Debugging with the Arduino Zero

In this video we look at how to do debugging with the Arduino Zero. The Arduino Zero has a lot of great capabilities and features. One of those great features is it has a built-in hardware debugger. In this video we will look at how to use the debugger and the software you need to go with it.

//***************Arduino Code from Video**********************************
/*
This code was used for a tutorial video on the ForceTronics YouTube Channel that showed
how to do debugging with the Arduino Zero and Atmel Studio. This code is free and open
for anybody to use or modify
 */
int ranNum; //global variable to hold random number

void setup() {
  randomSeed(analogRead(A0)); //seed value for random number generator
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // initialize digital pin 13 as an output.
}

void loop() {
  
  ranNum = random(0,100);   //generate a random number between zero and 100
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);              // wait for a second
}

Contracting and Consulting Services for Open Source Hardware Design

This video provides an overview of ForceTronics LLC's contracting and consulting services. Whether you are a maker, entrepreneur, or a startup Forcetronics Contracting and Consulting Services can help turn your idea into reality leveraging the power of open source hardware.

If you are interested contact me on twitter or email:

• Twitter: @ForceTronics
• Email: forcetronics@gmail.com

Put “Contracting Services” or “Consulting Services” in the subject line

Building Your Own AVR / Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) Development Board Part 5

Welcome to the final installment of building your own AVR / Arduino compatible internet of things (IoT) development board. In part 5 we open up our new PCBs and build them up. We then do some testing to make sure everything is working correctly. Spoiler alert, this video has a happy ending with a working Arduino compatible board with Bluetooth 4.0 built-in. Below you will find a link to the Eagle files and the Arduino code for the test sketch.

Link to download Eagle files including: library file, project files, and Gerber files:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/26591541/AVR_IoT_Board_Eagle_Files_8_8_15.zip

*******************Arduino Test Sketch************************************
//This sketch is to test a DIY Arduino compatiable board with Bluetooth 4.0 on it
//the board is targeted IoT applications. Details can be found of the ForceTronics 
//YouTube channel. This code is open for anybody to use and modify

int wValue = 1; //variable to hold write value (high or low)

void setup() {
   Serial.begin(115200); //start serial
}

void loop() {
  delay(1000);
  setPinMode(OUTPUT, INPUT); //set D2 to D7 as outputs, and D8 to D13 to inputs
  setDigWrite(false, wValue); //set group of pins to write and write high or low
  Serial.print("D2 thru D7 writing "); 
  Serial.println(wValue);
  Serial.println("D8 thru D13 reading the following values....");
  printDigPins(true); //print what dig pins read
  delay(1000);
  setPinMode(INPUT, OUTPUT); //set D2 to D7 as intputs, and D8 to D13 to outputs
  setDigWrite(true, wValue); //set group of pins to write and write high or low
  Serial.print("D8 thru D13 writing "); 
  Serial.println(wValue);
  Serial.println("D2 thru D7 reading the following values....");
  printDigPins(false); //print what dig pins read
  
  delay(1000);
  adcReads(); //read each ADC pin and print result
  
  if(wValue) wValue = 0; //toggle digital write value
  else wValue = 1;
  delay(1000);
}

//function sets D2 thru D7 to input / output and D8 thru D13 to input / output
void setPinMode(int smallMode, int bigMode) {
  for(int i=0;i<6;i++) {
    pinMode((i+2), smallMode);
    pinMode((i+8), bigMode);
  }  
}

//Writes high or low to group of digital pins
void setDigWrite(bool big, int state) {
  if(big) {
    for(int i=0;i<6;i++) {
      digitalWrite((i+8), state);
    }
  }
  else {
    for(int i=0;i<6;i++) {
      digitalWrite((i+2), state);
    }
  }
}

//does digital read on group of digital pins and prints results
void printDigPins(bool big) {
  if(big) {
    for(int i=0;i<6;i++) {
      Serial.print("Value at pin D");
      Serial.print((i+8));
      Serial.print(" --> ");
      Serial.println(digitalRead((i+8)));
    }
  }
  else {
    for(int i=0;i<6;i++) {
      Serial.print("Value at pin D");
      Serial.print((i+2));
      Serial.print(" --> ");
      Serial.println(digitalRead((i+2)));
    }
  }
}


//Reads each ADC pin and prints result
void adcReads() {
  for(int i=0; i<6; i++) {
    Serial.print("ADC value at Pin A");
    Serial.print(i);
    Serial.print(" --> ");
    Serial.println(analogRead(i));
  }
}

Building a Not Gate from a Transistor

In this video we take a brief look at how a transistor works and how to use it as a not gate or an digital logic inverter. We look at an example with Arduino using both an NPN and a PNP bipolar junction transistor as a not gate

