Servo tester using Arduino UNO, Visual Studio and C#

While playing with Visual Studio (free download) and testing how to interface a Windows based program with an Arduino UNO I put together a little program to test a servo motor.

Servo Test Program

There are a couple of steps to take:

1. Load the Arduino Sketch onto the UNO using the normal Arduino IDE.
#include <Servo.h>

Servo servoMotor;
int servoPin=9;
int value=0;
int angle;
int x;

void setup(){
 Serial.begin(9600);
 servoMotor.attach(servoPin);
}

void loop(){
 if(Serial.available() >0) 
 {
 value = Serial.read();
 if(value>0){
 x=value;
 }
 }
 else if (x>=0 && x<=180){
 angle=x;
 servoMotor.write(angle); 
 }
}
2. Build the circuit.

It is very basic, only need:

  • UNO
  • Servo
  • Jumper wires

UNO and Servo

3 . Run the servo test program.

The exe file is here:

MakerStoreServoTest_v1.exe

4. Done.
A couple of notes:
  • Make sure the UNO is connected before you run the exe or the COM port will not show up.
  • The servo is connect to pin 9 on the UNO.
  • Movement is between 1 and 180.
  • The left and right arrow keys will move the servo -/+ 1 at a time (can hold to move continuously).
  • If you want the Visual Studio code and/or solution/project please send me an email

Enjoy and as always feedback is welcome (especially as the C# program is very efficient).

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