Arduino & Visual Studio - Serial Communication - 23 Steps - Instructables

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Arduino & Visual Studio - Serial Communication
By Tedd'scherB (/member/Tedd%2527scherB/) in Circuits (/circuits/) > Arduino (/circuits/arduino/projects/) 45,890 44 8
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(https://cdn instructables com/FOT/2WSJ/ISCAVG8V/FOT2WSJISCAVG8V

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By Tedd'scherB
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About: After reading this, you won't be more clever then before! More About Tedd'scherB » (/member/Tedd%2527scherB/)
The reason for this project is to show you, how to manage Serial connections in Visual Studio
2015 with VisualBasic as the main programming language.
A few days ago, I copyed a project from VisualBasic 2010 to Visual Studio inside a VisualBasic
project.
/
Altough
Arduino & Visual it is the
Studio - Serial same programming
Communication language,
by Tedd'scherB the code didn't
(/member/Tedd'scherB/) Follow work. There were no errors
found, but it cound't receive serial data.
Download
{"Sometimes, I hate you, Microsoft!" Why are you always changing the way VisualStudio works?
Favorite w I Made It
Why do you make things so complicated?}
I was mad, but looked forward to solve the problem. And here, I wanna post the results.
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Step 1: Create a New VisualStudio Project.
(https://cdn instructables com/FFZ/8WQ5/ISCAUT5K/FFZ8WQ5ISCAUT5K LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Choose New Project...>>Visual Basic>>Windows Forms Application.
Type in some name and click OK.
Step 2: Resize You Form.
/
Arduino & Visual Studio - Serial Communication by Tedd'scherB (/member/Tedd'scherB/) Follow
(https://cdn instructables com/FGD/KQ8Q/ISCAUT7E/FGDKQ8QISCAUT7E LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Grab one corner and resize it, for example, like in the picture.
Step 3: Change the Background Color.
(https://cdn instructables com/FWD/6ZB4/ISCAUT8O/FWD6ZB4ISCAUT8O LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
To make everything nice and good-looking, in the properties menu, change BackColor to
Window.
/
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Arduino & Visual Studio - Serial CommunicationAdd Tip V
by Tedd'scherBAsk Question | Comment
(/member/Tedd'scherB/) Follow Download
Step 4: Add 4 Components.
(https://cdn instructables com/FH2/AIS3/ISCAUT9Z/FH2AIS3ISCAUT9Z LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Add:
1x GroupBox
1x ComboBox
2x Buttons
You can type any name and text inside these components you wanto to, but please, be careful
when programming!
Step 5: Add a SerialPort-Module
/
(https://cdn instructables com/F1B/6EZK/ISCAUTAK/F1B6EZKISCAUTAK LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
From the Tools window, add a component called SerialPort.
Step 6: Double-Click on Your Form.
(https://cdn instructables com/FRT/341N/ISCAUTFL/FRT341NISCAUTFL LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
You will see, that a new tab will open. Here, you can type in your code.
/

Step 7: Add Some Code.
(https://cdn instructables com/F9J/QEDP/ISCAUTHI/F9JQEDPISCAUTHI LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Add the following code to your project like in the picture above.
For Each AvailableSerialPorts As String In SerialPort1.GetPortNames()
ComboBox_AvailableSerialPorts.Items.Add(AvailableSerialPorts)
SerialPort1.ReadTimeout = 2000
Button_Connect.Visible = True
Button_Disconnect.Visible = False
Next
Be sure to put it into the Private Sub - Loop that we created by double-clicking onto the Form.
Also, be sure to choose the right names for the components.
Step 8: Double-click on the Connect-Button
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FD0/F9C0/ISCAUTIQ/FD0F9C0ISCAUTIQ LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Double click on the connect button. You will see, that you will add a new Private Sub - Loop to
your code.
In the pictures above, every new code that we add will be marked blue.
Step 9: Add Two Lines of Code.
(https://cdn instructables com/FJB/UFIQ/ISCAUTL0/FJBUFIQISCAUTL0 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

