Pi ARM 64 BLE Plugin update

Targets Raspberry Pi
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Almost two years ago I started on a development effort to create a replacement for older Class A-C RVs that need an environmental control solution for single or double heating and AC systems. So I started and after reading BLE support existed I began on the hardware portion mainly because of ling lead times on builds. I use XOJO a lot, having moved off other platforms, and trying to consolidate to an IDE that enables multiple cross platform capabilities and is not one of the major brands. Nowadays not such an easy thing to find.

So any way this Ckt Brd required 8 24-48VDC output control points and 12 - 24 VDC power input section that delivered +5VDC, +12VDC internal needs to the Ckt Brd. After shipping that off to be manufactured I started on the PICO WH - RaspPi5 effort. It was soon after I noticed an insignificant bit of information was that despite boasting BLE support no ARM 64 BLE Plugin existed.

So that started a whole other effort seeking an ARM64 BLE Plugin that worked with Pi5 using the official Linux BLE stack BlueZ.

None of our favorite Plugin Gods make one.

That started a whole other effort to develop one. That led into acknowledging I do not have the knowledge or bandwidth at that time to learn. That led into finding a developer. After expending some valuable resources I was not successful but I had learned a lot. A lot. This then led me to being able to find a solid developer utilizing a multi tier approach to create 2 Plugins.

  • The first would mimic Serial for quick adoption using CR framing and small payload. This enables you to develop your own specific token based protocol for your own control needs. Also allows you to find out the SDK interface quirks.
  • The 2nd using the 1st to build a robust ARM 64 Plugin. this would allow for full BLE functionality to other devices provided you know their implementation.

Problem was the cost - out of my budget. I then reached out to the XOJO powers that be. I shared all information from design to costs. Basic first response - they would have a look. Then no response for an extended period of time. I kept at it for over a year. A couple of responses. Nothing substantive except maybe how stubborn I am.

As others have mentioned XOJO is missing the ability to attract younger developers who are literally using other tools because they work for ARM 64 development. I mean this is the largest development group in the World. Am I missing something?

2 Likes
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Well, great, if you get something to work.

Please note, that we get a lot of wishes and when one item doesn’t make progress, other things get priority. One of the problems with BLE on Linux was that you need root access to talk to the controller. Sorry, if I missed to answer.

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Christian - this is not on you and you did not miss anything. No offense - you are not who I was referring to as XOJO powers that be. You and several others are in the Plugin Gods category whose Plugins I use and they work well.

I realize people are busy however I have shared full faith information in a process that has taken almost two years. So part of this is frustration written legibly. There has been education on my part with respect to a more proper ARM 64 BLE design effort using the XOJO Plugin SDK coupled with the desire to enable adoption of XOJO into one of the largest groups in the world - ARM 64 specifically Pi.

Several people have come and gone on a couple of my Pi BLE threads. They have also mentioned differing levels of frustration with lack of Pi growth on XOJO. Those were hugely enthusiastic at first then…… IMHO there are solutions and then if not acted on you loose the piece and then most do not return. That is my piece here. In the scheme of XOJO this ARM 64 BLE piece is small in comparison to others and yet could yield growth opportunity as others see its multi role capacity.

Just sayin.

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@Carl_Fitzsimmons if you happen to have a need for such solution i can help you get this at your own hands using the right tools. You can easily build, test and run this using xojo and the right tools. I guess this would take a few days work and you have your BlueZ interace in xojo classes.

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Okay. I am listening. Please advise