Introduction to

Microcontrollers
Week 5-Lec 2
Overview
 Background
 Microcontroller defined/Why Arduino's?
 Types of Arduino microcontrollers
 What To Get (Hardware and Software)
 Arduino C
 Electronic Circuits
 Projects
 Blinking light(s)
 Reading inputs (variable resistors)
Microcontrollers – One
Definition
 Programmers work in the virtual world.
 Machinery works in the physical world.
 How does one connect the virtual world to the
physical world?
 Enter the microcontroller.
 A microcontroller is basically a small-scale
computer with generalized (and programmable)
inputs and outputs.
 The inputs and outputs can be manipulated by
and can manipulate the physical world.
Microcontrollers vs
Microprocessors
 Microprocessor is an IC which has only the CPU
inside them i.e. only the processing powers such
as Intel's Pentium 1,2,3,4, core 2 duo, i3, i5 etc.
 Microcontroller has a CPU, in addition with a
fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals
all embedded on a single chip.
Arduino – Official Definition
 Taken from the official web site (arduino.cc):
 Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping
platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware
and software. It's intended for artists, designers,
hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating
interactive objects or environments.
Why Arduino?
 For
whatever reason, Arduino microcontrollers
have become the de facto standard.
 Make Magazine features many projects using
Arduino microcontrollers.
 Strives
for the balance between ease of use and
usefulness.
 Programming languages seen as major obstacle.
 Arduino C is a greatly simplified version of C++.
 Inexpensive ($35 retail).
Arduino Types
 Many different versions
 Number of input/output channels
 Form factor
 Processor
 Leonardo
 Due
 Micro
 LilyPad
 Esplora
 Uno
Arduino Uno Close Up
 The pins are in three groups:
 Invented in 2010
 14 digital pins
 6 analog pins
 power
https://www.circuito.io/blog/arduino-
uno-pinout/
Leonardo
 Compared to the Uno, a slight upgrade.
 Built in USB compatibility

 Presents to
PC as a mouse
or keyboard
Due
 Much faster processor, many more pins
 Operates on 3.3 volts
 Similar to the Mega
Micro
 When size matters: Micro, Nano, Mini
 Includes all functionality of the Leonardo
 Easily usable on a breadboard
LilyPad
 LilyPad is popular for clothing-based projects.
Esplora
 Game controller
 Includes joystick, four buttons, linear
potentiometer (slider), microphone, light sensor,
temperature sensor, three-axis accelerometer.
 Not the standard set of IO pins.
Where to Start
 Get an Arduino (starter kit)
 Download the compiler
 Connect the controller
 Configure the compiler
 Connect the circuit
 Write the program
 Get frustrated/Debug/Get it to work
 Get excited and immediately start next project
Arduino Starter Kits
 Start with a combo pack (starter kit)
 Includes a microcontroller, wire, LED's, sensors, etc.
 www.adafruit.com
adafruit.com/products/68 ($65)
 www.sparkfun.com
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11576 ($99.95)
 Radio Shack
Make Ultimate Microcontroller Pack w/ Arduino Kit
($119.99)
 www.makershed.com
http://www.makershed.com/
Ultimate_Arduino_Microcontroller_Pack_p/msump1.htm ($150)
What to Get – My
Recommendation
 Required:  Good Idea:
 Arduino (such as  Capacitors
Uno)  Transistors
 USB A-B (printer)  DC motor/servo
cable  Relay
 Breadboard
 Hookup wire
 Advanced:
 LED's
 Soldering iron &
 Resistors
solder
 Sensors
 Heat shrink tubing
 Switches
 9V battery adapter
 Bench power
 Arduino Compiler
 Download current compiler from:
arduino.cc/en/Main/software
 Arrogantly refers to itself as an IDE (Ha!).
 Run the software installer.
 Written in Java, it is fairly slow.

Visit
playground.arduino.cc/Main/ Devel
opmentTools
for alternatives to the base
Configuring the Arduino Compiler
 Defaultsto COM1, will probably need to change
the COM port setting (my work PC uses 7).
 Appears in Device Manager (Win7) under Ports as
a Comm port.
Arduino Program Development
 Based on C++ without 80% of the instructions.
 A handful of new commands.
 Programs are called 'sketches'.
 Sketches need two functions:
 void setup( )
 void loop( )
 setup( ) runs first and once.
 loop( ) runs over and over, until power is lost or a
new sketch is loaded.
Arduino C
 Arduino sketches are centered around the pins on
an Arduino board.
 Arduino sketches always loop.
 void loop( ) {} is equivalent to while(1) { }
 The pins can be thought of as global variables.
Arduino C Specific Functions
 pinMode(pin, mode)
Designates the specified pin for input or output
 digitalWrite(pin, value)
Sends a voltage level to the designated pin
 digitalRead(pin)
Reads the current voltage level from the designated pin
 analog versions of above
 analogRead's range is 0 to 1023
 serial commands
 print, println, write
Compiler Features
 Numerous sample
sketches are
included in the
compiler
 Located under File,
Examples
 Once a sketch is
written, it is
uploaded by
clicking on File,
Upload, or by
pressing <Ctrl> U
Arduino C is Derived from C++
 These programs blink an LED on pin
13
 avr-libc  Arduino C
#include <avr/io.h> void setup( ) {
#include <util/delay.h> pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}
int main(void) {
while (1) { void loop( ) {
PORTB = 0x20; digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
_delay_ms(1000); delay(1000);
PORTB = 0x00; digitalWrite(13, LOW);
_delay_ms(1000); delay(1000);
} }
return 1;
}
Basic Electric Circuit
 Every circuit (electric or electronic) must have at
least a power source and a load.
 The simplest circuit is a light.
 Plug in the light, and it lights up.
 Unplug it, the light goes out.
 Electricity flows from the power source, through
the load (the light) and then back to the power
source.
Basic LED Circuit
 Connect the positive (+) lead of a power
source to the long leg of an LED.
 Connect other leg of the LED to a resistor.
 High resistance means a darker light.
 Low resistance means brighter light.
 No resistance means a burned out LED.
 Connectother leg of the resistor to the
negative lead of the power source.
 Let the Good Times Roll!
 At this point we have:
 Purchased a starter kit, including the Arduino
 Connected and configured the Arduino
 Connected a simple LED circuit
 Let's write some code!
Blink Sketch
void setup( ) {
Connected to
pinMode(13, OUTPUT); one end of
Connected to
other end of
} the circuit the circuit
void loop( ) {
digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
delay(1000);
}
4 LED Blink Sketch
void setup( ) { void loop( ) {
pinMode(1, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(1, HIGH);
pinMode(3, OUTPUT); delay (200);
pinMode(5, OUTPUT); digitalWrite(1, LOW);
pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
} digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(3, LOW);

digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(5, LOW);

digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
delay (200);
digitalWrite(7, LOW);
}
So What?
 Great. Blinking lights. Not impressed.
 Only covered output thus far.
 Can use analog inputs to detect a physical
phenomena.
Inputs
 Digital
inputs will come to the Arduino as either
on or off (HIGH or LOW, respectively).
 HIGH is 5VDC.
 LOW is 0VDC.
 Analoginputs will come to the Arduino as a range
of numbers, based upon the electrical
characteristics of the circuit.
 0 to 1023
 .0049 V per digit (4.9 mV)
 Read time is 100 microseconds (10,000 a second)
 Analog Input
A potentiometer (variable
resistor) is connected to
analog pin 0 to an Arduino.
 Values presented to pin 0 will
vary depending upon the
resistance of the
potentiometer.
Analog Input-Application
 The variable resistor can be replaced with a
sensor.
 For example, a photo resistor.
 Depending upon the light level at the photo resistor:
 Turn on a light
 Increase or decrease the brightness of an LED (or an
LED array)
 Mostsensors are simply variable resistors, but
vary their resistance based on some physical
characteristic.
 Sensors
 Sensors can be both binary or a range.
 Usually, sensors that measure a range of values
vary their resistance to reflect their detection.
 Arduinos can only sense voltages, not
resistances.
 Sensors that only vary their resistances require a
circuit called a voltage divider to provide the
Arduino a voltage.
Common Sensors
 Dials on a radio are  Infrared sensor &
simply light
potentiometers  Hall effect sensor
 Temperature
and magnet
 Light
 Ball tilt sensor (for
 Angle
measuring
 Switches
orientation)
 did the user throw a
 Force
switch or push a
button?
 Accelerometer
(measures motion
“Competitors”to the Arduino
 PIC controller
 Microcontroller programmed with C or assembler
 Alternatives to the Arduino line
 Pinguino – PIC controller
 MSP430 – Texas Instruments; $4.30
 Others: customs, Teensy, etc.
 Netduino
 Computers
 Raspberry Pi
 BeagleBones – TI; has computer and controller
Netduino
 Microcontrollerand development tools
created by Microsoft to work with the .NET
Micro Framework.
 VASTLY better development environment.
 visualmicro.com
 Other alternatives
 Differences
 Pinson a Netduino are 3.3V (not 5).
 Netduinos have a much faster processor.
 60K of RAM (versus an Uno's 2K).
 Largely compatible with the Arduino, but it
is not a drop-in replacement (can fry it).
Raspberry Pi
 Low end computer, not a controller
 Uses Debian Linux
 Arch Linux ARM, Fedora, FreeBSD, Slackware…
 Programmed with Python
 BBC BASIC, C, Perl
 As it is a computer and not a controller, its role in
these projects is different.
 Hierarchy: computers control controllers,
controllers control hardware.
Shields
 Shieldsare circuit boards that plug into the top of
an Arduino.
 They extend the capabilities of an Arduino.
 Examples:
 Ethernet
 GPS
 Motor
 Prototype
 shieldlist.org
 Conclusion
 The Arduino microcontroller is a low cost way to
enter into the hobby of robotics.
 The Arduino has two plusses over any other:
 The user community
 Extensive online library of code and projects
 Viewed as the "base" system, upon which all
other microcontrollers are built. Compatibility.
 So get a kit, and start ushering in the inevitable
takeover of our robotic overlords!
Raspbery Pi
IoT
 “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices,
mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are
provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a
network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer
interaction.”
Processor Vs
Controller
Microprocessor
 IC which has only the CPU inside them
 Microprocessors don’t have RAM, ROM, and
other peripheral on the chip
Microcontroller
 CPU, in addition with a fixed amount of RAM,
ROM and other peripherals all embedded on a
single chip
SoC
 SOC is the full system, often the computer on
a chip
Computer Architecture
Microcontroller
Raspberry Pi
History
 The Raspberry Pi is the work of the
Raspberry Pi Foundation, a charitable
organisation
 UK registered charity (No. 1129409),
May 2009
 It's supported by the University of
Cambridge Computer Laboratory and
tech firm Broadcomm
What is Raspberry Pi
 University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory
Declinein skill level
Designed for education
A credit card sized PC
 Plugs into a TV or monitor
 Inexpensive(ish) ~$35 each
 Capability:
Programming
Electronic Projects
Office
Play HD Videos
 A low cost, credit-card sized
computer
40 Pins GPIO

USB Ports
LCD Display

RJ 45

Power HDMI 3.5mm Audio