Learn Programming and Electronics with Arduino

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Podcast Learn Programming and Electronics with Arduino

Video lessons on learning programming and electronics with Arduino. This is part of our Arduino Crash Course and Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners. It's designed to take someone with little or no experience in programming and electronics and get them fast-tracked to learning the skills to prototype using Arduino.

  1. 29/08/2017

    Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners 2nd Edition

    Learn Programming and Electronics with Arduino

    3 min

  2. 28/04/2017

    What is Arduino?

    Have you seen some really cool stuff being made with a thing called Arduino? What is Arduino anyway? It sounds like an Italian sandwich with extra cheese or something... Well - it's that and a lot more. I hope this video can help explain some the basic premise of the Arduino!

    4 min

  3. 27/04/2017

    How to change the font color in the Arduino IDE

    Have you ever wanted to change the font color in the Arduino IDE? Maybe it is hard for you to read the light grey comments in the Arduino IDE, or maybe you prefer something a little bolder. Whatever your reason, in this short video, I demonstrate a relatively easy way to change the font color of comments.

    5 min

  4. 26/04/2017

    Use Serial.print() to display Arduino output on your computer monitor: Part 2

    In many cases while using an Arduino, you will want to see the data being generated by the Arduino. One common method of doing this is using the Serial.print() function from the Serial library to display information to your computer’s monitor. In this week’s episode we will talk about the intricacies of the Serial.print() function.  This is the second part of a two part series on the Serial.print() function (Click here for the first part). Here are the exact topics we will cover in this lesson: Adjusting the number of digits to be displayed after the decimal point with the Serial.print() function. Adjusting the format to display with the Serial.print() function Formatting the output with text and tabs If you enjoyed this video, you should consider signing up for our free Arduino Crash Course - it has 19 high quality video training classes to help build your imagination with Arduino.

    6 min

  5. 25/04/2017

    Use Serial.print() to Display Arduino output on your computer monitor: Part 1

    In many cases while using an Arduino, you will want to see the data being generated by the Arduino. One common method of doing this is using the Serial.print() function from the Serial library to display information to your computer’s monitor. In this week’s episode, we will talk about the intricacies of the Serial.print() function. This is the first part, of a two part series on the Serial.print() function. Here are the specific topics we will cover in this lesson: Why would you want to use the Serial.print() function? A brief overview of the Serial library The basic use of the Serial.print() function Like this video?  Sign up for our FREE Arduino Crash Course to get more videos that don't assume you have a PhD. Why Would You Want to Use the Serial.print() Function? You may know that a function is a programming tool - it performs a specific task for you. The Serial.print() function’s task is to send information from your Arduino to your computer, so you can see the value displayed on your computer’s monitor. There are an endless number of reasons you may want to send information from the Arduino to a computer display, but two reasons really stand out to me: The first reason is being able to see information that you are generating with your Arduino. For example, if you have a temperature sensor hooked up to your Arduino and you want to see the value that the temperature sensor is recording, then you can use the Serial.print() function to send the data to a computer monitor via the USB cable. If you open up the serial monitor window (Tools > Serial Monitor), you will see the values streaming in from the Arduino. The other big reason to send information to a computer display using the Serial.print() function is for developing and debugging Arduino sketches. Very often, when you are developing an Arduino sketch, what you end up coding does something differently than what you expected it to do. Maybe you have a variable that gets incremented every so often and blinks an LED when it reaches a threshold. When you upload the code to the Arduino, you notice that the LED is blinking more often than it should. You can look at the code until your eyes bleed, but actually visualizing the variable being incremented [via the Serial.print() function], to see its values every time through the loop() can help explain what is happening very quickly. A Brief Overview of the Serial Library We can’t talk about the Serial.print() function, without briefly talking about the Serial library. Generally speaking, a library is simply a collection of functions that all have something in common. The print() function is part of a library called the Serial library. Now, it's not cereal like Cheerios or Captain Crunch we're talking about - it's serial as in “one after another”. The serial library allows us to interface the Arduino with other hardware, like a computer. In order for us to use the functions of the Serial library, we have to initiate serial communication - to do this we use the Serial.begin() function. Serial.begin() needs to go in the setup(). void setup() { //Initiate Serial communication. Serial.begin(9600); } Now for reasons beyond the scope of this discussion, it is convenient to use the number 9600 in the Serial.begin() function. The value 9600 specifies the baud rate. The baud rate is the rate at which information will pass from the Arduino to the computer, or in the other direction. The Basic Use of the Serial.print() Function Let's talk about how to use the Serial.print() function. Say we have a sketch. This sketch has a variable called coolFactor. I want to be able to monitor the value of the coolFactor variable – that is, I want it displayed on my computer screen. A perfect use for the Serial.print() function! The first thing we must do in the Arduino sketch is begin serial communications. Like we just said, we use the Serial.begin() function and place it within the setup()

