# Autonomous Lighting

The autonomous lighting project is a basic environmental interaction example. It imitates a night lamp, using the [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) to sense the light level and let the user decide what level is dark enough to turn on the [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module). It also helps with energy efficiency by turning the LED when it is bright enough.

<figure><img src="https://1077748559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LuxEcL3mxZNc5Aa92N6%2Fuploads%2FesT8GAdmSKiZfkMWTTKH%2Fautonomous_light.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=678c218f-51fb-4428-9dca-a90acd36b7b0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**About Tools and Materials:**

[SMD Red](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/smd-red) ([Purchase Here](https://www.robotshop.com/products/acrome-smd-red-smart-brushed-motor-driver-with-speed-position-and-current-control-modes))

[SMD USB Gateway](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/gateway-modules/usb-gateway-module) ([Purchase Here](https://www.robotshop.com/products/acrome-usb-gateway-module-acrome-smd-products))

[Arduino Gateway Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/gateway-modules/arduino-gateway-module) ([Purchase Here](https://www.robotshop.com/products/acrome-arduino-gateway-shield-module-acrome-smd-products))

[RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module) ([Purchase Here](https://www.robotshop.com/products/acrome-rgb-led-add-on-module-acrome-smd-products))

[Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module)  ([Purchase Here](https://www.robotshop.com/products/acrome-ambient-light-sensor-add-on-module-acrome-smd-products))

## **Step 1: Hardware & Software Overview**

**Project Key Components**

1. [**SMD**](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/smd-red)

   The SMD acts as a bridge between the script and the modules. It is responsible for interpreting the commands sent by the script and translating them into actions that read input from the [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) and toggle the [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module).
2. [**RGB LED Module**](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module)

   The [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module) is designed to emit different colors, allowing users to experiment with different lighting effects.
3. [**Ambient Light Sensor Module**](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module)

   The [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) is measures the surrounding light intensity and provides feedback of the intensity to the script, allowing the user to decide whether to turn on or off the LED.
4. [**SMD Libraries**](https://docs.acrome.net/software/libraries)

   The SMD library is at the heart of the application. It communicates with the SMD using a specific communication protocol, sending commands to read the [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) and toggle the LED on the [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module).

**Project Key Features**

* **Automatic Light Sensing**

  The [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) is a input module and the bridge between the physical world and the script, allowing the user to read the data of the environment.
* **Energy-Efficient Operation**

  The [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) allows the user to only turn on the light when it is dark and needed, thus, it helps with the energy efficiency.
* **Real-time Monitoring**

  The script can also be modified to monitor the ambient light intensity in real-time.

## **Step 2: Assemble**

**Getting Started**

1. **Hardware Setup**
   * Connect the SMD to the PC or Arduino board using [USB Gateway Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/gateway-modules/usb-gateway-module) or [Arduino Gateway Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/gateway-modules/arduino-gateway-module).
   * Connect the [Ambient Light Sensor Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) and the [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module) to the SMD using an RJ-45 cable.
   * Make sure that the SMD is powered and all connections are correct.

#### Project Wiring Diagram

<figure><img src="https://1077748559-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LuxEcL3mxZNc5Aa92N6%2Fuploads%2FUbHxgs51Nf4fymUn4Sia%2FAutonomous%20Lighting1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a2e6b11d-c58f-4654-ae6e-b0e91312ef91" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## **Step 3: Run & Test**

1. **Run the Script**
   * Run the script on your computer. This will establish communication with the SMD, the [Ambient Light Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/ambient-light-sensor-module) and the [RGB LED Module](https://docs.acrome.net/electronics/add-on-modules/rgb-led-module).
2. **Observe Autonomous Operation**
   * Observe how the LED automatically turns on when the environment becomes dark and turns off when there is sufficient ambient light.

## Codes

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Python Code" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```python
from serial.tools.list_ports import comports
from platform import system
from smd.red import *

baudrate = 115200       # Baud rate of communication
ID = 0                  # ID of the SMD
rgb_module_id = 5       # ID of the RGB LED module
ambient_module_id = 5   # ID of the ambient light sensor module


def USB_Port():
    """
    Scans and identifies a compatible USB port for the current operating system.

    Returns:
        str: The detected USB port or None if no suitable port is found.
    """
    # Get a list of available ports
    ports = list(comports())
    
    # Known USB port names for different operating systems
    usb_names = {
        "Windows": ["USB Serial Port"],  # Names specific to Windows
        "Linux": ["/dev/ttyUSB"],        # Names specific to Linux
        "Darwin": [                      # Names specific to macOS
            "/dev/tty.usbserial",
            "/dev/tty.usbmodem",
            "/dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART",
            "/dev/tty.wchusbserial",
            "/dev/cu.usbserial",
        ]
    }

    # Detect the operating system
    os_name = system()
    print(f"Operating System: {os_name}")

    if ports:
        for port in ports:
            # Check if the port matches any known USB names
            if any(name in port.device or name in port.description for name in usb_names.get(os_name, [])):
                print(f"USB device detected on port: {port.device}")
                return port.device  # Return the first matching port
        # If no suitable port is found, print the list of available ports
        print("No suitable USB device found. Available ports:")
        for port in ports:
            print(f"Port: {port.device}, Description: {port.description}, HWID: {port.hwid}")
    else:
        print("No ports detected!")
    return None


try:
    # Find a valid serial port
    SerialPort = USB_Port()
    if not SerialPort:
        raise Exception("No compatible USB port found. Please check your connection.")

    print(f"Using serial port: {SerialPort}")

    # Initialize the SMD module
    master = Master(SerialPort, baudrate)       # Defines the USB gateway module
    master.attach(Red(ID))                      # Gives access to the SMD of specified ID
    master.scan_modules(ID)                     # Scans and identifies the modules connected to the SMD

    # Main loop
    while True:
        # Get ambient light data from the sensor
        light = master.get_light(ID, ambient_module_id)  # Variable to store the ambient light data
        print(f"Ambient light level: {light}")           # Print the value to observe

        if light < 30:
            # Set the RGB LED to white
            master.set_rgb(ID, rgb_module_id, 255, 255, 255)  # RGB values for white
        else:
            # Turn off the RGB LED
            master.set_rgb(ID, rgb_module_id, 0, 0, 0)        # RGB values for off

except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Arduino Code" %}
{% code lineNumbers="true" %}

```cpp
#include <Acrome-SMD.h>

#define ID        0           // ID of the SMD
#define BAUDRATE  115200      // Baud rate of the communication

Red master(ID, Serial, BAUDRATE);    // Defines the Arduino gateway module

int rgb_module_id = 1;              // ID of the RGB LED module
int ambient_module_id = 1;          // ID of the ambient module

int light = 0;               // Variable to store the button state

void setup() {
    master.begin();                 // Starts the communication
    master.scanModules();           // Scans for the connected modules
}

void loop() {
    light = master.getLight(ambient_module_id);      // Getting the ambient light value and storing it
    
    if (light < 30) {
        master.setRGB(rgb_module_id, 255, 255, 255);    // Numbers are correspond to the R - G - B color values
    }

    else {
        master.setRGB(rgb_module_id, 0, 0, 0);      // Sets all colors to zero, meaning turning the RGB LED off
    }
}

```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}