1. How to use Arduino
By: Andrew Hoffmaster

2. Computers Computers talk in ones and zeros binary
We need language to convert English to Binary
The converter commonly used is C

3. What is a microcontroller
Portable DAQ with on board processing power
Used everywhere: power strips, calculators
Versatile with wide range of applications

4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Microcontrollers
Small
Portable
No Computer required
Programmable logic
Vast range of applications
Cheap
Disadvantages
Limited by ADC
Limited processing power
No data storage

5. Arduino Italian made by ATMEGA
Development boards allow for easy use and adaptability
Open source programming language
“Plug in and use” usability

6. Development boards Digital I/O USB input 9V external power source
Power outputs
Analog inputs

7. Initial steps Go to www.arduino.cc
Download the latest version for you computer
You may need to download drivers for the board you are using ( UNO or MEGA) but they come with the download they are just difficult to locate

8. Basics of Coding Arduino
Arduino’s programming language is a version of C, most C commands work in the sketch editor
Four basic components of Ardunio speak
Initialization
Setup
Loop
User defined functions

9. Initialization Include any extra libraries you are using
All variables need to be initialized
A=4; will not work int a= 4; will
Define variables you will assign later
Int a,b,c;
Remember data structures
Int, double, float, char, string ….

10. Here you can see the library Math
Here you can see the library Math.h is included in the code this will allow the use to use math functions like cos sin tan …
ax, ay, az, gx, gy, gz are defined to specific values
These values will be assigned later but need to be initialized

11. Setup Initialization for the arduino board
Usually begin Serial communication
Usually assign digital pins to input or output

12. Void means setup will not output anything
pinMode defines the state of digital pins to OUPUT or INPUT.
Serial.begin(9600) opens serial communication at 9600 baud

13. Loop Loop is the main portion of the arduino code
Loop is what the microcontroller will do forever
This is very much like a never ending for loop

15. User defined functions
These functions can be called in the loop and are usually responses to conditions that are met in the loop.
These functions must be defined with data structure and output type

16. User defined functions
Here is a basic map function for floats
The user inputs a float x and the function maps the number from an old data range to a new data range.
float mapFloat(float x, float in_min, float in_max, float out_min, float out_max) {
return (x - in_min) * (out_max - out_min) / (in_max - in_min) + out_min; }

17. Inputs and their data types in this case they are all floats
Defines output type as float and names function mapFloat
float mapFloat(float x, float in_min, float in_max, float out_min, float out_max) {
return (x - in_min) * (out_max - out_min) / (in_max - in_min) + out_min; }
Return is what the function output which is defined above as a float
The curly brackets { and } define what is inside the function these separate blocks of code and are very important
You can indent the inside of the code it is up to you and what fits your style

18. Analog v Digital
Analog is a continuous signal (Voltage) in which the variable of the signal is a representation of some other time varying quantity. Hence analogous
Digital is a physical signal that represents a sequence of discrete values. On and off like binary 1 and 0

19. ADC and DAC
Analog Digital Converter- Computer cannot read Analog values only digital ( 5V or Gnd)
Measured in bits 2^n example 10 bit = 2^10 = 1024
Digital Analog Converter convert digitals signal to analog signal, Voltage

20. Analog to Digital Computers read Digital signals
Some sensors output analog signals (Voltage)
We read this voltage as a Bit
On a 5V analog pin 2.5 V is half of the number of available bits
Precision depends on the number of Bits in our ADC
With a 10 bit ADC bit= (Voltage/Vref )* num bits ADC

21. Example
A 2.5 V signal is applied to a 5Vref analog pin with a 10 bit ADC what bit is displayed?
Answer: (2.5 / 5) * 1024 = 512

22. Analog Data The Arduino has analog ports labeled Analog in
These are 10 bit data inputs that range from 0 to 5V although this can be changed
Information is sent to the computer through USB line using the Serial library.
Information can also be sent via the serial lines in the arduino

23. Simple Serial Communication
Two wire communication
Tx to write data to an object
Rx to receive data
Labeled as digital ports 0 (Rx) and 1(Tx) on arduino
For USB communication select the correct device (tools – board) and com port
Open serial monitor to view incoming serial data (top right icon)

24. Serial Library Serial.begin(baudrate) Serial.avilable() Serial.read()
Opens Serial Port at baudrate
Serial.avilable()
Returns the number of bytes available to read
Serial.read()
Returns the first byte of incoming serial data available (or -1 if no data is available)
Serial.print(data,format)
Prints data to the serial port as readable ASCII text
Serial.println(data,format)
Prints data to the serial port as readable ASCII text then ends the line

25. Analog Library analogReference(type) analogRead(port)
Default is 5 V signal External is voltage applied to VREF
analogRead(port)
Reads data coming into analog port, 1024 values or 10 bit data

26. Digital Library pinMode(pin,mode) digitalWrite(pin,state)
Set as INPUT or OUTPUT
digitalWrite(pin,state)
Write to HIGH 5v or LOW 0v or ground
digitalRead(pin)
Returns high or low (1 or 0)

27. Control Structrues If(variable comparison operator condition) {
do something }
Computer checks to see if the condition is met for the variable and responds accordingly
for(initialization; condition; increment) {
do something }
Computer does something for a certain number of time for example read 500 lines of data very quickly

28. Comparison Operators == equal to != not equal to < less than
> greater than
<= less than or equal to
>= greater than or equal to

29. Boolean Operators
&& and
|| or
! not

30. Compound Operators ++ increment -- decrement += compound addition
-= compound subtraction
*= compound multiplication
/= compound division

31. What are compound operators?
X+=4 is the same as X=X+4
X*=2 is the same as X=X*2
X=1 X++ means X=1 and during the next loop X=X+1 or X+=1

32. Data Structures
Int
Double
Float
Char
String
Hex

33. How to start coding Hardware setup
Use a USB A to B cable to plug you computer into the arduino
Plug the desired signals into the ports you choose (Digital to digital ports)
Make sure to plug in LED’s the correct way

34. How to start coding Software setup
Open the Arduino main window shown on the left
Download is available at

35. Arduino environment

36. Uploading code Upload Serial Monitor Compile
Under tools make sure Board is the board you and using and Serial port is checked and is the correct port

37. First Code

38. Blink explained
There are no variables assigned in this code so the first part is the setup
We are not using any Serial communication so we only need to initialize the pinMode
Writing the pin state to High will turn the LED on the board on, writing it to Low will turn the LED off
The delay is in ms which causes the blink

39. Potentiometer setup
Attach the outer wires of the potentiometer to the +5 and ground outputs on the arduino
Insert the center wire on the potentiometer to the Analog input 0 (A0)

41. Advanced Projects
Each project using arduino will be a combination of complex circuits and programming
The two basic places of failure are faulty wiring or faulty coding

42. Wiring tips Always look at data sheet or schematic Ground all circuits
Do not confuse analog and digital i/o
Digital outputs can only output 0 or 5 V and very low current <500ma
Use digital out with relays for high current applications

43. Coding tips
Always follow basic structure initialize, setup, loop, user functions
If you do not know how to do something use the internet
Arduino forum is very helpful
Keep trying