Why connect microcontrollers and external sensors to FizziQ?

 

Although smartphones contain many powerful sensors, they are not always able to measure every physical phenomenon encountered in the classroom or in the laboratory. Connecting microcontrollers (Arduino, Micro:bit, ESP32, or FizziQ Connect) and external sensors to FizziQ offers several major advantages:

 

1. Access measurements that smartphones cannot provide

Some physical parameters — precise temperature, atmospheric pressure, CO₂ concentration, mass, ultrasonic distance, specialised magnetic fields, etc. — require dedicated sensors.
Bluetooth connectivity allows FizziQ to display and record these measurements as if they were coming directly from the smartphone.

 

2. Expand the range of experiments possible in class

With external sensors, students can explore phenomena that smartphones cannot measure, such as:
chemical reactions, environmental measurements, climate modelling, mechanical systems, energy, force, vibration, and more.
This opens up entire areas of experimental science, from middle school to university.

 

3. Take advantage of FizziQ’s analysis tools

Once connected, external measurements automatically benefit from:
real-time recording, annotation in the experiment notebook, export to PDF, CSV/Excel or Python, graphs, modelling tools, and FizziQ’s full analytical environment.
The microcontroller becomes a smart sensor, while FizziQ handles the data analysis.

 

4. Use existing equipment in schools

Many schools already have Arduino boards, Micro:bits or ESP32 devices.
FizziQ allows this equipment to be reused without additional cost, simply by connecting via Bluetooth.

 

5. An open protocol that encourages innovation

FizziQ’s Bluetooth protocol is deliberately open and easy to use.
Teachers can create their own setups, students can program their own sensors, and makers can rapidly prototype new experiments.

 

6. A complete scientific workflow, from sensor to results

Students can program a microcontroller, collect real data, analyse their results, and produce a full scientific report.
It provides a natural bridge between technology, physics, engineering, and digital science.

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Which microcontrollers can connect to FizziQ?

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All microcontrollers with a Bluetooth BLE connection can connect to FizziQ. Bluetooth is a standard wireless communications technology, providing higher data rates suitable for devices requiring fast transfers. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), designed for low power consumption, is ideal for battery-powered devices and proximity IoT applications. BLE offers shorter range and potentially higher latency, while regular Bluetooth offers greater range and lower latency.

 

In most cases, microcontrollers can communicate in BLE format, such as micro:bit, ESP32 or Arduino Nano 33 BLE devices. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to add a Bluetooth BLE connection module to the microcontroller to send the data. A circuit such as the BM-HM10 can then be used, for example.

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What serviceBluetoothuse with FizziQ?

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In theBluetooth protocol, a "service" represents a specific functionality that devices can offer, such as streaming audio or file sharing. Each service may have several "features" that describe the details of its functionality. For example, a wireless headset service may have features such as volume adjustment or music play/pause. This hierarchical organization allows devices to understand and cooperate effectively to deliver a wide range of wireless capabilities, from earbuds to IoT sensors.

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For data exchange with Arduino, FizziQ uses the UART service. This service allows you to send any type of data acquired by the microcontroller. Followthis link to the Nordic Semiconductor page.

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To connect an Arduino board with FizziQ via Bluetooth:

1. Give the device a name to recognize it, for example: “FizziQ Connection”

2. The service uuid is "6e400001-b5a3-f393-e0a9-e50e24dcca9e"

3. The uuid of the characteristic is "6e400002-b5a3-f393-e0a9-e50e24dcca9e"

4. The service must include a notification (NOTIFY)

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Whatis the message structure ?

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​The data exchanged by the UART service must bestructured in the form of a character string in the following format: 'NAME: VALUE'. For example, to send information about a voltage of 5 volts, send the UART message: 'Voltage: 5.0'.

 

The following measurement names are recognized by FizziQ:

- temperature

- weight

- humidity

- tension

- pressure (atmospheric)

- acceleration

- brightness

- magnetic (field)

- compass (compass)

- co2 (concentration of)

- tvoc (volatile compounds)

- intensity

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For this data, the units and an icon representing the data will be automatically recognized and displayed. 

 

Data different from those recognized can be shared with FizziQ, but unrecognized names will be displayed under the name of a generic sensor: "UART".

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Note that only the first three letters of the name are recognized by FizziQ so it is not necessary to put all the letters in the message. 

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How to connect FizziQ?

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Please note, the connection with external sensors is managed exclusively by the application. Do not attempt to pair the external sensor via the Settings menu or native Bluetooth of the smartphone!

 

To connect an external sensor to FizziQ, in the application, in the Measurement tab, select "External Sensors", then press the connection button corresponding to your micro-controller. An icon giving access to the data transmitted by the microcontroller will appear. Data management is done in the same way as any other smartphone sensor. To disconnect the smartphone, tap Disconnect. The disconnection will be automatic if the connection is broken. The Refresh button is used to update the list of smartphone sensors.

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What program for an Arduino?

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An example program to transmit Humidity data can be found in the following text file:

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