Arduino is an open-source electronic tool that uses a combination of hardware and software. The Arduino board can perform the required functions by sending instructions from the microcontroller on the board. This can be achieved by using the Arduino programming language and the Arduino software (IDE).

Arduino finds application in everyday objects to complex scientific instruments. Arduino was designed by Ivrea Interaction Design Institute as an easy tool for fast prototyping, aimed at students without a background in electronics and programming.

Advantages of using Arduino

Arduino is a key tool to learn new things. Anyone – children, hobbyists, artists, programmers – can start tinkering just by following the step by step instructions of a kit, or sharing ideas online with other members of the Arduino community. Several other advantages of Arduino are:

• Inexpensive: Arduino boards are relatively inexpensive.
• Cross-platform: The Arduino Software (IDE) runs on Windows, Macintosh OSX, and Linux operating systems.
• Simple, clear programming environment: The Arduino IDE is easy to use for beginners and it is very flexible.
• Open source and extensible software: Arduino software is an open-source tool and can be extended by users.
• Open source and extensible hardware: Arduino board pins are published and experienced circuit designers can make their own design by extending and improving it.

We start using the Arduino using the board named Arduino UNO.

The physical layout of Arduino UNO

Components of Arduino UNO

• Microcontroller: The major component of the Arduino board is the microcontroller. The microcontroller is fabricated inside an integrated chip and it performs the arithmetic/logical operation required for the particular task. Also, it communicates with peripheral devices, reads input devices and writes to output devices. Arduino UNO uses an ATmega328P microcontroller.
• Digital I/O pins: For connecting the sensors/input devices and output devices the board has digital I/O pins (0-13). These pins are used either as input or as output based on the requirement. Pins 0 and 1 are used in serial communication where pin 0 is used for reception serial information and pin 1 is used for transmission.
• Analog input pins: Analog input pins (0-5) are used to give analogue inputs directly to the board.
• USB plug: USB plug for uploading the program and communicating with the computer. This also provides a power supply during the development stage of a project.
• External power supply: This is used to power the Arduino board when it is not connected to the computer.
• Board power supply pins: Used to provide power to peripheral devices.
• Reset button: A push button is used to reset the Arduino.
• In-circuit serial programmer

Installing Arduino IDE

1. Download the latest Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) from the link https://www.arduino.cc/en/software .
2. Click on the Arduino software.

3. Click on I agree

4. Click on next

5. Click on install. (If you want change in the destination folder, change to required destination and click install).

6. Now installation will start and wait for the completion of installation. At the end of installation following dialogs will popup. Click on install button for all the three dialogs.

Connecting the Arduino UNO to the computer

Connect the Arduino board to the computer using a USB cable.

Now the Arduino board will be automatically detected. (The same can be verified using device manager).

Writing first Arduino sketch/program

Instruction writing to Arduino is done using the Arduino programming language. These programs are also called sketches. This section demonstrates how to write a simple Arduino program.

Required components:

• Arduino UNO board
• USB cable provided with Arduino UNO board

Arduino UNO board contains a built-in LED. This LED is connected to pin digital pin 13.

Therefore the simplest task performed using the Arduino is bilking that LED for a particular interval of time.

Arduino IDE visual appearance

Open the Arduino IDE. The following window is displayed having File, Edit, Sketch, Tools and Help options. It also has quick access buttons Verify, Upload, New, Open, Save and Serial monitor options. The editor space is provided to write the Arduino program. At the bottom, there is a message area which displays feedback of different processes performed on the sketch.

The following steps are performed to write and upload the new sketch.

1. Writing the new sketch

To write a new sketch, go to File and click New (This can also be done using the New quick access button). This will create a blank sketch. Now write the Arduino program inside the sketch.

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000); // wait for a second. The delay given in terms of milliseconds
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000); // wait for a second
}

2. Saving the Sketch

Now go to File and save the file with the required name (This can also be performed using quick access button Save).

3. Verifying (compiling) the sketch/Program

Compile the sketch by clicking verify button.

If the code gets compiled successfully, then the ‘Done compiling’ message will appear in the message area.

4. Uploading the sketch

The upload button compiles the sketch and uploads the program to the board.

If the code gets uploaded to the Arduino board successfully, then the ‘Done Uploading’ message will appear in the message area.

Now you can see the LED blinking for 1 second. Also, this can be re-verified for different values of delays.

Congratulations. You have successfully installed Arduino IDE and are ready to explore the Arduino projects.

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Components required:

Principle:

IR sensors are used in the detection of objects, and obstacles. IR light is emitted from the IR emitter, which falls on the object and then reflects back. This reflected IR light is captured using an IR receiver and used to conclude the presence of the object. If the object is in the vicinity of the IR module, then the object’s presence can be detected. Otherwise, the object is said to be absent.

The IR sensor module has an IR emitter and receiver in the same module. The diagram below shows the IR sensor module.

The IR module contains 3 pins for the interface. Out of 3 pins two pins are VCC (3.3V/5V) and GND power supply. The OUT pin is the output pin which goes to a HIGH state when the object is present. When no object is detected OUT pin will stay at a LOW state. The major components in the module are the OP-AMP comparator, trim-pot, power LED and output LED. Trim-pot is used to change the sensitivity of the IR module (by varying the trim-pot we can change the distance at which the sensor can detect the object).

Circuit diagram:

Procedure:

1. Connect the IR module’s VCC and GND pins to Arduino’s +5V and GND pins respectively as shown in the circuit diagram.
2. Connect the OUT pin of the IR module to the Arduino board (pin 2) and declare it an input pin.
3. From the Arduino board connect the output (pin 7) to the +ve terminal of the LED. Connect –ve terminal of the LED to ground
4. Write the code in Arduino UNO software and run the program.
5. Move the object in front of the IR module and see the LED turning ON which indicates the presence of the object.

Working of object detection:

Whenever there is an object in front of the IR module, OUT of the IR module goes high. The IR module’s OUT pin is connected as the input to the Arduino board. The microcontroller in the Arduino board reads this signal and can conclude whether there is an object or not. The output is indicated through the LED connected to the Arduino board (shown in the breadboard).

The distance of the measurement (sensitivity) can be changed by varying the trim-pot. Variation in the trim-pot changes the reference voltage of the OP-AMP comparator. This

Flowchart for object detection:

Arduino Program for object detection:

int in_IRSensor = 2; // connect ir sensor to arduino pin 2
int out_LED = 7; // conect Led to arduino pin 13
void setup() 
{
  pinMode (in_IRSensor, INPUT); // sensor pin INPUT
  pinMode (out_LED, OUTPUT); // Led pin OUTPUT
}
void loop()
{
  int status_IR = digitalRead (in_IRSensor); //Read the IR sensor output
  if (status_IR == 1)
  {
    digitalWrite(out_LED, HIGH); // high on LED indicates object detected
  }
  else
  {
    digitalWrite(out_LED, LOW); // low on LED indicates no object present
  }  
}

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