How to upload code

Writing a program on Arduino is great, but you need to make sure it gets uploaded to your Rokit Smart bot! Learn how to upload code to your Smart Inventor Board with this lesson.
Rokit Smart Getting Started cover Rokit Smart Getting Started cover

This lesson works with:

Rokit Smart
Arduino
  • arduino
  • getting started
  • programming
  • Rokit Smart

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

30 - 45 mins
CSTA

1B-CS-02

3-5

Model how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.

1B-CS-03

3-5

Determine potential solutions to solve simple hardware and software problems using common troubleshooting strategies.

2-CS-03

6-8

Systematically identify and fix problems with computing devices and their components.
CCSS

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 Language Arts

Grade 3

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.8 Language Arts

Grade 3

Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Language Arts

Grade 4

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Language Arts

Grade 5

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Language Arts

Grade 6

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Language Arts

6-8

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. 

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Math

High School — Geometry

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

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CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

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Step 1

Connect your cable

The first step you need to do is connect your uploading cable. There are three parts:

  • Micro USB cable
  • UART cable
  • USB to UART adapter

Connect the adapter to one end of the UART cable. Then, connect the Micro USB end to the adapter.

RKS cable assembling macOS4
Step 2

Programming mode

First, set your Smart Inventor Board to programming mode:

  1. Flip DIP switch 1 up to the “ON” position
  2. Connect the UART cable end of the download cable in the port on the lower right side of the Smart Inventor board.
  3. Connect the USB end to your computer. If you have USB-C ports, make sure you have an adapter nearby.
  4. Your blue LED should be flashing. If it’s not, tap the reset button below the DIP switches. Do not hold this button down because it will reset the board.
Smart Inventor Board programming mode
Step 3

Open your sketch

Next, open the Arduino IDE and open the sketch (or code) that you want to upload to the board.

arduino mousebot code
Step 4

Select the correct board

Once you decide on your sketch, make sure you select the correct board in Arduino. Click on Tools > Board and then scroll all the way down to find your board.

Not sure which board is yours? On the front of your Smart Inventor Board, you should have an area near the center that says “Smart Inventor” with the version number, and that should match one of your options in Arduino. For example, if you have Smart Inventor V2, you should choose Rokit-SmartInventor-mega32_v2.

Sketch Tools
Step 5

Select the correct serial port

Find the serial port connected to your Smart Inventor Board:

  • For Mac look for “/dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART” or “/dev/cu.usbserial”
  • For Windows, look for a COM port number that is not COM1
Serial port1
Serial port2
Step 6

Upload the sketch

You’re almost done! Upload the sketch by clicking on the upload icon, which is an arrow pointing to the right. Once the file completely uploads to your Smart Inventor Board, Arduino IDE will display “Done uploading” in the bottom left corner. If you have any errors, make sure to resolve those code issues first.

Sketch upload1
Sketch upload2
Step 7

Initialize the program!

Finally, flip DIP switch 1 down to the “OFF” position to initialize your downloaded program. Done!

Program Initializing
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