Programming a Calculator for Arduino Projects: A Guide for the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE

Calculators have come a long way from simple arithmetic devices to powerful tools capable of executing complex programs. The Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE, with its color display and programmability, offers a versatile platform for developing creative projects. In this article, we will explore how to program the TI-84 Plus CE for Arduino projects, providing detailed instructions along with various project ideas to enhance your learning experience.

Getting Started

1. Install TI Connect CE Software

Before diving into programming, make sure you have the TI Connect CE software installed on your computer. This tool allows you to transfer programs and data between your computer and the calculator. You can download it from the official Texas Instruments website.

2. Set Up the Arduino IDE

To communicate between the TI-84 Plus CE and Arduino, you need to set up the Arduino IDE with the necessary libraries. Install the Arduino IDE and then add the TILib library, which facilitates communication between the calculator and Arduino. You can find the library on GitHub.

Basic Calculator Program

Let's start with a simple calculator program to perform basic arithmetic operations. Create a new program on your TI-84 Plus CE and follow these steps:

TI

:Prompt A,B
:A+B→C
:Disp "SUM:",C

This program prompts the user for two numbers (A and B), adds them, stores the result in C, and then displays the sum.

Communication with Arduino

Now, let's establish communication between the TI-84 Plus CE and Arduino. On the Arduino side, you'll need to write a basic program to send and receive data. Here's a simple example using the Serial communication:

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available() > 0) {
    int dataFromCalculator = Serial.parseInt();
    // Perform Arduino operations with the received data
    // For example, you can multiply the received data by 2
    int result = dataFromCalculator * 2;
    Serial.println(result);
  }
}

In your TI-BASIC program, you can now send data to the Arduino and receive the result:

TI

:Prompt A,B
:A+B→C
:Output(1,1,"SUM:",C)
:Send(A+B)  // Send data to Arduino
:Get()→Result  // Receive result from Arduino
:Output(2,1,"Result:",Result)

Project Ideas

1. Temperature Converter

Create a program that reads the temperature from a sensor connected to the Arduino and converts it between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Display the result on the TI-84 Plus CE.

2. Distance Measurement

Connect an ultrasonic sensor to the Arduino to measure distances. Write a program on the TI-84 Plus CE that prompts the user for a distance unit (cm or inches) and displays the measured distance.

3. Quadratic Equation Solver

Develop a program that solves quadratic equations. Prompt the user for the coefficients and display the roots on the TI-84 Plus CE.

4. Game of Chance

Build a simple game where the Arduino generates a random number, and the TI-84 Plus CE prompts the user to guess the number. Provide feedback on whether the guess is too high, too low, or correct.

Conclusion

Programming a calculator for Arduino projects with the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE opens up a world of possibilities for creative and educational projects. Experiment with the provided examples and project ideas, and explore the vast capabilities of these versatile devices. Happy coding!