Education · Large company
An app that lets the Micro:bit board exchange data with Android devices, by cable or over Bluetooth
Project summary
- Industry
- Education
- Company size
- Large company
- Services
The problem
A large education company needed the Micro:bit board and Android devices to communicate and transfer data between them. The link had to work in two ways: over a MicroUSB cable and wirelessly, over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the version of Bluetooth designed to use little power.
What was agreed
- Prioritized scope
- Architecture and development of an Android app that sets up communication and data transfer with the Micro:bit board. The scope covered both connection paths: the MicroUSB cable, which links the board to the device, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is wireless.
What was delivered
The Micro:bit board and Android devices can communicate and transfer data between them, by cable or wirelessly, through an Android app designed and developed for this.
Who it’s for
For people who use the Micro:bit board together with an Android device. The project was created for a large education company.
How it works
On the cable path, the board is physically connected to the device; on the wireless one, the two exchange data with no physical connection.
Besides the app, the project defined the architecture of this communication, that is, how the parts are organized to talk over both paths.
The technology, in plain words
- Android: Google’s operating system for phones and tablets. It is the platform of the project’s app.
- Java: a general-purpose programming language, for many years the main language for building Android apps. It was used to develop the app.
- C++: a programming language common in software that works close to the hardware, such as that of boards and electronic devices. It was part of the project’s development.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): a version of Bluetooth designed to exchange small amounts of data while using little power. It is the wireless path between the board and the Android device.
- Micro:bit: a small programmable board created to teach programming, with buttons, LED lights and sensors. It is the board the app connects to Android.
How it went
Assessment
At the start
An initial conversation to understand the client's request and problem.
Discovery Sprint
Before building
The problem was understood and the scope defined.
Development
Between 2017 and 2019
Built in incremental releases throughout the project, not all at the end.
Support and continuous improvement
After going live
The app then moved into support and maintenance.
Technical details
Technologies used in this project
- Android
- Java
- C++
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Micro:bit
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