    9 min

  6. 24/04/2017

    How to make a secret knock detector to trigger anything with only an Arduino and a few cheap components

    There are a couple good use-case scenarios for making a secret knock detector using an Arduino. You are a spy who needs to authenticate your cohorts You are a super hero who wants a secret knock to open the entrance to your lair Whatever the reason - by the end of this tutorial you will know how to use an Arduino, a piezo transducer and a couple other cheap components to make secret knock detector. Here is an overview of exactly what we will talk about in this lesson: The components you will need and how to set up this simple circuit. The concept of operation of this secret knock detector A thorough description of each block of code in the Arduino sketch Why North American grizzly bears love piezo transducers For this secret knock detector circuit you need: Arduino (I use the Arduino Uno) [1] Solderless breadboard [1] 1 Mohm Resistor [1] Piezo transducer (aka buzzer) [1] Jumper wires [4] 5.1V Zener diode (for extra protection) [1] No spill stopper for a “to-go” coffee cup How to set up the Circuit: This is a really simple circuit to setup, below are step-by-step instructions and a breadboard diagram. Place the piezo transducer on the breadboard, with the positive lead and the negative lead on separate rails. Connect the positive lead to pin A0 on the Arduino and the other lead to ground. Finally, use the 1Mohm resistor to connect the leads of the piezo transducer. As an additional level of protection, you might consider adding a 5.1V zener diode between the leads to protect against high voltage spikes from frying your input pin - you might call it a cheap insurance policy. An Overview of this Secret Knock Detectors operation Here is the basic concept of how this will work. We want something to happen when you tap out a secret code. We will create a sequence of soft and hard taps - this will be our secret code which will be represented as 0’s and 1’s in an array. For example: secretKnock[secretKnockLength] = {0, 0, 1, 0}; The code above represents a secret code of soft , soft , hard, soft . The piezo transducer will turn the mechanical pressure created by the tap into a signal that the Arduino analog pin can read. The level of the signal will determine whether a tap gets characterized as soft or hard. The threshold of a soft vs hard tap need to be determined empirically, once you have the circuit built - it will depend on what you have the piezo transducer attached to - I have mine taped to a piece of paper. You should start with the default threshold values provided in the sketch and change them to suit your specific setup. Once a tap signal is picked up by the Arduino, the sketch will compare the entered sequence of taps to the secret code, one tap at a time. If the code is entered correctly, then we will trigger an action on the output pin. In this code below, we trigger an LED to turn on for a couple seconds - but you could trigger a servo arm, a pump, or whatever you might need. If the code is entered incorrectly - nothing happens. Here is the code for your hacking enjoyment: /* A simple sketch to detect a secret knock using a piezo transducer Created JUL 2015 by Michael James http://www.programmingelectronics.com/ This code is in the public domain */ const int outputPin = 6; // led indicator connected to digital pin const int knockSensor = A0; // the piezo is connected to an analog pin const int thresholdHIGH = 150; // threshold value to decide when the detected knock is hard (HIGH) const int thresholdLOW = 120; // threshold value to decide when the detected knock is gentle (LOW) const int secretKnockLength = 4; //How many knocks are in your secret knock /* This is the secret knock sequence * 0 represents a LOW or quiet knock * 1 represents a HIGH or loud knock * The sequence can be as long as you like, but longer codes increase the difficulty of matching */ const int secretKnock[secretKnockLength] = {0, 0, 1, 0}; int secretCounter = 0; //this tracks the correct

