CodeCell Basics: Your First Steps

Welcome to the exciting world of miniaturized robotics and IoT projects! If you’ve just got your hands on the CodeCell, you're in for a treat. This tiny module is designed to simplify your DIY projects with its robust features packed into a penny-sized board. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the unboxing, setting up, and first steps with your CodeCell.

Unboxing Your CodeCell

Let’s start with what you’ll find inside the box. Depending on the options you selected during checkout, in the box you'll find:

CodeCell: The star of the show, your tiny yet mighty board featuring the ESP32-C3 module, programmable GPIO pins, and a variety of sensors.
Screws: Four M1.2 x 6mm screws to mount the CodeCell securely in your projects.
Headers: Three sets of female headers which can come in unsoldered or soldered, depending on your choice.
Battery/Cable: Depending on your selection during checkout, you’ll either receive a free battery cable for connecting your own battery to the CodeCell's onboard connector or a 170mAh 20C LiPo battery with a pre-soldered cable. This optional battery measures 23 x 17.5 x 8.7 mm and weighing just 4.6 grams. Click here if you like to access the battery's datasheet.

Powering Up Your CodeCell for the First Time
Your CodeCell comes with pre-loaded software to get you familiar with its functionality. Here’s what it does:

Initialization: It sets up the internal peripherals and configures the onboard light sensor.
Power Management: It monitors the power status, check if the battery is connected and whether it's charging.
LED Animation: It runs a breathing light animation with the RGB LED. The animation speed varies based on the light-sensor's proximity, and the LED flashes blue or green depending on whether the board is powered by USB or battery. If the battery is charging, the LED stays static blue until fully charged.

Setting Up Your CodeCell

Here are the steps you need to take to connect and run a sketch on your new the CodeCell:

USB Connection: Connect your CodeCell to your PC using a standard USB-C cable. This cable not only powers the board but also allows for reprogramming.
Install the Arduino IDE: If you haven’t already, download and install the latest version of the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
Add ESP32 Board Manager URL: Open the Arduino IDE and navigate to 'File > Preferences'. In the 'Additional Board Manager URLs' field, enter: `https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json` and click ok.
Install ESP32 Board Support: Go to 'Tools > Board > Boards Manager'. Search for 'ESP32' and click 'Install'.
Select the Board: Go to 'Tools > Board' and select 'ESP32C3 Dev Module'.
Select Port: Go to 'Tools > Port' and select the COM port corresponding to your CodeCell.

Trying Out CodeCell Examples

To try out the CodeCell Examples, we have to install the library.This can be done by going to the Arduino Library Maganer and search for 'CodeCell' in the library manager and click 'Install'. Make sure you have the latest version of the library installed.

Once the library is installed, go to 'File > Examples > CodeCell'. Here you’ll find various examples demonstrating how to use the light sensor, motion sensor and other features of the CodeCell.

Upload and Test

Open an example sketch, connect your CodeCell to your PC if not already connected, and click the 'Upload' button. After uploading, open the Serial Monitor 'Tools > Serial Monitor' to see serial data from your CodeCell.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations, you’ve taken the first steps with your CodeCell! Next step is to dive into the examples, experiment with the sensors, and have fun building your next innovative creation!

Happy coding!