(Now a bi-weekly program)

January 22, 2013

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Arduino Design Tactics

Overview   

Okay, so who hasn't heard of the Arduino in the last couple of years? It's actually been pretty hard to avoid. But have you given it a try yet for a project on the bench? Perhaps a VFO controller, or maybe a dedicated voltmeter, antenna rotor controller, code practice oscillator ... the list goes on! The Arduino is designed for use by non-techie users: artists to add lights and sound to their works, musicians to add new dimensions to their instruments, hobbyists building robots and R/C vehicles, homeowners to make custom home automation, and tinkerers to make unique alarm systems. The functional modules are simple to use and require only basic electronic and software skills.

We'll be overviewing the different types of Arduinos, the interfaces and the various canned software modules available for it ... and per usual, provide a refined and carefully-crafted set of references to assist you in your Arduino homebrewing adventures!

73, George N2APB  & Joe N2CX

Audio Recording ... (Listen to the MP3 podcast)

Discussion Notes:

<20:00:52> "Ray K2ULR": If AD7BP (Bob) joins, he has done an Arduino project.
<20:12:54> "Todd K7TFC": Here's a YouTube link to a TED Talk presentation by Massimo Banzi, one of the developers: "How Arduino is open-sourcing imagination."
<20:13:26> "Todd K7TFC": Sorry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoBUXOOdLXY
<20:18:15> "Alan W2AEW": Really nice video playlist on Arduinos - starting from scratch:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCxzA9_kg6s&list=ECA567CE235D39FA84
<20:18:34> "John - NG0R (Mac)": The genius of the arduino platform is the low barrier to entry; low cost, cross platform tools, simple language, showing up in stores and online
<20:19:49> "George - N2APB": Ahhhh, LOW COST ... a big point that I neglected to mention. Thanks John.
<20:20:56> "Dan KB9JLO": Great tutorial site: http://tronixstuff.wordpress.com/tutorials/
<20:23:33> "Mike WA8BXN": do any of them have a network port?
<20:23:51> "John - NG0R (Mac)": you can get a network shield
<20:23:54> "Alan W2AEW": You can get an Ethernet shield for them
<20:24:04> "Terry WB4JFI": I've used wired ethernet some - works great.
<20:24:21> "Terry WB4JFI": Wifi shields are more of a pain.
<20:24:40> "Terry WB4JFI": Sparkfun is another great source for Arduino boards and shields
<20:30:56> "Frank N3PUU": I like the RBBB and BBB kits from moderndevice for breadboard prototyping with arduino (http://shop.moderndevice.com/collections/arduino-freeduino/)
<20:32:39> "Dan KB9JLO": I'm working on a larger LCD screen plus encoder, keypad for FT-817
<20:35:35> "Alan W2AEW": I already emailed it to you, George
<20:39:23> "Alan W2AEW": Here's a picture of my XY callsign: http://www.qsl.net/w2aew//image001.jpg
<20:42:34> "Joe N2CX": WSPR = Weak Signal Propagation Reporter, I think
<20:43:07> "Rick K3IND": Can you recommend an online or printed guide to learning C specifically for the Arduino?
<20:43:52> "Alan W2AEW": user anonymous is on vox causing echo
<20:43:53> "Todd K7TFC": Alan W2AEW: Very cool scope screen!
<20:44:38> "Alan W2AEW": Rick - the Arduino Cookbook is a good language tutorial
<20:45:40> "Alan W2AEW": Thank you Todd!
<20:48:00> "Sam NV1P": I wonder if it would be possible to implement being able to display a call sign (or any text) using the scopes normal sweep (not XY mode)
<20:54:17> "Alan W2AEW": Sam, that would be tough because the sweep moves in one direction. However, you could potentially do it "TV" style by scanning lines
