stick a computer on it: how to embed a microcontroller into anything watitis 2011 presentation...
TRANSCRIPT
Stick a Computer on it: How to Embed a Microcontroller
into Anything
WatITis 2011 Presentation
December 6th, 2011
What is a microcontroller
• It’s a computer• Most of you probably already know that• It’s a self-contained computer on a
microchip, just add code and electricity
2011
What is a microcontroller
• “a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals” - wikipedia
2011
What is a microcontroller
• They have made huge leaps in technology in the past 20 years
• This is where I show my age• (I’m not THAT old)
2011
(my) History of microcontrollers
• Mid-90’s you had to do the following to get a microcontroller working:
• Plot out your circuit, plan your inputs and outputs
• Refer to pre-ordered information sheets to find the microcontroller model that you think will work best for your application
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(my) History of microcontrollers
• Order and read the user manual• Know the chip like the back of your hand• Find and install the development
environment• If you were lucky, the dev. env. came with
a debugger, if not, find a 3rd-party debugger, learn it and use it
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(my) History of microcontrollers
• Code in assembler• Test the code on the debugger, hit the
space bar a lot• Sell your soul, get it to work in theory• Buy a programmer ($200 - 1000)• Buy your chip(s) ($30+ each)• Program your chip
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(my) History of microcontrollers
• Test it out• Doesn’t work? Throw it out. Or spend 2-3
times more on a reprogrammable chip• Re-learn everything• Gouge out your eyes in frustration• But when it works, its better than sex
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Why they didn’t take off
• Expensive (initial set up cost and waste)• Difficult to use and learn (variety)
– Frequently had to re-learn things between manufacturers, product lines, years
• Lengthy development time (very stepwise)
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Microcontrollers today
• Easy peasy lemon squeezy
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Microcontrollers today
• Recent explosion in the past 5 years• Cheap• Easy to learn (Java and .NET)• Rapid prototyping
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Microcontrollers today
• PICAXE System• BasicX• NETduino• Arduino
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Shake hands with the Arduino
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Arduino
• Cheap (<$30) development model– Ardweeny costs $7
• Easy to use – Java-based languages
• Quick prototyping – Reprogrammable in situ
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Arduino
• Very active and healthy community• 100% Open-source project
– Development environment is Open-source– Libraries are Open-source– The physical board is Open-source
• Eagle files are available to download and modify
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Arduino
• 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) of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader • SRAM: 2 KB (ATmega328) • EEPROM: 1 KB (ATmega328) • Clock Speed: 16 MHz
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Arduino - Expansion
• Many companies have grown that create custom “shields” or add-on attachments that piggyback onto an Arduino board.
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Arduino - Expansion
• Motor • Wifi/Bluetooth/Cell/IEEE 802.15.4
Networks • LCD Displays• Ethernet Networking• GPS• SD Card
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Arduino - Community
• Home automators• E-textiles• CNC/3D printing• Robotics• Interactive art• Drones
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Arduino - Community
• Many companies have formed that make their own custom Arduino boards for very specific applications
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Arduino - Community
• Ardupilot (diydrones.com)
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Where to start
• Buy an Arduino ($30)– Robotshop.ca– Creatroninc.com
• Dig up a USB cable• Buy the following books:
– Getting started with Arduino ($10)– Getting Started in Electronics (?)
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Where to start
• Buy a soldering iron ($15 - 40), learn to solder– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIz
Y
• Buy/salvage parts, and start building– KW Surplus– Princess Auto– Old electronics
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Where to start
• If you are frugal and do your research, you can buy an Ardweeny for about $7, soldering iron for $15, and salvage parts for free.
• If you are not careful you can easily spend your paycheque on lots of parts that will sit in your basement unused and your wife complain about it. Possibly.
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Embedding in anything
• Arduinio Fio
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Embedding in anything
• Arduino Fio is one of the custom Arduino boards, developed by the Arduino team
• Built-in IEEE 802.15.4 support so you can control, reprogram, and send information wirelessly
• Powered by Li-Po battery
2011
Embedding in anything
• Hack a kids toy car, now it’s a remote controlled-car
• Combine a sprinkler system with a motion sensor, now it’s a squirrel-drencher
• Add it to a cat toy, cat now tweets every time it hits the toy
• Add a thermal printer, display tweets in old-timey ticker-tape format
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Really. Ticker tape twitter.
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Not-so-useful embedding
• Twitty kitty
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Useful embedding
• Bakery
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Useful embedding
• Internet cat feeder
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Be creative
• A lot can be done quickly if you have the $• A lot can be done quickly for (almost) free
if you are creative
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Thank-you
• I always like to chat and share new ideas• [email protected]• jaymis.net (http://jaymis.net/2011-watitis/)• @jwgoertz
2011