Heaven’s Light Is Our Guide

Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

CSE 3105
Computer Interfacing & Embedded System

Understanding the Arduino Landscape

Md. Nasif Osman Khansur

Lecturer
Dept. of CSE, RUET
 References

1. Exploring Arduino 2e by Jeremy Blum [Chapter 1]

2. An Introduction to Arduino Uno Pinout [Link]
 Introduction
What is Arduino?
The Arduino is a microcontroller development platform o The Arduino could be an automatic plant-
watering control system.
paired with an intuitive programming language that you o It could be a web server.
develop using the Arduino integrated development o It could even be a quadcopter autopilot
environment based on easy-to-use hardware and software. and so on.

Arduino boards are able to read inputs - light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message - and turn it
into an output - activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online.

 You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board.
 To do so you use the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring), and the Arduino Software (IDE),
based on Processing.

Arduino was born at the Ivrea Interaction Design Institute as an easy tool for fast prototyping, aimed at students
without a background in electronics and programming.
 Introduction
Why Arduino?
Inexpensive - Arduino boards are relatively inexpensive compared to other microcontroller platforms. The
least expensive version of the Arduino module can be assembled by hand, and even the pre-assembled
Arduino modules cost less than \$50

Cross-platform - The Arduino Software (IDE) runs on Windows, Macintosh

OSX, and Linux operating systems. Most microcontroller systems are
limited to Windows.

Simple, clear programming environment - The Arduino Software

(IDE) is easy-to-use for beginners, yet flexible enough for advanced
users to take advantage of as well.

Open source and extensible software - The Arduino software is published as open source tools,
available for extension by experienced programmers. The language can be expanded through C++
libraries, and people wanting to understand the technical details can make the leap from Arduino to the
AVR C programming language on which it's based.
Arduino Uno Components
Functionality:
 Microcontroller: At the heart of
every Arduino is a
microcontroller. This is the
brain of your Arduino.
 Programming: Programming
interfaces enable you to load
software onto your Arduino.
 I/O: Input/Output (I/O) circuitry
is what enables your Arduino
interface with sensors,
actuators, etc.
 Power: There are a variety of
ways to supply power to an
Arduino. Most Arduino boards
can automatically switch
between power from multiple
sources (such as USB and a
battery).
Blue Pill Components
STM32 is a family of 32-bit
microcontroller integrated circuits
by STMicroelectronics. The
STM32 chips are grouped into
related series that are based
around the same 32-bit ARM
processor core.

The STM32F103C8T6 (also known as

‘STM32’ or ‘Blue Pill”) is a cheap
development board based on the ARM
Cortex M3 microprocessor.
Arduino Uno vs. Blue Pill
Programming STM32
1) Using STM32duino bootloader (Arduino IDE)
You can program your STM32 development board
using Arduino IDE, too. You will require FTDI (USB to
UART converter) for this process.

2) Using Keil UVision and

STM32CubeMX
This more professional in terms of usage. You will
require the softwares ARM’s Keil Uvision and
STM32CubeMX for this method of programming
BluePill. You will also need the STLink/V2 which is a
debugger cum programmer hardware provided by
STMicroelectronics. These softwares provide a more
sophisticated and professional programming
environment for programming embedded systems.
 Microcontroller
A microcontroller (MCU) is a small, integrated computing device that
contains a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output (I/O)
peripherals, and other essential components on a single chip.

Microcontrollers are designed to execute specific tasks within embedded

systems, such as controlling electronic devices, gathering sensor data, and
processing information in real-time.

They are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including

consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive systems, medical
devices, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
 Microcontroller
Microcontroller Board: A microcontroller board, also known as a development
board or evaluation board, is a hardware platform that incorporates a
microcontroller chip along with additional components and interfaces to facilitate
prototyping, experimentation, and development of embedded systems.

These boards typically provide features such as power regulation, clock circuitry,
input/output pins, communication interfaces (e.g., USB, UART, SPI, I2C), and
sometimes built-in sensors or LEDs.

Popular examples of microcontroller boards include the Arduino Uno, STM32 Blue
Pill, and Raspberry Pi.
 Microcontroller
Architecture: The architecture of a microcontroller refers to its internal design and
organization of components, including the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory,
peripherals, and input/output interfaces.

