Why learning microcontrollers? - Ag-tech that invades your own garden

Diving into microcontrollers teaches you way more than just how to build cool gadgets.

You get a crash course in coding, figure out how electronics really work, and sharpen your problem-solving skills, all while creating functional products.

The first time I heard about an Arduino was in University. I didn’t quite understand what it was so I bought a small kit and started experimenting. It was a crazy journey that got me into coding, electronics and tech orientation in general.

Watch Introduction Video

This video demonstrates the

For those who wish to follow

Prerequisites

Arduino IDE – download here
Arduino Uno
Breadboard
Male-male wire
220 ohm resistor
LED

Wiring

In this example, pin 8, which is out 5v output pin is connected to the 220Ω resistor. Generally speaking, the resistor can be either on the 5v side or GND side of the LED.

The resistance in determined by Ohms law: I = V/R

Where:

I is the current flowing through the circuit (in amperes, A)
V is the voltage across the circuit (in volts, V)
R is the resistance in the circuit (in ohms, Ω)

The LEDs draw around 25 mA which is 0.025A and the voltage provided by the arduino is 5V, hence:
0.025 = 5/R —-> R = 200Ω

220Ω is used to be on the safe side of things.

Code attached

Arduino

				void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  pinMode(8,OUTPUT); // setting pin 8 to be output
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  digitalWrite(8,HIGH); // turn on 
  delay(3000); // wait 3 seconds
  digitalWrite(8,LOW); // turn off
  delay(5000); // wait 5 seconds
}

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  pinMode(8,OUTPUT); // setting pin 8 to be output
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  digitalWrite(8,HIGH); // turn on 
  delay(3000); // wait 3 seconds
  digitalWrite(8,LOW); // turn off
  delay(5000); // wait 5 seconds
}