<20:54:52> "Sam NV1P": not if your scopes blanking circuit doesn't work. hi hi
<20:55:45> "Alan W2AEW": True - and most digital scopes don't have z-axis modulation (poo!)
<20:56:20> "Sam NV1P": I was just thinking that you could use Z axis. But that's why all of my scopes are tube Tek (mostly 500 series)
<20:57:27> "Todd K7TFC": I inadvertently bought blank Nano cards for the MMduinoNano by Propox (I thought they were kits). I'm looking for bootloader-programmed ATmega328 chips (Propox doesn't have them). Any ideas?
<20:57:29> "Alan W2AEW": Of course. I used the Z-axis on a couple of videos I did. One creating a "marker" on a scope trace. And another to display composite video on my scope.
<20:58:46> "Terry WB4JFI": Sparkfun also sells the AtMega328 with the Arduino bootloader. $5.50 I think
<20:59:08> "Sam NV1P": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1eNjUgaB-g ... my new goal: get an Arduino to do this
<21:00:05> "Alan W2AEW": Limor Freid (ladyada) was voted entrepreneur of the year 2012 http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225213
<21:00:14> "Terry WB4JFI": Just the chip, ma'am: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10524
<21:00:18> "Mike KD4SGN": @Todd: Ebay #121022947118
<21:01:06> "Alan W2AEW": Sam - my composite video to scope converter circuit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYF5uhCzAM
<21:06:44> "Todd K7TFC": Thanks, Terry and Mike!!
<21:07:58> "Sam NV1P": Alan, I think I may need to send you an email.
<21:08:39> "Alan W2AEW": Sam - email is alan.wolke _at_ gmail.com
<21:11:08> "Todd K7TFC": The Sparkfun chip is the DIP version, and the one on eBay is the SMD chip. That's the one I need, and in fact I just "bought it now." Thanks again, guys!
<21:11:23> "Mike KD4SGN": Todd,
<21:11:35> "Mike KD4SGN": Todd, I had good luck with that one.
<21:12:13> "Todd K7TFC": Mike: Great!!
<21:12:33> "Carl w2ptz": As a real newbie in digital techniques thanks all for a great learning experience
<21:14:37> "Alan W2AEW": George - did you see the video I did last year showing the testing of the DDS60 that I assembled for a friend? It was before I got an arduino - so I controlled it with a parallel port https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxQOSprOo04
<21:23:09> "Bill - KD5TFD": You need a Frys!
<21:24:33> "Todd K7TFC": George, What was the name of that store, again?
<21:24:58> "N8WQ - Al": Micro Center?
<21:25:02> "Brent KD0GLS": Todd, Microcenter
<21:25:04> "Bill - KD5TFD": Think it's Micro Center: http://www.microcenter.com/
<21:25:14> "Todd K7TFC": Thanks!!
<21:27:49> "Terry WB4JFI": Microcenter in Vienna Virginia, I MISS IT!!
<21:27:49> "Todd K7TFC": Phooey! None in Oregon!
<21:27:51> "N8WQ - Al": Columbus and Cincy
<21:28:26> "Nancy NJ8B": George...both you and Joe do a superb job with CWTD, keep up the good work.
<21:28:29> "Ray K2ULR": Also a Micro Center in Radnor, PA
<21:29:08> "George - N2APB": Thank you Nancy! And it is SO nice to see you here in the group. Stay warm there in WV this week :-)
<21:29:25> "Frank N3PUU": great job guys! Looking forward to seeing more on this..
<21:29:27> "Jim N2GXJ (w2mmd.org)": Thanks George and Joe, looking forward to your presentation Feb 6 at GCARC in SNJ! Jim
<21:29:47> "Joe N2CX": the microcenter in pa is in st davids near radnor
<21:30:16> "Brent KD0GLS": Thanks gang, I had a good first time here.
<21:30:31> "Todd K7TFC": Many thanks, Folks!!!
<21:30:43> "Mike KD4SGN": Thanks, guy, great program.
<21:30:45> "Ray K2ULR": 73
<21:31:00> "W0ANM - Chris": Thanks Joe and George.

