Introduction to Arduino

Microcontrollers
Jeff McRaven
jamcraven@yahoo.com
 Overview
 Background
 Microcontroller defined/Why Arduino's?
 Types of Arduino microcontrollers

 What To Get (Hardware and Software)

 Arduino C
 Electronic Circuits
 Projects
 Blinking light(s)
 Reading inputs (variable resistors)
 Microcontrollers – One
Definition
 Programmers work in the virtual world.
 Machinery works in the physical world.
 How does one connect the virtual world to the
physical world?
 Enter the microcontroller.
 A microcontroller is basically a small-scale
computer with generalized (and programmable)
inputs and outputs.
 The inputs and outputs can be manipulated by
and can manipulate the physical world.
 Arduino – Official Definition
 Taken from the official web site (arduino.cc):
 Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping
platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and
software. It's intended for artists, designers,
hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating
interactive objects or environments.
 Why Arduino?
 For whatever reason, Arduino microcontrollers
have become the de facto standard.
 Make Magazine features many projects using Arduino
microcontrollers.
 Strives for the balance between ease of use and
usefulness.
 Programming languages seen as major obstacle.
 Arduino C is a greatly simplified version of C++.

 Inexpensive ($35 retail).

 Arduino Types
 Many different versions
 Number of input/output channels
 Form factor
 Processor

 Leonardo
 Due
 Micro
 LilyPad
 Esplora
 Uno
 Leonardo
 Compared to the Uno, a slight upgrade.
 Built in USB compatibility

 Bugs?

 Presents to PC as a
mouse or keyboard
 Due
 Much faster processor, many more pins
 Operates on 3.3 volts
 Similar to the Mega
 Micro
 When size matters: Micro, Nano, Mini
 Includes all functionality of the Leonardo
 Easily usable on a breadboard
 LilyPad
 LilyPad is popular for clothing-based projects.
 Esplora
 Game controller
 Includes joystick, four buttons, linear
potentiometer (slider), microphone, light sensor,
temperature sensor, three-axis accelerometer.
 Not the standard set of IO pins.
 Arduino Uno Close Up
 The pins are in three groups:
 Invented in 2010
 14 digital pins

 6 analog pins

 power
 Where to Start
 Get an Arduino (starter kit)
 Download the compiler
 Connect the controller
 Configure the compiler
 Connect the circuit
 Write the program
 Get frustrated/Debug/Get it to work
 Get excited and immediately start next project
(sleep is for wimps)
 Arduino Starter Kits
 Start with a combo pack (starter kit)
 Includes a microcontroller, wire, LED's, sensors, etc.
 www.adafruit.com
adafruit.com/products/68 ($65)
 www.sparkfun.com
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11576 ($99.95)
 Radio Shack
Make Ultimate Microcontroller Pack w/ Arduino Kit ($119.99)
 www.makershed.com
http://www.makershed.com/Ultimate_Arduino_Microcontroller_Pack_p/msump1.h
tm ($150)
What to Get – My Recommendation
 Required:  Good Idea:
 Arduino (such as Uno)  Capacitors
 USB A-B (printer) cable  Transistors
 Breadboard  DC motor/servo
 Hookup wire  Relay
 LED's
 Advanced:
 Resistors
 Soldering iron & solder
 Sensors
 Heat shrink tubing
 Switches
 9V battery adapter
 Bench power supply
 Arduino Compiler
 Download current compiler from:
arduino.cc/en/Main/software
 Arrogantly refers to itself as an IDE (Ha!).
 Run the software installer.
 Written in Java, it is fairly slow.

Visit playground.arduino.cc/Main/
DevelopmentTools for alternatives to the
base arduino IDE
 Configuring the Arduino Compiler
 Defaults to COM1, will probably need to change
the COM port setting (my work PC uses 7).
 Appears in Device Manager (Win7) under Ports
as a Comm port.
 Arduino Program Development
 Based on C++ without 80% of the instructions.
 A handful of new commands.
 Programs are called 'sketches'.
 Sketches need two functions:
 void setup( )
 void loop( )

 setup( ) runs first and once.

 loop( ) runs over and over, until power is lost or
a new sketch is loaded.
 Arduino C
 Arduino sketches are centered around the pins
on an Arduino board.
 Arduino sketches always loop.
 void loop( ) {} is equivalent to while(1) { }
 The pins can be thought of as global variables.
Arduino C Specific Functions
 pinMode(pin, mode)
Designates the specified pin for input or output
 digitalWrite(pin, value)
Sends a voltage level to the designated pin
 digitalRead(pin)
Reads the current voltage level from the designated pin
 analog versions of above
 analogRead's range is 0 to 1023
 serial commands
 print, println, write
 Compiler Features
 Numerous sample
sketches are included in
the compiler
 Located under File,
Examples
 Once a sketch is written,
it is uploaded by clicking
on File, Upload, or by
pressing <Ctrl> U
 Arduino C is Derived from C++
 These programs blink an LED on pin 13
 avr-libc  Arduino C
#include <avr/io.h> void setup( ) {
#include <util/delay.h> pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}
int main(void) {
while (1) { void loop( ) {
PORTB = 0x20; digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
_delay_ms(1000); delay(1000);
PORTB = 0x00; digitalWrite(13, LOW);
_delay_ms(1000); delay(1000);
} }
return 1;
}
 Basic Electric Circuit
 Every circuit (electric or electronic) must have at
least a power source and a load.
 The simplest circuit is a light.
 Plug in the light, and it lights up.
 Unplug it, the light goes out.
 Electricity flows from the power source, through
the load (the light) and then back to the power
source.
 Basic LED Circuit
 Connect the positive (+) lead of a power
source to the long leg of an LED.
 Connect other leg of the LED to a resistor.
 High resistance means a darker light.
 Low resistance means brighter light.

