Python is a versatile programming language widely used in various fields, including web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. Its simplicity and readability make it an excellent choice for beginners and professionals alike. When it comes to electronics and microcontroller projects, Python can be used in conjunction with Arduino to create powerful and interactive systems.

In the context of Arduino, Python can be used to communicate with the Arduino board via serial communication. This allows for real-time data monitoring, control of actuators, and integration with other software systems. By leveraging Python's extensive libraries and Arduino's hardware capabilities, we can create sophisticated projects that are both functional and educational.

Project: In this article, we will create a project to monitor temperature and humidity using a DHT11 sensor connected to an Arduino board. The data will be sent to a computer via serial communication, where a Python script will read and display the data in real-time. The objectives of this project are:

• To demonstrate how to set up serial communication between Arduino and Python.
• To read sensor data using Arduino and send it to a computer.
• To use Python to read the data from the serial port and display it.

Components List:

• Arduino Uno (1)
• DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Sensor (1)
• 10k Ohm Resistor (1)
• Breadboard (1)
• Jumper wires (several)
• USB cable for Arduino (1)

Examples:

Arduino Code:

#include <DHT.h>

#define DHTPIN 2     // Pin where the DHT11 is connected
#define DHTTYPE DHT11   // DHT 11

DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); 
  dht.begin();
}

void loop() {
  delay(2000);  // Wait a few seconds between measurements
  float h = dht.readHumidity();
  float t = dht.readTemperature();

  // Check if any reads failed and exit early (to try again).
  if (isnan(h) || isnan(t)) {
    Serial.println("Failed to read from DHT sensor!");
    return;
  }

  // Print the results to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Humidity: ");
  Serial.print(h);
  Serial.print(" %\t");
  Serial.print("Temperature: ");
  Serial.print(t);
  Serial.println(" *C");
}

Python Code:

import serial
import time

# Set up the serial line
ser = serial.Serial('COM3', 9600)  # Adjust 'COM3' to your port
time.sleep(2)  # Wait for the serial connection to initialize

while True:
    try:
        line = ser.readline()  # Read a line from the serial port
        line = line.decode('utf-8')  # Convert the byte string to a unicode string
        print(line.strip())  # Print the line, stripping any extra whitespace
    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print("Program interrupted by user")
        break

ser.close()  # Close the serial connection

Explanation:

• The Arduino code initializes the DHT11 sensor and sets up serial communication.
• The loop function reads the temperature and humidity values from the sensor every two seconds and sends the data to the serial port.
• The Python code opens the serial port, reads the incoming data, decodes it, and prints it to the console.
• Adjust the 'COM3' in the Python script to match the serial port your Arduino is connected to.