Getting Started with the Arduino IDE for RePhone Kit

Before we start this tutorial, it could take between 20-30 minutes to complete all the steps depending on your skills and hardware. Sit down, relax and enjoy the journey!

1. Installation

1. Launch your Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1 operating system (or virtual machine)
2. Follow the instructions on http://wiki.seeed.cc/Arduino_IDE_for_RePhone_Kit/ to:
   • Download the Arduino IDE for RePhone Kit
   • Install the driver
   • Update/Flash the firmware
   • PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO UPLOAD ANY SKETCHES TO YOUR REPHONE UNLESS YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE ACTIONS ABOVE

2. Upload test

1. Extract the content of the InPe’ repository ZIP and copy the content of the "software" folder inside the "Arduino" folder in your Windows user's "Documents" folder
   • If there’s no Arduino folder inside your Windows user's Documents folder, please create one and name it “Arduino”
2. Be sure your Xadow GSM+BLE module is connected to your computer via the micro USB cable and to the LiPo battery, it's turned on and NOT in storage mode [http://wiki.seeed.cc/Xadow_GSMPlusBLE/#operating-mode]
3. Open Device Manager (in Control Panel) and check the name of the ports used by Xadow GSM+BLE module [http://wiki.seeed.cc/Xadow_GSMPlusBLE/#flashdebug-mode]
   • Always select MTK USB Debug Port to upload the code
   • Select MTK USB Modem Port to read from the Serial Monitor
4. Open the Arduino IDE for RePhone, click on the Tools menu and select:

   • RePhone under the Board sub-menu

   • COM5 (or the port number corresponding to MTK USB Debug Port) in the Port sub-menu
     

5. Click on the File menu and select the sketch “rephone_helloworld” inside the Sketchbook sub-menu
6. Upload the sketch by clicking on the upload icon
7. When Done uploading click on the Tools menu again and select:
   • COM4 (or the port number corresponding to MTK USB Modem Port) in the Port sub-menu
8. Open the Serial Monitor to read the “Hello World” message printed by the Xadow GSM+BLE module

3. Ready to GO!

• Please take a look at the "utilities" folder of the InPe’ prototype (it should live in your Documents > Arduino folder now) to test other modules and features
• Please take a look at the Examples sub-menu under the File menu to dig deeper into the Arduino library for RePhone
  • Unfortunately most of the code is not commented, so you need to look at https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/Arduino_IDE_for_RePhone/tree/master/hardware/arduino/mtk/libraries/ to understand what the functions are doing

4. Tips and tricks

Power up InPe'

• Your InPe’ will only work if a charged battery is connected to the Xadow GSM+BLE module (even when it’s plugged to a computer via the micro USB cable)
• To know more about how to power up the Xadow GSM+BLE module (in case you want to use an external power source or another kind of battery), please take a look at http://wiki.seeed.cc/Xadow_GSMPlusBLE/#power-up and at http://www.seeed.cc/(tech)-battery-life-issues-t-6182.html

How to connect the modules

Depending on the type of module two different kinds of connectors can be used to connect modules to the Xadow GSM+BLE

• 35 pin Xadow Connector - You can use a 35 pin FPC Cable to connect the Xadow 1.54” Touchscreen or the Xadow Audio modules to the Xadow GSM+BLE
  • The 35 pin FPC Cable can NOT be used upside down so be sure of the TOP/BOTTOM orientation
  • To connect the module lift the thin plastic flap at the front of the connector, insert the FPC Cable and secure it by pushing the plastic flap back into place

• 11 pin Xadow Connector - You can use a 11 pin FPC Cable to connect any other modules to the Xadow GSM+BLE
  • The 11 pin FPC Cable can be used upside down
  • To connect the module lift the thin plastic flap at the rear of the connector, insert the FPC Cable and secure it by pushing the plastic flap back into place

• ALWAYS TURN OFF THE XADOW GSM+BLE MODULE BEFORE CONNECTING ANY OTHER MODULES

GSM setup

To make the best out of your InPe’ (to call for emergency, send SMS alarms and notifications for instance) you would need to:

• Antenna - connect the adhesive antenna on the bottom side of the Xadow GSM+BLE module
  • The Xadow GSM+BLE module won’t be able to connect to the GSM network without the antenna
• SIM - Insert a Nano SIM in the card slot on the top side of the Xadow GSM+BLE module
  • For testing purposes it would be good to have a voice, SMS and data plan active on the SIM card
  • For more details about the supported GSM bands please take a look at http://wiki.seeed.cc/Xadow_GSMPlusBLE