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===What is a micro-controller?===

===What is a micro-controller?===

A mico-controller is a compact integrated circuit that receives input from the environment, processes the input and can produce an output. It receives input from its I/O pins and processes the signals received using the CPU onboard the chip. Micro-controllers are usually embedded in larger systems and are utilized in many areas of life including vehicles, medical devices, home appliances, and more.

A micro-controller is a compact integrated circuit that receives input from the environment, processes the input and can produce an output. It receives input from its I/O pins and processes the signals received using the CPU onboard the chip. Micro-controllers are usually embedded in larger systems and are utilized in many areas of life including vehicles, medical devices, home appliances, and more.

Arduino is an open source electronics platform that provides an easy and accessible way to make robotics projects. The boards are able to receive input signals from sensors and can produce outputs through the I/O pins that will be discussed next in this section. Arduinos boards are used by a diverse subset of people, including students,hobbyists, engineers, researchers, and more due to the simple layout and programmability of the arduino boards.

Arduino is an open source electronics platform that provides an easy and accessible way to make robotics projects. The boards are able to receive input signals from sensors and can produce outputs through I/O pins. Arduino boards are used by a diverse set of people, including students, hobbyists, engineers, researchers due to the simple layout and programmability of the Arduino boards.

===Arduino board sections===

===Arduino board sections===

There are 5 important board sections that the user must have a solid understanding of to complete the project. These sections are outlined below:

There are 5 important board sections that the user must have a solid understanding of to start utilizing the board's functions. These sections are outlined below:

[[File:Sections of an Arduino board.svg|alt=Figure 1: Arduino board sections|border|center|Figure 1: Arduino board sections]]

[[File:Sections of an Arduino board.svg|alt=Figure 1: Arduino board sections|border|center|Figure 1: Arduino board sections]]

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Sensors enable the microcontroller to sense the surrounding environment. Many sensors exist on the marker, including but not limited to buttons, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, photoresistors, humidity and moisture, and many more. The output of the sensor (a voltage) changes based on the measured environment properties, and sends that signal over to the Arduino board.  

Sensors enable the microcontroller to sense the surrounding environment. Many sensors exist on the marker, including but not limited to buttons, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, photoresistors, humidity and moisture, and many more. The output of the sensor (a voltage) changes based on the measured environment properties, and sends that signal over to the Arduino board.  

=== Introduction to Circuits ===

===Introduction to Circuits===

A circuit is a pathway where electricity can flow through from the negative (cathode) to the positive (anode) end of a power source. They are essential to development of many appliances and robotics appliances. In fact, the Arduino board is a collection of circuits that are used to run processes, thus called an Integrated Circuit, or IC. Microcontrollers and chips are considered to be ICs because of the fact that they are composed of many smaller circuits.  

A circuit is a pathway where electricity can flow through a closed path from the negative (cathode) to the positive (anode) end of a power source. Elements in a circuit can either supply or expend energy. Energy is measured in Joules (J). Suppliers of energy are called sources; they provide a voltage, or charge electrons with energy. The number of electrons flowing in a circuit is called a current, measured in Amperes (A).

 

A common voltage source is a chemical battery, which is an example of a direct-current power source (DC). It provides electrons with a fixed amount of energy (i.e. a fixed voltage) through a chemical reaction within a battery. Resistance is a value that describes how easy for electrons to move in a material when voltage is applied. Resistors are devices that can be added to the circuit to impede current flow. The relationship that represents the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is ohm’s law, represented by: V=IR. The power source in a circuit determines the voltage supplied and the current available. The connected components will draw current from the power source.

 

There are three arrangements of circuits, series, parallel, and combination. In a series circuit, the amount of current flowing is the same at all points in the circuit, whereas the voltage supplied by the battery is equal to the voltage drop across each component. A series circuit has only one path for electricity to flow, so if any component fails in the circuit, all other components will also stop operating, as the circuit is now open. In a parallel circuit, the voltage is the same in all branches, whereas the current is different in each branch.  

===Introduction to basic electronic components===

===Introduction to basic electronic components===

====Breadboard====

====Breadboard====

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.