Help with RPLIDAR Arduino driver

moonfassa Please do NOT type code in. Use the HELP on the right side to learn how to include code.

@moonfassa

If you are using the Arduino IDE right click the text and choose Select All, then right click again and select Copy as HTML.

In your forum post hit the Enter key a few times to make room to insert the source code. Then select the Source code icon in the top menu bar.

In the Source code window right click between the p's where you want the code to go and select Paste and the OK button.

You end up with a nice looking source code like below.

To enlarge an image in a post right click the image and choose Open link in new window.

#include <RPLidar.h>

// You need to create an driver instance
RPLidar lidar;

#define RPLIDAR_MOTOR 3 // The PWM pin for control the speed of RPLIDAR's motor.
// This pin should connected with the RPLIDAR's MOTOCTRL signal

void setup() {
  // bind the RPLIDAR driver to the arduino hardware serial
  lidar.begin(Serial);

  // set pin modes
  pinMode(RPLIDAR_MOTOR, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  if (IS_OK(lidar.waitPoint())) {
    float distance = lidar.getCurrentPoint().distance; //distance value in mm unit
    float angle = lidar.getCurrentPoint().angle; //anglue value in degree
    bool startBit = lidar.getCurrentPoint().startBit; //whether this point is belong to a new scan
    byte quality = lidar.getCurrentPoint().quality; //quality of the current measurement

    //perform data processing here...

  } else {
    analogWrite(RPLIDAR_MOTOR, 0); //stop the rplidar motor

    // try to detect RPLIDAR...
    rplidar_response_device_info_t info;
    if (IS_OK(lidar.getDeviceInfo(info, 100))) {
      // detected...
      lidar.startScan();

      // start motor rotating at max allowed speed
      analogWrite(RPLIDAR_MOTOR, 255);
      delay(1000);
    }
  }
}

Thanks!

I don't see a way to edit the post so I'll be sure to do that next time

Hi @moonfassa,

  Sorry I don't have one of these units, so I can't check your code properly.

However, I had a quick scan of Bill's notes, and at first glance, your code seems different from his.

If you are stuck, could I suggest you follow his notes, including copying the code from the article and pasting directly into an EMPTY (ie after deleting the default template code) new Arduino IDE window, and try to replicate what he does in the video.

If it works, then you have a base to modify a small piece at a time, after each change, check it is still working.

If you get stuck at some point, then come back to the forum with an update and hopefully someone may be able to help. Please double check your wiring is IDENTICAL to Bill's, and confirm the results of that check in your request.

Best wishes, Dave

No worries,

There are a few things going on in that article: he's using a TFMini for the first part of it, and an RPLIDAR for the second part, which is what I'm using. The code I've taken is just one of the examples from the downloadable Arduino library he's provided on github. He has another example, but it used a colour-changing LED which I don't have. 

Though on a second read, I see that he says the folder arrangement is incorrect for installation into the Arduino IDE. Then says you can download the corrected version "here." But I think he's forgotten to post the link there, or at least it's not showing up for me. 

I don't get any errors when I run the code however, so maybe the library posted is still the correct version. But I've checked my wiring thoroughly and tested all of the pins. The issue I think is with the line that says: 

if (IS_OK(lidar.getDeviceInfo(info, 100)))

The motor should start spinning if this check succeeds but it seems not to. This must be an issue with serial communication between the Arduino and Lidar or maybe something to do with the folder arrangement. I understand the Arduino only has one serial port, but I've tried disconnecting from my PC and powering it with a battery pack instead with no luck. 

@moonfassa I suggest you read the blog again. As far as 'here' ALL Bill's blogs have a big blue box at the end. One of the several items in the one at the end of the Lidar blog is shown in the attached picture. When you have a problem with a publicly posted article and sketch, the chances that you are the first to have discover an error on Bill's part is a bet I will take every time. READ slowly and comprehend.

Apologies. I downloaded this quite a few months ago and must've used those links since it looks like my version is the correct one. I re-downloaded just in case but still having the same issues. 

@moonfassa As far as Serial, see attached pic.

I briefly looked into this before since I think I'll need to use this library anyways in the future of my project. But I will look into it more and experiment, thanks

@moonfassa When you reply, click the reply link so your reply will generate an email to the person you are replying to. Perhaps reading the HELP might help?

ALso, I simply can't say this too many times, READ the blog that goes with the video, did you even know about that. I in trying to help you gave it a real quick look and picked up the solution to both your problems.

Sorry, I don't mean to be critical but it's very frustrating to see people asking questions that are answered in Bills YT video/Blog.

@zander Understandable but I don't think any of my problems have been solved. I've read through the blog post and as I mentioned, there are two different lidars he is using, with different sets of code for each. I have set up everything the way he's explained for the RPLIDAR but the motor simply won't turn when I use the provided code. The software serial library is used in his example with the TF Mini, which is the other Lidar device he's using but I don't own this device.

Regardless, the code should be able to function without the need for this serial library, as long as the Arduino is externally powered. This is my understanding of it at least. I'm sure there is nothing wrong on Bill's end but whatever the difference is between mine and his setup is what I'm trying to figure out. 

@moonfassa The purpose of using the Serial library is so you can have 2 serial devices, it has nothing to do with power. 

Yes Bill is showing us 2 devices, if you have only one of them, ignore the other and it's code.

Did you use the zip file that Bill provided in the blog? It does have the fixes. But first delete all the code you may have got from other sources as the compiler may still 'see' it and create a non-functioning program.

I don't have the funds to spend on such an expensive device and I have no current need for one in any case so I can't try Bill's code as I usually do.

I am sure if you performed exactly the same steps as Bill you will get the same results. Somewhere you deviated from Bill's instructions I know you think you didn't, but his works and you are here trying to get a copy of his working code working. 

@moonfassa 

I don't know if it's related to your problem, but you're binding to the Serial stream but never actually issue a begin command for it. That would suggest that nothing that can be read from it which may explain why your sketch fails.

@will This isn't it?