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🔌 USB Connection with FizziQ Connect (Mac & PC)

This page explains how to connect your FizziQ Connect (or a microcontroller) to FizziQ Web via USB to access and use sensor data.

💻 1. Driver installation

The driver allows the computer to recognize the FizziQ Connect and create a serial port to communicate with it.

Without a driver, the device is detected but does not work.

👉 Only need to be done once per computer. After that, the FizziQ Connect will be recognized automatically 👍

🪟 Windows

The FizziQ Connect uses a USB → serial converter (CP2104).
👉 You need to install the CP210x driver (Silicon Labs) .

Steps:

  1. Download the CP210x USB to UART Bridge driver (Silicon Labs)

  2. Unzip (extract) the file (if necessary)

  3. Launch the installation program (x64 for recent computers)

  4. Accept the license

  5. Follow the instructions and restart the PC

Verification :

  1. Connect the FizziQ Connect

  2. Open Device Manager

  3. Go to Ports (COM and LPT)

  4. You should see: Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMx)

⚠️ Problem: Code 28

If you see: CP2104 USB to UART Bridge Controller – Code 28

👉 The driver is not installed correctly

Solution :

  1. Right-click → Uninstall device

  2. Restart the driver installation

  3. Reconnect the device

🍎 macOS

On Mac, the driver is often automatic.
Alternatively, install CP210x (Silicon Labs).

Steps:

  1. Install the CP210x driver

  2. Go to System Settings → Privacy and Security

  3. Allow the Silicon Labs software

  4. Restart the Mac

Verification

  1. Plug in the device

  2. Open the Terminal

Type: ls /dev/cu.*

👉 You must see:
/dev/cu.SLAB_USBtoUART

🔗 2. Connecting with FizziQ Web

Steps:

  1. Connect your device via USB

  2. Select External Sensors > USB Serial

  3. Click on “Connect” in FizziQ Web

  4. Select the suggested serial port

  5. The data appears automatically

🔲 3. Connection for micro:bit, Arduino and ESP32

The FizziQ Web software expects data in a specific format and at a precise Baud Rate speed.

This format is different from the format sent via Bluetooth.

The expected format is a data transmission in a string of the type: "FCx:yyy:zzzzz"

with: x the sensor channel (0 to 5) which allows having several sensors of the same type on different channels

yyy the type of sensor from the names below.

zzzzz: the sensor value in decimal format with a period as the decimal separator

Examples:

Temperature 25.5 degrees: send "FC0:tem:25.5"

🌐 4. Browser compatibility

⚠️ Use:

  • Chromium

  • Edge (version 89+)

❌ Not compatible: Safari, Firefox

🛠️ 5. Troubleshooting

FizziQ Connect

  • Check that it is turned on

  • Update the firmware to version 2.3.2 or higher

Microcontroller

  • Check the format "FCx:LABEL:VALUE"

  • Check the Baud Rate (115200)

⚠️ 6. Common Problems

  • The driver is incorrectly installed

  • USB cable not for data → change cable

  • Faulty USB port → try another one

  • Bad browser → use Chrome/Edge

⚙️ 7. Baud Rate

  • Default: 115200 bps

  • Must correspond to that of the program

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