Connection and Communication Between Computer And Hardware Simulation Model for Industrial Engineers

Abstract

The paper deals with designing the interconnection of a HW model built from a Fischertechnik STEM kit and controlled by a Fischertechnik TXT Controller communicating with a personal computer using an Arduino microcontroller. The proposed solution allows block (graphical) programming of the TXT Controller unit to program the HW model while maintaining the possibility of communication with the PC. An Arduino UNO is used as a translator between the PC serial port and the I2C interface. This eliminates the need for complex C/C++ programming and compilation for the Linux kernel running on the TXT Controller. This allows the potential of the TXT Controller and HW simulation models to be exploited even by industrial engineering students who have only limited programming knowledge.