LAB 120 Introductory Arduino

From AS220Labs

This workshop will introduce you to the basics of the Arduino microcontroller system. The goal is to introduce you to its open source development platform and get you started with the creation of your own interactive object(s). No previous programming or electronics experience necessary.

   4 weeks, Tuesdays in May, 6:00pm to 8:00pm  
   May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th  
   Instructor: Lutz Hamel  
   Workshop cost: $100 + $100 materials fee = $200  
   Materials fee includes an Arduino and all components needed for the class.  
   In the AS220 Labs space, 2nd floor, 115 Empire Street, Providence  

Here's the web site for the class: http://homepage.cs.uri.edu/faculty/hamel/workshops/as220-may-09/

Description

Arduino is a microcontroller platform broadly used in the fields of art and design. It is used in creating all kinds of interactive artifacts, art installations, and prototypes. 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 on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).

This workshop is geared towards anybody who is interested in creating interactive artifacts using sensors, motors, and other electronic devices. No previous electronics or programming experience is necessary, we will take you through the basics and work on some advanced projects such as controlling a motor and interfacing to your computer. As part of the four week workshop we give you the opportunity to design an interactive object either on your own or as part of a group.

Some of the topics we will be discussing:

Arduino: About the tool, how it works, project's philosophy and community orientation.

Basic Sensor Technology: Sensors are devices that map physical properties into digital devices.

Actuators: motors, electromagnets, piezo elements...

Communicating with Computers: Send information from Arduino to a computer and vice versa.

No programming or electronics experience necessary. All materials, including an Arduino kit are included in the materials fee.

Outline

Week 1

   Intro to Arduino.
   The Development Environment
   Building Circuits
   Schematics, Programs, Transducers
   Basic Input/Output
   Digital vs. Analog

Week 2

   Interactive Design
   Sensing and Acting
   Advanced Sensors
   Driving Larger Loads

Week 3

   Generating Sound, Amplification
   MIDI
   Communication between Arduino and Computer
   Multimedia Applications
   "Processing" - A Programming Language geared towards Multimedia Applications

Week 4

   Auxiliary Circuits and Components
   Device Communication using different Media
   Participants' Project Review/Construction

Materials List

Note: Participants do not have to get these materials in advance; they will all be provided at the workshop.

Resistors:

   2x 100K 
   1x 10K 
   2x 1K 
   1x 10K lin Pot (Jameco 29082)  
   1x Photoresistor (Jameco 120299)  
   1x flex-sensor (Sparkfun SEN-08606 or Jameco 150551)  

Caps:

   3x 10uF  
   1x 220uF
   1x 1uF  

Semiconductors:

   1x LED $.35 
   1x 7805  (Jameco 51262) 
   TIP120  ( Jameco 32993) 
   SN754410NE (digikey 296-9911-5-ND)  
   LM386 (digikey LM386N-1-ND)  
   LTR-301 (digikey 160-1065-ND)
   LTE-302 (digikey 160-1063-ND) 

Hardware:

   pushbutton (Jameco 106112) 
   USB cable (Sparkfun CAB-00512) 
   breadboard (Sparkfun PRT-00137)  
   Arduino Duemillnove 
   8 Ohm Loudspeaker (digikey CDMG16008-03-ND) 
   elect. microphone (sparkfun COM-08635)  
   Servo (HS-311 or equiv 5V R/C servo, Jameco 358635)  
   DC motor (Micro Metal Gearmotor 30:1 pololu.com or equiv 5V DC motor, 
   Sparkfun ROB-08911)  
   9V Battery 
   Battery clip (Jameco 11280 )  

Misc.

   Getting Started with Arduino (Amazon.com)