Word Size: It represents the size of the binary data that the microcontroller’s CPU
can process or manipulate in a single instruction cycle. It also represents size of all
addresses, integers, and other key data types.
For example, an 8-bit microcontroller architecture processes data in chunks of 8
bits at a time. Maximum size of addresses or data type is also 8 bit.

Manufacturer: The manufacturer of a microcontroller is the company that designs,

produces, and sells the microcontroller.
 Microcontroller
CPU Frequency: The CPU frequency, also known as clock speed, refers to the speed
at which the microcontroller's central processing unit (CPU) executes instructions.
It is measured in hertz (Hz) and determines the processing speed of the
microcontroller.

Flash Memory: Flash memory is non-volatile memory used for storing program
code (firmware) and data in a microcontroller. It retains its data even when power
is removed from the microcontroller and is typically used to store the
microcontroller's firmware.

RAM: RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory used for temporary
storage of data and variables during program execution.
 Arduino Uno Diagram
[Link
]
 ATMega328P
[Link
]

328P =
‘32’ means 32 kByte of Flash or
Program Memory (Code Space).
‘8’ means 8 bit architecture.
‘P’ stands for ‘picopower’; lower
power consumption.
 ATMega328P
Pin Pin Description Secondary Function 10 PB7 Pin7 of XTAL2 (Chip Clock Oscillator pin 2)
No. name (XTAL2/TO PORTB TOSC2 (Timer Oscillator pin 2)
SC2)
1 PC6 Pin6 of PORT Pin by default is used as RESET pin.
(RESET) C PC6 can only be used as I/O pin when 11 PD5 Pin5 of T1(Timer1 External Counter Input)
RSTDISBL Fuse is programmed. (T1/OC0B) PORT D
OC0B(PWM - Timer/Counter0 Output
2 PD0 Pin0 of PORT RXD (Data Input Pin for USART) Compare Match B Output)
(RXD) D USART Serial Communication
12 PD6 Pin6 of AIN0(Analog Comparator Positive I/P)
Interface
(AIN0/OC0 PORTD
[Can be used for programming]
A) OC0A(PWM - Timer/Counter0 Output
Compare Match A Output)
3 PD1 Pin1 of PORT TXD (Data Output Pin for USART)
(TXD) D USART Serial Communication
Interface 13 PD7 (AIN1) Pin7 of AIN1(Analog Comparator Negative I/P)
[Can be used for programming] PORTD

INT2( External Interrupt 2 Input) 14 PB0 Pin0 of ICP1(Timer/Counter1 Input Capture Pin)
(ICP1/CLKO PORTB
4 PD2 Pin2 of PORT External Interrupt source 0 ) CLKO (Divided System Clock. The divided
(INT0) D system clock can be output on the PB0
pin)
5 PD3 Pin3 of PORT External Interrupt source1
15 PB1 Pin1 of OC1A (Timer/Counter1 Output Compare
(INT1/OC D
(OC1A) PORTB Match A Output)
2B) OC2B(PWM - Timer/Counter2 Output
Compare Match B Output) 16 PB2 Pin2 of SS (SPI Slave Select Input). This pin is low
(SS/OC1B) PORTB when controller acts as slave.
6 PD4 Pin4 of PORT T0( Timer0 External Counter Input) [Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for
(XCK/T0) D XCK ( USART External Clock I/O) programming]

7 VCC Connected to positive voltage OC1B (Timer/Counter1 Output Compare

Match B Output)
8 GND Connected to ground 17 PB3 Pin3 of MOSI (Master Output Slave Input). When
(MOSI/OC2 PORTB controller acts as slave, the data is
9 PB6 Pin6 of PORT XTAL1 (Chip Clock Oscillator pin 1 or A) received by this pin. [Serial Peripheral
(XTAL1/T B External clock input) Interface (SPI) for programming]
OSC1) TOSC1 (Timer Oscillator pin 1) OC2 (Timer/Counter2 Output Compare
 ATMega328P
18 PB4 Pin4 of MISO (Master Input Slave Output).
(MISO) PORTB When controller acts as slave, the
data is sent to master by this
controller through this pin.

[Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for

programming]
24 PC1 Pin1 of ADC1 (ADC Input Channel 1)
19 PB5 Pin5 of SCK (SPI Bus Serial Clock). This is (ADC1) PORTC
(SCK) PORTB the clock shared between this
controller and other system for 25 PC2 Pin2 of ADC2 (ADC Input Channel 2)
accurate data transfer. (ADC2) PORTC
[Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for
programming] 26 PC3 Pin3 of ADC3 (ADC Input Channel 3)
(ADC3) PORTC
20 AVCC Power for Internal ADC Converter
27 PC4 Pin4 of ADC4 (ADC Input Channel 4)
21 AREF Analog Reference Pin for ADC (ADC4/SD PORTC SDA (Two-wire Serial Bus Data
A) Input/output Line)
22 GND GROUND
28 PC5 Pin5 of ADC5 (ADC Input Channel 5)
23 PC0 Pin0 of ADC0 (ADC Input Channel 0) (ADC5/SC PORTC SCL (Two-wire Serial Bus Clock
(ADC0) PORTC L) Line)
 Power Supply

1. Barrel Jack
2. VIN Pin
3. USB cable
4. 5v and 3v3
5. GND
6. RESET
7. IOREF
 Power Supply

1. Barrel Jack
2. VIN Pin
3. USB cable [Link
]

The Barrel jack, or DC Power Jack

can be used to power your Arduino
board. The barrel jack is usually
connected to a wall adapter.
 Power Supply

1. Barrel Jack
2. VIN Pin
3. USB cable [Link
]

This pin is used to power the

Arduino Uno board using an
external power source.
 Power Supply

1. Barrel Jack
2. VIN Pin
[Link
3. USB cable ]

When connected to the computer,

provides 5 volts at 500mA.
 Power Supply

4. 5v and 3v3
5. GND
6. RESET
7. IOREF
They provide regulated 5v and 3.3v
to power external components.
 Power Supply

4. 5v and 3v3
5. GND
6. RESET
7. IOREF
You can find 5 GND pins, which are
all interconnected. The GND pins are
used to close the electrical circuit
and provide a common logic
reference level throughout your
circuit. Always make sure that all
GNDs are connected to one another
and have a common ground
 Power Supply

4. 5v and 3v3
5. GND
6. RESET
7. IOREF
Resets the Arduino.
 Power Supply

4. 5v and 3v3
5. GND
6. RESET
7. IOREF
This pin is the input/output
reference. It provides the voltage
reference with which the
microcontroller operates.
 Power Supply

There is a polarity protection diode

connecting between the positive of
the barrel jack to the VIN pin, rated
at 1 Ampere. [Link]
 GPIO Pins

GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output) pins are digital pins on a microcontroller that

can be configured as either input or output. They are used to interface with
external devices, sensors, and peripherals, and can be controlled and monitored by
software.
 Analog Pins

The Arduino Uno has 6 analog pins, which

utilize ADC (Analog to Digital converter).
These pins serve as analog inputs but can also
function as digital inputs or digital outputs.
 Analog Pins
Analog to Digital Conversion
ADC stands for Analog to Digital Converter.
ADC is an electronic circuit used to convert
analog signals into digital signals. This digital
representation of analog signals allows the
processor (which is a digital device) to
measure the analog signal and use it through
its operation.
 Analog Pins
Analog to Digital Conversion
Arduino Pins A0-A5 are capable of reading
analog voltages. On Arduino the ADC has 10-
bit resolution, meaning it can represent
analog voltage by 1,024 digital levels. The ADC
converts voltage into bits which the
microprocessor can understand.
 Analog Pins
Analog to Digital Conversion
One common example of an ADC is Voice over
IP (VoIP). Every smartphone has a microphone
that converts sound waves (voice) into analog
voltage. This goes through the device’s ADC,
gets converted into digital data, which is
transmitted to the receiving side over the
internet.
 Digital Pins

When the digital pins are configured as

output, they are set to 0 or 5 volts.
Pins 0-13 of the Arduino Uno serve as digital
input/output pins.
 Digital Pins

When the digital pins are configured as input,

the voltage is supplied from an external
device. This voltage can vary between 0-5
volts which is converted into digital
representation (0 or 1). To determine this,
there are 2 thresholds:
Below 0.8v - considered as 0.
Above 2v - considered as 1.
 Digital Pins

