---
tags: clab, fablab, smartcitizen
---

# Tutorial. How to connect the ArduinoIDE and see data through the serial Plotter

This tutorial is useful for testing the data recorded in real time and live demostrations.

Time estimated: 15 minutes + 15 minutes if you don't have Arduino IDE installed.

Requisites:

* Smartcitizen Kit that we want to configure.

* MicroUSB cable.

* A computer where we're going to configure it.

* Have Arduino IDE installed or other serial monitor installed (or knowledge about using it through terminal). You can download it from [here](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software)

## Connect your kit to your Computer

**Connect the MicroUSB cable** to the Smartcitizen kit


And the USB to your computer


## Open the Arduino IDE and connect to the kit

We are opening the Arduino IDE. (the screenshots are done Arduino 2.0 in windows) If this is your first start with Arduino IDE we are just focusing in a couple of things

**Set your port.** For doing that we are going to go to Tools->Port and we select to the port that says something like "(Arduino Zero (Native USB Port))" or "(Arduino/Genuino Zero (Autodetect Port))" in MAC or linux.


If this is your first start it might be asking you to **set the Board**. You can do it by going again into Tools->Boards and you set any of them (for example Arduino UNO).

:::warning

**Connection troubleshooting**

_"Couldn't open serial plotter"_


**Check if the USB** is properly connected and then, **revise if the port is properly selected**. Last, **check if there is a board selected**.

If the cable is connected but it's not being recognized by the Arduino IDE, try to reset the smartcitizen kit using the reset button

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/smartcitizen/48439505516/in/album-72157708816777936/" title="SCK 2.1 Outdoor enclosure"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48439505516_1d3bd25915_z.jpg" width="640" alt="SCK 2.1 Outdoor enclosure"></a>
:::

:::info
Alternativately, in Arduino IDE 2.x you can select the port from the display on the top


If you do, you're going to be asked probably to install the specific board of the board that the smartcitizen has on the bottom.


You can just follow the steps of installing the board (you may have some warnings from Windows of needing permissions)

:::


## Brief explanation of the serial plotter

:::info
More information about serial plotter in Arduino IDE with tutorials:

https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v2/tutorials/ide-v2-serial-plotter [EN]

https://arduino.cl/como-usar-el-serial-plotter-en-arduino-ide/ [ES]
:::

## Use commands to select the plotting device.

When you open the serial plotter you will have something like this


It's important to check the bottom part where it should say "Carriage Return" and 115200 baud.


In the box of "Type Message" we can send message to the smartcitizen kit.

:::info

If you want to know more about the available commands you can visit the information about using the shell https://docs.smartcitizen.me/Guides/getting%20started/Using%20the%20Shell/#connectivity-or-configuration-issues

:::

These commands are without timestamp and they are usually seen in "value2", they will change at very high speed.

### Noise

Input this command:

monitor noise -notime -noms

You will get something like this.


You will get the data in dBA. You can try to clap or stay quiet to keep the noise levels low.

### Light

Input this command:

monitor light -notime -noms

You will get something like this.


### Temperature

Input this command:

monitor temp -notime -noms

You will get something like this.

The output will be in ºC.

You can put your finger into the temp and humidity sensor to see how it changes over time and go back to normal.

### Humidity

Input this command:

monitor humidity -notime -noms

You will get something like this.


The output is in % of total humidity.

You can put your finger into the temp and humidity sensor to see how it changes over time and go back to normal.

### Pressure

Input this command:

monitor pressure -notime -noms

You will get something like this.


The output is in kPa

You can put your finger and actually press into the barometric pressure sensor to see how it changes over time and go back to normal.

### VOC Gas CCS811

Input this command:

monitor VOC -notime -noms

### eCO2 Gas CCS811

Input this command:

monitor eCO2 -notime -noms

### PM 1.0

Input this command:

monitor pm -notime -noms

### PM 2.5

Input this command:

monitor PM 2.5 -notime -noms

### PM 10.0

Input this command:

monitor PM 10 -notime -noms