Getting Started - Arduino Starter's Kit

Arduino makes it as easy as possible to program tiny computers called microcontrollers, which are what makes objects interactive. You are surrounded by dozens of them every day: they are embedded in timers, thermostats, toys, remote controls, microwave ovens. They just do one specific task, and if

you hardly notice them – which is often the case – it’s because they are doing it well. They have been programmed to sense and control activity using sensors and actuators.

Sensors listen to the physical world. They convert energy that you give off when you press buttons, or wave your arms, or shout, into electrical signals. Buttons and knobs are sensors that you touch with your fingers, but there are many other kinds of sensors.

Actuators take action in the physical world. They convert electrical energy back into physical energy, like light and heat and movement.

Microcontrollers listen to sensors and talk to actuators. They decide what to do based on a program that you write.

Now, we have our Arduino starter’s kit; let us go over some components we might find in the kit and what they do;

Arduino Uno - The microcontroller development board that will be at the heart of your projects. It’s a simple computer, but one that has no way for you to interact with it yet. You will be building the circuits and interfaces for interaction, and telling the microcontroller how to interface with other components. Breadboard - A board on which you can build electronic circuits. It’s like a patch panel, with rows of holes that allow you to connect wires and components together. Versions that require soldering are available, as well as the solder- less type used here. Capacitors - These components store and release electrical energy in a circuit. When the circuit’s voltage is higher than what is stored in the capacitor, it allows current to flow in, giving the capacitor a charge. When the circuit’s voltage is lower, the stored charge is released. Often placed across power and ground close to a sensor or motor to help smooth fluctuations in voltage. Resistors - Resist the flow of electrical energy in a circuit, changing the voltage and current as a result. Resistor values are measured in ohms (represented by the Greek omega character: Ω). The colored stripes on the sides of resistors indicate their value (you can view resistor color Code table online). .

Photoresistor - (also called a photocell, or light dependent resistor). A variable resistor that changes its resistance based on the amount of light that falls on its face. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) - A type of diode that illuminates when electricity passes through it. Like all diodes, electricity only flows in one direction through these components. You’re probably familiar with these as indicators on a variety of electronic devices. The anode, which typically connects to power, is usually the longer leg, and the cathode is the shorter leg. Diode - Ensures electricity only flows in one direction.Useful when you have a motor or other high current/voltage load in your circuit. Diodes are polarized, meaning that the direction that they’re placed in a circuit matters. Placed one way, they allow current to pass through. Placed the other way, they block it. The anode side generally connects to the point of higher energy in your circuit. The cathode typically connects to the point of lower energy, or to ground. The cathode is usually marked with a band on one side of the component’s body. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) - A type of alphanumeric or graphic display based on liquid crystals. LCDs are available in a many sizes, shapes, and styles. Yours has 2 rows with 16 character each.

These are just a few of the components expected to be in a starter's kit. We will go over the rest of the components in another post. Ciao!