SESSION NOTES ....  Arduino Design Tactics

 

 

So just what IS the Arduino?

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).

The boards can be built by hand or purchased preassembled; the software can be downloaded for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are available under an open-source license, you are free to adapt them to your needs.

 

 

 

Arduino Platform Overview

    (For a complete overview and comparisons of boards, see the index of Arduino boards.

 

    Duemilanove ... http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardDuemilanove

    

The Arduino Duemilanove ("2009") is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega168 (datasheet) or ATmega328 (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

"Duemilanove" means 2009 in Italian and is named after the year of its release.

Market price ... ~ $25

           

 

 

    Uno  ... http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardUno

 

The Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328 (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

The Uno differs from all preceding boards in that it does not use the FTDI USB-to-serial driver chip. Instead, it features the Atmega16U2 (Atmega8U2 up to version R2) programmed as a USB-to-serial converter.
Revision 2 of the Uno board has a resistor pulling the 8U2 HWB line to ground, making it easier to put into DFU mode.
Revision 3 of the board has the following new features:

  • 1.0 pinout: added SDA and SCL pins that are near to the AREF pin and two other new pins placed near to the RESET pin, the IOREF that allow the shields to adapt to the voltage provided from the board. In future, shields will be compatible both with the board that use the AVR, which operate with 5V and with the Arduino Due that operate with 3.3V. The second one is a not connected pin, that is reserved for future purposes.
  • Stronger RESET circuit.
  • Atmega 16U2 replace the 8U2.

"Uno" means one in Italian and was named to mark the release of Arduino 1.0. The Uno is one in a series of USB Arduino boards, and the reference model for the Arduino platform.

Market price ... ~ $25

 

Uno Spec Summary

Microcontroller ATmega328
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 (ATmega328) of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
SRAM 2 KB (ATmega328)
EEPROM 1 KB (ATmega328)
Clock Speed 16 MHz

 

               

    Nano... http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardNano

       

The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328 (Arduino Nano 3.0) or ATmega168 (Arduino Nano 2.x). It has more or less the same functionality of the Arduino Duemilanove, but in a different package. It lacks only a DC power jack, and works with a Mini-B USB cable instead of a standard one. The Nano was designed and is being produced by Gravitech.

Power:

The Arduino Nano can be powered via the Mini-B USB connection, 6-20V unregulated external power supply (pin 30), or 5V regulated external power supply (pin 27). The power source is automatically selected to the highest voltage source.

The FTDI FT232RL chip on the Nano is only powered if the board is being powered over USB. As a result, when running on external (non-USB) power, the 3.3V output (which is supplied by the FTDI chip) is not available and the RX and TX LEDs will flicker if digital pins 0 or 1 are high.

Memory

The ATmega168 has 16 KB of flash memory for storing code (of which 2 KB is used for the bootloader); the ATmega328 has 32 KB, (also with 2 KB used for the bootloader). The ATmega168 has 1 KB of SRAM and 512 bytes of EEPROM (which can be read and written with the EEPROM library); the ATmega328 has 2 KB of SRAM and 1 KB of EEPROM.

Market price ... ~ $30

    

 

    Bare Bones "Pre-Programmed" Arduino Chip  ...  http://www.adafruit.com/products/123

           

Want to make the least-expensive, dedicated project just using the Arduino chip?  This is the way for homebrewers to go!

This is a preprogrammed Atmega328P chip, useful if you want to make your own Arduino-compatible or repair a damaged chip on an exisiting Arduino UNO, Duemilanove, Diecimila, or NG!

This chip is programmed with 'ADAboot', the Adafruit version of the bootloader that is "quick-start" NG/diecimila/duemilanove/UNO-compatible. This means that there is still a 5-second delay from when you press the reset button to when the Arduino runs the sketch but that after you upload a new sketch it will begin immediately. This makes the debugging process much faster!

Only $5.95 from http://www.adafruit.com/products/123

 

Benefits of Using the Arduino Platform

Arduino designed for use by non-techie users

-        Artists to add lights and sound to their works

-        Musicians to add new dimensions to their instruments

-        Hobbyists building robots and R/C vehicles

-        Homeowners to make custom home automation

-        Tinkerers to make unique alarm systems

 

Functional modules are simple to use

-        Microcontrollers with common architecture

-        Connections for plug-in shields for added functions

-        Simple programming language with “no-fuss” structure

-        All hardware and software compatible across variations

-        Requires only basic electronics and software skills

 

However overall design is internally sophisticated

-        Based on modern ATMEL microprocessor chips

-        Common module pinouts

-        Hides complexity with clever interfaces

-        Free software to program from home computers

-        Open-source hardware and software

-        Encourages hardware variation that is compatible

-        Encourages sharing software libraries

-        Easy use of custom functions

-        Complexity hidden in easy to use libraries

 

 

Learning to use Arduino

 

Get a basic Arduino processor and beginners parts kit and reference book

-        Make magazine

-        Radio Shack

-        Adafuit

-        MicroCenter

 

Download free programming software for PC, MAC or Linux

-        Get one that is compatible with the Arduino model you will use

 

Chose a good beginner's tutorial and go through it step by step to learn the basics

-        Make magazine

-        Search on-line

-        Adafuit has a good YouTube video tutorial

-        Complete the entire course without skipping over anything

-        Take notes so you will remember how to do important tasks

-        Keep a notebook of programs for future reference

 

 

