TLDR:
Is there a way to create a hex value between 0x20 and 0x7E with 5 volts? Is there a cheap component on the market or circuit logic that can achieve this?
I'm not sure what the proper terminology for this is, but here's what I'm trying to do:
I have a bluetooth module connected to my pico via UART0 TX and UART0 RX. The use for this is a bit long to explain, but essentially, I want the bluetooth module to work without my pico attached to it. I have a device that outputs a signal, the pico reads the signal, then it tells the bluetooth module to transmit to the receiver. However, since the data to transmit isn't actually important, it makes sense to cut out the pico and simply have the bluetooth module read the signal directly then transmit.
I have the device that outputs exactly when I want, but it outputs the equivalent of 00 in hex. My computer is connected via bluetooth and can read it just fine. However, the pico, reading the input through RX, can't. I've found no way for micropython using UART to read 00 - UART.any() and UART.read() want a character, and 00 only corresponds to NULL.
So essentially, I need some way to transmit a hex value between 0x20 and 0x7E without using the raspberry pi pico. Is there some kind of component that is able to do this? In practice, the bluetooth module will be connected to 5V power with up to 5 amps.
Any idea on how to get the Pico to read 00 in hex through the RX pin is welcomed too. The purpose of this is to not need multiple Picos, since the receiver and the transmitter will be a good distance from each other.
I found the issue. The pico actually can accept 0 through the UART RX pin. The issue was me having a wire misplaced. My computer saw the 0 input which made me think the pico couldn't handle it, but in fact it was never receiving it. Thanks for the help Kotzjan. Would have been interesting to fake a value into the port though!
Component that can create a hex value?