Functions

The following functions are implemented by this module:

hostSerialPorts(callback): List the available serial ports. Invoke callback with this list.
SerialPort(portName, ownerName, timeout, options): Create a SerialPort object for connecting to the specified serial port.
- portName: The name of the port to open. For example, '/dev/ttyUSB0'.
- ownerName: The name of the owner assigned to this port, if opening is successful. Typically the accessor's name.
- timeout: Time in milliseconds before failing.
- options: Serial port options (FIXME: define).
SerialPort.close(): Close the serial port.
SerialPort.open(): Open the serial port. The port must be explicitly opened; it will not open by default.
supportedReceiveTypes(): Return an array of supported receive data types.
supportedSendTypes(): Return an array of supported send data types.

This implementation uses the event emitter pattern common in JavaScript. The events emitted by this object include:

data: Emitted whenever new data is received. The handler will be passed the data as an argument.

Usage

Require the serial module:

   var serial = require('serial');

The SerialPort accessor can be invoked with the node host shell. Note: These instructions are for Linux.

Change to the accessors web directory:

   cd /accessors/web

Install serialport:

   npm install serialport

Change to the node host directory:

   cd /accessors/web/hosts/node

You may need to set a NODE_PATH environment variable:

   export NODE_PATH=/accessors/web/hosts/node/node_modules/@accessors-modules

Connect a device to the desired USB port.

Figure out the USB port name (TODO: how? Something we can call in node.js?)

Start the node host shell. Use sudo for permissions to access the USB port.

   sudo -E node nodeHostShell.js

Then, in the node host shell, instantiate the accessor:

   var a = instantiate('test', '/net/SerialPort');

Set the name of the port, using the name of your port:

   a.setParameter('port', '/dev/ttyUSB0');

Initialize the accessor:

   a.initialize();

Turn on your device to start sending data.

$PTII/ptolemy/actor/lib/jjs/modules/IMUSensor
- ReaderM.java Uses the classes below:
- SerialPortController.java
- SerialPortReader.java
$PTII/ptolemy/actor/lib/jjs/modules/serial
- serial.js - The serial module implementation for Cape Code. Not included by any accessors, but used by Cape Code demos that use the JavaScript actor
  - JSDoc for serial module (To appear)
- SerialHelper.java
- test/auto/SerialHelloWorld.xml - a test that reads from two ports
$PTII/ptolemy/actor/lib/jjs/modules/xbee
- XBeeHelper.java