An Introduction

To Arduino
Lesson 1
What is Arduino ？
• Arduino is an open-source
hardware and software platform
designed for computer
programmers, industrial artists,
professionals and those interested
in developing interactive devices
and applications specific to an
interactive development
environment.
• Arduino can receive input signals
from various sensors and inputs.
By controlling light sources,
motors, or other actuators,
Arduino can change the
surrounding environment.
• Programs for the microcontroller on the Arduino board
are written in Arduino’s programming language (based
on “Wiring” - an open source framework for
microcontrollers) and run in the Arduino development
environment (based on “Processing” – an open source
programming language and integrated development
environment).
• Arduino is able to run independently or communicate
with software running on a computer.
• The open-source Arduino IDE, which is free to download,
makes it easy for you to write code, upload it to the
board and come up with your own interactive devices.
What are the key features?
• Arduino boards are able to read analog or digital input signals from
different sensors and turn it into an output such as activating a
motor, turning LED on/off, connect to the cloud and many other
actions.
• You can control your board functions by sending a set of
instructions to the microcontroller on the board via Arduino IDE
(referred to as uploading software).
• Unlike most previous programmable circuit boards, Arduino does
not need an extra piece of hardware (called a programmer) in order
to load a new code onto the board. You can simply use a USB cable.
• The Arduino IDE uses a simplified version of C++, making it easier
to learn to program.
• Arduino provides a standard form factor that breaks the functions
of the micro-controller into a more accessible package.
What can you do with Arduino?
◆ Make a line-following robot
◆ Make a fluffy toy that lights
up
◆ Make your phone ring when
you receive an e-mail
◆ Make a Metroid-style arm
cannon
◆ Make a coffee maker that
sounds an alarm when your
coffee is ready
◆ Make device that can record
your heart rate when you ride
your bike
The Birth of Arduino
Arduino started in a small picturesque
town in northern Italy as as a project
for students at the Interaction Design
Institute Ivrea. Members of Arduino’s
core development team were Massimo
Banzi, David Cuartielles, Tom Igoe,
Gianluca Martino, David Mellis and
Nicholas Zambetti.
Massimo Banzi’s students often complained that they
couldn’t find a cheap and easy-to-use microcontroller.
In the winter of 2005, Banzi mentioned this issue
while talking with David Cuartielles, a Spanish chip
engineer who was a visiting scholar to Massimo’s
university. They decided to design their own circuit
board and brought Banzi’s student David Mellis into
this project to design the programming language for
their board. Mellis finished the source code within two
days. It took them another three days to etch the
circuit board. They named it Arduino.
Why “Arduino”?
Ivrea is famous for the story of an oppressed king:
In 1002 AD, King Arduino took the crown of Italy;
however, in 1004 AD, he was dethroned by King
Henry II of Germany.

There is now a bar named “de Re Arduino” on

Cobblestone Street in Ivrea which was opened in
commemoration of King Arduino. Massimo Banzi
was a regular customer there, and he fondly
named his open-source hardware platform after it.
Types of Arduino Boards
• Few examples of the different types
of Arduino boards.
• The boards with the name Arduino
on them are the official boards but
there are also a lot of really great
clones on the market as well.
• One of the best reasons to buy a
clone is the fact they are generally
less expensive than their official
counterpart.
• Adafruit and Sparkfun for example,
sell variations of the Arduino
boards which cost less but still have
the same quality of the originals.
One word of caution, be careful
when buying boards from
companies you don’t know.
• Another factor to consider when choosing a board
is the type of project you are looking to do. For
example, if you want to create a wearable
electronic project, you might want to consider the
LilyPad board from Sparkfun.

