displaying "serial monitor" data (eg: arduino) without a pc - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 07:43:25 pm
content: Hi everybody.The question is simple: sometimes I'd like to read like the Serial.print for something without having my pc nearby (I mean I have a friend with my gadgets 400km away, I don't always plan on taking my pc when visiting him). Apart from how interfacing the devices, how to selectively enable this "debug" output (which I'll gladly do afterwards), I have no clue on what kind of display is necessary to do this stuff. I mean my 16x2 lcds are defintely inadequate, I'd like to display way more rows… which displays should I consider? Best if drivable via a normal mcu and not a full fledged rpi or smth.cheers!

author: globoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 07:47:15 pm
content: I think you might be able to use an Android phone as a serial terminal with the appropriate usb adapter and apphttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.kai_morich.serial_usb_terminal&hl=en_US&gl=USIf your gadget has a TTL serial interface (as opposed to USB serial) maybe you could use a small dev board with bit-mapped LCD and write a simple sketch for it to emulate a dumb terminal (really just drawing characters, handling LF/CR and maybe scrolling).

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 07:55:24 pm
content: This:-https://innovationgarage.github.io/TTyGO/running on this:-https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32854542718.html(note: I haven't tested either of these things, much less them together)

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 08:13:51 pm
content: Quote from: globoy on August 25, 2023, 07:47:15 pmthanks but I don't own an android phone

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 08:26:59 pm
content: Quote from: mwb1100 on August 25, 2023, 07:55:24 pmcool this is interesting, I'm going on that route.Cheers!

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 10:29:02 pm
content: You can try something like this, this is a serial terminal, does what you are looking for:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_3101

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 10:34:53 pm
content: Use any ultracheap bluetooth <-> serial module like this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001547064915.htmlInstall Serial Bluetooth Terminal in your phone and enjoy:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.kai_morich.serial_bluetooth_terminalI've used it plenty of times, works great. Plus you can also send data, not only view it.Edit: Jeelabs ESP-Link is also great, uses inexpensive ESP-01.https://github.com/jeelabs/esp-link/releases

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 11:19:58 pm
content: Or you could build your own like this. It is a VT100 compatible terminal that uses a USB keyboard and a VGA monitor.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 11:22:44 pm
content: Quote from: DavidAlfa on August 25, 2023, 10:34:53 pmI have used this method as well for lot's of devices, not only Arduino.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 11:24:37 pm
content: Just buy one of the cheap 480x320 3.5" screens (<$20) with SPI interface. Hundreds of them on the market for the RPi.Stick an RPi on it and attach the serial interface to whatever your want.480x320 is perfect for 80x24 character displays, which is standard terminal output.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2023, 11:29:53 pm
content: Got a couple of big old green-screen Wang terminals you could have...

author: JustMeHere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2023, 01:05:16 am
content: Cheap ebay laptop.Oscilloscope.Serial to Bluetooth (and read the bluetooth from your cell)But if you do find a bug you will need to reprogram. So a really cheap, small second-hand laptop os where I'd go.

author: Moriambar
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2023, 07:45:40 am
content: thanks to all. I have gathered many ideas! I'll try and come down with the best for the specific applications I have in mind.Cheers

author: aeberbach
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2023, 09:06:38 am
content: Green screen terminals? "Have"? You're not in Melbourne are you? I'd love to get a serial terminal. I have a connect-the-VGA type but for my PiDP11https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11I'd love to have a CRT terminal.

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2023, 09:20:02 am
content: Quote from: aeberbach on August 26, 2023, 09:06:38 amIn Sydney, sorry. Have been in storage for about 15 years. They are heavy green screen Wang terminals with DB25 connections. Complete with a heavy keyboard!Film prop for a retro tech story?

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2023, 12:07:05 am
content: If the site is 400km away, how about a serial-ethernet converter.Punch a port-hole in the firewall, and use Telnet for permanent remote access.