RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Lesson 2. Arduino Uno Microcontroller

Suggested Time Allotment: 60 minutes

Part 1. Preparation
A. Rationale
In this lesson we will learn about the different components on the Arduino board. We will study
the Arduino UNO board because it is the most popular board in the Arduino board family. In addition, it
is the best board to get started with electronics and coding. Some boards look a bit different from the one
given below, but most Arduinos have majority of these components in common.
This lesson is important because robots have brains too and this is called MICROCONTROLLER.
Compared to our nervous system, this unit sends the information that was included to the program. It
includes the processor that processes the program, memory to remember the repeated actions and
programmable input/output peripherals.

B. Standards (RoboTek 7 Competencies; NGSS)

Robotek 7 Competencies
Knowledge Integrator
Reliable Teamer
Data Analyzer

NGSS Standards
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Analyzing and interpreting data
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models

C. Learning Outcomes
- Identify the different parts of an Arduino microcontroller.
- Describe the functions of each part of an Arduino microcontroller.

D. Learning Resources
Materials: Learning Module
Technology: ICT (PowerPoint)

Part 2. Lesson Proper

A. Engage
Puzzle

This creative group game encourages students to work together and visualize academic concepts in an
abstract way.

Resources: images, words, calculations or concepts printed

or stuck on card/paper and cut into random shapes (puzzle
pieces)
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Game: Separate your class into groups (or simply use table groupings) then hand out a puzzle for each
group to piece together.

Alternative: Students can create their own puzzles on the computer or drawn onto card/paper for their
peers to complete.

B. Explore
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Guide Question:

From the picture shown, how can you define the MCU? (Human has brain which is use for control
functions, movements, sensations and thoughts –Merriam Webster dictionary while robot has MCU)

C. Explain

Microcontroller
A MICROCONTROLLER (or MCU, short for microcontroller unit) is a small computer (SoC) on a
single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output
peripherals. It serves as the brain of our robot. Compared to our nervous system, this unit sends the
information programmed so different robotic parts can function.

Compared to our nervous system, this unit sends the information that was included to the program. It
includes the processor that processes the program, memory to remember the repeated actions and
programmable input/output peripherals.
Parts of the Microcontroller
1. Power IN (Barrel Jack) – It can be used with either a 9V or 12V supply.
2. Power IN (USB Port) – It provides power and communicates with the board when plugged into a
computer via USB.
3. LED (RX: Receiving) – It blinks when receiving data.
4. LED (TX: Transmitting) – It blinks when transmitting
data.
5. LED (Troubleshooting) – It blinks when the program
is running properly.
6. Pins (Digital, Analog, Ground) – It can be used for
input, output, power, and ground.
Pin 0 – 13
Analog Output Pins / PWM Pins Pin ~ 3, ~5, ~6, ~9, ~10
and ~11
7. LED (ON/OFF) – It indicates if there is a power.
8. Reset Button – It manually resets the Arduino that
makes your code restart.
9. Pins (Analog In, Power In, Ground Power Out, Reset)
– They can be used for input, output, power, and ground.
Pin A0 – A5
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Power Pin
 Reset
 +3.3 V
 5V
 Ground

ARDUINO is a single-board microcontroller to make using electronics in multidisciplinary projects more

accessible.

Hardware Specification
The hardware consists of a simple open source hardware board designed around an 8-bit Atmel AVR
microcontroller, or a 32-bit Atmel ARM.
These are the specifications of the Arduino MCU that is included in the kit.