If the voltage is in between the thresholds,

the returning value will be undefined.
 Digital Pins

Pin 13 of the Arduino Uno is connected to the

built-in LED.
In the Arduino Uno - pins 3,5,6,9,10,11 have
PWM capability.
 Digital Pins
What is PWM?
In general, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a modulation technique
used to encode a message into a pulsing signal.
A PWM is comprised of two key components: frequency and duty
cycle.
 Digital Pins
What is PWM?
The PWM frequency dictates how long it takes to complete a single
cycle (period) and how quickly the signal fluctuates from high to low.
The duty cycle determines how long a signal stays high out of the total
period. Duty cycle is represented in percentage.
 Digital Pins
What is PWM?
In Arduino, the PWM enabled pins produce a constant frequency of
~500Hz, while the duty cycle changes according to the parameters set
by the user.
PWM signals are used for speed control of DC motors, dimming LEDs
and more.
 Digital Pins
PWM Application – Motor Driver
A constant voltage source powers the motor.
PWM creates a switching square wave signal, alternating between full
voltage (on) and zero voltage (off) at a high frequency.
By changing the duty cycle, the on-time compared to the total cycle
time, we can control the average voltage experienced by the motor.
[Link]
Serial Communication

[Link
]
 Serial Communication
UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter)
[Link]
A universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) is a block of circuitry responsible for
implementing serial communication. Essentially, the UART acts as an intermediary between
parallel and serial interfaces. On one end of the UART is a bus of eight-or-so data lines (plus
some control pins), on the other is the two serial wires - RX and TX.
 Serial Communication
SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)
[Link] MISO ->
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) is an interface bus commonly
used to send data between microcontrollers and small
POCI
peripherals such as shift registers, sensors, and SD cards. It uses MOSI ->
separate clock and data lines, along with a select line to choose
the device you wish to talk to. PICO
SS -> CS
 Serial Communication
I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)
The Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) Protocol is a protocol intended to allow multiple "peripheral" digital integrated circuits ("chips") to
communicate with one or more "controller" chips.

SCL is the clock line which is designed to synchronize data transfers.

SDA is the line used to transmit data.
[Link]
 AREF

Reference voltage for the analog inputs. Default 5v.

Arduino ADC is 10 bits (0-1023). So, by default, 5v will be mapped to
1023.
[Link]
 AREF

Reference voltage for the analog inputs. Default 5v.

Arduino ADC is 10 bits (0-1023). So, by default, 5v will be mapped to
1023.
[Link]
 AREF

Reference voltage for the analog inputs. Default 5v.

Arduino ADC is 10 bits (0-1023). So, by default, 5v will be mapped to
1023.
[Link]
 Interrupt

An external interrupt is a system interrupt that occurs when outside

interference is present. Interference can come from the user or other
hardware devices in the network.
Common uses for these interrupts in Arduino are reading the frequency
a square wave generated by encoders or waking up the processor upon
an external event.
[Link]
 ICSP Header
In-Circuit Serial Programming
These pins enable the user to program the Arduino boards’ firmware.
[Link]
Arduino Uno vs STM32 Blue Pill
Some
production
grade usage—

▪ Industrial
Automation
Systems
▪ 3D Printer
Controller
▪ Unmanned
Aerial
Vehicles
(UAVs)
▪ High-
Fidelity
Motor
Control
▪ Internet of
[Link
] Things (IoT)
 Arduino Uno vs STM32 Blue Pill

Functionality Arduino STM32 Blue Pill

Architecture 8-bit AVR ATmega328P 32-bit ARM Cortex M3
designed by ATMEL designed by ARM
(acquired by Microchip) (Part No:
STM32F103C8T6)
Manufacturer Microchip/ATMEL ST-Microelectronics
CPU Frequency 16 MHz 72 MHz
Flash Memory 32KB 64KB
RAM 2KB 20KB
 Arduino Uno vs STM32 Blue Pill

Functionality Arduino STM32 Blue Pill

No of GPIO pins 14 (Digital) 37
No of Analog input Pins 6 (10-bit) 10 (12-bit)
No of PWM pins 6 12
No of Timers 2 (8-bit), 0 (PWM) 3 (16-bit), 1 (PWM)
Thank
You!