/Pcmon

Analog visualization for PC resources

Primary LanguageC#MIT LicenseMIT

Pcmon

Analog visualization for PC resources

Image of Pcmon

Further information is available on this post: Pcmon

Summary

This is a device which shows the current CPU and RAM use of a PC. It has two parts, a .NET app acting as a server which reads the PC resources and pushes their values to the second part: An arduino board. The arduino board reads the values and shows them in two analog VU-meters.

.NET App

The .NET app is a simple console app. You should be able to open it in Visual Studio and compile it without problems. It doesn't have any dependencies.

Adjust the following values in Program.cs to make it work with your machine:

  • PC_MEM to match your PC's max memory
  • _serialPort.PortName (in line 48) to match your Arduino's serial port

Arduino client

Dependencies

You will need the FastLED library to compile the code. Look for it in the Library Manager of the Arduino IDE.

VU-Meters

The VU-meters are a pair of cheap 0-15V voltage meters I found on ebay. I then changed the resistor inside to make them work in a 0-3.3V range. Finally I scanned the original panel, and then designed and printed a new panel to show the units and ranges I needed.

Wiring

Arduino digital ports D5 and D6 go one to each of the VU-meters' positive pole. The VU-meters' negative pole is connected to a GND pin on the arduino.

The Neopixel LED sticks (or strips) are connected to GND and +5 volt. The signal is sent via digital port D11.

License

The code is licensed under the MIT license. Check the license file or get the full text at https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT.