Other Features of ComChan
The Serial Plotter
A Serial Plotter is a powerful visualization tool that transforms numerical data received through serial communication into real-time graphical representations. Originally introduced in Arduino IDE version 1.6.6, this tool has become an essential component for developers, engineers, and makers working with microcontrollers and embedded systems.
How to use the Serial Plotter in ComChan
To use the terminal based Serial Plotter in ComChan, you just have to add a --plot flag with the other flags as shown below:
comchan --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 9600 --plot
# OR
comchan -p /dev/ttyUSB0 -r 9600 --plot
Once you do that, you will get this as your output:
Features of ComChan Serial Plotter
- Real-time plotting: Instantly visualize incoming data from your microcontroller.
- Single stream support: Currently supports plotting one stream of numerical data at a time.
- Color-coded lines: The data stream is rendered with a distinct color.
- Terminal-friendly: No GUI required. Works completely inside the terminal.
Formatting Data for Plotting
To make your data compatible with the plotter, ensure that your microcontroller prints a single numerical value per line using Serial.println() like this:
Serial.println(sensor_value);
Currently, only one stream is plotted. If multiple values are sent, only the first one will be considered.
Use Cases
- Sensor Monitoring: Plot values from temperature, humidity, or light sensors.
- PID Tuning: Visualize control loop behavior in real time.
- Data Debugging: Spot anomalies in system behavior quickly.
Auto Port Detection
You can run ComChan with the --auto flag like so:
comchan --auto
This automatically detects and connects to the appropriate serial port, so you don’t have to manually specify it using a --port flag.
This is especially useful if:
- You’re not sure which port your board is connected to.
- You’re frequently connecting/disconnecting devices.
- You want a faster, zero-config setup.
Under the hood, ComChan scans all available serial ports and identifies the most likely candidate based on device names and connection responses.
Note: If needed, you can still specify the port manually like so:
comchan --port /dev/ttyUSB0
Demo
Here’s a quick demonstration:
As shown above, ComChan detects the port, connects, and begins serial communication — all without any extra configuration.
This feature aims to offer both convenience and control for developers and embedded enthusiasts alike.
Coming Soon
- Multi-series plotting support
- Zoom & pan capabilities
- Export plots as image files
- Custom axis labeling
- Interactive TUI integration