Visual Basic For Applications (VBA) and Microcontrollers

[electronicbasickid]

Hi,

I have a project in which I have to connect my PC to a measurement device thanks to VBA. I would like to use a mcu in order to control a component related to the device. This component is a decoder using the mcu outputs as input signals. These signals changing with time.

I have to control the signals with the code controlling the measurement device. Indeed, they will be changing according to a variable used in this code. Therefore, I would like to know if it is possible to program a MCU such as a STM32 or a ADuC70 with VBA? And if not, is there any alternative that can help me control the mcu via VBA?

Thank you in advance for your help,
Jay.

 

[Harald Kapp]

like to know if it is possible to program a MCU such as a STM32 or a ADuC70 with VBA?

Definitely: no

And if not, is there any alternative that can help me control the mcu via VBA?

VBA runs on the PC, e.g. as an Excel script (VBA = Visual Basic for Applications). You can use the script to commmunicate with an mcu via e.g. a serial port (COM port). See for example here.

 

[shumifan50]

Why not look at the Espressif micro controllers. The have a huge selection of interface pins, can be very easily programmed through the USB port on your PC using the Arduino workbench. They support inbuilt wifi, have libraries to implement a web server, have 4 or more MB flash, 320kb of ram. The Arduino workbench uses C++ for programming, but don't let that put you off as the web has examples of most of the things you might want to do. And they are comparatively very low cost. Life is made easy by availability of development boards (direct use, no external components), modules for more specialized apps and the raw chips in mass production.
For most (if not all) you will have to program in C, C++ or Assembler. It is important to have a workbench that is user-friendly, like the Arduino IDE or MPLABX, and it must be easy to program the micro controller without specialised programmers. The ESP dev boards only need a USB(PC side) to micro-USB(dev board).
I am a converted ESP user from Microchip: all interfaces built in, fast, low idle current for IOT, cheap and single/dual core available.

 

[electronicbasickid]

Definitely: no

VBA runs on the PC, e.g. as an Excel script (VBA = Visual Basic for Applications). You can use the script to commmunicate with an mcu via e.g. a serial port (COM port). See for example here.

Hello,

Thank you for your help! I'll check those examples.

 

[electronicbasickid]

Why not look at the Espressif micro controllers. The have a huge selection of interface pins, can be very easily programmed through the USB port on your PC using the Arduino workbench. They support inbuilt wifi, have libraries to implement a web server, have 4 or more MB flash, 320kb of ram. The Arduino workbench uses C++ for programming, but don't let that put you off as the web has examples of most of the things you might want to do. And they are comparatively very low cost. Life is made easy by availability of development boards (direct use, no external components), modules for more specialized apps and the raw chips in mass production.
For most (if not all) you will have to program in C, C++ or Assembler. It is important to have a workbench that is user-friendly, like the Arduino IDE or MPLABX, and it must be easy to program the micro controller without specialised programmers. The ESP dev boards only need a USB(PC side) to micro-USB(dev board).
I am a converted ESP user from Microchip: all interfaces built in, fast, low idle current for IOT, cheap and single/dual core available.

Hi, I thought about a STM32 and ADuC because of my surpervisor's advices. However, I can use any type of mcu. Thank you for letting me know about these ones, I didn't know them. I will search more about it, it sounds like a very good idea. Thank you.

 

[Harald Kapp]

I thought about a STM32 and ADuC because of my surpervisor's advices.

Look up "blue pill" and "black pill" for STM32 based modules. Really not expensive. Can be programmed with ST-Tools or afaik via the Arduino platform.

 

[electronicbasickid]

Look up "blue pill" and "black pill" for STM32 based modules. Really not expensive. Can be programmed with ST-Tools or afaik via the Arduino platform.

Thank you, I might go for the 32L100CDISCOVERY.

 

[Harald Kapp]

A good choice, but comparatively expensive.

 

[shumifan50]

A single coreESP32-S2 costs less than 2 GBP and has WiFi, Uarts, adc, dac, touch sensors, 4MB flash, 320kB ram, many GPIOs, onboard USB to UART converter, CANbus, Bluetooth. A dual core costs less than 3GBP(British pounds) and has a similar configuration. No external shields required. These are REALLY cost effective and easy to use. I am now an ex-Microchip supporter. And even the Arduinos don't match as they require external shields that work out expensive. On top of all of this these processors have a co-processor that can be used to put the main cores to sleep, especially good for IoT devices. Claimed power down mode consumption is 6uA. They can be integrated with Eclipse workbench where using JTAG interactive debugging is possible and it means the same workbench can be used to program the micro-controllers and standard programs for the PC environment.