• The LilyPad is designed to be easily sewn into e-

textiles and wearable projects. If your project has
a small form factor, you might want to use the
Arduino Pro Mini which has a very small footprint
compared to other boards.
Arduino Uno
• One of the most popular Arduino boards.
• While it was not actually the first board to be
released, it remains to be the most actively used
and most widely documented on the market.
• Because of its extreme popularity, the Arduino
Uno has a ton of project tutorials and forums
around the web that can help you get started or
out of a jam.
• it’s great features and ease of use.
Board Breakdown
1. Reset Button – This will restart any code that is
loaded to the Arduino board
2. AREF – Stands for “Analog Reference” and is
used to set an external reference voltage
3. Ground Pin – There are a few ground pins on the
Arduino and they all work the same
4. Digital Input/Output – Pins 0-13 can be used for
digital input or output
5. PWM – The pins marked with the (~) symbol can
simulate analog output
6. USB Connection – Used for powering up your
Arduino and uploading sketches
7. TX/RX – Transmit and receive data indication
LEDs
8. ATmega Microcontroller – This is the brains and
is where the programs are stored
9. Power LED Indicator – This LED lights up
anytime the board is plugged in a power source
10. Voltage Regulator – This controls the
amount of voltage going into the Arduino board
11. DC Power Barrel Jack – This is used for
powering your Arduino with a power supply
12. 3.3V Pin – This pin supplies 3.3 volts of
power to your projects
13. 5V Pin – This pin supplies 5 volts of power
to your projects
14. Ground Pins – There are a few ground pins
on the Arduino and they all work the same
15. Analog Pins – These pins can read the signal
from an analog sensor and convert it to digital
Arduino Power Supply
• The Arduino Uno needs a
power source in order for it
to operate and can be
powered in a variety of
ways. You can do what most
people do and connect the
board directly to your
computer via a USB cable.
• If you want your project to
be mobile, consider using a
9V battery pack to give it
juice.
• The last method would be to
use a 9V AC power supply.
Arduino Breadboard
• Another very important item when
working with Arduino is a solderless
breadboard.
• This device allows you to prototype your
Arduino project without having to
permanently solder the circuit together.
• Using a breadboard allows you to create
temporary prototypes and experiment
with different circuit designs.
• Inside the holes (tie points) of the plastic
housing, are metal clips which are
connected to each other by strips of
conductive material.
• On a side note, the breadboard is not
powered on its own and needs power
brought to it from the Arduino board using
jumper wires. These wires are also used to
form the circuit by connecting resistors,
switches and other components together.
Here is a visual of what a completed Arduino
circuit looks like when connected to a breadboard.
Applications and industries where
automation is used (ARDUINO):
1. Manufacturing Industry
Automated Production Lines: Arduino controls robotic arms, conveyor
belts, and machines for tasks such as assembly, sorting, and packaging.
Quality Control: Sensors and cameras powered by Arduino can monitor
product quality, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
2. Agriculture
Smart Irrigation Systems: Arduino-based systems automate watering
schedules by monitoring soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and
plant health.
Livestock Monitoring: Automation helps in tracking the health,
location, and activity of livestock through RFID, GPS, and sensors.
Greenhouse Automation: Arduino controls temperature, humidity, and
lighting to create optimal conditions for plant growth.
3. Home Automation
Smart Homes: Arduino is used in home automation systems to control
lighting, heating, security systems, and appliances remotely.
Energy Management: Monitoring and optimizing energy usage through
automated control of electrical devices and smart meters.
4. Automotive Industry
Automated Vehicle Systems: Arduino is used for automation in
vehicles, such as self-driving prototypes, parking assistance, and
autonomous delivery systems.
Vehicle Diagnostics: Arduino boards can be used for real-time
monitoring of various parameters in vehicles, enhancing maintenance
processes.
5. Healthcare
Medical Devices: Arduino powers medical devices for patient
monitoring, such as heart rate monitors, temperature sensors, and
wearable health devices.
Automation in Hospitals: Automation helps in controlling lighting,
temperature, and even robotic assistants in hospitals to improve
patient care.
6. Energy Sector
Renewable Energy Systems: Automation in wind turbines, solar panels,
and hydroelectric systems can be managed using Arduino for optimal
energy production and storage.
Smart Grids: Arduino-based systems help in monitoring and controlling
energy distribution efficiently.
7. Retail and Warehousing
Automated Inventory Management: Arduino systems are used for
inventory tracking and automated restocking in warehouses and retail
stores.
Robotic Pick-and-Pack Systems: Automation helps in packaging and
dispatching products efficiently.
8. Environmental Monitoring
Weather Stations: Arduino can control weather stations for real-time
monitoring of environmental parameters such as temperature,
humidity, wind speed, and air quality.
Pollution Control: Automated systems for monitoring and controlling
pollution levels in air and water bodies are developed using Arduino.
9. Education
Learning and Prototyping: Arduino is a popular tool in educational
settings for teaching programming, electronics, and automation
concepts. Students can build automated projects like smart homes,
robots, and other innovative applications.
10. Entertainment and Art
Interactive Art Installations: Arduino-based automation is used in
interactive art exhibits, kinetic sculptures, and performances to create
responsive environments.
Robotics in Entertainment: Arduino powers robots in movies, theme
parks, and other entertainment venues to automate movement and
special effects.
11. Safety and Security
• Automated Security Systems: Arduino is used to automate
surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and access control systems in
residential and commercial buildings.
• Disaster Management Systems: Automated systems for early
detection and response to natural disasters, like fire or floods, are
built using Arduino.
12. Food and Beverage Industry
Automated Cooking and Brewing: Arduino-based automation systems
are used for precision control in cooking, brewing, and other food
processing tasks.
Packaging and Labeling: Automation in food packaging and labeling
ensures speed, consistency, and hygiene.