    13 min

  7. 23/04/2017

    Arduino Pseudo Random Non-Consecutive Number Generator

    In this video we demonstrate how to create pseudo random numbers with Arduino - with a useful twist. This lesson was inspired by the following viewer question: How do I create Random Non-Consecutive numbers with Arduino? P.S. These are the best tutorials that a complete idiot like you could ever make, thanks. -Chris Let's overview exactly what we will talk about in today's episode: Talk about pseudo random numbers. Identify the problem - using an Arduino sketch to demonstrate. Discuss how we might solve the problem. Write an Arduino sketch that solves the problem. Review what we talked about. Before we answer the viewer’s question it is important to talk about what a pseudo random number is. A purely random number in the mathematical sense can't be predicted. The microcontroller that the Arduino uses (and for that case, most computers in general) can't really create pure random numbers. What they create instead are called pseudo random numbers. These are numbers that appear to be randomly generated, but if studied over time a predictable pattern emerges. The bottom line is that the random numbers we create with Arduino can be predicted. Now there are clever ways to create pseudo random numbers that act like the real deal – you can learn about one method in our video tutorial talking all about random numbers – but for this discussion, let’s return to our viewers inquiry. Identify the Viewer’s Problem - use an Arduino sketch to demonstrate. Ok, so let's go back to the viewers question, he wants to generate random numbers, but he never wants the same number generated two times in a row. Let's write an Arduino Sketch to make this clear. //This sketch outputs pseudo random integers. //A variable to hold pseudo random integers. int randomInt = 0; void setup() { //Initiate serial communication. Serial.begin(9600); }//Close setup function void loop() { //Create a random number and assign it to the randomInt variable. randomInt = random(0, 10); //Send randomInt to the serial port for displaying on the serial monitor window. Serial.print(randomInt); }//Close loop function. In the first block of code a variable that will hold the pseudo random integers is declared and initialized. //A variable to hold pseudo random integers. int randomInt = 0; In the setup() function we begin serial communication in order to display the numbers we generate on a computer display. void setup() { //Initiate serial communication. Serial.begin(9600); }//Close setup function In the loop() we create the random number with the Arduino random() function and assign the output to the variable we had just created. The random() function can take two arguments 1) the minimum value of the number we want generated 2) the maximum value we want generated. //Create a random number and assign it to the randomInt variable. randomInt = random(0, 10); I will use 0 for the minimum, and 10 for the maximum. Every time through the loop, a new random number will be assigned the randomInt variable. Finally, the value of randomInt is sent over the serial port to be displayed in the serial monitor window. //Send randomInt to the serial port for displaying on the serial monitor window. Serial.print(randomInt); If you upload this code and open the serial monitor you will see in some cases where the same number shows up two times in a row. This is the problem.  The viewer doesn't ever want the same number two times in a row.  Discuss how we might solve the problem. So let's talk about how we might solve this problem.  We know we need to generate a random number. What if we create a variable to track the previous random number? Then we could use a condition that says something like "If the previous random number is equal to the random number that was just generated, toss that number out the window, and create a different one.” The final thing we would need to do is set the previous

    11 min

  8. 22/04/2017

    A Review of Make: Magazine

    I don’t subscribe to many magazines, but I love my subscription to Make: magazine. And even though I rarely have time to sit down and enjoy a magazine in peace and quiet (parents forget what peace and quiet means), I still manage to get through my Make: magazine cover to cover. I like it that much! This video is a short review of why I enjoy Make: magazine, and why I think you would enjoy it too. Here are some highlights: 1. Make: Magazine is published every 2 months. 2. Filled with detailed step-by-step projects 3. Has interesting editorial articles about technology 4. Covers a lot of hobby electronics topics (like Arduino) 5. Has sections dedicated to skill building Total Honesty: Nobody paid me to make this review of Make: magazine. I made this video because I personally enjoy the content and rigor and think you might like it too. That being said - if you are interested in subscribing to Make: magazine I would love for you to use the link below if you so choose: Click Here to Check Out Make: Magazine The above is an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, I get a kick back from subscriptions that originate from the link. This cash allows me to furnish my mansion in downtown Manhattan, make necessary repairs to my yachts, and fuel the Lamborghini for joy rides. Do you subscribe to Make: magazine? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

    9 min
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Video lessons on learning programming and electronics with Arduino. This is part of our Arduino Crash Course and Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners. It's designed to take someone with little or no experience in programming and electronics and get them fast-tracked to learning the skills to prototype using Arduino.

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