Arduino

1] ARDUINO is an open-source electronic prototyping platform that enables users to create interactive electronic projects using both hardware and software.
2] Using different ARDUINO boards we can control different input/output, activate a motor, read and write messages, turn ON/OFF LED, display on LCD, etc.
3] To do so, we can use the ARDUINO programming language and the ARDUINO IDE software.
4] These Arduino boards are made using a variety of microprocessors and controllers and contain sets of digital and analog input/output(I/O) pins that may be interfaced using external wires such as jumper wires or header pins.
5] These boards also feature some serial communication interfaces, including Universal Serial Bus(USB) which can be used for loading programs.
6] Most Arduino boards consist of Atmel 8-bit AVR microcontroller such as ATmega8, ATmega168, ATmega328, and ATmega2560 with varying amounts of flash memory, pins, and special features.

• SOFTWARE download:

1] The open-source Arduino Software (IDE) can be used to write code and upload it to the board. This software can be used for all Arduino Boards.
2] Below link shows the link to download ARDUINO IDE software:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

• HARDWARE:

1] Arduino is a PCB-mounted microcontroller that can be programmed according to the required function.
2] An Arduino development board consists of a core microcontroller and other components such as digital and analog I/O pins, different interfacing ports such as Universal Serial Bus(USB), and I/O Power ports.
3] Some of the Arduino boards are:
- Arduino UNO
- Arduino Nano
- Arduino Mega
- Arduino Robot
- Arduino ESPLORA
- Arduino Leonardo

4] Basic parts or components of Arduino boards will vary from board to board, depending on the controller used and features.
5] Here, we will be looking at Arduino UNO as an example to understand the components and parts of Arduino Development Boards.

6] In the Arduino UNO board, the ATMega328P is the main component. It is the 28Pin DIP version that allows you to upload the program to the Arduino using the USB directly. It operates on a clock signal which is provided by a 16MHz resonator.
7] The USB port on Arduino performs 2 functions:
1] For communication purpose between the computer and Arduino to load the Code.
2] To power the Arduino Board directly.
8] 2 ICSP pins are provided to code and boot the Arduino from an external source.
9] Reset pin is used to reset the ATMega328P microcontroller using a simple circuit operation.
10] Arduino UNO has a maximum input voltage of around 5V or 3.3V. It can accept 7–12V through the DC Barrel Jack or the Vin pin. Hence, to step down this voltage two regulators are present on the board. One is a 5V regulator and the other is 3.3V.
11] We can connect a 12V DC adapter or 9V DC adapter to the DC Barrel jack to power the Arduino Board.
12] Arduino UNO has 14 Digital I/O pins and 6 Analog Pins. These Analog Pins can be also used as Digital Pins.
13] Total of 4 LEDs are present on the Board each with different functionality. Two LEDs are used to show the activity of Rx and Tx, one is used to indicate power and one is simply used as an indicator to test the Arduino board.

• Advantages of using Arduino:
  - Can be used in thousands of projects and applications from beginner level to complex projects.
  - Arduino programming language is easy to understand.
  - Arduino IDE software is easy to handle and can run on Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems.
  - Arduino boards are relatively less expensive compared to other microcontroller-based boards.

In the upcoming blogs, I will explain how to connect different electronic components to Arduino Boards.

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