Getting started with arduino understanding the basics

Getting started with arduino micro-controller:

I remember there were a time when we used other micro controllers for our projects. Believe me that was really difficult .Rather difficult it was time consuming actually.

Making PCB's and burning code with separate burner.

That is little annoying. So with every problem there is 

also a solution exists just we need to find it.

I remember when my teacher suggested me to buy an arduino board. when first time I  bought an arduino I thought it would be a difficult to program as other micro controllers. but these were just my thoughts.It is much easier than any other board.With basic knowledge of C programming we can make any of project easily using arduino.

So let's get started with arduino. Few theoretical things we should know about arduino before using it on hardware.The basic knowledge of arduino.

• Its a microcontroller board, contains on-board power supply, USB port to communicate with PC, and an Atmel microcontroller chip.
• It simplify the process of creating any control system by providing the standard board that can be programmed and connected to the system without the need to any sophisticated PCB design and implementation.
• It is an open source hardware, any one can get the details of its design and modify it or make his own one himself.
• 16 Mhz frequency with 32k memory.
• 6 CH 10 bit A/D PWM.

Arduino Boards:

                               

Arduino Uno:

The most commonly used arduino board is arduino uno.

The specifications of arduino uno are marked in the figure.

Every instruction is printed on the board so we don't need to worry about how much power we need to plug on.

Analog inputs are given and inbuilt ADC will give an output on digital pins.

PWM pins are marked on the board.the PWM , pulse with modulation pins used for controlling the speed of motor or generating specific square wave etc.

Programming structure:

Void setup(){}

Used to indicate the initial values of system on starting.

Void loop(){}

Contains the statements that will run whenever the system is powered after setup.

The Connected pins are defined before setup and in setup we set these pins as input or output.both can also be done in the setup.

In loop we use basic methods of programming as we do in C.

Software:

Download the Arduino IDE from arduino website.its free..

here is the link.Download the latest version.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

After easy installation open the software and connect your arduino board with any USB port.

on top of the arduino IDE:

Go to the Tools>Boards and set arduino uno board if you have arduino uno.

Go to Port the port appears with the arduino name like COM3 (arduino uno) and select that.if not that means the board is not connected to the port  or there are some driver issues in installation of arduino software.

Go to the Examples> Basics>blink

After that click the first button on top to verify the code and than press next to it the upload button...

Now your code will be uploaded to the board.if not the errors will be shown in  the bottom window.

The led starts blinking on the board that shows the code is running.

we will discuss more about the coding in coming posts.The best way to learn Arduino is to do the projects not to just learn the code.So we will cover more and more interesting projects in coming posts.You will be master in arduino boards by doing just few projects..

It's easy.....Enjoy.....!!!