Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
24
votes
8answers
184 views
Can I develop with the Arduino using an IDE with more features?
The simplicity of the open source Arduino IDE is great, but a bit limiting sometimes - I like to use Netbeans for instance for other work that I do. Do any plugins exist for more fully featured IDEs ...
24
votes
13answers
11k views
Complete alternatives to the Arduino IDE?
I'm not that big of a fan of the official Arduino IDE (in terms of visuals), so I've started looking for nicer alternatives. However, most of the projects I've found are in alpha/beta and are ...
24
votes
7answers
4k views
How do I go from arduino breadboard to creating a real device
My first arduino project, I have made a headlight sensor that will activate an outside light when car headlights hit it. I know I could go buy one, but where is the fun in that?
Now I would like to ...
22
votes
4answers
3k views
\$I^2C\$ 3.3 to 5.0 V conversion
I'm trying to interface a 3.3V \$I^2C\$ device to a 5V Arduino.
I don't have any problem with SCL line.
I can use a simple voltage divider but I have an issue with the SDA line as this is ...
21
votes
7answers
19k views
Embedded Programming for Beginners: Arduino or Raspberry Pi?
I'm a computer science student and I'm eager to expand my knowledge on embedded programming and electrical engineering.
I've read here that using tools like the Arduino microcontroller is a good way ...
18
votes
5answers
847 views
Is it advisable to stay stick to Arduino IDE?
Is it better to move to AVR studio (or any other better alternative?) over the Arduino IDE. Feel like it's so simple and childish. I need to know the experts idea and choice..
18
votes
4answers
3k views
When a battery is your power source, what is ground?
For the sake of not incorrectly connecting my power supply and damaging my board I'm going to ask a relatively dumb question. Is ground on my board the negative terminal on my battery? Explicitly ...
18
votes
3answers
64 views
Is there any way to simulate a program run before burning it onto the board?
Programs may, at times, have runtime errors. These are sometimes hard to find and can easily be missed. Is there any way to test the program before actually burning it onto the board ?
18
votes
5answers
198 views
Is an Arduino capable of running 24/7?
I'm curious as to the durability of the Arduino Uno. Does anybody have any experience in "killing" one due to excessive use? If so, how long did it take for the board to fail?
16
votes
5answers
1k views
I understand Arduino: now what?
Alright, I've played around enough with Arduino that I feel pretty comfortable with it. Anything done now is more learning the electronics than it is the Arduino side of it.
What's the next step for ...
16
votes
3answers
867 views
Arduino pin spacing
How do you get around the annoying pin spacing on the Arduino?
Where pin 7 and pin 8 are not standard spacing.
Why is it set up like this?
15
votes
14answers
9k views
Controlling 500 LEDs with PWM
I'm considering taking on a project that would involve individually addressing 500 LEDs, optimally with PWM support for each.
I'm planning on using an Arduino since I already have one, but I'm open ...
15
votes
3answers
990 views
Why do we need hardware programmers?
I use a Boarduino and a 30-row bread board to program my ATtiny. I load a not too complicated sketch called ArduinoISP (included by default now in the Arduino IDE), and suddenly I have a working ...
15
votes
8answers
4k views
Electronic pet-door access control - RFID
Inspired by projects such as the tweeting cat door and CATaLOG [sic] I’m wanting to add some form of automated access control to our pet door to control who can go in and out, when.
(Full Disclosure: ...
14
votes
7answers
10k views
How many individual lights can an arduino control
I want to use a regular Arduino board to control LEDs - what is the most lights I can control individually from the board?
Is there a tutorial on how to hook it up?
14
votes
10answers
2k views
What kind of project could help a software engineer become more of an electronic engineer?
I'm a software developer with practically no electronics background, but I want to get into this since it's relevant to the work I'm doing (infotainment system development). I'm a software engineer, ...
14
votes
2answers
29 views
How to water-protect my Arduino?
