PASCO BLE Library

A TypeScript/JavaScript library for connecting to PASCO Wireless sensors in web browsers using Web Bluetooth. Create your own data collection applications, build interactive science experiments, or integrate sensors with web-based educational tools!

> Platform: This library uses the Web Bluetooth API and works in Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers. HTTPS is required.

> Note: This is an independent TypeScript implementation inspired by PASCO Scientific's official Python library. While functionally equivalent, this library is not officially endorsed or maintained by PASCO Scientific.

Contents

- Getting Started
- Browser Compatibility
- Compatible Sensors
- Quick Start
- API Reference
- //code.Node
- //control.Node
- PascoBot
- Examples
- Troubleshooting
- License

Getting Started

$3

``bash
npm install pasco-ble
`

Requirements:
- Web browser with Web Bluetooth support (Chrome, Edge, Opera)
- HTTPS connection (or localhost for development)
- User gesture to initiate Bluetooth operations

No additional setup or native dependencies required!

Browser Compatibility

This library uses the Web Bluetooth API, which has limited browser support:

| Browser | Support | Minimum Version | Platforms |
|---------|---------|-----------------|-----------|
| Chrome | ✅ Supported | 56+ | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Edge | ✅ Supported | 79+ | Windows, macOS |
| Opera | ✅ Supported | 43+ | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Firefox | ❌ Not supported | - | - |
| Safari | ❌ Not supported | - | - |

Additional Requirements:
- HTTPS connection required (localhost works for development)
- User gesture required to initiate Bluetooth operations (e.g., button click)

$3

`typescript
import { isWebBluetoothSupported } from 'pasco-ble';

if (!isWebBluetoothSupported()) {
alert('Please use Chrome, Edge, or Opera to connect to sensors.');
}
`

Compatible Sensors

- //control.Node
- //code.Node
- Smart Cart
- Wireless Acceleration Altimeter
- Wireless CO2
- Wireless Conductivity
- Wireless Current
- Wireless Diffraction
- Wireless Drop Counter
- Wireless Force Acceleration
- Wireless Light
- Wireless Load Cell
- Wireless Magnetic Field
- Wireless Motion
- Wireless O2
- Wireless Optical DO
- Wireless pH
- Wireless Pressure
- Wireless Rotary Motion
- Wireless Temperature
- Wireless Voltage
- Wireless Weather

Quick Start

$3

`html



Connect to Sensor





`

$3

`html



Connect and Start Reading
Stop





`

API Reference

$3

`typescript
import { PASCOBLEDevice } from 'pasco-ble';

const device = new PASCOBLEDevice();

// Scanning & Connection
await device.scan(filter?: string); // Scan for devices (optional name filter)
await device.connect(bleDevice); // Connect to a scanned device
await device.connectById('123-456'); // Connect by 6-digit device ID
await device.disconnect(); // Disconnect from device
device.isConnected(); // Check connection status

// Device Information
device.name; // Device name
device.serialId; // Device serial ID
device.address; // BLE address

// Sensors & Measurements
device.getSensorList(); // Get list of sensors
device.getMeasurementList(sensorName?); // Get available measurements
device.getMeasurementUnit(measurement); // Get unit for a measurement
device.getMeasurementUnitList(measurements); // Get units for multiple measurements

// Reading Data
await device.readData(measurement); // Read single measurement
await device.readDataList(measurements); // Read multiple measurements
`

Python to TypeScript

This library provides a functionally equivalent API to PASCO's official Python library, using TypeScript conventions:

| Python | TypeScript |
|--------|------------|
| PASCOBLEDevice() | new PASCOBLEDevice() |
| device.scan() | await device.scan() |
| device.connect(ble_device) | await device.connect(bleDevice) |
| device.connect_by_id(id) | await device.connectById(id) |
| device.disconnect() | await device.disconnect() |
| device.is_connected() | device.isConnected() |
| device.get_sensor_list() | device.getSensorList() |
| device.get_measurement_list() | device.getMeasurementList() |
| device.read_data(measurement) | await device.readData(measurement) |
| device.get_measurement_unit(m) | device.getMeasurementUnit(m) |

Key Differences:
- Python uses snake_case, TypeScript uses camelCase
- All I/O operations return Promises in TypeScript
- Full TypeScript type definitions for IDE support

//code.Node

The //code.Node features a 5x5 LED matrix, RGB LED, speaker, and various sensors.

`typescript
import { CodeNodeDevice, Icons } from 'pasco-ble';

const codeNode = new CodeNodeDevice();
await codeNode.connectById('481-782');

// 5x5 LED Matrix
await codeNode.setLedInArray(2, 2, 255); // Set single LED (x, y, intensity)
await codeNode.setLedsInArray([[0,0], [1,1]], 128); // Set multiple LEDs
await codeNode.scrollTextInArray('HELLO'); // Scroll text
await codeNode.showImageInArray(Icons.smile); // Display icon

// RGB LED
await codeNode.setRgbLed(255, 0, 0); // Red

// Speaker
await codeNode.setSoundFrequency(440); // 440 Hz tone
await codeNode.setSoundFrequency(0); // Turn off

// Reset all outputs
await codeNode.reset();

// Read sensors
const brightness = await codeNode.readData('Brightness');
const button = await codeNode.readData('Button1');
`

$3

`
| 0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 |
| 0,1 1,1 2,1 3,1 4,1 |
| 0,2 1,2 2,2 3,2 4,2 |
| 0,3 1,3 2,3 3,3 4,3 |
| 0,4 1,4 2,4 3,4 4,4 |
`

$3

`typescript
import { Icons } from 'pasco-ble';

Icons.heart Icons.heartSmall Icons.smile
Icons.sad Icons.surprise Icons.star
Icons.arrowTop Icons.arrowLeft Icons.arrowBottom
Icons.arrowRight Icons.alien
`

//control.Node

The //control.Node can control stepper motors, servos, and power outputs, plus connect to plugin sensors.

