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micro:bit Gateway on Windows Pc

Developed By: Ferdinand Stueckler

License: Free

Rating: 5,0/5 - 1 votes

Last Updated: April 16, 2024

Compatible with Windows 10/11 PC & Laptop

App Details

Version	1.2
Size	90.8 KB
Release Date	December 09, 23
Category	Communication Apps
App Permissions: Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices. [see more (4)]
What's New: Android 11 [see more]
Description from Developer: This app establishes a channel between two micro:bit devices. The channel will be handeled as UART communication. You have to develope a programm on each micro:bit device with UART... [read more]

App preview ([see all 3 screenshots] / [view video])

About this app

On this page you can download micro:bit Gateway and install on Windows PC. micro:bit Gateway is free Communication app, developed by Ferdinand Stueckler. Latest version of micro:bit Gateway is 1.2, was released on 2023-12-09 (updated on 2024-04-16). Estimated number of the downloads is more than 1,000. Overall rating of micro:bit Gateway is 5,0. Generally most of the top apps on Android Store have rating of 4+. This app had been rated by 1 users, 1 users had rated it 5*, 1 users had rated it 1*.

How to install micro:bit Gateway on Windows?

Instruction on how to install micro:bit Gateway on Windows 10 Windows 11 PC & Laptop

In this post, I am going to show you how to install micro:bit Gateway on Windows PC by using Android App Player such as BlueStacks, LDPlayer, Nox, KOPlayer, ...

Before you start, you will need to download the APK/XAPK installer file, you can find download button on top of this page. Save it to easy-to-find location.

[Note] You can also download older versions of this app on bottom of this page.

Below you will find a detailed step-by-step guide, but I want to give you a fast overview of how it works. All you need is an emulator that will emulate an Android device on your Windows PC and then you can install applications and use it - you see you're playing it on Android, but this runs not on a smartphone or tablet, it runs on a PC.

If this doesn't work on your PC, or you cannot install, comment here and we will help you!

Install using BlueStacks
Install using NoxPlayer

Step By Step Guide To Install micro:bit Gateway using BlueStacks

Download and Install BlueStacks at: https://www.bluestacks.com. The installation procedure is quite simple. After successful installation, open the Bluestacks emulator. It may take some time to load the Bluestacks app initially. Once it is opened, you should be able to see the Home screen of Bluestacks.
Open the APK/XAPK file: Double-click the APK/XAPK file to launch BlueStacks and install the application. If your APK/XAPK file doesn't automatically open BlueStacks, right-click on it and select Open with... Browse to the BlueStacks. You can also drag-and-drop the APK/XAPK file onto the BlueStacks home screen
Once installed, click "micro:bit Gateway" icon on the home screen to start using, it'll work like a charm :D

[Note 1] For better performance and compatibility, choose BlueStacks 5 Nougat 64-bit read more

[Note 2] about Bluetooth: At the moment, support for Bluetooth is not available on BlueStacks. Hence, apps that require control of Bluetooth may not work on BlueStacks.

How to install micro:bit Gateway on Windows PC using NoxPlayer

Download & Install NoxPlayer at: https://www.bignox.com. The installation is easy to carry out.
Drag the APK/XAPK file to the NoxPlayer interface and drop it to install
The installation process will take place quickly. After successful installation, you can find "micro:bit Gateway" on the home screen of NoxPlayer, just click to open it.

Discussion

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Download older versions

Other versions available: 1.2.

Download micro:bit Gateway 1.2 on Windows PC – 90.8 KB

This app establishes a channel between two micro:bit devices. The channel will be handeled as UART communication. You have to develope a programm on each micro:bit device with UART transfer.

Indication aktive: BLE Indication (Default)
Indication inaktive: BLE Notification

Silent aktive: No visual logging
Silent inaktive: Logging

Requirements:
- Min. Android 4.4
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Paired devices
- micro:bit programm (developed by yourself)

MBED example:

#include "MicroBit.h"
#include "MicroBitUARTService.h"

MicroBit uBit;
MicroBitUARTService *uart;

int connected = 0;

void onConnected(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll("C");

connected = 1;
}

void onDisconnected(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll("D");
connected = 0;
}

void onButtonA(MicroBitEvent e)
{
if (connected == 0) {
uBit.display.scroll("NC");
return;
}
uart->send("Yes");
uBit.display.scroll("Y");
}

void onButtonB(MicroBitEvent e)
{
if (connected == 0) {
uBit.display.scroll("NC");
return;
}
uart->send("No");
uBit.display.scroll("N");
}

void onButtonAB(MicroBitEvent e)
{
if (connected == 0) {
uBit.display.scroll("NC");
return;
}
uart->send("SK");
uBit.display.scroll("SK");
}

void processBLEUart() {
uint8_t readBuf[22];
while (1) { // loop for ever
if ((!connected) || (!uart->isReadable())) {
uBit.sleep(50); // wait 50mS and check again
continue; // loop;
}
//else we are connected AND there is some input to read
if (uart->isReadable()) {
while (uart->isReadable()) {
int charCount = uart->read(readBuf, 22, ASYNC);
if (charCount != 0) {
for (int i = 0; i < charCount; i++)
uBit.display.scroll((char) readBuf[i]);
}
}
}
}
}

/*
IMPORTANT !!!
Oherwise you will run out of memory !

Recommend disabling the DFU and Event services in MicroBitConfig.h since they are not needed here:
microbit->microbit-dal->inc->core->MicroBitConfig.h

#define MICROBIT_BLE_DFU_SERVICE 0
#define MICROBIT_BLE_EVENT_SERVICE 0
#define MICROBIT_SD_GATT_TABLE_SIZE 0x500
*/

int main()
{
// Initialise the micro:bit runtime.
uBit.init();

uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BLE, MICROBIT_BLE_EVT_CONNECTED, onConnected);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BLE, MICROBIT_BLE_EVT_DISCONNECTED, onDisconnected);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BUTTON_A, MICROBIT_BUTTON_EVT_CLICK, onButtonA);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BUTTON_B, MICROBIT_BUTTON_EVT_CLICK, onButtonB);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BUTTON_AB, MICROBIT_BUTTON_EVT_CLICK, onButtonAB);

uart = new MicroBitUARTService(*uBit.ble, 32, 32);
uBit.display.scroll("Go");
create_fiber(&processBLEUart); // create fiber and schedule it.

release_fiber();
}

Android 11

Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices.
Allows applications to discover and pair bluetooth devices.
Allows an app to access precise location.
Allows an app to access approximate location.