/
Add
Arduino & Visual the- Serial
Studio following 2 lines ofbycode
Communication inside(/member/Tedd'scherB/)
Tedd'scherB your Private Sub - Follow
Loop of your Connect-Button.
SerialPort1.BaudRate = "9600" Download Favorite w I Made It
SerialPort1.PortName = ComboBox_AvailableSerialPorts.SelectedItem
And, like always, don't forget to choose the right names for your components.
Step 10: Add Another Line of Code.
(https://cdn instructables com/FUM/EPO3/ISCAUTNC/FUMEPO3ISCAUTNC LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Inside your Private Sub - Loop for your Form, add the following code:
ComboBox_AvailableSerialPorts.Text = AvailableSerialPorts
This prevents the user from connecting to the serial port without having chosen one. It always
chooses the last available Serial Port, but you will see that later when we've nished.
Step 11: Add 2 More Lines.
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FCE/5T9B/ISCAUTOH/FCE5T9BISCAUTOH LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Insied you Private Sub for the Connect - Button, add these lines of code:
Button_Connect.Visible = False
Button_Disconnect.Visible = True
Step 12: Add an IF Statement.
(https://cdn instructables com/FBE/PRNI/ISCAUTQ9/FBEPRNIISCAUTQ9 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

/
Inside
Arduino & Visual Studioyour Private
- Serial Sub - Loop
Communication for the (/member/Tedd'scherB/)
by Tedd'scherB Connect Button again, Followadd an if-Statement.
If SerialPort1.IsOpen = False Then

SerialPort1.Open()
End If
This statement openes the Serial Port. But only, if it's not connected already. This prevents us
from and Runtime-Exception.
Step 13: Double-click Your Disconnect Button.
(https://cdn instructables com/FGW/ZWFB/ISCAUTSQ/FGWZWFBISCAUTSQ LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
VisualBasic will automatically add these new code-lines.
Step 14: Programm the Disconnect Button.
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FBP/6RCK/ISCAUTTG/FBP6RCKISCAUTTG LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Inside your Private Sub - Loop for the Disconnect-Button, add this code:
If SerialPort1.IsOpen = True Then

SerialPort1.Close()
End If
Button_Connect.Visible = True
Button_Disconnect.Visible = False
This only closes the SerialPort, if it's already opened. This prevents us from an Runtime
Exception.
Also, it enables the Connect-Button and Disables the Disconnect-Button again, so that you can
connect to another or the same Serial Port again.
Step 15: Add a TextBox.
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FSE/OQEU/ISCAUTU1/FSEOQEUISCAUTU1 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Add a TextBox, and under the Properties Menu, change Multiline to True.
Step 16: Add a Timer
(https://cdn instructables com/F7O/VANY/ISCAUTVA/F7OVANYISCAUTVA LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
From the Tools - Menu, add a Module called Timer.
/

Step 17: Change the Timer-Interval.
(https://cdn instructables com/FG2/QDHX/ISCAUTX7/FG2QDHXISCAUTX7 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Under Properties >> Interval, change the Interval to 100, so it ticks every 100 Milliseconds.
Step 18: Add Another Line of Code.
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FKI/CHWM/ISCAUTZW/FKICHWMISCAUTZW LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Let's go inside the Private Sub - Loop for your Form, and add one line of code:
TextBox_ReceivedMessage.ScrollBars = ScrollBars.Vertical
With that line, we add a scroll bar to your TextBox in order for you to see all receved data.
Step 19: Enabling and Disabling the Timer
(https://cdn instructables
auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
com/FD9/NWAQ/ISCAUU0L/FD9NWAQISCAUU0L LARGE jpg? (https://cdn instructables
auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
com/FR7/OFFQ/ISCAUU21/FR7OFFQISCAUU21 LARGE jpg?
Under the Private Sub - Loop for the Connect-Button, Enable the Timer:
Timer1.Enabled = True
And under the Private Sub - Loop for the Disconnect-Button, Disable the Timer:
/
Arduino & Visual Timer1.Enabled = False
Studio - Serial Communication by Tedd'scherB (/member/Tedd'scherB/) Follow

Step 20: Double-click the Timer and Add Some Code.
(https://cdn instructables com/FBR/5QD7/ISCAUU46/FBR5QD7ISCAUU46 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Double-Click the timer and add the following code inside your Private Sub - Loop for the
Timer:
If SerialPort1.IsOpen = True Then
Dim ReceivedMessage As String

