Guide to ARDUINO

 This blog post aims at introducing beginners to the world of Arduino. I know its pretty late but still its never late to learn..!!!

Lets start with What is an arduino?

Arduino is an Open-Source programming board that has an established interface between software and hardware components. The board can be easily programmed using C language ( Arduino programming language) on an Arduino IDE ( Integrated Development Environment)i.e the Arduino software.

You can use an Arduino board to implement any project that either provides input to the externally connected sensors or receives output from the same sensors. Most common example can be hooking an led to an arduino board and programming it to blink at any time duration, be it 2 seconds or 2 milliseconds.It can also be used to run a motor, operate the switches at your home.! The fascinating thing about an Arduino board is that it can be used by any age-group. From students,hobbyists to professionals, anyone can learn to use it with ease.

Selecting an Arduino board over other prototype boards has its own advantages. These include:

1. Cost-effective or rather Inexpensive.
2. Simple Programming which can be easily read and understood by everyone.
3. Multi-platform support across Windows, Mac and Linux.
4. It can be even implemented on a Breadboard.

There are several variants on an Arduino Board notably:

1. Arduino Uno (R1,R2,R3)
2.  Arduino Mega
3. Arduino Zero
4. Arduino Gemma.                                                                                            

For more such products, refer to the link : https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Products

Today, I am gonna talk about Arduino Uno R3 version which is easily avaliable in the market. The Uno is based on ATmegsa328P  microcontroller.

The image above is that of an Arduino Uno R3 board. Looking at the board, you can easily spot the ATmega328 microcontroller which has an operating voltage of  5V  and includes 14 digital input/output pins out of which 6 are PWM pins. The pins marked with a ~ ( pin number 3,5,6,9,10,11) are PWM pins. There are 6 analog inputs ( pin number A0 A1,A2,A3,A4,A5). It also has a 16 Mhz quartz crystal and connectors to facilitate a connection between the USB and power port to the computer.

I will not go too much into the hardware specifications which are easily avaliable on Arduino Uno Specs for enthusiasts who would like get in-depth knowledge. The basic know-how which any beginner requires is how to connect the sensors or external peripherals to the arduino and the how to code so as to operate them.

Basic Connection Guidelines

Arduino Uno Pins

The USB plug in the above image is to be connected to the USB port on the computer. You can also power up the Arduino using an external power supply of upto 12V.

The Serial Out( TX) and Serial In(RX) are used for serial communication. You can hook them up to a Bluetooth module or any other such module. You can also define the serial pins on any other digital pin too.

The digital pins are essentially used to connecting various sensors to the Arduino. You can either send values/operation commands to the sensor and also receive input from the sensor.Many sensors are digital in nature and can easily connect to the digital pins of the Arduino using jumpers. You can also power the sensors through the 5V power pin or the 3.3V power pin as per the requirement of the sensors.Most sensors would easily be powered up by these two power pins. However, motor drivers like L-298N and L-293D have to be powered using an external power supply which depends on the power rating of the respective motor drivers.

You also have onboard Ground Pins(GND) to which the GND of the sensors is connected.The point to be noted here is that the GND pins of the Arduino SHOULD be connected to the GND pins of all the sensors that you are using. It should also be connected to the GND pin of the above mentioned motor drivers. Apart from this you can provide an voltage input through the Voltage In pin although it is preferred not to so use this pin so as to avoid shorting the arduino.

The Analog pins essentially are connected to those sensors which require an analog input,preferably line follower modules for example QRD1114 Analogue line follower module.

For now that is is Folks.!!.. 

If you have any doubts feel free to comment them down below..