Friday, May 11, 2018

Ultrasonic Sensor Code

This was developed by Washington-Lee (Drexel) intern Sam Muscovitz:

//defining the output and input pins
#define echoPin 7 //for reciving the sound waves from the ultrasound sensor
#define trigPin 8 //for outputting sound waves from the ultrasound sensor
#define LEDPin 11 //for turning on the LED

int maximumRange = 200;  //if the ultrasound sensor detects an object within the range of these two variables, it will display the object's distance
int minimumRange = 0;
long duration, distance;
void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT); //sets the trig pin to output
 pinMode(echoPin, INPUT); //sets the echopin to input signals
 pinMode(LEDPin, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
 digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); //outputs a voltage of 0V to the trig pin
 delayMicroseconds(2); //delays the arduino for 2 microseconds
 digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH); //outputs a voltage of 5V to the trig pin
 delayMicroseconds(10);
 digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); //outputs a voltage of 0V to the trig pin
 duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH); //Takes in the voltage from the echo pin
 //Calculate the distance (in cm) based on the speed of sound.
 distance = duration/58.2;
 if(distance >= maximumRange || distance <= minimumRange){ //checks the range that is returned from the ultrasound sensor
Serial.println("-1");
digitalWrite(LEDPin, LOW); //turns off the LED
 }
 else{
Serial.print(distance);
Serial.print(" cm");
Serial.println();
digitalWrite(LEDPin, HIGH); //turns on the LED
 }
 delay(50);
 }



Pictures of Arduino




Description of Wiring
Connect the Vcc pin on the ultrasound sensor to the 5.0V power on the arduino board
Connect the Trig pin on the ultrasound sensor to the Digital 8 pin on the arduino board
Connect the Echo pin on the ultrasound sensor to the Digital 7 pin on the arduino board
Connect the GND pin on the ultrasound sensor to the GND pin on the arduino board

Connect the positive end of the LED (the longer end) to Digital 11 pin on the arduino board
Connect the negative end of the LED (the shorter end) to GND pin on the arduino board

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Arduino project ideas

Pinterest:

www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=arduino%20uno 

Google:

Project Ideas - Arduino Playground

https://playground.arduino.cc/Projects/Ideas
Project Ideas. List your project ideas. This can be helpful for both the novice and the experienced. Navigation. Easy; Intermediate; Advanced. Easy.

Arduino projects - Hackster.io

https://www.hackster.io/arduino/projects
Explore 3337 projects built with Arduino, and share your own! Join 243119 hardware developers who follow Arduino on Hackster.io.

Arduino Project Ideas - oddWires

www.oddwires.com/arduino-project-ideas/
Here's a list of interesting Arduino project ideas: Chat Server using Arduino. DIY Arduino Motor Shield. 5×5 rgb lpd6803-led matrix arduino controlled. Arduino Esplora Light Calibrator. An 8-Bit Waterfall usingArduino. USB Game Pad With Tilt-accelerometer Mouse using an Arduino. Light Painters Palette aka Light Box.

15+ Arduino Projects Ideas with DIY Instructions - HowToMechatronics

https://howtomechatronics.com/arduino-projects/
Along with my DIY Arduino projects here you can also find project ideas backed up by my detailedArduino tutorials for various sensors and modules. Using the ...

Arduino Projects | Arduino Project Ideas for Engineers

https://electronicsforu.com/arduino-projects-ideas
Awesome Arduino Projects. | Arduino Project Ideas. ESP8266 Wireless Web Server. Digital IC Tester With Embedded Truth Table. Arduino Based Audio Meter. Arduino Based RF Controlled Robot. Home Automation System. Making Arduino Shields. Fancy Lights Controller. Android controlled robot.

arduino-project-ideas - Electronics Hub

https://www.electronicshub.org/arduino-project-ideas/
Best list of arduino project ideas along with sources we have published here. It includes arduino based battery charger, arduino based thermostat and etc..

130+ Arduino Projects with Source Code, Schematics & Complete DIY ...

https://circuitdigest.com/arduino-projects
These simple arduino projects are explained well and you can find the complete guide to ... You can also browse below pages to get new arduino project ideas.

20 Projects To Celebrate Arduino Day | Make: - Makezine

https://makezine.com/2015/03/28/20-projects-celebrate-arduino-day/
Mar 28, 2015 - We hope you enjoy the gallery of Arduino projects and make sure to tell us about your latest Arduino based project in the comments. S.M.A.R.T. Alarm Clock. Replace and Re-Flash a BlownArduino. Skill Builder: Advanced Arduino Sound Synthesis. High-Speed Splash Photography Rig withArduino. Garduino Geek Gardening.

Top 10 Kickass Arduino Projects - Lifehacker

https://lifehacker.com/top-10-kickass-arduino-projects-1747407543
Dec 12, 2015 - We love the Arduino, but like any electronics project, coming up with ideas for what to build is tough. Whether you're just looking for inspiration ...

Project Ideas - Arduino - Instructables

www.instructables.com › technology › arduino
Sep 19, 2016 - Control Any Gadgets With Your Brain! (Neurofeedback With Arduino Microcontroller). by iScience in Science ...

Monday, May 7, 2018

Raspberry Pi Kit for Consideration

Directly from CanaKit.com
Or from Amazon.


