How to connect antplus sensor to the simulator?

Subject says it all.

I am working on a Datafield that makes use of Varia radar properties.

However I am struggling because I need to have the Varia connected to the simulator and I just can't find out how to do that. I have found messages on this forum which seem to say you can connect a sensor to the simulator with the use of an ANTplus dongle, but I can't get that to work.

Working on a Mac with macOS Catalina which supports BLE; ECLIPSE IDE 2203; ConnectIQ SDK 4.1.5

I have an ANT+ dongle and it is recognised and activated on the Mac. I also have a Varia. I tried to connect the Varia as well as a HRM strap but no matter what I do the 'Manage ANT+' window in the simulator shows nothing. Obviously I am missing something.

I'd appreciate pointers on:

- How to connect a Varia (or HRM or any) ANT+device to the ConnectIQ simulator.

- How to access the device in a ConnectIQ app (source code snippets are appreciated).

- Documentation on the Simulator. Is there any?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Bram

Top Replies

bram.d over 2 years ago in reply to jim_m_58 +1

Code to connect:

class RadarPowerView extends WatchUi.SimpleDataField {

	private var _value;
	private var _myRadar;

    function initialize() {
        SimpleDataField.initialize();

    	label…

All Replies

bunny.hu 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

Yep, the different coming from that. But still no luck, I give up, no more idea...

flocsy🤠 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

mcinner1 said:
8.1 yet - FEAR!!

From what? I can understand not upgrading the device files, but SDK? You can switch between them with 2 clicks.

mcinner1 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

This is my dongle:

mcinner1 8 days ago in reply to flocsy🤠

flocsy🤠 said:
I can understand not upgrading the device files, but SDK?

Ok, but the device files are the problem. If I understood right, when updating to 8.1 the device files are updated, too. And then no return to 7.4.3 for 5.3 devices, if the devices were not backuped before.

And therefore isn’t it necessary to change the device files everytime if you want go back to 7.4.3 ?
(In case I still haven't understood this - I don't want to start a new discussion here)

FlowState 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

mcinner1 said:
If I understood right, when updating to 8.1 the device files are updated, too.

No, the SDKs and device files are managed separately [*]. You can download new SDKs without downloading new devices. You can switch to any SDK you want without affecting device files.

[*] with the exception of ancient SDKs from 2018 and earlier, which are far too old to even be used with VS Code

You can see that:

- there are separate settings in the SDK manager for auto-updating SDKs and devices. So in your case, you probably want to disable auto updates for devices

- there are separate tabs in the SDK manager for SDKs and devices

- there are separate folders on your computer for SDKs (.../ConnectIQ/SDKs) and devices (.../ConnectIQ/Devices)

"when updating to 8.1"

To be precise, you never "update your SDK" in a single step.

You download an SDK version (such as 8.1.0), then you switch your current SDK to that version (either manually, or because you answered yes to the SDK manager's prompt to use the SDK you just downloaded).

I feel like this distinction is important because it highlights the fact that you have multiple SDK versions on your computer, and downloading a new SDK doesn't prevent you from using your existing SDKs. Selecting a different SDK version is as simple as clicking a button on the SDK manager which simply edits a text file that specifies the location of the current SDK.

On the other hand, you only have one set of devices on your computer, and downloading new devices *does* prevent you from using the previous set of devices (unless you made a backup).

mcinner1 said:
And therefore isn’t it necessary to change the device files everytime if you want go back to 7.4.3 ?

If you don't update your device files (which presumably currently work with SDK 7.4.3), but only download and use SDK 8.1.0, then there is nothing preventing you from using SDK 7.4.3 in the future.

flocsy🤠 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

See what FlowState explained. Just make sure you have the automatic updates disabled in SDK manager and they're set to Notify only. (I can't tell you how to do that without risking the manager to update your stuff when you open it for the 1st time...)

renschler 8 days ago

chiming in here because I'm also having issues.

I have a mac, have a suunto ANT+ dongle (that works fine with Zwift on the same mac); but I haven't been able to pair any sensors to the connectIQ simulator via the dongle.

I tried the workaround mentioned here ( https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/f/discussion/305745/how-to-connect-antplus-sensor-to-the-simulator/1810935#1810935 ) but didn't change anything, nothing shows up in the ANT+ manager.

I'm trying to pair a Garmin Varia and/or electronic shifters. I also tried broadcasting HR from my watch and using that as the ant+ signal but it likewise doesn't show up.

Using Connect IQ 7.4.3; (also tried using 8.1.0 but had the same issue).

mcinner1 8 days ago in reply to flocsy🤠

First of all: apologies to the OP for (once again) hijacking a thread.

To make it short:
FlowState: thanks - I knew most of your explanations, but I thought the devices were loaded without asking. But I remember now that it wasn't like that for me either.
flocsy🤠: I will make a backup of devices and then try to update - hoping devices are not updated automatically. (I don‘t think so… see above)

And now back to the ANT+ simulator problem!

mcinner1 8 days ago in reply to renschler

renschler said:
I'm trying to pair a Garmin Varia and/or electronic shifters.

Are you on SDK 8.1.0 - or had it not worked before, using 7.4.3 ?

renschler 8 days ago in reply to mcinner1

I'm still on 7.4.3. Ok I tried with 8.1.0 also just to see. The menu is slightly different but has the same result, it's unable to find the sensors. I also tried broadcasting HR from my watch to see if that would work and it also doesn't show up.