`typescript
import { ControlNodeDevice } from 'pasco-ble';

const controlNode = new ControlNodeDevice();
await controlNode.connectById('664-591');
`

$3

`typescript
// Rotate both steppers continuously (speed in deg/s, acceleration in deg/s²)
await controlNode.rotateSteppersContinuously(360, 360, 360, 360);

// Rotate single stepper continuously
await controlNode.rotateStepperContinuously('A', 360, 360);

// Rotate through a specific angle
await controlNode.rotateSteppersThrough(
360, 360, 180, // Speed A, Accel A, Distance A (degrees)
360, 360, 180, // Speed B, Accel B, Distance B (degrees)
true // Wait for completion
);

// Stop steppers
await controlNode.stopSteppers(360, 360); // With deceleration

// Read stepper position
const angleA = await controlNode.readData('Angle', 'A');
const angleB = await controlNode.readData('Angle', 'B');
`

$3

`typescript
// Standard servo (angle: -90 to 90 degrees)
await controlNode.setServo(1, 'standard', 45);

// Continuous servo (speed: -100 to 100 percent)
await controlNode.setServo(2, 'continuous', 50);

// Control both servos
await controlNode.setServos('standard', 45, 'continuous', -50);

// Read servo current (for detecting resistance)
const current = await controlNode.readData('ServoCurrentOrd', 1);
`

$3

`typescript
// USB output (on/off: 0 or 1)
await controlNode.setPowerOut('A', 1, 'USB', 1);

// Terminal output (PWM duty cycle: 0-100%)
await controlNode.setPowerOut('B', 2, 'terminal', 75);
`

$3

`typescript
// Control red and blue LEDs (0-100%)
await controlNode.setGreenhouseLight('A', 50, 75);
`

$3

`typescript
await controlNode.setSoundFrequency(440); // 440 Hz
`

PascoBot

High-level robotics interface for wheeled robots.

`typescript
import { PascoBot } from 'pasco-ble';

const bot = new PascoBot();
await bot.connectById('664-591');

// Drive forward (speed in cm/s, acceleration in cm/s²)
await bot.drive(10, 5);

// Turn (angle in degrees, velocity in deg/s)
await bot.turn(90, 180);

// Turn continuously (angular velocity in deg/s)
await bot.turnContinuous(45);

// Stop
await bot.stop();

await bot.disconnect();
`

Examples

See the examples/ directory for complete browser examples:

- force-sensor.html - Force sensor with real-time graphing
- motion-sensor.html - Motion sensor with position/velocity display
- multi-sensor-graph.html - Multiple sensors on one graph
- Browser demos for Code.Node, Control.Node, and PascoBot features

All examples are standalone HTML files that can be opened directly in Chrome/Edge.

For Python examples using PASCO's official library, see pasco_python_examples repository.

Troubleshooting

$3

- Browser Support: Use Chrome, Edge, or Opera (Web Bluetooth required)
- HTTPS Required: Page must be served over HTTPS (localhost works for development)
- Bluetooth Enabled: Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your computer
- User Gesture: Scan must be initiated by a user action (button click, not on page load)
- Permissions: Browser may prompt for Bluetooth permissions

$3

- Red Light Blinking: Device should have a red blinking light (ready to connect)
- Green Light: If solid green, device is already connected to another application
- Reset Device: Hold power button to turn off, then press to turn on again
- Range: Ensure you're within Bluetooth range (typically 10-30 feet)

$3

- Distance: Move closer to the device
- Other Connections: Ensure no other application is connected to the device
- Reset: Try resetting the device (power off/on)
- Browser Tab: Keep the browser tab active (some browsers throttle background tabs)

$3

- Use getMeasurementList()` to see available measurements
- Measurement names are case-sensitive
- Some measurements require specific sensors to be connected

License

This TypeScript library is licensed for personal, non-commercial, and educational use only.

Copyright (c) 2024 Martin Veillette

This is an independent TypeScript implementation inspired by PASCO Scientific's original Python library. While this implementation references PASCO's protocol specifications and sensor datasheets, it is a separate codebase with its own architecture.

$3

- ✅ Permitted: Personal projects, educational use, research, open-source contributions
- ❌ Not Permitted: Commercial use without written permission
- 🏷️ Trademarks: PASCO® is a registered trademark of PASCO Scientific

$3

- Original protocol and specifications: PASCO Scientific
- Python implementation reference: pasco_python
- This project is not officially endorsed by PASCO Scientific

See the LICENSE file for complete terms and conditions.