//***********Arduino Code ******************************************
//This example code was used on the Forcetronics YouTube Channel to demonstrate how to 
//make an inverter or not gate using an NPN and PNP transistor

const int NPN = 2; //create variable for NPN base 
const int PNP = 3; //create variable for PNP base
const int NPNRead = 4; //create variable to read NPN
const int PNPRead = 5; //create variable to read PNP

void setup() {
  pinMode(NPN, OUTPUT);   // set pin to output
  pinMode(PNP, OUTPUT);   // set pin to output
  pinMode(NPNRead, INPUT);   // set pin to input
  pinMode(PNPRead, INPUT);   // set pin to input
  Serial.begin(9600); //start serial comm
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(NPN, LOW);   // set NPN base to low
  digitalWrite(PNP, LOW);   // set PNP base to low
  Serial.println("Base of NPN and PNP is set to Low");
  Serial.print("NPN reads ");
  Serial.println(digitalRead(NPNRead)); //read and print value at NPN digital pin
  Serial.print("PNP reads ");
  Serial.println(digitalRead(PNPRead)); //read and print value at PNP digital pin
  Serial.println();
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(NPN, HIGH);   // set NPN base to high
  digitalWrite(PNP, HIGH);   // set PNP base to high
  Serial.println("Base of NPN and PNP is set to High");
  Serial.print("NPN reads ");
  Serial.println(digitalRead(NPNRead)); //read and print value at NPN digital pin
   Serial.print("PNP reads ");
  Serial.println(digitalRead(PNPRead)); //read and print value at PNP digital pin
  Serial.println();
  delay(1000);
}

Using a Transistor as a Switch

In this video we cover briefly what a transistor is and discuss how to use them as an electrical switch (DC only). As a demonstration we use an Arduino to switch on and off an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor.

//************************Arduino Code ******************************
//This example code was used on the Forcetronics YouTube Channel to demonstrate how to
//make an inverter or not gate using an NPN and PNP transistor. This code is open for
//anybody to use or modify

const int BJT = 2; //create variable to control the base of NPN and PNP

void setup() {
  pinMode(BJT, OUTPUT);   // set it as digital output
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(BJT, LOW);   // set base of NPN and PNP to low
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(BJT, HIGH);   // set base of NPN and PNP to high
  delay(1000);
}

Building Your Own AVR / Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) Development Board Part 4

This is part 4 in a 5 part series where we build our own AVR / Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) development board, yay! In this part we will do the PCB layout and discuss how to get our PCB manufactured.

Download Eagle Files

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r1t2mjy1rt29wup/AVR_IoT_Board_Eagle_Files_8_8_15.zip?dl=0

Eagle Parts and Libraries
Libraries Used:
•Atmega 328P --> Library: SparkFun-DigitalIC Device: ATMEGA328P_PDIP
•LM317 --> Library: linear>*317 Device:317T
•Resonator ZTT16.0MHz --> Library: Adafruit Device: CERMOSCILL-THM (CERMOSCILL)
•Ceramic Cap --> Library: rcl > C-EU Device: C-EU050-030X075
•Electrolytic cap --> Library: rcl > CPOL-EU Device: CPOL-EUE2.5-6
•Resistor --> Library: resistor Device: R-EU_0207/10 (R-EU_) Package: 0207/10
•Reset switch --> Library: switch-omron Device: 10-XX
•LED --> Library: led Device: LED5MM (LED)
•Potentiometer --> Library: rcl > R-TRIMM Device: R-TRIMMT93YA
Note: Sparkfun and Adafruit libraries did not come with Eagle, but you can find them on their websites

Parts I made (included in files linked to my blog):
•ForceTronic.lbr --> All header and pin holes and 2.1mm DC Jack
•BLE_Micro_Module.lbr --> BLE Micro

Building Your Own AVR / Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) Development Board Part 3

This is part 3 in a 5 part series where we build our own AVR / Arduino Internet of Things (IoT) development board, yay! In this part we will finalize our design schematic and parts list so we are ready to do PCB layout in part 4.

Final Design Schematic:

Bill of Materials:

• Atmega 328P MCU (Dip Package)
• 16MHz resonator
• BLE Micro from DFRobot or equivalent
• LM317 Voltage Regulator
• Resistors (Ohms): 10k, 2x 1k, 2x 300, 1k POTENTIOMETER or 500
• Capacitors: 4x 100nF (Ceramic) and 1uF (electrolytic)
• LED 5mm (any color you want)
• 0.1” male pins
• 2x 0.1” 2x4 female header (optional)
• 4x 0.1” pin jumpers
• DC Power Jack (+ pin is 2.1mm) 
• 13uH Inductor (optional)
• Female pin headers: 6 pin, 2x 8 pin, 10 pin
• 28 pin DIP Socket (optional): part # 4828-3004-CP