Before beginning on any large tasks venture on your own build a foundation of skills

 

-        Start with baby steps and add complexity to gain confidence as you learn

-        Write some software make a digital voltmeter

-        Use an analog input and display on computer thru the serial port

-        Connect a potentiometer to the analog input and Arduino dc supply to get varying input

-        Buy a serial LCD display and learn how to output characters to it

-        Interface the voltmeter program to the LCD display

-        Learn how to use program loops to output different audio frequencies

-        Listen to the audio with a piezo element on an Arduino output pin

-        Vary loop timing to set the frequency

-        Use the potentiometer and digital voltmeter to vary the loop timing

-        Observe the output tone to hear the variations

 

-        Gain added skill and experience by following an Arduino Experimeter's book

-        The Arduino Cookbook

-        30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius

 

Inside the Arduino

 

           

 

           

 

 

 

"Shields" ... The hardware interfaces!

 

If you don't want to take a "bare shield board" (shown first below on left) to layout your own custom interface, you can chose from hundreds and hundreds of pre-made, dedicated-function shields for sale inexpensively (~$10 to $50) by various companies ... more than you can shake a stick at!  Everything from LCD boards, to motor controllers, touch screens, Zigby RF controllers, X10 controllers, ... this list goes on and on!  Just plug these standard-sized and standard-pinout interfaces into your Arduino board, load up the software (which is often freely available with the shields) and you'll be off to the races!

 

                   

 

Click on this big image of shields (below) to get to a Google search page, then click on your favorite project to get started!

 

 

 

==> And for even more very cool shields from Maker Shed, visit.... http://www.makershed.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=shield

 

 

 

"Sketches" ... The software programs

 

First ... don't be scared off by "software" ... 99% of the various projects and shields you see around town are downloadable from the Internet and directly usable,
with little-to-no "software" work needing to be done at all by YOU.

 

But if you want to customize things, or start off small and add your own features to an existing design ... just use somebody else's code as a starting point and start making your own incremental improvements!

 

More on Arduino Sketches in the Tutorial ... http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Sketch

 

 

Your Very First Arduino Project ...... http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/

 

 
From the highly-recommended Arduino Tutorial web pages of ladyada ...
 
Limor Fried, aka ladyada, is an American electrical engineer
and owner of the electronics hobbyist company, Adafruit Industries.

Wikipedia
"So, I get two or three emails a day, all basically asking the same thing: "Where can I learn about electronics?" In general, most of these people have seen some of my projects and want to be able to build similar things. Unfortunately, I have never been able to point them to a good site that really takes the reader through a solid introduction to microcontrollers and basic electronics. "
 

Goes well with: Arduino Starter Pack and a nice Merlot

I designed this tutorial course to accompany the Arduino starter pack sold at the Adafruit webshop. The pack contains all the components you need (minus any tools) for the lessons

Lesson Plan

Follow these lessons for happiness and prosperity.

  • Lesson 0
    Pre-flight check...Is your Arduino and computer ready?
  • Lesson 1
    The "Hello World!" of electronics, a simple blinking light
  • Lesson 2
    Sketches, variables, procedures and hacking code
  • Lesson 3
    Breadboards, resistors and LEDs, schematics, and basic RGB color-mixing
  • Lesson 4
    The serial library and binary data - getting chatty with Arduino and crunching numbers
  • Lesson 5
    Buttons & switches, digital inputs, pull-up and pull-down resistors, if/if-else statements, debouncing and your first contract product design.
  • Lesson 6
    LEDs in more detail, Kirchoff's Voltage Law, Ohm's Law and a peek at the potentiometer

 

 

 

 

 

Notable Projects

 

An Arduino based DDS-60 controller ... http://www.theladderline.com/dds-60

 

 

 

 

 

Controlling an AD9851 DDS with an Arduino ... http://blog.marxy.org/2008/05/controlling-ad9851-dds-with-arduino.html

 

 

// Control a AD9851 DDS based on the good work of others including:
// Mike Bowthorpe, http://www.ladyada.net/rant/2007/02/cotw-ltc6903/ and
// http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller/dds.html
// This code by Peter Marks http://marxy.org

