Arduino Lessons

Table of Contents

Lesson 1

Topics

  • Arduino board and pinout, breadboard, components
  • Install Arduino IDE
  • How to program Arduino
  • Electronic basics and circuit

Hands-on

Program push button to control the on-board LED and another wired LED

Think about it

How is the push button different from the wall-switch in your house?

Lesson 2

Topics

  • Arduino programming patterns
  • Common functions
  • Common logic control and timing control
  • Circuit schematics

Hands-on

Simulate traffic lights with 3 LEDs: Green, Yellow, and Red, using a push button and timer to change a light.
Bonus: Use timer to simulate traffic lights, and use button and a white LED to simulate pedestrial crossing.

Think about it

Why can this push button do a lot more than the wall-switch in your house?

Lesson 3

Topics

  • Wiring diagram and circuit schematics
  • Analog vs. digital
  • Analog inputs, voltage divider and map()
  • Analog outputs and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)

Hands-on

Use various analog input sensors (potentimeter, photoresistor, etc) to blink an LED at different speeds.

Use buzzer to make some music

Think about it

In real world, what signals are analog or digital?

Lesson 4

Topics

  • Components: resistor, LED, motor, diode, transistor, etc.
  • Component capabilities, symbols and determine their parameters
  • Sensors: simple or advanced inputs
  • Use serial port for debug printout
  • Use serial port for input control

Hands-on

Use an RGB LED to show different colors based on serial inputs

Think about it

Use serial port for communicating with other networked host?

Lesson 5

Topics

  • Simple Relay. Type of Relay. Usage and safety.
  • Relay boards
  • Servo and motor, and circuit safety measure with a diode, transistor, and capacitor
  • Motor driver IC chips and boards

Hands-on

Let's make something that moves;
Also control electrical outlet to turn on a fan, based on temperature

Think about it

Difference between servo and motor? (function, wiring, usage, etc.)
Review electronic safety notes.

Lesson 6

Topics

  • Use Arduino library. Library directory and loading order.
  • Displays: LCD 16x2 characters; 7-segment digit; TFT display

Hands-on

Measure temperature, display it on LCD screen, and indicate it is hot or cold.

Think about it

Do you have an idea about how an Air Condition control panel works now?

Lesson 7

Topics

  • Advanced peripheral interface
  • UART
  • I2C
  • SPI

Hands-on

Demo and try on various peripherals over UART, I2C, and SPI interface

Lesson 8 - 10

Team Project

  • Project idea formulation
  • How to break down the projects into small parts
  • How to source necessary components for the project
  • Plan, build, and share
  • Car assembly, Control and Sensor programming, Schematic
  • Create webpage to showcase your project
  • Present the final project

Hands-on

Make a self-driving (or self-wandering:) car that never bumps to wall or falls from stairs
Team to discuss and add more capabilities to the car.