Arduino in Linux Mint

To use Arduino in Linux Mint first, we will need to install java in Linux Mint. The procedure can be found in the link below:

Install oracle jdk 7 on linux

Then, we will have to download the Arduino IDE, which can be found at the arduino site (i.e. the link below)

Arduino Download

And select the required file (One of 32-bit or 64-bit for Linux). Once the download is complete, copy it to the required folder and extract it. I extracted it at

/home/user/Development/arduino-1.5.8

Then, download the Eclipse IDE for C/C++ or the Baeyens Arduino Eclipse bundle from the following location:

Baeyens Arduino Eclipse Bundle

Select the required one (either 32-bit or 64-bit). Copy the file to the required folder and extract it. Now go to the extracted folder and double click “eclipseArduinoIDE” to open Eclipse IDE Arduino bundle. In the IDE, go to Windows -> Preferences -> Arduino. Here, in “Arduino IDE Path”, click Browse and select the previously extracted Arduino IDE folder.

Then go to Windows -> Preferences -> C/C++ -> File Types. Click “New” and type “*.ino” in pattern and select “C++ Source file” as type.

Now, to install and use the Arduino board connect the board to the PC and open “Konsole”. In Konsole in Linux Mint. Type the following code and press enter:

$ ls -l /dev/ttyACM*

You will get something like

crw-rw---- 1 root dialout 166, 0 Jan 24 13:38 /dev/ttyACM0

Then type the following and press enter:

$ sudo usermod -aG dialout <user>

To check if the user was added type in the following and press enter:

$ groups

After than, finally change the permissions on the required file (i.e. /dev/ttyACM0) using the following:

$ sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyACM0

Now, to test if everything works Go to File-> New -> Project and selected Arduino -> New Arduino Sketch and click Next. Give the Project Name and press Next. Then select the board that you have. If the board is not present in the drop down menu change the “Boards.txt file” and select the other one from the drop down. Then select the board the you have. Finally, in the port, type in:

/dev/ttyACM0

Then click “Finish”.

Now open the “.ino” file present in the project. i.e. if your project name is “Test”, open the file “test.ino” and type the following:

//The setup function is called once at startup of the sketch
int led = 13;

void setup() {
// Add your initialization code here
    pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
}

// The loop function is called in an endless loop
void loop() {
    digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
    delay(2000);
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
    delay(2000);
}

Now, Click on “Arduino” in the Menu and click “Verify” to verify/build the project. Finally, click on “Arduino” again and click “Upload Sketch” to push the proejct to the Arduino board. The LED should turn on for 2 seconds and off for 2 seconds continuously.

References:

  1. http://www.baeyens.it/
  2. http://arduino.cc/

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