Networking and Communications

🧠 Learning Objectives

• Understand how embedded devices exchange data using communication protocols.
• Compare different networking methods for local and remote communication.
• Build and test a communication system between two or more devices.
• Document the workflow, setup, and results clearly.

📋 Assignments

Individual Assignment

• Send a message between two projects

  Design and test communication between two microcontroller-based systems using a networking or communication method.

Group Assignment

• Compare communication workflows

  Test and compare communication protocols, tools, or networking methods used in the lab.

• Document and reflect

  Publish the group findings and reflect on what I learned on my individual page.

🛠️ Tools & Components

• Microcontrollers: ESP32-C3 / ESP32
• Communication Method: Bluetooth
• Software: Arduino IDE
• Supporting Components: jumper wires, breadboard, sensors, output devices as needed

📡 Communication Theory

Embedded systems can communicate in different ways depending on the project requirements. Some protocols are best for short-distance board-to-board communication, while others are designed for wireless and remote data exchange.

👥 Group Assignment

The purpose of the group assignment was to compare communication and networking methods available in the lab. We explored how different protocols behave in terms of complexity, speed, ease of setup, and possible use cases.

• Reviewed different wired and wireless communication options.
• Compared setup requirements and code structure.
• Observed how data is transmitted between devices.
• Discussed which methods are most useful for future projects.

👤 Individual Assignment

For the individual assignment, I created a communication link between two devices/projects. The goal was to send data from one board to another and confirm that the receiving board correctly interpreted the message.

• Sender device: replace with your actual board/project
• Receiver device: replace with your actual board/project
• Protocol used: UART / I2C / Bluetooth / ESP-NOW / other
• Message type: text / sensor value / command / status signal

💻 Code

Replace the example below with your actual sender and receiver code.

// Example: UART Sender
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println("Hello from sender");
  delay(1000);
}

// Example: UART Receiver
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available()) {
    String message = Serial.readStringUntil('\n');
    Serial.print("Received: ");
    Serial.println(message);
  }
}

In this example, one device sends a message repeatedly while the second device listens and prints the received message. Replace this with your real communication logic and protocol setup.

🧪 Testing & Validation

I tested the communication system step by step to make sure the sender and receiver were both working correctly.

✅ Results

Replace placeholders below with your actual screenshots, serial monitor logs, or setup photos.

⚠️ Issues & Fixes

• No data received: checked wiring, baud rate, and TX/RX pin mapping.
• Incorrect messages: verified data format and timing between sender and receiver.
• Unstable wireless connection: checked pairing/setup and simplified the test environment.
• Logic mismatch: added debugging prints and tested each board separately first.

📦 Downloads

Replace the placeholder files below with your actual code and notes.

Example paths: assignments/aX/sender-code.ino

Reflection — What I Learned

• Communication protocols are essential for building multi-device systems.
• Testing sender and receiver separately makes debugging much easier.
• Wired and wireless methods each have different strengths depending on the application.
• Good documentation of pins, data format, and timing prevents confusion later.