I just received my ArduinoBT in the mail, and was a little confused about how to get code onto it. Typically, you can upload it via USB through the Arduino IDE.
I have a vague understanding of what a bootloader is – which comes pre-installed on the ArduinoBT, but I don't understand how I can get the code to the bootloader.
The docs suggest that you can still connect via the IDE and they provide the default name of the device, along with a default password. However, wouldn't I need some sort of BlueTooth receiver on my PC to achieve communication with the ArduinoBT?
Do I have to have an AVR ISP Programmer? Is there another way to get code on the device?
Best Answer
The ArduinoBT, after pairing, exposes a virtual serial port that you can use.
After that, you connect to it using the Arduino IDE over that virtual serial port.
So yes, you need a Bluetooth receiver on your PC for this to work, as the virtual serial port used for programming (typically provided by a virtual serial port over USB on a conventional Arduino), is now provided via the Bluetooth connection. You'll definitely want to use that instead of a ICSP programmer.
If you don't have Bluetooth on your PC, there are addon USB adapters that provide it.