guide, specifically the following steps:

1. Bootloader Firmware Update don't skip this step!
2. Downloading the OpenMV IDE

Connect the antenna and USB cable Part 1

The Nicla Vision ships with an external 2.4/5GHz antenna for BLE & WiFi connectivity. Install this antenna by carefully aligning the connector and applying sufficient pressure for it to snap into place.

Note that once connected, the antenna should only be removed using a specialised tool, in order not to damage the connector.

Choose a USB A to micro-B cable of sufficient length to allow the camera to be pointed at subjects of interest while tethered. Connect the micro-B end to the Nicla Vision and the other end to the laptop.

Connect in the OpenMV IDE Part 2

Run the OpenMV IDE on your laptop. The default view should resemble the following. Annotations have been added to highlight key features.

Click the Connect icon to connect to the Nicla Vision via USB. If prompted to update the firmware on the Nicla Vision, go ahead and do so.

The OpenMV IDE footer will display information about the device which is currently connected, in this case the Nicla Vision with the GC2145 sensor.

The Nicla Vision can now be programmed via the OpenMV IDE, which is the subject of the next step.

From the OpenMV IDE connected to the Nicla Vision:

Run "helloworld.py" Part 1

The OpenMV IDE should open a helloworld.py file by default. Click the Start (run script) icon at the bottom left of the IDE to run this script on the Nicla Vision.

Show the Serial Terminal to observe the number of frames per second (fps) printed to the console. Show the Frame Buffer to observe what the camera sees, as well as the Histogram of the colour space.

Click the Stop (halt script) icon at the bottom left of the IDE to stop running this script on the Nicla Vision.

Run "helloadvertising.py" Part 2

Open a new file in the OpenMV IDE, and copy Ctrl+C and paste Ctrl+V the following lines of code into the code editor window:

import bluetooth, time

# Advertising payload bytes:
# 0:   0x06 = Length (not including the length byte itself)
# 1:   0x09 = Complete Local Name (from GAP)
# 2-6: 'Nicla' = Name (as ASCII characters)
_ADV_PAYLOAD = [ 0x06, 0x09, ord('N'), ord('i'), ord('c'), ord('l'), ord('a') ]
_ADV_INTERVAL_US = 500000

ble = bluetooth.BLE()
ble.active(True)
ble.gap_advertise(_ADV_INTERVAL_US, adv_data=bytearray(_ADV_PAYLOAD))

while(True):
    time.clock().tick()

Click the Start (run script) icon at the bottom left of the IDE to run this script on the Nicla Vision.

Observe in Pareto Anywhere, or from any Bluetooth Low Energy scanning mobile app, a device named Nicla. This is the Nicla Vision advertising its name to any devices in range.

Combine machine vision and BLE Part 3

Example to come.

• 

• Configure a Nicla Vision Gauge Reader

  Our step-by-step guide to create a wireless gauge reader using OpenMV on the Nicla Vision.

USB Connector Option 1

Power from the USB connector is prioritised over the ESLOV and the Battery Connector.

The Nicla Vision can be powered via USB, either via connection to a laptop, or from a standard USB power bank.

ESLOV Connector (J5) Option 2

Power from the ESLOV is prioritised over the Battery Connector.

The Nicla Vision can be powered from the ESLOV Connector (J5) which nominally expects 5VDC, but can accept the range of voltages supported on the V_IN pin^* to which the ESLOV is diode-connected. For instance, it is possible to power the Nicla Vision via the ESLOV with 3 x 1.5V batteries (ex: AAA, AA, C or D) using commercially-available 3-cell battery holders.

^*The datasheet specifies 3.5V-5.5V as recommended operating conditions.

Cut the cable in half, and carefully feed the ends into the first and last slot of the plug, observing the orientation such that each metal tab locks into place. Indicate Pin 1 (positive) with a red permanent marker, and take care to observe the polarity when connecting/soldering to a battery holder or alternative power source.

Battery Connector (J4) Option 3

The Nicla Vision can be powered from the Battery Connector (J4) using a single-cell 3.7 V Li-Po or Li-Ion battery. See this tutorial for details.

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