ReceivedMessage = SerialPort1.ReadLine
TextBox_ReceivedMessage.Text = TextBox_ReceivedMessage.Text + ReceivedMessage + Environment.NewLine
TextBox_ReceivedMessage.SelectionStart = TextBox_ReceivedMessage.Length
TextBox_ReceivedMessage.ScrollToCaret()
End If
At rst, we check if the SerialPort is opened. If it is, we create a new String called
ReceivedMessage, that contains the Messages from the Serial Port.
Then, we add text to the TextBox. The old text from the TextBox should stay there, the content
from the String is added, and a new line will be created.
Last, the TextBox will automatically scroll the the latest input, so we'll always see the latest
messages and don't have to do so by hand.
/
Step 21: Open Your Masterpiece.
Arduino & Visual Studio - Serial Communication by Tedd'scherB (/member/Tedd'scherB/)
Follow
(https://cdn instructables com/FCO/JB7L/ISCAUU4V/FCOJB7LISCAUU4V LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
On the top hand corner of VisualStudio, click on Start [or the green Play-Button]to start your
program.
But please, don't do anything for now inside it.
Step 22: Give the Serial Device Something to Do.
(https://cdn instructables com/FKW/TJX0/ISCAUU5F/FKWTJX0ISCAUU5F LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&fit=bounds) /

I use
Arduino & Visual an- Arduino
Studio UNO for this
Serial Communication project. (/member/Tedd'scherB/)
by Tedd'scherB Follow
Program it like in the picture above. Download Favorite w I Made It
I did that in codebender.cc, but you can to that in your Arduino IDE, or any other IDE, too.
!!Be careful! Don't change the delay to any higher number than 100 Milliseconds. If you do so,
you have to change the Interval for the Timer in VisualStudio, too!!
But, of course, inside your Arduino, you can type in any lower number than 100, without
changing the Interval in VisualStudio.
That means: The Interval for the Timer in Visual Studio is not allowed to be lower than the
delay for the Arduino. But it is allowed to be higher.
And: do never connect to any other Serial Port than to your Arduino, or completely remove or
outcomment the Private Sub for the Timer. But, if you do that, you can't receive any SerialData
anymore.
Because if the SerialPort-Module can't read any data from the SerialPort, the program will go
into a Runtime Exception.
If it does so, just close the program and open it again, and then connect to the proper Serial
Port.
Of course, if you want to, you can prevent this bug (Is it?) if you nd a solution for it.
In a few days, I will create another tutorial for an advanced Serial Communication between
VisualStudio and Arduino.
Step 23: Go and Test Your Program.
/
(https://cdn instructables com/FWU/V8CR/ISCAUU66/FWUV8CRISCAUU66 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)
Test it, and, if necassary, add some lines of code or remove some.
HAVE FUN!
2 People Made This Project!
Thanura Dinesh (/member/Thanura+Dinesh/)

made it! drak3 (/member/drak3/) made it!
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
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8 Discussions
(/member/cesarvelez2018/) cesarvelez2018 (/member/cesarvelez2018/) 10 months ago
Reply / Upvote
Cordial saludo... excelente tutorial... podrias explicar algo con varios sensores desde arduino a visual
estudio y ver los resultados en label separados? agradezco tu ayuda.
(/member/MarMaxMar/) MarMaxMar (/member/MarMaxMar/) Tip 1 year ago

Reply / Upvote
1. Change the names of all controls to make them worjk to "Control" + a number like:
Button1 instead of Button_Connect
Button2 instead of Button_Disconnect
Textbox1 instead .....
aso.
/
Then your errors (red lines) will disappear
2. Groupbox is not being used, you can delete it
3. If the program does not find any serial ports at all, change
For Each AvailableSerialPorts As String In SerialPort1.GetPortNames()
to
For Each AvailableSerialPorts As String In SerialPort1.PortName()
/1 (/member/crs.iulia96/) crs.iulia96 (/member/crs.iulia96/) 1 year ago

