Learn to build a variety of circuits
using Arduino - the popular circuit board. For anyone interested
in creating interactive objects or environments.
Arduino
in easy steps is for anyone wanting to get started with Arduino
- the popular circuit board that allows users to build a variety of circuits.
For artists, designers, hobbyists and anyone interested in creating interactive
objects or environments.
Arduino is the first widespread Open
Source Hardware platform. It was launched in 2005 to simplify the process of
electronic prototyping and it enables everyday people with little or no
technical background to build interactive products. The Arduino ecosystem is a
combination of three different elements:
- A small
electronic board manufactured in Italy that makes it easy and affordable to
learn to program a microcontroller, a type of tiny computer found inside
millions of everyday objects. - A free software application
used to program the board. - An online community, connecting
thousands of people with others to contribute and ask for help with projects.
Arduino
in easy steps begins with an explanation of what Arduino is, why
it came into being and what can be done with it. We see what is required both
in terms of hardware and software, plus the writing of code that makes it
actually work.
The Arduino environment has to be installed
and set up on the user's computer and the book provides full instructions for
doing this with all the operating systems - Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The
book explains what tools are required to build Arduino projects and also runs
through certain techniques, such as soldering, that will be needed.
Arduino
in easy steps then provides a primer in basic electricity and
electronics, which will help the reader to understand how electronic circuits
work and how to build them. This is followed by another primer, this time on
how to write the code that will enable users to program their projects, plus
how to debug that code.
To illustrate how to use Arduino,
there is a chapter detailing a number of typical projects. For each of these
projects, the required components, the schematic diagram, and the code are
provided. The book also takes a look at how to extend the basic Arduino board
with the use of shields. These enable the user to construct larger and more
complex projects.
Finally, Arduino in easy
steps details where the reader can get further information and
help on Arduino, advice on how and where to buy Arduino and other required
electronic parts, and where to find ready-made code that can be freely
downloaded.
