DjsBlog: Softata -Added Actuator Class

A new specific actuator device class has been added to Softata: The Grove Relay.

This relay was previously used with the Softata Console app but was coded purely as a digital on/off device. This abstracts it leading to its use in the Blockly code and with remote activation via Azure IoT Hub using a Cloud to Device message.

About

The Grove Relay plugs into the Grove RPi Pico Shield in one of the three sockets at the bottom (sockets 3 to 5, group 2 below). The third socket is the default which connects to Pico using pin 16.

The other 2 sockets use pins 18 and 20.

Blockly Setup

You can use the default setup which uses pin 16/the third socket:

Or you can use the general setup, say, using the fourth socket/pin 18:

Note in both cases, the returned actuatorListIndex value from the instantiation. This is then used in the Relay Actions.

SoftataLib Actuator.Relay Setup c# Code

In the updated Console app:

    byte relayPin = 16;
    byte actuatorIndex = 0;
    switch (potRelaySelection)
    {
        case 1:
            //Previous digital mode
            SoftataLib.Digital.SetPinMode(RELAY, SoftataLib.PinMode.DigitalOutput);
            break;
        case 2:
            actuatorIndex = SoftataLib.Actuator.SetupDefault(SoftataLib.Actuator.ActuatorDevice.Relay);
            break;
        case 3:
            relayPin = 18;
            actuatorIndex = SoftataLib.Actuator.Setup(SoftataLib.Actuator.ActuatorDevice.Relay, relayPin);
            break;
        case 4:
            relayPin = 20;
            actuatorIndex = SoftataLib.Actuator.Setup(SoftataLib.Actuator.ActuatorDevice.Relay, relayPin);
            break;
    }

Case 2 uses the default Actuator.Relay setup (pin 16).
Cases 3 and 4 explicitly set the pin 18/20 using the non-default Actuator.Relay setup.

Blockly Relay Actions

You can set, reset and toggle the state of the relay once instantiated:

Note: The bit parameter is dummy but required; zero here. It has no bearing on the functionality.

SoftataLib Actuator.Relay Actions C# Code

Note: The actuatorIndex returned from the relay class instantiation when added to the Actuators linked list.
And also not the “dummy” bit number of 0.

    SoftataLib.Actuator.SetBit(actuatorIndex,0);

Setting the relay

    SoftataLib.Actuator.ClearBit(actuatorIndex, 0);

Clearing/resetting the relay

    SoftataLib.Actuator.ToggleBit(actuatorIndex, 0);

Toggling the relay

Cloud to Device Relay Messages

As per previous post :Softata - Cloud 2 Device Messages 2

Can send C2D messages using amongst other tools: Azure IoT Explorer

The C2D message is a string. Properties etc are ignored.

The first character determines the command, and is case insensitive alpha.
The last character (if numeric) is interpreted as the device linked list index.
The second last character (if numeric), is a dummy parameter, but is required. Iis ignored.
Actuator01: Set the relay of index 1
Reset01: Reset the relay of index 1
Toggle01: Toggle the relay of index 1

eg: A00 Set the relay with index 0.

Conclusion

Whilst the discussion here has been about orchestrating a Grove Relay, the connected actuator could also be an LED, Buzzer, simple DC motor etc. Anything that gets turned on or off and manifests as a single bit.

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