 Microcontroller: ATmega328
 Operating Voltage: 5V
 Input Voltage (Recommended): 7 - 12V
 Input Voltage (limits): 6 - 20V
 Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
 Analog Input Pins: 6
 DC Current per I/O Pin: 40 mA
 DC Current for 3.3V Pin: 50 mA
 Flash Memory: 32 KB (ATmega328)  SRAM: 2 KB (ATmega328)
 EEPROM: 1 KB (ATmega328)
 Clock Speed: 16 MHz

 Power IN (Barrel Jack) – from the name power in, the wire that will be connected to this part
should be coming from the? (source)
It can be used with either a 9V or 12V supply. This is use if the MCU will stand alone and not
connected with a computer. what if it is connected on a more than 12V source? (the MCU will be
burn)
 Power IN (USB Port) – if Power in (barrel jack) is for the source where it can stand alone, what
is the use of Power In (USB port)? If it is connected to the computer. Provides power and
communicates with the board when plugged into a computer via USB. Connected to type B USB
Cable. If there is no Power IN (USB Port) data will not be transmitted to the computer.
 LED (RX: Receiving) – This LED is for receiving, what is received? (data) It blinks when
receiving a data. It receives data from the computer where we put the data.
 LED (TX: Transmitting) –what is transmitted? (data also going to computer.)
 LED (Troubleshooting) -It blinks when the program is running properly.
 Pins (Digital, Analog, Ground) - It can be used for input, output, power and ground.
Pin 0 – 13
Analog Output Pins / PWM Pins
Pin ~ 3, ~5, ~6, ~9, ~10 and ~11
 LED (ON/OFF) - It indicates if there is a power.
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

 Reset Button - It manually reset the Arduino that make your code to restart.
 Pins (Analog In, Power In, Ground Power Out, Reset) - It can be used for input, output, power
and ground.
1.Pin A0 – A5
2. Power Pin
3. Reset
4. +3.3 V
5. 5V
6. Ground
7. VIN (Voltage/Power IN)
Arduino is the brand name of the microcontrollers. They have different kinds of MCU that differs with its
use.
D. Elaborate

Microcontroller Uses

Lots of devices make use of microcontrollers. Some examples:

1. Burglar alarms incorporate a microcontroller chip, which is connected to the keypad, display
and sensor/contact inputs.
2. Older automatic washing machines used a cam switch for sequencing the operations during a
wash cycle. This was quite a complex switch and was mounted on the end of the shaft of the knob you
used to select a wash program. Newer machines use a microcontroller to sequence operations. Other
appliances such as microwave ovens and dishwashers may incorporate a microcontroller
3. TVs use microcontrollers to handle the selection of channels and reading the state of buttons on
the TV
4. Microcontrollers are used for engine control and display of information on the dashboard
(fascia) of vehicles
5. Digital cameras use microcontrollers to handle input from buttons, control of image capture
and display.

E. Evaluate
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

ANSWERS: 21 /22
Part I. 9/9
1.Power IN (Barrel Jack)
2. Power IN (USB Port)
3. LED (RX: Receiving)
4. LED (TX: Transmitting)
5. LED (Troubleshooting)
6.Pins (Digital, Analog, Ground)
7. LED (ON/OFF)
8. Reset Button
9. Pins (Analog In, Power In, Ground Power Out, Reset)
Part II. 10/10
RoboTek Arduino 1 (Teaching Guides 2019)

Parts Functions
1. Power IN (USB Provides power and communicates with the board when
Port) plugged into a computer via USB.
2. LED (RX: This LED is for receiving. It blinks when receiving a data.
Receiving) It receives data from the computer where we put the data.
3. LED (RX: It blinks when transmitting data.
Transmitting)
4. Pins (Digital, It can be used for input, output, power, and ground.
Analog, Ground) Pin 0 – 13

5. LED (ON/OFF) It indicates if there is a power.

Part III. 2/3

1. If your Arduino is not recognized. then uninstall the driver, remove
the Arduino, reinsert the Arduino, find the unrecognized device, right click
“Update driver”, and then click “Search automatically”.
2. Not enough power source, the polarity is inverse, wrong
connection and etc.
3. The capacitor will have a short circuit.

Practical Activity (Group)

 Oral recitation:
Depending on the number of participants divide the class into either 8 separate
groups and tell the students that you are going to give each group the parts of
the MCU and the other group will explain the function of each part.  

Part 3. Teachers’ Reflection

Was the lesson successful? How will you evaluate your students’ performance?

Lesson 3. Arduino IDE (Sketch)