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SUM0095 Physical Computing With The Arduino: M.heeney@mdx - Ac.uk

This one-week course teaches physical computing using Arduino. The course will introduce digital and analog inputs/outputs to read sensors and control actuators. It will then cover controlling motors and more advanced wireless techniques. The course runs Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, taught by Michael Heeney, and requires no prerequisites beyond basic computer knowledge. Attendance for the entire intensive course is strongly advised.

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Mauricio Valencia
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53 views

SUM0095 Physical Computing With The Arduino: M.heeney@mdx - Ac.uk

This one-week course teaches physical computing using Arduino. The course will introduce digital and analog inputs/outputs to read sensors and control actuators. It will then cover controlling motors and more advanced wireless techniques. The course runs Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, taught by Michael Heeney, and requires no prerequisites beyond basic computer knowledge. Attendance for the entire intensive course is strongly advised.

Uploaded by

Mauricio Valencia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SUM0095 Physical Computing with the Arduino

Dates: One week, 18 to 22 July


Times: 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Lecturer: Michael Heeney
Prerequisites: None, but basic knowledge of computers is beneficial
Assessment: None

Physical computing, in the broadest sense, means building interactive physical systems by
the use of software and hardware that can sense and respond to the real world. It is a
creative framework for understanding human beings' relationship to the digital world.

The Arduino is an electronics prototyping platform based on cheap, flexible, easy-to-use


hardware and software. It can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of
sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors and other actuators. It
was specifically designed for use by designers and artists rather than people with a technical
background.

The course will start with the following:


 Digital inputs so you can read sensors that are on or off, like switches, passive
infrared detectors, etc.
 Digital outputs so you can control actuators which are either on or off, like LEDs,
lights, speakers, etc.
 Analogue inputs so you can read sensors which have a range of values, like
potentiometers and light dependent resistors.
 Analogue outputs so you can control actuators which have a range of values, like
dimming a light or controlling the speed of a motor.
 Serial communication with the host computer so that you can interact with
programs running on it, including graphics and sound.

The next stage will be to look at actuators that make things move. You’ll learn to control DC
motors (including their speed), stepper motors, servo motors, solenoids, etc.

Then we’ll move onto more advanced techniques which will depend on the specific interests
of the participants. These could include:

 Wireless communications using RF modules, Zigbee, etc.


 RFID card reading
 DMX lighting control
 MIDI input/output (you could make your own custom musical instrument)
 GPS input for locative device

For more ideas about what is possible, have a look at the Arduino Playground:
http://www.arduino.cc/playground/. If you have a specific project in mind please email the
tutor before the course on [email protected]
If you wish to buy the Arduino Starter kit it can be bought from
Oomlaut: http://www.oomlout.co.uk/starter-kit-for-arduino-ardx-p-183.html and bring it with
you to the course. Other components and modules may be loaned during the course.

The course will be an intensive one, so you are strongly advised not to miss any sessions.

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