The Arduino Platform and C Programming

The Arduino Platform and C Programming

This course is part of An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT) Specialization

Instructor: Ian Harris

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IOT) Specialization

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There are 4 modules in this course

The Arduino is an open-source computer hardware/software platform for building digital devices and interactive objects that can sense and control the physical world around them. In this class you will learn how the Arduino platform works in terms of the physical board and libraries and the IDE (integrated development environment). You will also learn about shields, which are smaller boards that plug into the main Arduino board to perform other functions such as sensing light, heat, GPS tracking, or providing a user interface display. The course will also cover programming the Arduino using C code and accessing the pins on the board via the software to control external devices. Please note that this course does not include discussion forums.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Outline the composition of the Arduino development board 2. Describe what it means to program the board's firmware 3. Read board schematics 4. Install Arduino IDE 5. Describe what "shields" are and how they are used 6. Specify the role of libraries in the use of shields 7. Compile and run a program 8. Name C Variables and Types 9. Name common C operators 10. Use conditionals and loops 11. Explain functions, their definition and invocation 12. Explain the implications of global variables 13. Undertake the Arduino build process 14. Describe the role of the tools behind the IDE 15. Describe how to invoke functions in classes 16. Explain the structure of an Arduino sketch 17. Access the pins of the Arduino 18. Differentiate between digital and analog pin 19. Debug embedded software 20. Explain the importance of controllability and observability in the debugging process 21. Describe common debugging architectures for embedded systems 22. Explain how the UART Serial communication protocol works 23. Describe how the Arduino Serial library performs serial communication

This module provides an introduction to the Arduino environment which is composed of three things: the Arduino board, the Arduino IDE, and the Arduino-compatible shields together with their libraries. We first investigate the board, discussing all of its main components, inputs, and outputs. We discuss how each component is used and we examine the board schematic to see how they are connected. We then discuss the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which is used primarily to write, compile, and upload code. We survey the interface of the IDE and discuss how to install and use it. We also examine the use of shields to extend the functionality of an Arduino-based system. We discuss how shield libraries provide a useful abstraction to facilitate programming.

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review

9 videosTotal 50 minutes

Module 1 Introduction (video)1 minutePreview module
Lecture 1.1: Arduino Platform8 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Arduino Board7 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Direct Programming3 minutes
Lecture 2.1: Arduino Schematics4 minutes
Lecture 2.2: Arduino IDE7 minutes
Lecture 2.3: Compiling Code4 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Arduino Shields and Libraries6 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Arduino Basic Setup6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Pre-Course Survey10 minutes
Course Overview10 minutes
Module 1 Objectives10 minutes
Module 1 Reading10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Install the Arduino IDE on your computer60 minutes

This module covers the basics of the C programming language which will be used to write code for the Arduino. The course first covers basic syntax, variables, and types. Most of the basic C operators are presented. Conditional statements (if, switch) and loops (while, for) are described. The concept of functions is presented together with how to define and call functions. Creation and use of global variables is explained.

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review

9 videosTotal 61 minutes

Module 2 Introduction (video)0 minutesPreview module
Lecture 1.1: Setting Up Your Environment7 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Hello World6 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Variables4 minutes
Lecture 2.1: Basic C Operators6 minutes
Lecture 2.2: Conditionals7 minutes
Lecture 2.3: Loops8 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Functions10 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Global Variables7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Module 2 Objectives10 minutes
Module 2 Mandatory Reading10 minutes
Module 2, Recommended Reading10 minutes
Planning Ahead for Modules 3 and 410 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Program to compute Fibonacci sequence60 minutes

This module describes the composition of an Arduino program, or sketch, and the process by which it is compiled and uploaded. The Arduino IDE is a user interface for the software tools which actually compile and upload the program. We outline the use of these tools in the build process. We describe the basic structure of a sketch, including the use of the setup() and loop() functions. The main interface of an Arduino is through its pins, so we describe how to access those pins from a sketch.

What's included

10 videos3 readings1 assignment1 peer review

10 videosTotal 57 minutes

Module 3 Introduction (video)1 minutePreview module
Lecture 1.1: Arduino Toolchain5 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Cross-Compilation4 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Arduino Sketches9 minutes
Lecture 2.1: Classes7 minutes
Lecture 2.2: Sketch Structure4 minutes
Lecture 2.3: Pins7 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Input and Output6 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Blink Example5 minutes
Video Demonstration: Arduino Blink Example4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 Objectives10 minutes
Module 3 Reading10 minutes
Information About the Arduino10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Module 3 Peer Review60 minutes

This module is an introduction on debugging embedded software on an Arduino. We discuss the basic debugging requirements: controllability and observability. The debugging environment available for an Arduino UNO is limited, so we describe how to use the UART communication protocol to gain controllability and observability. We present the use of the Serial library to communicate with the Arduino through the serial monitor.

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment1 peer review

9 videosTotal 72 minutes

Module 4 Introduction (video)1 minutePreview module
Lecture 1.1: Debugging12 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Debug Environments12 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Debug via Serial8 minutes
Lecture 2.1: UART Protocol7 minutes
Lecture 2.2: UART Synchronization7 minutes
Lecture 2.3: UART Parity and Stop6 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Serial on Arduino (Updated)11 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Reading from Serial4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Module 4 Objectives10 minutes
Module 4 Reading10 minutes
Information about the Arduino10 minutes
End-of-Course Survey10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Module 4 Peer Review60 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

4.7 (1,111 ratings)

Ian Harris

University of California, Irvine

9 Courses601,229 learners

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University of California, Irvine

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Reviewed on Jun 15, 2019

THIS COURSE HAS GIVING ME MORE HOPE AN EASY WAY OF LEARNING.

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2018

The programming questions lack a little clarity on what the output is as expected. It creates a small confusion. Otherwise, a great course to learn and study. Great conceptualizations.

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2016

A very good course to teach you the basics of Arduino platform and IDE. It'll help you get started on how to code your programs and lets you build up on it. I'd definitely recommend for a beginner.

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