Introduction
In our fifth session, we will start to work with electronics by creating an Arduino MP3 player, by prototyping it with a breadboard and making sure it works at a basic level.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the basics of Arduino, its components, and its capabilities as a microcontroller platform.
- Use various sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, motion) with Arduino and utilize their data.
- Use output devices (e.g., LEDs, motors, servos) using Arduino to create physical outputs.
- Test your MP3 setup using a breadboard.
- Use the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to find, edit, compile, and upload code to an Arduino board.
Pre-class Activities (25 min)
Please prepare for our hands-on in-class activities by watching the following videos, completing the two readings, and installing the software you’ll need to program your Arduino circuit board to do cool things!
Arduinos are versatile microcontroller platforms that can be used for a wide range of cool projects and applications. Here are some of the cool things you can do with an Arduino board:
- Home Automation: Create a smart home system to control lights, fans, appliances, and other devices remotely using sensors and actuators connected to the Arduino.
- Robotics: Build robots and automated systems with motor controllers, sensors, and servo motors to perform tasks like line following, obstacle avoidance, and more.
- Wearable Tech: Design wearable gadgets, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, or health monitoring devices using Arduino’s compact form factor.
- Data Logging: Use the Arduino to log data from various sensors like temperature, humidity, GPS, etc., and store the data on an SD card or send it to a computer for analysis.
- Gaming: Build custom game controllers or retro gaming consoles using Arduino for a unique gaming experience.
- Environmental Monitoring: Develop systems to monitor environmental parameters like air quality, soil moisture, or water levels in real time.
- Art Projects: Integrate Arduino with art installations, kinetic sculptures, or interactive exhibits to add an element of interactivity.
- Home Gardening: Create automated plant watering systems based on soil moisture levels and control grow lights for indoor gardens.
- Music and Audio Projects: Build synthesizers, MIDI controllers,
- Weather Stations: Build your weather station with sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure, and display the data on an LCD screen.
These are just a few examples, but the possibilities with Arduino are amazing.
- Problems Arduino Can Solve (AKA Cool Arduino Projects) (3 min reading)
- Arduino Cartoon Introduction (5 min reading)
- Download and install the Arduino IDE (or programming interface). If you have any problems installing the software, please let Rich know at the start of class so that he can give you a hand getting it up and running.
Class Time (30 min)
Topic 5 Lecture slides for reference purposes
- Review the last class. Any questions or ideas?
- Discuss potential uses cases for Arduino Devices that look interesting to class members
- Brainstorm ways the other prototyping tools we’ve already covered (laser cutter & 3D printer) could be used in conjunction with an Arduino board
- Q&A
Hands-on Lab Time (120 min)
- Hello World! (the Arduino “blink” version)
- Complete one of the following 3 Arduino activities:
- Start work on Make an Arduino MP3 player including:
- Use your breadboard to prototype
- If you have time, test provided code and make sure it works.
Critical Reflection (20 min)
- Blog about the following (including one or more pictures and/or videos):
- Your experience making your MP3 player
- Are there any other Arduino projects that look interesting to you?
- Can you think of any ways that the other prototyping tools we’ve already learned about (laser cutter & 3D printer) could be used in conjunction with an Arduino board?
- Continue brainstorming ideas for your major project (no decision on your final project need to be made at this time, and you may decide to do something else later in the course)
References
circuiTician. (2022, January 10). I made an Arduino based music player using DFPlayer Mini. Hackster.Io. https://www.hackster.io/circuiTician/i-made-an-arduino-based-music-player-using-dfplayer-mini-c3c7c9
How to make Automatic plant watering project | Self watering for plants. (2020, December 3). Techatronic. https://techatronic.com/how-to-make-smart-irrigation-project/, https://techatronic.com/how-to-make-smart-irrigation-project/
Koumaris, N. (2019). MP3 player using Arduino and DFPlayer mini. Electronics-Lab.Com. https://www.electronics-lab.com/project/mp3-player-using-arduino-dfplayer-mini/
Make Magazine. (2012, June 17). An Introduction to the Arduino. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqrQmQqpHXc
McCue, R. (2023). Programmable Electronics with Arduino Workshop. UVic Libraries DSC Workshops. https://uviclibraries.github.io/arduino/
