Open-source hardware? Arduino(tm) is the first name to come to mind! As great as it is, sometimes we need a small microcontroller solution for a project, or a stripped-down version for cost-effectiveness.
The Ardweeny is the solution. These small kits are 100% compatible with the Arduino programming environment, are very small, (and unlike the regular Arduino) they can fit on a breadboard. Oh, and they're quite inexpensive too!
In the regular configuration, you build the backpack, and have it sit on top of the IC, soldering the leads to the legs of the Atmel microcontroller. Although convenient, it exposes the legs to unwanted bending.
This Instructable by Solarbotics Intern Rudy Bernard shows how you can build your Ardweeny with stiffer extra-long socket-headers that protect the fragile microcontroller legs and the topside programming pins.
The Ardweeny is the solution. These small kits are 100% compatible with the Arduino programming environment, are very small, (and unlike the regular Arduino) they can fit on a breadboard. Oh, and they're quite inexpensive too!
In the regular configuration, you build the backpack, and have it sit on top of the IC, soldering the leads to the legs of the Atmel microcontroller. Although convenient, it exposes the legs to unwanted bending.
This Instructable by Solarbotics Intern Rudy Bernard shows how you can build your Ardweeny with stiffer extra-long socket-headers that protect the fragile microcontroller legs and the topside programming pins.
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Signing UpStep 1: Parts You'll Need
Electronic Parts
- Ardweeny kit (Solarbotics part # : KARDW)
- 2x 6-Pin Header (HVWTech part #: FPin6L-413 )
- 2x 8-Pin Header (HVWTech part #: FPin8L-413 )
Tools Required
- Soldering equipment (soldering iron / solder / cleaning sponge) (HVW tech soldering tools )
- A pair of Needle-nose pliers (HVWTech part #: 43060 or 43061)
- A pair of Flush Cutters (HVWTech part #: 43040 )
- Safety Glasses - VERY important when clipping and snipping! (Solarbotics part #: 5330)
- Ardweeny kit (Solarbotics part # : KARDW)
- 2x 6-Pin Header (HVWTech part #: FPin6L-413 )
- 2x 8-Pin Header (HVWTech part #: FPin8L-413 )
Tools Required
- Soldering equipment (soldering iron / solder / cleaning sponge) (HVW tech soldering tools )
- A pair of Needle-nose pliers (HVWTech part #: 43060 or 43061)
- A pair of Flush Cutters (HVWTech part #: 43040 )
- Safety Glasses - VERY important when clipping and snipping! (Solarbotics part #: 5330)
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Might save people money if they only need usb for programming and have a board already.
http://www.instructables.com/id/program-a-ardweeny-using-a-duemilinove-no-more-f/
I just got two ardweenys. I soldered the first one up, the SHX solder makes it SO easy to get almost perfect joints :). I have a few questions about it. Firstly, can your program it with a PICAXE USB download cable? And, what voltage can it handle, as it doesn't have a built-in reg like arduinos?
Thanks so much, I am looking forward to firing it up!
Very well set out.
I could google it, and not understand the results, but I thought it'd be a better idea to ask people on here who know what they are talking about and generally don't shoot people down.
What is an arduino (and indeed, an ardweeny), and what is it used for?
The code tells the arduino/ardweeny what to do. You can tell it for example, to make pin 6 high for 2 seconds every 4 seconds. Then, if you hook up an LED to this pin, it would turn on for 2 seconds every 4 seconds. Then the cycle would repeat, creating a blinking LED.
Basically, there are input pins and output pins. Inputs use external things (such as buttons or light dependent resistors, or other sensors) to tell the microcontroller what to do. Example, when pin 9 is high, make pin 6 high as well. This could for example, be used to turn on an LED. That example was very simple, however. You could tell the microcontroller to do a whole bunch of things when pin 9 was high.
Output pins are how to microcontroller is able to control things like LED's. The microcontroller makes output pins high or low depending on how the code has been written.
(This is a very simple explanation with simple examples. Microcontroller experts hook them up in crazy ways with lots of inputs and outputs to create things that move, light up, etc.)