arduino introduction

1. 1
Microcontrollers

2. 2
• Programmers work in the virtual world
• Machinery works in the physical world
• Microcontrollers connect the virtual and
physical world
• The inputs and outputs can be manipulated
by, and can manipulate, the physical world
Microcontrollers

3. 3

4. 4
Arduino is software
• An Integrated Development
Environment (IDE) for
programming
• Edit code like a word
document
• The platform creates the
“process”, compiles it, and
uploads it to the Arduino
• The language is called
‘wiring’, and is based on C

5. 5
Arduino is a platform
• A physical Input / Output
board (I/O) with a
programmable
Integrated Circuit (IC).

6. 6
Why Arduino?
• Open Source: anyone who wants can improve upon it
• Cheap: anyone can produce them for any price (<$15)
• Common Interface: communicates via USB
• Low Power: from USB or battery pack
• Standalone: memory allows it to run even when not
connected to a computer

7. 7
What can it do?
• Sensors [ INPUTS ]
– Buttons, touch pads, tilt switches
– Variable resistors (e.g.. volume knob / sliders)
– Photoresistors (light sensor)
– Thermistors (temperature sensor)
– Ultrasound (distance sensor)
• Actuators [ OUTPUTS ]
– Lights, LED’s
– Motors
– Speakers
– Displays (LCD)
CURRENT LIMITS!!!

8. 8
Autonomous
Vehicle

9. 9
Laser Harp

10. 10
Clock

11. 11
Sign Language Glove

12. 12
Interfacing

13. 13
• Plugs into pins like a
breadboard
Interfacing

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16

17. 17
Inputs and Outputs

18. 18
Concepts: INPUT vs. OUTPUT
•Referenced from the perspective of the
microcontroller (electrical board).
Inputs is a signal / information going
into the board.
Output is any signal exiting the
board.

19. 19
Concepts: INPUT vs. OUTPUT
•Referenced from the perspective of the
microcontroller (electrical board).
Inputs is a signal / information going
into the board.
Output is any signal exiting the
board.
Examples:
Buttons Switches, Light
Sensors, Flex Sensors,
Humidity Sensors,
Temperature Sensors…
Examples:
LEDs, DC motor,
servo motor,
piezo buzzer,
relay, RGB LED

20. 20
Analog vs. Digital

21. 21
• Computers communicate in a digital language
– “ON” or “OFF”, “HIGH” or “LOW”, “1” or “0”, “5V or 0V”
• Our physical world is analog
– “warm”, “37 mph”, “92 degrees”
• So how do we create 2.73 volts if all we have is 0 and 5?
• With a technique called Pulse width Modulation (PWM)
• Imagine turning a fan off and on every second. It would
operate at a “medium” speed.
• The longer the pulses (ON’s), the higher the average
voltage and the actual voltage output.
Analog vs. Digital

22. 22
Analog vs. Digital

23. 23
Analog vs. Digital
Fixed cycle length:
constant number of cycles/sec

24. 24
BIG
4
CONCEPTS digitalWrite()
analogWrite()
digitalRead()
analogRead()

25. 25
Components
Push Button Digital Input Switch - Closes or
opens circuit
Potentiometer Analog Input Variable resistor
Photoresistor Analog Input Light Dependent
Resistor (LDR)
Relay Digital Output Switch driven by a
small signal
Temp Sensor Analog Input Temp Dependent
Resistor
Flex Sensor Analog Input Variable resistor
Soft Trimpot Analog Input Variable resistor
RGB LED Dig & Analog
Output
16,777,216 different
colors
Name Image Type Function
Digital Input
Analog Input
Analog Input
Digital Output
Analog Input
Analog Input
Analog Input
Dig & Analog
Output

26. 26
Scales

27. 27
Physical 0V 5V
Digital Write LOW (0) HIGH (1)
Digital Read LOW (0) HIGH (1)
Analog Read 0 1023
Analog Write 0 255
Scales