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Physical Computing Notes

This document provides an overview of electronics concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's law. It also describes common electronic components like batteries, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. Additionally, it introduces Arduino as a prototyping platform and microcontroller that can be programmed to read sensors and control actuators. Finally, it discusses the benefits of prototyping, including getting early user feedback, uncovering problems, and creating a better final product.

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205 views

Physical Computing Notes

This document provides an overview of electronics concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's law. It also describes common electronic components like batteries, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. Additionally, it introduces Arduino as a prototyping platform and microcontroller that can be programmed to read sensors and control actuators. Finally, it discusses the benefits of prototyping, including getting early user feedback, uncovering problems, and creating a better final product.

Uploaded by

Anonymous W9MgRBVtYC
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DECO1013 – Lecture, Week 2.

8/08/17

Introduction to Electronics and Arduino

Electricity: Current, Voltage and Resistance.

- Voltage = Power (Pushing force)


- Current in milliamp hours.
- Resistance = Works against current.

Ohm’s Law: R = V / I.

- Electrons flow from negative to positive terminals.


- Need to have a closed circuit.
- If there is an open circuit, electrons cannot get from the negative to positive terminal.

Voltage

- Difference in electric potential (energy/electromotive force) applied between two points.


o Force that moves electrons around a circuit.
o The greater the potential, the greater the force.
- Sources of voltage come from a range of sources such as chemical processes.

Resistance

- Inverse to current.
- Measured in Ohms.
- Good conductors have low resistance.
- Good insulators have high resistance.
- LEDs take low voltage, using a resister reduces the current hence the voltage applied into
the LED.

Some Simple Components.

- Batteries
o Major difference is the variation in voltage.
o Have positive and negative terminals.
o Lead-Acid: Typical battery found in devices such as TV Remote.
o Nickel Cadmium / Nickel Metal Hydride = Rechargeable batteries.
o Lithium Ion (To be used) -> Most stable used in phones.
 Most expensive but the best, very small in size (similar to a usb stick).
 Produces a small current.
- Connecting Batteries:
o Parallel: All batteries connected in a single positive to negative relationship.
 Voltage is low and constant.
 Current is high.
 Resistance is low.
o Series: All batteries connected in multiple positive to negative relationships.
 Voltage is high.
 Current is low and constant.
 Resistance is high
- Discrete vs. Non-Discrete Components:
o Non-Discrete components are made up of discrete components.
o Integrated Circuits (ICs) are the core of modern computing technology.
DECO1013 – Lecture, Week 2. 8/08/17

 Made up of silicon inside to control electrical relationships.


- Resistors: Resist current.
o Colour bands: Each band represents a resistance value (can be calculated).
o Known as a tolerance band.
- Capacitors
o Store and reuse electrical charge.
o Tiny reusable batteries. Used for filtering, tuning and blocking voltages.
o When Power is in -> Electricity is stored -> Released when power is out.
o Turning on -> Capacitor charges -> Turns off, released.
- Inductors: Coils.
o Uses Electromagnetism.
o EMR.
o Resists changes in electrical current, passing through it.
- Diodes: Polarised.
o Allows electrons to only move in one direction.
o Electrical circuits that have a flow are used.
o Band notation: where which side is positive and negative.
- Transistors: Semiconductors.
o Amplifies and switches the electric signals and power.

Arduino

- Integrated circuit inside.


- C-based.
- Microcontroller chip is programmed.
- Use schematic circuit drawings.
- Arduino Uno is used.
- Tool for making computers that use sensors and controls to manipulate the physical world,
through an IDE.
- General purpose platform. Binary language.

Understanding Prototyping.

- Why prototype?
o Incomplete, early version of an envisioned product.
o Simple or complex.
o Various approaches.
o Physically doing it.
- Benefits:
o Cheap, low amount of time and technical knowledge. Efficient.
o High return in investment.
o User feedback early in the design process.
o Uncovers problems in the early stages.
o Minimises miscommunication.
o Results in a better product.
o Empathic design: Design for the user.
- Low fidelity vs. High Fidelity prototyping:
o Properties of fidelity:
 Breadth, Scope, Look and Interaction.

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