Reply / Upvote
I used your code, But the data i need to "plot" are some RFID code tags. i followed all the step, but still
shows nothing in the text box. Can u help me ?
(/member/bostulpje/) bostulpje (/member/bostulpje/) Question 2 years ago on Step 22
Answer / Upvote
With your project I want to communicate between pc and Arduino Uno.
I followed the Steps. Step 1....Step 6 no problem. But as soon as code is added then there are errors
(code BC30451) telling that Variables are not declared. Up to Step 20 25 errors.
What do you mean with: "And like always, do n't forget to choose the right name for your components"
? I did not change any name.
I am using Visual Studio 2017 ( v. 15.7.5)
I am a newbe. What am I doing wrong?
1 answer F
(/member/Aim%25C3%25A9D1/) AiméD1 (/member/Aim%25C3%25A9D1/) 2 years ago
Reply / Upvote
Thnx
(/member/AnnaMai/) AnnaMai (/member/AnnaMai/) 2 years ago

Reply / Upvote
I have same article about this, you and other reader can view here
http://engineer2you.blogspot.com/2016/12/arduino-serial-communication-visual.html
(/member/drak3/) drak3 (/member/drak3/) 2 years ago

Reply / Upvote
thx for this instruction...it was very useful.
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 (/) Circuits &

Arduino (/circuits/) Workshop

Teachers (/teachers/) (/account/register/)

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/FOT/2WSJ/ISCAVG8V/FOT2WSJISCAVG8V

Why do you make things so complicated?}

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Step 1: Create a New VisualStudio Project.

(https://cdn instructables com/FFZ/8WQ5/ISCAUT5K/FFZ8WQ5ISCAUT5K LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

Choose New Project...>>Visual Basic>>Windows Forms Application.

Type in some name and click OK.

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Step 2: Resize You Form.

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/FGD/KQ8Q/ISCAUT7E/FGDKQ8QISCAUT7E LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

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Step 3: Change the Background Color.

(https://cdn instructables com/FWD/6ZB4/ISCAUT8O/FWD6ZB4ISCAUT8O LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

Download Favorite w I Made It

Step 4: Add 4 Components.

(https://cdn instructables com/FH2/AIS3/ISCAUT9Z/FH2AIS3ISCAUT9Z LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

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Step 5: Add a SerialPort-Module

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/F1B/6EZK/ISCAUTAK/F1B6EZKISCAUTAK LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

From the Tools window, add a component called SerialPort.

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Step 6: Double-Click on Your Form.

(https://cdn instructables com/FRT/341N/ISCAUTFL/FRT341NISCAUTFL LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

Download Favorite w I Made It

Step 7: Add Some Code.

(https://cdn instructables com/F9J/QEDP/ISCAUTHI/F9JQEDPISCAUTHI LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

For Each AvailableSerialPorts As String In SerialPort1.GetPortNames()

Also, be sure to choose the right names for the components.

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Step 8: Double-click on the Connect-Button

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/FD0/F9C0/ISCAUTIQ/FD0F9C0ISCAUTIQ LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

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Step 9: Add Two Lines of Code.

(https://cdn instructables com/FJB/UFIQ/ISCAUTL0/FJBUFIQISCAUTL0 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

SerialPort1.BaudRate = "9600" Download Favorite w I Made It

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Step 10: Add Another Line of Code.

(https://cdn instructables com/FUM/EPO3/ISCAUTNC/FUMEPO3ISCAUTNC LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

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Step 11: Add 2 More Lines.

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/FCE/5T9B/ISCAUTOH/FCE5T9BISCAUTOH LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

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Step 12: Add an IF Statement.

(https://cdn instructables com/FBE/PRNI/ISCAUTQ9/FBEPRNIISCAUTQ9 LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

If SerialPort1.IsOpen = False Then

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Step 13: Double-click Your Disconnect Button.

(https://cdn instructables com/FGW/ZWFB/ISCAUTSQ/FGWZWFBISCAUTSQ LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

VisualBasic will automatically add these new code-lines.

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Step 14: Programm the Disconnect Button.

Download Favorite w I Made It

(https://cdn instructables com/FBP/6RCK/ISCAUTTG/FBP6RCKISCAUTTG LARGE jpg?auto=webp&frame=1&width=1024&height=1024&fit=bounds)

If SerialPort1.IsOpen = True Then

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