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Arduino Intro

Get Started

  • Install Arduio IDE 2.x if you haven't already
  • Make sure you are familiar with basic concepts of coding such as if statements, loops, etc... Checkout this tutorial if you are not.

Setup

  1. Plug in the Arduino to your computer.
  2. In the Arduino IDE top menu bar Tools > Board > Arduino AVR Boards > select the Arduino board you are connected to. Most likely it is going to be an Arduino Uno or Arduino Mega for the onboarding project
  3. Top menu bar again Tools > Port > select the port you are connected to the board. Check with your computer system information/device management to confirm.

Basics

Default Functions

Upon opening the IDE, you will see two functions prepopulated. void setup and void loop

The setup function is going to run once when the board is powered up, this is useful for setup sensors (you will have a chance to use them later), hence the name.

The loop function will continue running as long as the board is powered, after the setup function.

Pins and Breadboard basics

  • The Arduino Uno/Mega/Nano has several pins (aka headers) on each of its long sides, the pins labeled with the corresponding pin names.
  • The breadboard is a way to connect electronics easily, if you are not familiar with it, check out this tutorial

First Project: Simple Light Blink

  • Important takeaways:
    1. Get comfortable using Arduino
    2. Get comfortable with breadboard and circuits
    3. Have some fun!
  • Follow this tutorial
  • If you are using an Arduino Nano, you can put your Arduino Nano on the breadboard, make sure the pins are on the different side of the breadboard middle valley
  • But there is a twist, the light is RGB! Use Google, and your brain to figure things out~

Second Project: Ultrasound Distance Detection

  • Important takeaways:
    1. Get comfortable with software, and hardware interaction
    2. Learn to install libraries
  • Follow this tutorial
  • LCD screen part is optional (but strongly encouraged!)

Third Project: Advanced RGB Lighting Unleashed

  • Important takeaways:
    1. Learn about PWM signals and Arduino. Tutorial
    2. Independent Development skills
  • Specs:
    1. Create a Arduino script that uses analogWrite() function to dim the RGB LED
    2. The LED dims/brighten according to the following behavior
      • Start from off-state
      • Increase brightness to pure red color in 1 second
      • Decrease brightness to red to 0 while increasing brightness of blue to full in 1 second
      • Decrease brightness to blue to 0 while increasing brightness of green to full in 1 second
      • Decrease brightness to green to 0 in 1 second