Arduino Microcontroller

A Practical Problem Based Approach

Sypnopsis

This workshop intends to expose participants to a much simpler approach to understand its working based on practical problem-based approach. Enable participants to gain real-world experience in using microcontroller to monitor and control engineering processes and develop competent skills in design. It has been specially designed for beginners and educators

Anonymous on MAKE:
Arduino is great because it can give you results right away, and quickly build your confidence and understanding. Confidence is the only real currency of innovation after all. Once you have that, you can move on to more sophisticated projects. But without an easy-to-understand entry point, youll never get there at all.

Philosophy & Approach

Low Floors, High Ceiling, Wide Walls

Participant Manifest

CD with notes, arduino software for Windows and source code (sketches) used in class Arduino Stater Kit:
Arduino Uno Half size breadboard Jumper wires LEDs Resistors Potentiometer Seven segment Tactile push button Light sensor Piezo speaker USB cable

Components: LED

LED (Light Emitting Diode) What it Does: Emits light when a small current is passed through it. Leads: 2 (one longer, this one connects to positive) Things to watch out for: Will only work in one direction Looks like a mini light bulb. Requires a current limiting resistor

Resistors

What it Does: Restricts the amount of current that can flow through a circuit. Leads: 2 Things to watch out for: Easy to grab the wrong value Cylinder with wires extending from either end. The value is displayed using a color

Potentiometer

What it Does: Produces a variable resistance dependant on the angular position of the shaft. Leads: 3 Things to watch out for: Identifying: - Accidentally buying logarithmic scale. They can be packaged in many different form factors, look for a dial to identify.

Pushbutton

What it Does: Completes a circuit when it is pressed. 4 Leads: 4 A little square with leads out the bottom and a button on the top.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

What it Does: Packages any range of complicated electronics inside an easy to use package. Leads: 2 100s Things to watch out for: Proper orientation. (look for marks showing pin 1) Identifying: The part ID is written on the outside of the package. (this sometimes requires a lot of light or a magnifying glass to read).

Photoresistor

What it Does: Produces a variable resistance dependant on the amount of incident light. Leads: 2 Things to watch out for: Remember it needs to be in a voltage divider before it provides a useful input. Usually a little disk with a clear top and a curvy line underneath.

Piezo Element

What it Does: A pulse of current will cause it to click. A stream of pulses will cause it to emit a tone. Leads: 2 Things to watch out for: Difficult to misuse. In this kit it comes in a little black barrel, but sometimes they are just a gold disc

Additional Tools

Multimeter Long nose & cutter

Whats for Today

Introduction to Arduino Setting up your Arduino Environment First Arduino sketch Making LEDs glow and blink How to read buttons/switches Analog Signals Serial Communication Digital Thermometer