 No resistance means a burned out LED.

 Connect other leg of the resistor to the

negative lead of the power source.
 Let the Good Times Roll!
 At this point we have:
 Purchased a starter kit, including the Arduino
 Connected and configured the Arduino

 Connected a simple LED circuit

 Let's write some code!

 Blink Sketch
void setup( ) {
Connected to Connected to
pinMode(13, OUTPUT); one end of the
circuit
other end of the
circuit
}
void loop( ) {
digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
delay(1000);
}
 4 LED Blink Sketch
void setup( ) { void loop( ) {
pinMode(1, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(1, HIGH);
pinMode(3, OUTPUT); delay (200);
pinMode(5, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(1, LOW);
pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
} digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(3, LOW);

digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(5, LOW);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(7, LOW);
}
 So What?
 Great. Blinking lights. Not impressed.
 Only covered output thus far.
 Can use analog inputs to detect a physical
phenomena.
 Inputs
 Digital inputs will come to the Arduino as either
on or off (HIGH or LOW, respectively).
 HIGH is 5VDC.
 LOW is 0VDC.

 Analog inputs will come to the Arduino as a

range of numbers, based upon the electrical
characteristics of the circuit.
 0 to 1023
 .0049 V per digit (4.9 mV)

 Read time is 100 microseconds (10,000 a second)

 Analog Input
 A potentiometer (variable
resistor) is connected to
analog pin 0 to an Arduino.
 Values presented to pin 0 will
vary depending upon the
resistance of the
potentiometer.
 Analog Input-Application
 The variable resistor can be replaced with a
sensor.
 For example, a photo resistor.
 Depending upon the light level at the photo resistor:
 Turn on a light
 Increase or decrease the brightness of an LED (or an
LED array)
 Most sensors are simply variable resistors, but
vary their resistance based on some physical
characteristic.
 Sensors
 Sensors can be both binary or a range.
 Usually, sensors that measure a range of values
vary their resistance to reflect their detection.
 Arduinos can only sense voltages, not
resistances.
 Sensors that only vary their resistances require a
circuit called a voltage divider to provide the
Arduino a voltage.
 Common Sensors
 Dials on a radio are  Infrared sensor & light
simply potentiometers  Hall effect sensor and
 Temperature magnet
 Light  Ball tilt sensor (for
 Angle measuring orientation)
 Switches  Force
 did the user throw a
switch or push a button?
 Accelerometer (measures
motion and tilt)
 “Competitors”to the Arduino
 PIC controller
 Microcontroller programmed with C or assembler
 Alternatives to the Arduino line
 Pinguino – PIC controller
 MSP430 – Texas Instruments; $4.30
 Others: customs, Teensy, etc.

 Netduino
 Computers
 Raspberry Pi
 BeagleBones – TI; has computer and controller
 Netduino
 Microcontroller and development tools created by
Microsoft to work with the .NET Micro Framework.
 VASTLY better development environment.
 visualmicro.com
 Other alternatives
 Differences
 Pins on a Netduino are 3.3V (not 5).
 Netduinos have a much faster processor.
 60K of RAM (versus an Uno's 2K).
 Largely compatible with the Arduino, but it is not a
drop-in replacement (can fry it).
 Raspberry Pi
 Low end computer, not a controller
 Uses Debian Linux
 Arch Linux ARM, Fedora, FreeBSD, Slackware…
 Programmed with Python
 BBC BASIC, C, Perl
 As it is a computer and not a controller, its role
in these projects is different.
 Hierarchy: computers control controllers,
controllers control hardware.
 Shields
 Shields are circuit boards that plug into the top
of an Arduino.
 They extend the capabilities of an Arduino.
 Examples:
 Ethernet
 GPS

 Motor

 Prototype

 shieldlist.org
 Conclusion
 The Arduino microcontroller is a low cost way
to enter into the hobby of robotics.
 The Arduino has two plusses over any other:
 The user community
 Extensive online library of code and projects

 Viewed as the "base" system, upon which all

other microcontrollers are built. Compatibility.
 So get a kit, and start ushering in the inevitable
takeover of our robotic overlords!
Introduction to Arduino
Microcontrollers
Jeff McRaven
jamcraven@yahoo.com