Quick start guide for SimulIDE as an Arduino simulator

The idea behind this tutorial is to show how to install SimulIDE to run codes for an Arduino Uno board. Screenshots below were taken from a Windows machine. It will be the same thing for Unix-based systems (tested on Ubuntu). Some comments for the Mac port at the end (but it works!)

Downloading tools

• SimulIDE : v0.3.12-SR8 for the latest version. Download the Lin64.tar.gz or the Win32.zip archive depending of your operating system.
• Arduino. Download the Windows ZIP for non admin install or the Linux 64 bits archive.

Extract softwares in a directory. You should get something similar to this:

Example: blinking LEDs on an Arduino Uno

In order to execute SimulIDE, run the executable at: SimulIDE_0.3.12-SR8_Win32/bin

Here is the main interface :

Schematic settings (red rectangle)

Code editor settings (blue rectangle)

Open the LED fadding example (SimulIDE_0.3.12-SR8_Win32/share/simulide/examples/Arduino/ledFadding)

• .simu file for the schematic.
• .ino file for the code.

Compiler configuration

Right click on the ledFadding.ino and click Set Compiler Path. Select the directory where you have the Arduino executable (./simul_ide/arduino-1.8.12 in the screenshot below).

Now you should be able to compile and upload your code!

Now, just click on the red button in the upper left toolbar:

Hint: if you need a serial monitor, right click on the Arduino and select Open Serial Monitor.

Mac port of SimulIDE

Could not get the internal code editor working. Just a few things to be aware of:

• Compile the binary in the Arduino editor. Then click on Sketch => Export compiled binary.
• Then, right click on the Arduino and select Load firmware and look for the *.hex file just compiled close to the Arduino project file.