This document provides an introduction to Arduino and sensors. It discusses that Arduino was originally developed for artists and designers to prototype interactive displays. It then describes the Arduino Uno board and lists some example components that are good for beginners to start with such as LEDs, LCD screens, temperature sensors, servos, and ultrasonic sensors. The document emphasizes starting with simple projects and building confidence before moving to more complex projects. It also provides some example approaches, resources, and recommended books for learning Arduino.
2. Why Was Arduino Developed?
Physical Computing using components that
can interact with people and with the world
around us
The Arduino was originally developed for artists
and designers to prototype interactive displays
Developed for non-scientists
Minimalist programming
Forgiving circuitry that can handle a wide
variety of wiring errors
5. What Can Arduino Uno Be Used To Teach?
Introductory electronics (voltage, current,
resistance)
How sensors and actuators work
Rudimentary programming
Design of basic scientific equipment
Troubleshooting
Challenges of communicating with users through
a project (e.g., messages, formatting numbers,
ease of use, etc.)
Statistics and variation in data gathering
6. What Can Students Do?
Quickly able to prototype a working project
Able to produce a working computer program
The tactile feel of assembling a project is very
rewarding; making something that works
FINALLY understanding that a scientific instrument is only
as good as its design and calibration
Get to troubleshoot circuits under the tutelage of the
instructor to develop a logical, orderly method.
7. What Approach Have I Followed?
Philosophical Approach
It is physically impossible to teach students a
comprehensive course in electronics in a single
semester
The purpose of our electronics course is to teach
the basics of instrument design, function, and
troubleshooting
It is important to teach students the basics of
electronics and teach them how to learn
electronics on their own
8. What Approach Have I Followed?
Start simple build confidence with small projects
before trying complex projects
Introduce concept and then immediately do a project
with it
Use components that will capture the attention and
imagination of the students
Use new projects to build on previous projects
Create a problem for students to solve that THEY
will see as practical but not overly complicated
Teach students how to search for needed information
from datasheets (e.g., tolerances, current limits, etc.)
from the internet
9. What Are Some Good
Components to Start With?
LEDs.lots of LEDs with variety of colors (be
sure to also acquire lots of current-limiting
resistors)
Good for blinking, dimming using PWM,
Knight Rider effect with 8 or more LEDs,
strobe effects, etc.
10. What Are Some Good
Components to Start With?
LCD Screen with backlight (16x2 is common and teaches the complications of textual display)
The parallel version uses 4 digital pins for display
Instructions for how to connect is built in as a sample sketch in the Arduino
Students get a huge degree of satisfaction from transmitting text to the LCD screen
12. What Are Some Good
Components to Start With?
Basic temperature and/or humidity sensor
DHT11 or DHT22 is a good entry-level choice
Library can be downloaded and incorporated to give easy access to features of the sensor
14. What Are Some Good
Components to Start With?
Small servos
Arduino can be used to position servo at a given angle
for use in projects.
Other sensors can be attached to the servo to add a
layer of complexity
Servo library included in Arduino IDE
16. What Are Some Good
Components to Start With?
Ultrasonic Ranger uses ultrasonic waves to determine the distance between sensor and object
based on time between emission of wave and echo of it.
Good for introducing discussion of speed of sound variation with environmental conditions
Calibration principles are easily discussed
17. Laser pointer mounted
on servo that aims at a
target based on
readings of dual sonic
rangers
Sonic Rangers
18. What Are Some Other Components
That Are Relatively Easy to Use?
128x64 Organic LED screen that can handle graphics as well as text
19. What Are Some Other Components
That Are Relatively Easy to Use?
GPS Module that can be used for a variety of purposes such as
triggering a response only when the user is standing in a particular
location
20. What Are Some Other Components
That Are Relatively Easy to Use?
Mechanical or
Solid-State Relay
Boards to control
alternating current
loads of several
amps
22. Resources
www.arduino.cc :info on hardware, some
libraries for sensors, the integrated
development environment (IDE) and
reference material on commands and
structures
www.instructables.com : info on DIY
projects prepared by others
www.makezine.com : Home of Make
Magazine, which has lots of Arduino projects