Stick a Computer on it: How to Embed a Microcontroller into Anything

1. Stick a Computer on it: How to Embed a Microcontroller into Anything WatITis 2011 Presentation December 6th, 2011

2. 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

3. What is a microcontroller • “a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals” - wikipedia

4. 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)

5. (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

6. (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

7. (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

8. (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

9. 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)

10. Microcontrollers today • Easy peasy lemon squeezy

11. Microcontrollers today • Recent explosion in the past 5 years • Cheap • Easy to learn (Java and .NET) • Rapid prototyping

12. Microcontrollers today • PICAXE System • BasicX • NETduino • Arduino

13. Shake hands with the Arduino

14. Arduino • Cheap (<$30) development model • Ardweeny costs $7 • Easy to use • Java-based languages • Quick prototyping • Reprogrammable in situ

15. 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

16. 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

17. Arduino - Expansion • Many companies have grown that create custom “shields” or add-on attachments that piggyback onto an Arduino board.

18. Arduino - Expansion • Motor • Wifi/Bluetooth/Cell/IEEE 802.15.4 Networks • LCD Displays • Ethernet Networking • GPS • SD Card

19. Arduino - Community • Home automators • E-textiles • CNC/3D printing • Robotics • Interactive art • Drones

20. Arduino - Community • Many companies have formed that make their own custom Arduino boards for very specific applications

21. Arduino - Community • Ardupilot (diydrones.com)

22. 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 (?)

23. Where to start • Buy a soldering iron ($15 - 40), learn to solder • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIzY • Buy/salvage parts, and start building • KW Surplus • Princess Auto • Old electronics

24. Where to start • If you are frugal and do your research, you can buy an Ardweenyfor 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.

25. Embedding in anything • ArduinioFio

26. Embedding in anything • ArduinoFio 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

27. 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

28. Really. Ticker tape twitter.

29. Not-so-useful embedding • Twitty kitty

30. Useful embedding • Bakery

31. Useful embedding • Internet cat feeder

32. 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

33. Thank-you • I always like to chat and share new ideas • jaymis@gmail.com • jaymis.net (http://jaymis.net/2011-watitis/) • @jwgoertz