I am building a watering system with an Arduino. Basically it runs on a track with a hose that drips water down on plants a couple of times every day. Its outside, and water might sometimes get from ...
14
votes
1answer
1k views
Why do Arduinos ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz?
Why do Arduino boards ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz? They are spec'ed for operating at 20MHz, after all.
I guess there are a few advantages to running more slowly (lower power consumption, ...
14
votes
2answers
49 views
How can I use my SMD Arduino to program a separate DIP ATmega328?
I have an arduino with a surface mounted (SMD) microcontroller:
I know how to use a DIP arduino as a programmer for a DIP ATmega328. It's easy --you just pop your microcontroller in the holder.
...
13
votes
9answers
14k views
Why is AVR used in Arduino?
Why is Arduino using AVR? I understand that they are the official processor but there isn't a reason the code couldn't be ported to an ARM or a Freescale architecture other than cost, right? As long ...
13
votes
10answers
2k views
Is Arduino ideal for making a HRNG (hardware random number generator)?
I'm putting together a design for a hardware random number generator that will utilize multiple sources of entropy (combined):
Ambient light
Ambient sound (and sound levels)
Ambient temp
Ambient ...
13
votes
6answers
20k views
How to drive drive brushless motor with Arduino?
Is it possible to drive a brushless motor directly with Arduino? Or should I revert on controlling a brushless motor ESC with PWM pulses?
13
votes
2answers
121 views
Why do some pins have `~` signs next to their numbers?
I was looking at my Arduino Uno and I noticed that symbol by digital pins 11, 10, 9, ...
13
votes
2answers
41 views
How do I extend the number of analog (input) pins available to me?
I already know how to extend the number of digital pins on an Arduino using a multiplexer.
I want to increase the number of analog input channels that I have. One solution is to add another Arduino ...
12
votes
3answers
99 views
How do I create a permanent application from something prototyped with Arduino?
Part one of a three part series on transitioning from Arduino to a plain AVR microcontroller and minimum supporting components (part two, part three)
I've built up a project on my Arduino Uno to ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Selecting a MOSFET for driving load from logic
I'm looking to drive a magnetic door lock from an Arduino. I've found a question about driving a solenoid from an Arduino, which includes a circuit that looks perfect for this kind of situtation:
...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Jtag debugging AVR
Can anyone advise what hardware and software is required for debugging AVR in circuit.
11
votes
6answers
5k views
How can a let my atmega328 run for a year on batteries?
Scenario
I have created a nice electronic door lock for my dorm room. It is currently an Arduino Diecimila with a servo [un]locking the door. It has a numerical keypad with 3x4 buttons and 5 LED's (2 ...
11
votes
3answers
82 views
I burnt a pin. Now, what do I do?
I accidently shorted pins 10 and 11 with 10 set to output HIGH and 11 set to input. The pin 11 is not working. How do I figure out what component I burned?
Can the problem be fixed?
11
votes
4answers
6k views
Scaling Voltage for Arduino Analog In, Beyond Voltage Dividers
I've recently built some fiber-optic bend sensors and I want to read the values I get from them into a computer via an Arduino. I'm measuring the light with this photodiode from Industrial Fiber ...
11
votes
4answers
26 views
Is there anything I should watch out for with cheap “Arduino” copies?
There's a plethora of cheap Arduino copies on eBay and similar sites, usually originating from the far east, that can be had for a significant chunk less than the official boards, especially if you're ...
11
votes
2answers
126 views
Can Arduino be used in commercial products?
Is it legal for me to sell a product that's built with an Arduino? I know that it's open source, but does that mean I can sell my product for profit, or only for use in prototyping?
11
votes
3answers
451 views
How does the Harvard architecture help?
I was reading about arduino and the AVR architecture and got stuck at the point that how does pipeline stall or bubbling is solved by Harvard architecture introduction in the AVR.I mean what Harvard ...
