MCUInterfaceDesign

From XPUB & Lens-Based wiki

Microcontrollers and Physical Interface Design

TOC(noheading)

A course on how to build physical interfaces, concentrating on the use & programming of microcontrollers, and how to connect input-devices (i.e. sensors) and output-devices (i.e. actuators) to a simple microcontroller-board like the Arduino or the Teensy.


Some of the topics covered in this course

  • Microcomputer system architecture
  • Basic electronics
  • Programming in C / C++
  • Serial communication protocols
  • Multi-threaded & interrupt-driven programs
  • Physical interface design

Preparation

I ordered some new Arduino & Teensy boards. But if you have an Arduino or an Arduino-based project already, bring it along.

  • Bring your laptop
  • Download & install the Arduino IDE
  • Linux users can add the Puredyne PPA to their /etc/apt/sources.list, then install arduino using your favourite package-manager
  • Download & install the Teensyduino extensions for the Arduino IDE
  • If you are feeling adventurous, download and install the stuff needed for AVR-development in C

Course Schedule

Day 1; Tuesday April 20

I will be joined by Michael today, and we'll be taking turns explaining & demonstrating the important fundamental concepts involved in using microcontrollers

  • What is an interface?
  • What is a microcontroller? (Differences & similarities between microcontrollers and microcomputers)
  • How to connect an Arduino / Teensy to your laptop & start programming
  • The Arduino IDE vs. programming in C with avr-libc
 Day 1 Wiki-page

Then i will probably demonstrate & explain one or two interfaces i have built recently. (if there still is time)

Day 1b; Thursday April 22

Because the students from Lens-Based Media have lectures on tuesday (and the Networked Media students have their Thematic Project day on thursday), i decided to do the important First Day again for the Lens-Based Media students.

 Day 1 Wiki-page

Day 2; Wednesday April 28

  • Basic electronics theory
  • Electronic Components
  • Reading electronic symbols & circuit diagrams
  • Soldering lessons
  • Building Electronic circuits
  • How to connect Interesting Stuff™ to an Arduino / Teensy board

Day 2 Wiki-page

Day 2b; Wednesday May 5

 Day 2 Wiki-page

Day 3; Wednesday May 19

  • Brainstorming for projects

I would like each of you to come up with an idea (or two) for a physical interface or other electronic project you would like to build. We will discuss the plans for the projects you have come up with, exchange ideas, and get to work. I will order components & pieces needed to build the projects.

Day 3b; Thursday May 20

Day 3 again, with the Lens-Based Media students

Day 4; Friday May 21

Working on the projects

Day 5; Friday June 4

Working on the projects

Day 6; Friday June 18 ???

Working on the projects