#define DDS_CLOCK 180000000

byte LOAD = 8;
byte CLOCK = 9;
byte DATA = 10;
byte LED = 13;

void setup()
{
  pinMode (DATA, OUTPUT); // sets pin 10 as OUPUT
  pinMode (CLOCK, OUTPUT); // sets pin 9 as OUTPUT
  pinMode (LOAD, OUTPUT); // sets pin 8 as OUTPUT
  pinMode (LED, OUTPUT);
}

 		 void loop()
{
  // Do a frequency sweep in Hz
  for(unsigned long freq = 10000000; freq < 10001000; freq++)
  {
    sendFrequency(freq);
    delay(2);
  }
}

void sendFrequency(unsigned long frequency)
{
  unsigned long tuning_word = (frequency * pow(2, 32)) / DDS_CLOCK;
  digitalWrite (LOAD, LOW); // take load pin low

  for(int i = 0; i < 32; i++)
  {
    if ((tuning_word & 1) == 1)
      outOne();
    else
      outZero();
    tuning_word = tuning_word >> 1;
  }
  byte_out(0x09);

  digitalWrite (LOAD, HIGH); // Take load pin high again
}

 void byte_out(unsigned char byte)
{
  int i;

  for (i = 0; i < 8; i++)
  {
    if ((byte & 1) == 1)
      outOne();
    else
      outZero();
    byte = byte >> 1;
  }
}

void outOne()
{
  digitalWrite(CLOCK, LOW);
  digitalWrite(DATA, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(CLOCK, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(DATA, LOW);
}

void outZero()
{
  digitalWrite(CLOCK, LOW);
  digitalWrite(DATA, LOW);
  digitalWrite(CLOCK, HIGH);
}
 




 

Arduino + DDS 60 = RF Fun ...   http://www.hoaglun.com/blog/2012/1/15/arduino-dds-60-rf-fun.html

 

Using the Nano with the Marxy wiring and code (project above) ...


 

 

Arduino Uno & DDS-60 WSPR/QRSS Signal Source, by Gene Marcus, W3PM ... http://www.knology.net/~gmarcus/

 

 

Full W3PM project file at ... http://www.knology.net/~gmarcus/DDS_WSPR/Aruino%20Uno%20DDS-60.pdf

 

 

Arduino Scope Writer

    aka "Oscilloscope Christmas Tree", by ytytyt ... http://www.johngineer.com/blog/?p=648

    Alan Wolke, W2AEW

 

I can't take the credit for creating this.  It all started with a scope that I sold to my friend John.  One of the first things he did with the scope was to create a Christmas Tree with the scope in XY mode using a microcontroller.  See this blog post:  http://www.johngineer.com/blog/?p=648

I simply took this code and changed the XY coordinate data to trace out my callsign. I found that the bit of code that he has in there to change the timing of the PWM outputs doesn't work on my Arduino (not sure why).  I also changed the RC filters on the PWM outputs to give a good compromise for charge-time vs. achievable refresh rate, since I had a lot more XY points than the Christmas Tree had.

 

 

View the YouTube video of the Arduino Animated Christmas Tree!

You can download the Arduino sketch (software) for this.

Check out the "complex" wiring diagram below :-)

 

 

 


 

 

REFERENCES ... there are millions, but we show the GOOD ONES here!

  1. Wikipedia ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino

  2. Arduino Home Page ... http://www.arduino.cc/

  3. Arduino Software Download Page ... http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

  4. Arduino Tutorial by ladyada.net ... http://www.ladyada.net/learn/arduino/

  5. 102 Projects from Make Magazine ... http://makeprojects.com/c/Arduino

  6. Reference Books ...

    The Definitive Guide to (All) Arduino Reference Books ... http://www.arduinobooks.com/

    The Arduino Cookbook ... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0596802471/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ab-checkprice-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0596802471

    Programming Arduino - Getting Started With Sketches ... http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Arduino-Getting-Started-Sketches/dp/0071784225/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358741928&sr=8-4&keywords=arduino

    30 Arduino Projects for the Evile Genius ... http://www.arduinoevilgenius.com/

  1. Purchase the Arduino at ...

        Adafruit Arduino Starter Pack ... http://www.adafruit.com/products/68

        Maker Shed ... http://www.makershed.com/Arduinos_Microcontrollers_s/43.htm

        Mintduino ... http://blog.makezine.com/2013/01/18/mintduino-game-pack-learning-arduino-from-the-ground-up/

        Digi-Key ... http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/A000066/1050-1024-ND/2784006?WT.mc_id=PLA_2784006&gclid=CMLp77rH-LQCFQSg4Aod5icA1Q

        Atmega AT328P chip with programmed-bootloader ... http://www.adafruit.com/products/123

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