10
votes
12answers
6k views
Reliability of the Arduino platform for industrial use
I'm no electrical engineer (just mechanical) but I would like to apply some of my hobbyist experience to my job and implement various automated systems in an industrial (manufacturing) environment.
...
10
votes
4answers
226 views
Can I use the analog pins on the Arduino for my project as digital?
I am new to using Arduino, and I have an Arduino Uno. For the projects I've done, I've only used the digital pins.
I am building a small vehicle that uses stepper motors. I have run out of pins to ...
10
votes
2answers
82 views
Working with a sensor and a motor, can I use both or should I use a motor shield?
Update: I'm currently changing a few things with the project. I took some of you advice. I've changed from a stepper motor to a RC servo (controlled through PWM) and if I run into any problems and ...
10
votes
3answers
80 views
What are the most common ways to fry an arduino?
I've fried two Arduinos before: one was an Uno, which I killed with too high of an input voltage, and the other was the ADK version of the Mega, which I never was able to conclusively determine what ...
10
votes
1answer
952 views
Getting a large number of (~100) digital output signals from Arduino
I would like to be able to control around 100 independent LEDs using an Arduino. The problem is that the Arduino does not have nearly enough pins that can be configured for this. What would be a way ...
10
votes
3answers
75 views
How much current can I draw from the Arduino's pins?
What's the maximum amount of current which I can draw from each of the Arduino's pins without tripping any of the internal fuses? Is there a limit per pin as well as an overall limit for the whole ...
10
votes
2answers
409 views
Can I output a HDMI signal with an Arduino?
There's various articles online detailing how to use an Arduino to output a VGA signal, but can I use it to output a HDMI signal or is it simply not fast enough? It would only be used to display some ...
10
votes
5answers
3k views
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Arduino in car: capacitor for extra 3 sec of power
I want to install an Arduino Uno in a car, powered by a consumer 12V->5V car voltage regulator plugged into the lighter socket. The socket is switched, i.e, there's no power when the motor's off. When ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Controlling High Voltage device with Arduino
I want to control lava lamps using Arduino. I think it shouldn't be hard project, but I have no experience with hardware projects so I'm not sure witch design will feet best for me.
I consider using ...
10
votes
4answers
848 views
Anyone ported the QP state framework for Arduino?
In reviewing possible approaches for my data logging project, I have found the book "Practical UML statecharts in C/C++" to be very interesting for more serious work with the Arduino. QP is a family ...
10
votes
6answers
6k views
How do I set the clock speed fuses on an ATtiny85 when using an Arduino as a programmer?
I'm following this tutorial, programming the ATtiny85 with an Arduino, using it to play some tones (through a piezo speaker). I'm struggling with getting the tones at the right pitch (I'm creating the ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Arduino and Interrupts: Fast way to get pin values
I use an Arduino Uno and already set it up to work with interrupts on digital pins 2, 3, 4 and 5 according to an explanation1 I found.
void setup() contains the ...
9
votes
9answers
6k views
Arduino / Processing versus .NET Micro Framework? Best language? Best hardware?
I've been messing around with Arduino for a while now, and I'm in the process of moving from beginner to intermediate. I'd like some opinions on the .NET Micro Framework, in terms of performance and ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Is it possible to use multi gigabyte DRAM modules with a microcontroller?
I have two leftover 2GB RAM modules that I removed from my MacBook Pro when doing an upgrade. I was just wondering if these were usable with, for example, an Arduino. I'd be too much of a beginner to ...
9
votes
8answers
10k views
Maximum sample rate of Arduino Duemilanove?
G'day all!
I have an Arduino Duemilanove hanging around spare at the moment and thought I might try a few audio interfacing projects. I'm just wondering what sort of sampling frequency I can achieve ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
microcontroller programming vs object oriented programming
I have done some basic object oriented programming with C++ (creating a B-Tree, Hashing Algorithms, Double Linked Lists) and I have done small project in C (like making a scientific calculator etc.)
...
