Lesson 1: Introduction to
Arduino
Objectives:
• At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. describe an Arduino;
2. understand the function of an Arduino;
3. understand the difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller; and
4. identify the different types of microcontrollers.
What is Arduino?
Arduino is an open-source
electronics platform that is easy-to-
use hardware and software. This
board can read inputs with sensors
like light, sound, range, touch,
pressing a button, or typing a
command that turns into an output
like activating an LED, motor, or
displaying characters on a screen.
What is a Microprocessor?
• A microprocessor is
a small electronic
device that contains
the function of the
control and logic
operations of a digital
computer or known
as the Central
Processing Unit.
What is a Microcontroller?
• A microcontroller is
a compact integrated
circuit that includes a
processor, memory,
and input and
output peripherals.
Characteristics
Microprocessor Microcontroller
• Microprocessors work at very high speed. • Slow speed of operation.
• They are small. • It uses a micro-CPU using a lower frequency.
• Microprocessors are programmable. • Peripherals (timers, counters, etc.) are
• They are expensive due to integrated circuit embedded in the chip.
technology. • Suitable for bit-wise operations.
• Power usage is very low due to metal oxide • Less expensive.
semiconductor technology usage. • Boolean operations are supported.
• Reliable, failure rate is very low. • Use in real-time applications.
• Lower heat generation as semiconductor
devices emits very less heat.
Diagram
Several Types of Microcontrollers
in an Embedded System
• PIC Microcontroller, PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller), is a kind of
microcontroller that can be used in electronics, robotics, and other similar
devices. PIC unit has a built-in data memory, data bus, and dedicated
microprocessor for preparing all I/O devices.
• ARM Microcontroller, ARM (Advanced RISC Machine), is the most popular
Microcontrollers Programming in the digitally-embedded system world. Most
industries prefer to use only ARM microcontrollers since it has a significant
feature to implement products with an excellent appearance. It has a cost-
sensitive and high-performance device used in various applications such as
Industrial Instrument control systems, wireless networking, sensors,
automotive body systems, etc.
Several Types of Microcontrollers
in an Embedded System
• 8051 Microcontroller, 8051 microcontrollers were created by Intel in 1981. It
is an 8-bit microcontroller. It is made of 40 pins DIP (Dual inline package), 4kb
of ROM storage, 128 bytes of RAM storage, and two 16-bit timers. It consists
of four parallel 8-bit ports, which are programmable and addressable as per
the specification.
• AVR Microcontroller, AVR (Alf and Vegard's RISC Processor), was modified by
Harvard architecture machine where programs and data were stored in a
separate physical memory system that appears in different address spaces but
can browse information from program memory victimization in particular
directions.
Several Types of Microcontrollers
in an Embedded System
• MSP Microcontroller, MSP (Mixed Signal Processor), is
from the family of Texas Instruments. Built around a 16
-bit CPU, the MSP is designed for low-cost and low-
power dissipation embedded statements. The
controller's appearance is directly related to the 16-bit
data bus, seven addressing modes, and the decreased
instructions set, which allows a shorter, denser
programming code for fast performance.
Several Types of Prototyping
Microcontrollers
• Raspberry Pi is a bank-card-sized single-board
computer that can be used in many applications.
It has the capability of a regular desktop. It can be
connected to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on
a microchip. It has 20 digital I/O pins. It is
designed to make electronics accessible to
everyone interested in electronics and
programming.
Several Types of Prototyping
Microcontrollers
• Arduino Nano is a compact micro board
powerful enough to hold 16 MHz of frequency,
which is the same as Arduino UNO; however, it
does not have a DC power jack.
• Makeblock mCore is a microcontroller that
powers the mBot, with built-in I/O
components like RGB LED, buzzer, light
sensors, motors, and other communicating
devices.
Lesson 2: The Arduino Board
Objectives:
• At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. identify the parts of an Arduino Board; and
2. describe the functions of an Arduino Board.
The Arduino Board
• Arduino UNO is a microcontroller board
based on the ATmega328P. It has 14
digital input/output pins (six pins can be
used as PWM outputs), six analog
inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, a
USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP
header, and a reset button
The Arduino Board
• DFRduino Uno V3.0 is a small
computing board used for academics or
development projects. It is a simple
microcontroller board that is fully
compatible with the Arduino Uno
R3 and Arduino IDE open-source
development environment.
The Arduino Board
• DFRduino microcontroller headers
have different colors to feature I/O
ports of different types:
• Red for Power Section.
• Blue for Analog I/O.
• Green for Digital I/O.
Specifications
• Microcontroller: ATmega328 (DIP Package)
• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Input Voltage (recommended): 7 ~ 12V
• Input Voltage (limits): 6 ~ 20V
• Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
• Analog Input Pins: 6
• DC Current per I/O Pin: 40 mA
• DC Current for 3.3V Pin: 50 mA
• Flash Memory: 32 KB, of which the bootloader uses 2KB
• SRAM: 2 KB (ATmega328)
• EEPROM: 1 KB (ATmega328)
• Clock Speed: 16 MHz
• USB Connector: USB-B
• Size: 75 x54 x15 mm (2.95 x2.13 x0.59")
Parts of the Arduino
Microcontroller
1. USB Port - When attached to a computer via USB
cable, it can upload programs and be an alternative
power source for the microcontroller.
2. DC Power Jack – It runs the microcontroller with 7
~ 12 volts of supply.
3. Power Indicator – It lights on/off, indicating power
in the microcontroller.
4. Reset – It resets the running program when
pressed.
5. Digital Pins – These can be used to connect all
digital I/O components to the microcontroller.
∙ Digital Pins: 0 -13
∙ PWM Pins: 3,5,6,9,10,11
∙ Ground Pins
∙ AREF: Reference voltage for the analog inputs.
Parts of the Arduino
Microcontroller
6. Analog Pins – These can be used to connect
all analog I/O components to the
microcontroller.
∙ Analog Pins: A0-A5
7. Power Pins – These can be used to power a
component attached to the microcontroller.
∙ Output Power: 3.3V ~ 5V
∙ Ground Pins
∙ Vin Pins: voltage input to the
microcontroller board when using an
external power source.
8. Signal Indicator TX- It blinks when
transmitting data.
9. Signal Indicator RX- It blinks when receiving
data.
10. Signal Indicator L – It blinks when pin 13 is
alternately turned HIGH and LOW or On and Off
which means everything is working correctly.