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Arduino Beginner Course Overview

Jun 27, 2025

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Overview

This hands-on Arduino course teaches beginners the essentials of working with microcontrollers, electronics, and basic programming through step-by-step projects. By the end, you’ll be able to design, build, and code your own Arduino circuits and solve real-world problems.

Getting Started with Arduino

  • No prior experience in electronics or programming is needed; this course is beginner-friendly.
  • You can follow along using a physical Arduino kit or the Tinkercad online simulator.
  • Recommended starter kits are Inland (US) or Elegoo (non-US) kits; check required components before starting.

Breadboards and Building Circuits

  • Breadboards allow easy, safe, and flexible connections between Arduino and components.
  • Breadboard rows are connected horizontally (A–E, F–J), columns on the edges are vertically connected.
  • Breadboards prevent short circuits and make prototyping complex circuits manageable.

Understanding Resistors

  • Resistors limit current to prevent damage to LEDs and other components.
  • Use Ohm’s Law: V = I * R; for LEDs, select a resistor (~300-400Ω) to keep current under 20mA.
  • Identify resistor values with color codes or a multimeter.*

LEDs and Circuit Assembly

  • LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) emit light when current flows from anode (longer leg, positive) to cathode (shorter leg, negative).
  • LEDs require a current-limiting resistor to prevent burning out.
  • LEDs convert electrical energy directly to light efficiently, unlike traditional bulbs.

Powering Circuits: Arduino vs Batteries

  • Arduino’s 5V output can act as a power source, but it’s programmable for smart control.
  • Batteries can power basic circuits but can’t be programmed to control components.

Arduino Programming Basics

  • Use Arduino IDE or web editor to write and upload code.
  • Code structure: void setup() runs once for initialization; void loop() runs repeatedly.
  • pinMode(pin, INPUT/OUTPUT) sets pin function; digitalWrite(pin, HIGH/LOW) controls output pins.
  • Capitalization and semicolons are critical for proper code function.

Blinking LED & Delays

  • Without a delay, on/off states switch too fast to see; use delay(milliseconds) to slow changes.
  • Example Blink code: turn LED on (HIGH), delay, turn off (LOW), delay, repeat.

Homework Example: Traffic Light

  • Build a circuit with three LEDs (green, yellow, red) using three digital pins.
  • Control timings with delays (green/red for 5s, yellow for 1s).

Using Variables

  • Variables store data (e.g., int delayTime = 3000;) to make code cleaner and updates easier.
  • Use meaningful names for clarity; changing a variable updates all related timings.

Digital vs Analog Pins & PWM

  • Digital pins: ON/OFF (HIGH/LOW), analog pins: read varying voltage values (0–1023).
  • Some digital pins support PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for dimming LEDs (values 0–255).
  • analogWrite(pin, value) provides intermediate voltages by switching rapidly.

Reading Sensors & Serial Monitor

  • Use analogRead(pin) to read analog sensor values (0–1023).
  • Use the Serial Monitor to output sensor readings to your computer for debugging and analysis.

Working with Sensors

  • Photoresistor: resistance changes with light; used in automatic lights.
  • Thermistor: resistance changes with temperature; used for temperature measurement.
  • Temperature sensor (e.g., LM35): outputs voltage proportional to temperature; convert voltage to °C/°F/K in code.

Switches and Buttons

  • Switches control the flow of electricity; pushbuttons make/break a connection when pressed.
  • Use the correct breadboard orientation; parallel pins are always connected, side pins create the switch.

RGB LEDs & Color Mixing

  • RGB LEDs have four legs: one common (ground) and red, green, blue controls.
  • Use PWM to mix any color—set each R, G, B pin between 0–255 using analogWrite.
  • Use an online color picker to find RGB values for specific colors.

Seven-Segment and Multi-Digit Displays

  • Seven-segment displays show digits using seven LEDs; four-digit displays use shared segment pins and digit control pins.
  • Multiplexing: Only one digit is lit at a time, but switching happens so quickly it appears all are lit.
  • Use libraries (e.g., SevSeg) to simplify coding for multi-digit displays.

Buzzer & Sound Output

  • Active buzzer: plays tone when powered; passive buzzer: needs a rapidly changing signal (PWM or tone()).
  • Buzzer polarity matters; use a resistor or diode if specified.

LED Matrix Displays

  • LED matrices allow you to display letters, numbers, and simple graphics.
  • Control which LEDs light up by setting specific rows and columns to HIGH/LOW.
  • Use an online matrix editor to design patterns and translate them into code.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Breadboard — Board for connecting electronic components without soldering.
  • Resistor — Limits current flow in a circuit.
  • Ohm’s Law — Relationship: Voltage = Current × Resistance.
  • LED (Light Emitting Diode) — Semiconductor device emitting light when powered.
  • PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) — Technique for simulating analog output on digital pins.
  • Analog Pin — Reads varying input signals (e.g., sensors), range 0–1023.
  • Digital Pin — Outputs or reads only HIGH (5V) or LOW (0V).
  • Serial Monitor — Tool to view data sent from Arduino to computer.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Complete all hands-on projects from each section.
  • Use the online Tinkercad simulator if you lack hardware.
  • Homework: Build a traffic light, expand LED matrix with more patterns/letters, experiment with sensors.
  • Read library documentation for advanced components (SevSeg, LED matrix).
  • Continue exploring with personal Arduino projects for deeper learning.

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