Kit Includes:
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (B Plus) with 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU (BCM2837B0)
  • 1 GB LPDDR2 SDRAM
  • On-board WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity
  • 32 GB MicroSD Card (Class 10) - Raspberry Pi Recommended MicroSD Card with NOOBS
  • CanaKit 2.5A Micro USB Power Supply with Noise Filter (UL Listed) specially designed for the Raspberry Pi 3 (5-foot cable)
  • Premium Quality Raspberry Pi 3 Case
  • Premium Quality HDMI Cable with CEC support (6.5 feet cable)
  • Set of 2 Aluminum Heat Sinks
  • GPIO and Resistor Colors Quick Reference Cards
  • CanaKit GPIO to Breadboard Interface Board
  • GPIO Ribbon Cable
  • Full-Size Large Breadboard
  • 32 x M/M Jumper Wires
  • 10 x M/F Jumper Wires
  • RGB LED
  • 2 x Red LEDs
  • 2 x Green LEDs
  • 2 x Yellow LEDs
  • 2 x Blue LEDs
  • 2 x Push Button Switches
  • 10 x 220 Ohm Resistors
  • 5 x 10K Ohm Resistors
  • CanaKit General Guide for Beginners to Electronic Components
  • CanaKit General Assembly Guide
  • Google's new IOT Developers Kit

    from TechCrunch


    Google’s Android Things IoT platform comes out of beta


    Android Things, Google IoT platform for developers who want to build connected devices, is now out of beta, as the company today announced. After eight release candidates, the last of which launched less than a month ago, Google  now deems Android Things ready for primetime. Despite its beta status, quite a few companies started building products for the platform a while ago, including Google’s launch partners for its Android smart displays, which are based on this platform.

    Android Things provides hardware and software developers with all the necessary SDKs to build all kinds of IoT devices. The company has partnered with a number of hardware manufacturers to offer developer kits and also offers a developer console that allows for managing devices and pushing over-the-air updates to both prototype and production devices.

    The general idea here is to give hardware manufacturers a managed operating system and certified hardware that free developers from worrying about the system and its maintenance and allows them to focus on building their product. Google promises that it will ship stability fixes and security patches for three years, though manufacturers will have options for extended support, too.

    Thursday, May 3, 2018

    Arduino Kits for Consideration


    Four options for your consideration.


    The official Arduino kit:
    This is the kit provided by Arduino, and it includes the very useful book.  AMAZON LINK  

    Option 1.  Minimalist programmer
    This is a very inexpensive kit that uses an Uno that is built on the same schematic as the Arduino Uno. It is sold on Amazon by LANDZO and has the minimal basics for programming experiments. Unfortuantely it appears currently unavailable, but is often priced below $9.   AMAZON LINK  


    Option 2.  Beginning tinkerer and programmer
    Similarly inexpensive is this Elegoo Uno kit, which comes with a small case, a tutorial CD, and a few additional items at just $17.99.

      AMAZON LINK






    Option 3. Super starter kit
    The best value, however, is likely this Elegoo Uno kit with a much greater variety of sensors and actuators, for just $10 more:  

     AMAZON LINK





    Option 4.  The comprehensive starter kit

    A similarly good value, this kit will keep even avid tinkerers busy for years of learning. It's about double the current price of Option 3, at $59.

    AMAZON LINK



    Monday, April 30, 2018

    Encore Volunteer Needed - May 9

    Encore Learning has been invited to participate in a "Retirement Well-Being Fair at George Mason University's Fairfax campus on May 9.  The event is intended to help GMU faculty and staff who are anticipating retirement.   

    The volunteer would staff a table from noon to 1:30 and explain what Encore Learning provides in the way of intellectual and social enrichment.  The EL office will provide some collateral materials.

    Please email Steve Shapiro at steve.shapiro31@gmail.com (or call 703-622-2760) if you can help out with this event.

    Saturday, April 28, 2018

    Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab and the Workforce

    From WorkingNation.com.

    Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab is creating the next generation of inventors

    The ideas which shape our future technology can come from anywhere.


    The Future Ready Lab Inspired by Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab in Porterville, Calif. Photo – Jonathan Barenboim

    One idea which could help farmers tend their livestock came from the mind of Luis Gomez, with a little help from the Future Ready Lab Inspired by Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ in Porterville, California.
    Gomez, 12, is a member of the 4-H Club and he’s got a problem he thinks he can solve. What kind of invention would help him keep his sheep, Lamar, on a regular feeding schedule?
    He’s a busy seventh-grader at St. Anne’s School and must dedicate a portion of his day to preparing Lamar for the year-end show and sale. Between school, 4-H and participating on St. Anne’s Academic Decathlon team, it’s a wonder that he has the time for his other hobbies. He’s also a tinkerer who take things apart and rebuilds them and dabbles in video editing too.


    Luis Gomez and his sheep, Lamar. Photo – Jonathan Barenboim


    Gomez got the spark for his invention after he visited the Porterville Unified School District’s (PUSD) Future Ready Lab, a classroom, makerspace, and engineering lab rolled into one. One day, he may create that invention and change farming forever.
    “I know there’s automatic water feeders, but I haven’t seen any automatic feeders. Just regular feeders that can feed your animal when you need it to and take away food when it’s past the time for them to eat so that they learn to eat when they have their food,” Gomez told WorkingNation.
    Qualcomm Senior Vice President of Engineering Susie Armstrong said Gomez’s idea exemplifies how the Thinkabit Lab and Qualcomm® World of Work(QWOW™) introduces kids to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by inspiring that spark of creativity.


    Susie Armstrong. Photo – Jonathan Barenboim


    “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a set of devices, like cars and smart cities and such, that are all connected and are all communicating. A great example, a great and real example, of the Internet of Things is Luis’s example of the sheep feeder,” Armstrong said.
    Qualcomm is not only developing the world’s wireless infrastructure and the upcoming 5G network; it’s cultivating the next generation of inventors who will use that technology. The Thinkabit Lab shows them a future where they can play a vital role in building the tools which will connect everything.