A beginner-friendly Arduino library for creating Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) controllers that connect to the DF Pong browser game.

Note: ESP32-S2 does not have Bluetooth and is not supported.

The DF Pong game uses the Web Bluetooth API, which has limited browser support.

Important Notes:

• iOS devices (iPhone/iPad) do not support Web Bluetooth in any browser, including Chrome
• Use Chrome on desktop for the most reliable experience
• On Android, use Chrome, Edge, or Opera

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries...
3. Search for "DFPongController"
4. Click Install With Dependencies

1. Download this repository as a ZIP
2. In Arduino IDE, go to Sketch > Include Library > Add .ZIP Library...
3. Select the downloaded ZIP file

No additional libraries needed - ArduinoBLE is included with the board package.

Just make sure you have the correct board package installed:

• UNO R4 WiFi: Install "Arduino UNO R4 Boards" via Boards Manager
• Nano 33 IoT: Install "Arduino SAMD Boards" via Boards Manager
• Nano 33 BLE: Install "Arduino Mbed OS Nano Boards" via Boards Manager

ESP32 requires the NimBLE-Arduino library:

1. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries...
2. Search for "NimBLE-Arduino" by h2zero
3. Click Install

Once your code is uploaded:

1. Open the controller test page: https://digitalfuturesocadu.github.io/df-pong/game/test/
2. Select your controller number from the dropdown
3. Click Connect
4. Your controller should connect and show movement when you press buttons

#include <DFPongController.h>

DFPongController controller;

void setup() {
    pinMode(2, INPUT_PULLUP);  // UP button
    pinMode(3, INPUT_PULLUP);  // DOWN button
    
    // IMPORTANT: Set YOUR unique controller number (1-242)
    controller.setControllerNumber(1);  // <-- CHANGE THIS!
    
    controller.setStatusLED(LED_BUILTIN);
    controller.begin();
}

void loop() {
    controller.update();  // Required every loop!
    
    if (!digitalRead(2)) {
        controller.sendControl(UP);
    } else if (!digitalRead(3)) {
        controller.sendControl(DOWN);
    } else {
        controller.sendControl(NEUTRAL);
    }
}

• Uses the built-in LED on pin LED_BUILTIN
• Tested and verified working

• Uses the built-in LED on pin LED_BUILTIN
• Button pins may need adjustment based on your wiring

• Same setup as Nano 33 IoT
• Built-in sensors can be used as controller inputs

• Requires NimBLE-Arduino library (see installation above)
• Use LED_BUILTIN or specify your LED pin (varies by board)
• RSSI reading returns approximate value (-50 dBm) due to NimBLE limitations
• ESP32-S2 is NOT supported (no Bluetooth hardware)

Each player/device needs a unique controller number between 1 and 242. This ensures devices can be identified correctly in the game.

controller.setControllerNumber(1);  // Player 1
controller.setControllerNumber(2);  // Player 2
// ... up to 242

You forgot to set your controller number. Add this before begin():

controller.setControllerNumber(YOUR_NUMBER);

1. Make sure the test page or game is open in your browser
2. Check that your controller number matches the dropdown selection
3. Try refreshing the browser page
4. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer/phone

Use getRSSI() to check signal strength:

if (controller.isConnected()) {
    Serial.print("Signal: ");
    Serial.print(controller.getRSSI());
    Serial.println(" dBm");
}

• -30 to -50: Excellent
• -50 to -70: Good
• -70 to -90: Weak (move closer)
• < -90: Very weak (connection may drop)

Make sure you installed the NimBLE-Arduino library:

1. Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries...
2. Search for "NimBLE-Arduino"
3. Install the library by h2zero

The library includes several examples to help you get started, from basic templates to creative control schemes:

Access these examples in Arduino IDE via File > Examples > DFPongController.

• Test Your Controller
• Play DF Pong
• DF Pong Repository
• Digital Futures @ OCAD U

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

Created by Digital Futures at OCAD University.