Changes

A digital signal is a signal that represents information as a series of discrete binary values. Digital signals are used in all modern electronic applications, including communication and network devices. When plotted in a voltage-time graph, the signal is discrete, and ranges from 0 V to VCC (usually 1.8V, 3.3 V, or 5V).

A digital signal is a signal that represents information as a series of discrete binary values. Digital signals are used in all modern electronic applications, including communication and network devices. When plotted in a voltage-time graph, the signal is discrete, and ranges from 0 V to VCC (usually 1.8V, 3.3 V, or 5V).

=== Connecting to an Arduino ===

=== [[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Connecting to an Arduino|Connecting to an Arduino]] ===

* '''There are a few ways that you can ruin or burn your Arduino, refer to [[Five Easy ways to Kill an Arduino|this guide]] before starting for more information.'''

* '''There are a few ways that you can ruin or burn your Arduino, refer to''' [[Five Easy ways to Kill an Arduino|this guide]] '''before starting for more information.'''

* '''If you are using a lab computer in the Faculty of Engineering refer to this guide for additional steps to connect the Arduino.'''

* '''If you are using a lab computer in the Faculty of Engineering refer to''' [[Digital technologies/Arduino/How to connect to lab computers|this guide]] '''for additional steps to connect the Arduino.'''

Step 1: Download the Arduino IDE from https://www.arduino.cc/en/software. Make sure to choose the version that is appropriate for your operating system.  

Step 1: Download the Arduino IDE from https://www.arduino.cc/en/software. Make sure to choose the version that is appropriate for your operating system.  

==== Possible bugs: ====

==== Possible bugs: ====

If you're having trouble with your Arduino, refer to this guide: [[Arduino troubleshooting|'''Arduino troubleshooting''']]

If you're having trouble with your Arduino, refer to this guide: '''[[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Arduino troubleshooting|Arduino troubleshooting]]'''

<youtube>64oEr1zTlOg</youtube>

<youtube>64oEr1zTlOg</youtube>

===Arduino IDE:===

===Arduino IDE:===

The process of programming includes designing and executing code in an integrated development environment, otherwise known as an IDE. Many different IDEs exist and are adopted for different usages, and allow programs to edit, debug, and execute (or compile) their code. In order to program an Arduino (regardless of what kind of microcontroller is used), one must have the Arduino IDE downloaded (Refer to '''Connecting an Arduino''').

The process of programming includes designing and executing code in an integrated development environment, otherwise known as an IDE. Many different IDEs exist and are adopted for different usages, and allow programs to edit, debug, and execute (or compile) their code. In order to program an Arduino (regardless of what kind of microcontroller is used), one must have the Arduino IDE downloaded (Refer to '''[[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Connecting to an Arduino|Connecting an Arduino]]''').

==[[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization|Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization]]==

==[[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization|Introduction to Programming Syntax and Conceptualization]]==

As mentioned previously, and IDE is used to compile and execute the code utilized in a microcontroller. There are many different IDEs that can be used for various types of microcontroller and for each purpose there are more suitable boards that can be used. In order to program an Arduino, one must have the Arduino IDE downloaded (Refer to '''Connecting an Arduino'''). The Arduino IDE provides users with a programming editor as well as a way to easily upload and compile programs onto the Arduino board. Programs in the Arduino IDE are called sketches, and are normally saved with the .ino extension. The language used to program the Arduino board is based on the C++ language, which is a general use Object Oriented language. Like any common language, in order to start coding, one must be aware of the grammar rules and vocabulary that is used. An important word that will be often encountered is a “function”, which is a block of code that takes in an input, processes the input, then returns an output.  

As mentioned previously, and IDE is used to compile and execute the code utilized in a microcontroller. There are many different IDEs that can be used for various types of microcontroller and for each purpose there are more suitable boards that can be used. In order to program an Arduino, one must have the Arduino IDE downloaded (Refer to '''[[Digital technologies/Arduino/Arduino- Beginner/Connecting to an Arduino|Connecting an Arduino]]'''). The Arduino IDE provides users with a programming editor as well as a way to easily upload and compile programs onto the Arduino board. Programs in the Arduino IDE are called sketches, and are normally saved with the .ino extension. The language used to program the Arduino board is based on the C++ language, which is a general use Object Oriented language. Like any common language, in order to start coding, one must be aware of the grammar rules and vocabulary that is used. An important word that will be often encountered is a “function”, which is a block of code that takes in an input, processes the input, then returns an output.  

=== Blink program: An Example ===

=== Blink program: An Example ===

A breadboard is used to prototype a temporary circuit. The user can build, test and analyze a circuit without any permanent connections. It is made up of terminal strips and power rails. The terminal strips are used to hold any number of components in place and make electrical connections in a horizontal row. The power rails are the long vertical strips and are used to facilitate power (+) and ground (-) connections by placing them all in one column.

A breadboard is used to prototype a temporary circuit. The user can build, test and analyze a circuit without any permanent connections. It is made up of terminal strips and power rails. The terminal strips are used to hold any number of components in place and make electrical connections in a horizontal row. The power rails are the long vertical strips and are used to facilitate power (+) and ground (-) connections by placing them all in one column.

[[File:BB-2.png|center|thumb|682x682px|Connections inside a breadboard (Source: https://dreyfuzz.github.io/hackinghardware/)]]

[[File:BB-2.png|center|thumb|682x682px|Connections inside a breadboard (Source: https://dreyfuzz.github.io/hackinghardware/)]]

==== LED ====

==== LED ====

A Light Emitting Diode, or LED, is a semiconductor device that lights up when an electric current passes through it. They come in many different colours and shapes, and are very versatile. LEDs are diodes, which means that current flows through the element in only one way, from the positive to the negative end. On an LED, the cathode end can be identified by either a flat edge on the body, or as the shorter leg. As such, the anode is the other end (the longer leg on the LED).

A Light Emitting Diode, or LED, is a semiconductor device that lights up when an electric current passes through it. They come in many different colours and shapes, and are very versatile. LEDs are diodes, which means that current flows through the element in only one way, from the positive to the negative end. On an LED, the cathode end can be identified by either a flat edge on the body, or as the shorter leg. As such, the anode is the other end (the longer leg on the LED).