Arduino software is a blessing for the undergrad students to make smaller projects, as it is intuitive and easy to learn. Though it can be used for advanced projects. But the applications for the latter are not found much.
The applications of arduino are in great numbers but before diving into some basic applications, let’s understand what arduino is?
Arduino is an open-source hardware board, which is extremely easy to use. You can control your motors, your home lights, speed of fan through this development board.
Table of Contents
Arduino
Students, hobbyists, and teachers also prefer Arduino to learn the basics of programming. It is an open-source microcontroller board which is widely used in our universities. In simple words, you upload your code on Arduino, and then you can read the data of sensors, control motors, and lights.
You can also control your home lights and make your home automated. Or, you can also control your fan speed. Or, you could also make a car which only follows the black line or white line.
As compared to other micro-controllers, Arduino is economical and easy to use. Arduino software is free; you can download it from the Arduino.cc website. It can run on a different operating system like Linux, Windows, and MAC. On the other hand, some micro-controllers are restricted to windows only.
Types of Arduino
Choosing the right weapon is an essential move in any game and that goes for Arduino too. There are different types of Arduinos available in the market. You need to pick the right one, which fits the best for your project and requirements. Well, Arduino software can be run on each type of Arduino.
Each type of Arduino has its own purpose and uses Lilypad Arduino is specially designed for wearable projects and e-textile. Arduino UNO and Arduino MEGA are the simplest ones. You could utilize UNO and MEGA to make projects from LED blinking to complex ones. The only difference between these two is UNO has a lesser number of digital input/output pins than the MEGA.
Components you need with your Arduino
You need a few components before you upload your program on the board. Choosing the right Arduino for your project is the basic, yet important part. Arduino UNO and MEGA are the best picks here because you are trying to set up your board and play it with a few built-in examples. UNO and MEGA are simple and user-friendly.
1. Printer Cable
Printer cable connects your Arduino board to your computer. So you can upload your program on board.
2. Arduino UNO
Arduino UNO is a development board that is user-friendly and based on the micro-controller Atmega 328p. I would personally recommend you if you are new to electronics passion, start with Arduino UNO. It has 14 digital input and output pins (out of 14, 6 can be used as PWM output)
2.1. Board development
Reset – It clears all the memory
Microcontroller – Atmega 328p (There are various versions of UNO available in the market. Their functionality and pins configuration will be the same. But you can get an additional facility of replacing the micro-controller chip. In any case, you burn your arduino by giving the excessive voltage than the required one then you don’t need to buy the board again, you can replace your micro-controller chip with the new one)
Power LED indicator – It starts blinking when powered.
You might have now understood the concept of Arduino. Windows operating system users can click on the link down below, or you can just continue reading.
- Windows
- MAC
- Linux
From where can I download the Arduino IDE software?
You might have bought all these components and are waiting to play with these micro-controller boards.
This guide would help you to download, test and install the Arduino IDE software with a windows operating system.
1. Arduino software can be downloaded from the Arduino.cc website. Select software and then select downloads.
2. After selecting the download option. A page will appear on your screen in which you need to select what operating system you use.
3. If you are a windows user select Windows installer, for Windows XP and up.
4. You could also contribute to the community of Arduino software. But if you are not interested in donating then just select the “Just download” option. It will start downloading the Arduino setup automatically.
5. After downloading successfully. Go to the desired folder and run the Arduino setup. A small tab will pop up on your screen and then press run to continue.
It will take a few minutes to install perfectly on your computer.
Testing the installation
Congratulations you have successfully downloaded the software.
You can now type different codes in C/C++ language according to your interests.
1. After installing the software, open IDE software and you will see a page like the picture is given below:
2. Select your board from tool> board> and then select your board.
3. After selecting the board, you also need to select the port. Go to tool>port> and then select your port COM3 (Arduino UNO)
You are now ready to use the software. You can now write your program.
Additionally, Arduino has provided a few built-in examples. If you are new to this software I would recommend you to test it with a Blink LED example.
Troubleshooting
If you haven’t successfully downloaded the software and aren’t able to run the built-in blink example. Here is a guide from Arduino which can help you.
Blink LED example
Before reading any data from the sensors, and start making the complex projects using Arduino. If you are a beginner and you have no idea how you start it. Then don’t worry this tutorial will help you to tell how to start your Arduino.
Makers of Arduino software has added a few built-in examples in the software and you could take advantage of it. At first, you are going to run the examples.
Go to File > examples > Basics > Blink then another window will pop up on the screen with a code written on it.
Make sure your Arduino is connected to your laptop and press the upload button. It will take a few seconds to read, compile and upload it to your board. Built-in LED on the Arduino will start blinking. Now you have successfully run and tested your blink LED example.