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Step 2.: A Few Basics :.
Before we get started there are two areas where brushing up may be helpful. Here is a quick review of a few electronic components and of C programming.
(you can skip this step if you like, as most of it can be picked up along the way)
Arduino Holder
While it is easy to prototype circuits with an Arduino and a breadboard beside it we find it is difficult to latter move. To combat this we use a piece of laser cut acrylic, which you attach the Arduino and Breadboard to. This is included in the full kits, or if you'd like to make your own, the design files can be found here (on Thingiverse).
Electronic Components
Here is a quick summary of each of the components we will use
The Arduino is programmed in a C like language. Full details can be found in the online reference.
http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/HomePage
(you can skip this step if you like, as most of it can be picked up along the way)
Arduino Holder
While it is easy to prototype circuits with an Arduino and a breadboard beside it we find it is difficult to latter move. To combat this we use a piece of laser cut acrylic, which you attach the Arduino and Breadboard to. This is included in the full kits, or if you'd like to make your own, the design files can be found here (on Thingiverse).
Electronic Components
Here is a quick summary of each of the components we will use
- LED (Light Emitting Diode) - Emits a light when a small current is passed through it. They tend to look like miniature light bulbs. You need to keep in mind that they are polarized and will only work in one direction (the longer lead indicates the Cathode or positive lead). For more details: http://tinyurl.com/zhpyv
- Diode - The electronic equivalent of a one way valve. Allowing current to flow in one direction but not the other. Usually identifiable as they are a cylinder with wires out either end and an off centre line indicating polarity. For more details: http://www.tinyurl.com/ysz57b
- Resistor - Restricts the amount of current that can flow through a circuit. Also a cylinder with wires out either end. The resistance value is displayed using a color coding system. For more details: http://www.tinyurl.com/cmeqw5
- Transistor - Uses a small current to switch or amplify a much larger current. They come in a variety of different packages. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/eazkn
- Hobby Servo - A small motor, gearbox and control circuitry. It takes a timed pulse and converts it into an angular position. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/4zo4he
- DC Motor - A little motor which of course spins when a current is passed through it. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/d826yh
- Piezo Element - Will emit a click when it is pulsed, if you send it a stream of pulses it will emit a tone. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/38crmu
- Integrated Circuit - Packages any range of complicated electronics inside an easy to use case. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/87k4d
- Pushbutton - Completes a circuit when pressed: For more details: http://tinyurl.com/cmts7d
- Potentiometer (Variable Resistor) - Produces a variable resistance dependant on the angular position of the shaft. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/28pbhd
- Photo-Resistor - Produces a variable resistance dependant on the amount of incident light. For more details: http://tinyurl.com/c2wdkw
The Arduino is programmed in a C like language. Full details can be found in the online reference.
http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/HomePage
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