Classes/2009/VIS147B

Spring 2009 - Vis 147B

Robert Twomey

rtwomey@ucsd.edu

Experimental Game Lab

1614 Atkinson Hall (CalIT2, by the Bear)

9-5 pm, Mon-Thurs

WebCT?

USB powered microprocessor

http://www.arduino.cc/playground/

Interfacing with hardware: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Main/InterfacingWithHardware

I feel there are probably a lot of answers here: http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl the arduino forums

Curriculum

Week 1 - Intro/Assembly

• Introduction
• Assemble your Freeduino
• like so: http://mcukits.com/2009/03/12/assembling-the-freeduino-board-kit/
  • verify values of resistors and capacitors (see charts in Practical Electronics for Inventors)
  • check polarity (+/-) on capacitors, LEDs
  • care with soldering
• Assignment:
  • Assembled, functioning Freeduino, communicating with computer, able to upload test sketches, before next class. You will need ot have this done.
  • Register on wiki (here), fill in requisite information: interests, past experience, spirit animal. Search the forums, search the arduino website, search the internet, find a project you think is interesting, and link to it with a short description in your own words (one paragraph).

Week 2 - Digital input/output

• light blink example
• light fader (external LED)
• take a one dimensional output (one light) and communicate valuable information.
  • "encoding"
  • morse code
  • think about contextualization... if the light is in an empty fuel gauge... warning light... how does its meaning change
  • how could you change the meaning through contextualization
  • meaning through pattern, over time
• registering input
• responding to input
• changing output based on input

Week 3 - PWM, Analog Output

• lights, fading
• sounds, tone generation
• Basic motor control (DC motors) see week 5

Week 4 - Sensor input

• Light sensor
• Flex touch sensor
• Accelerometer

Week 5 - Motion Control

• DC motors
• Servos
• Steppers
• the problem of linkages, gearing, axles, etc...

Week 6 - Enclosures, Packaging, Presentation. Framing.

• Made in a dorm room...
• Made in a machine shop...
• Made in an art studio
  • Tim Hawkinson
• Where are you?

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Links

• Good classes at the NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP): ITP Physical Computing
  • http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/Tutorials/Tutorials
  • http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/Parts/ComputerStoreKits
  • http://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/Intro/HomePage

Hardware

Many different options. All share a common programming environment, common code, and a similar physical layout. The board we are using does not require an external USB adaptor, which means all we need to do to program (and power) it is to plug it into the computer with a USB cable.

Here are some of the variants:

• Arduino
  • Arduino Duemilanove http://moderndevice.com/diecimila.shtml
• Freeduinos
  • http://www.freeduino.org/buy.html
  • http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=682
  • http://www.nkcelectronics.com/freeduino-arduino-diecimila-compatible-board-complete-kit.html
  • http://mcukits.com/2009/03/12/assembling-the-freeduino-board-kit/
• Bare Bones Freeduinos
  • Bare Bones Board http://moderndevice.com/index.shtml
  • Readlly Bare Bones Board http://moderndevice.com/RBBB_revB.shtml
  • require external USB adapter
• Off-board Serial
  • FTDI breakout board (with DTR reset) http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8772

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Students

• Name
  • major
  • previous electronics experience
  • programming experience
  • art interests and/or why are you here...
  • cool project made with arduino (search the internet).... i.e. something you like or excites you

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