Getting started

Warning

This documentation is deprecated. For newest CanSat NeXT documentation, see https://www.cansat.fi/docs/landing .

Setup

Required Software

Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
CanSat NeXT Arduino library: https://github.com/netnspace/CanSatNeXT_library
ESP32 support (available from Arduino IDE’s Boards Manager from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json )

Required Hardware

CanSat Kit

The kit includes a CanSat, an antenna, and a ground segment radio for communication and data gathering.

(Optional): CanSat GPS Module

https://github.com/netnspace/CanSatNeXT_GNSS

(Optional): CanSat Perf Board for custom payload development

Step-by-step installation

Install the Arduino IDE

Download and install the Arduino IDE from the official website if you haven’t already: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Install ESP32 Support

Open the Arduino IDE.
Navigate to Tools->Board->Boards Manager.
In the search bar, type in “ESP32” and find the option provided by Espressif.
Click “install” to add support to your Arduino IDE.

Install the CanSat NeXT Library

In the Arduino IDE, go to Sketch -> Include Library -> Manage Libraries.
In the search bar, type “CanSatNeXT” and find the corresponding library.
Click “Install” to install the library. If the Arduino IDE asks if you want to install with dependencies - click yes.
Alternatively, you can manually add the library by downloading this repository: https://github.com/netnspace/CanSatNeXT_library and saving it into the Arduino libraries folder on your computer.

Connect the CanSatNeXT Board.

Plug the CanSat board to your PC with a USB cable.
Your PC should automatically detect the board, but if it doesn’t, you may need to install the necessary drivers.
Drivers can be found on the Silicon Labs website: https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers
For additional help with setting up the ESP32, refer to the following tutorial: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/get-started/establish-serial-connection.html

Get Started with the CanSatNeXT Board

Once you have installed the Arduino IDE, ESP32 support, and the CanSatNeXT library (and possibly the drivers), you are ready to start using the board.
To explore the use of the various hardware resources, go to File -> Examples -> CanSatNeXT in the Arduino IDE.

Example Scripts

LED Blink Example

/*
  This example shows the most basic things - print a message and blink the on-board LED.

  If this doesn't work, it is most likely caused by one of these things
  1. The computer doesn't detect the device - check that the driver is installed
  2. Arduino doesn't have ESP32 installed. Install boards manager - esp32 by espressif, select ESP32 Dev Module
*/
// Include the CanSatNeXT library
#include "CanSatNeXT.h"

void setup() {
  // Start the serial line to print data to the terminal
  Serial.begin(115200);
  // Start all CanSatNeXT on-board systems.
  CanSatInit();
}

void loop() {
  // Let's blink the LED
  digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
  delay(400);
  Serial.println("This is a message!");
}

See the Arduino library section for more coding examples.

Trouble with setup? Leave us a message: hello@cansat.fi