Tagged Questions
Be sure to use the Arduino Stack Exchange for questions that are more Arduino and less electronics.
39
votes
15answers
23k views
Complete alternatives to the Arduino IDE?
I'm not that big of a fan of the official Arduino IDE (in terms of visuals), so I've started looking for nicer alternatives. However, most of the projects I've found are in alpha/beta and are ...
30
votes
7answers
9k views
How do I go from arduino breadboard to creating a real device
My first arduino project, I have made a headlight sensor that will activate an outside light when car headlights hit it. I know I could go buy one, but where is the fun in that?
Now I would like to ...
29
votes
7answers
36k views
How can a let my atmega328 run for a year on batteries?
Scenario
I have created a nice electronic door lock for my dorm room. It is currently an Arduino Diecimila with a servo [un]locking the door. It has a numerical keypad with 3x4 buttons and 5 LED's (2 ...
29
votes
4answers
4k views
I2C 3.3 to 5.0 V conversion
I'm trying to interface a 3.3V I2C device to a 5V Arduino.
I don't have any problem with SCL line.
I can use a simple voltage divider but I have an issue with the SDA line as this is bi-directional. ...
28
votes
4answers
9k views
When a battery is your power source, what is ground?
For the sake of not incorrectly connecting my power supply and damaging my board I'm going to ask a relatively dumb question. Is ground on my board the negative terminal on my battery? Explicitly ...
27
votes
8answers
1k views
Can I develop with the Arduino using an IDE with more features?
The simplicity of the open source Arduino IDE is great, but a bit limiting sometimes - I like to use Netbeans for instance for other work that I do. Do any plugins exist for more fully featured IDEs ...
27
votes
6answers
27k views
Embedded Programming for Beginners: Arduino or Raspberry Pi? [closed]
I'm a computer science student and I'm eager to expand my knowledge on embedded programming and electrical engineering.
I've read here that using tools like the Arduino microcontroller is a good way ...
23
votes
7answers
2k views
Is an Arduino capable of running 24/7?
I'm curious as to the durability of the Arduino Uno. Does anybody have any experience in "killing" one due to excessive use? If so, how long did it take for the board to fail?
22
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it advisable to stay stick to Arduino IDE?
Is it better to move to AVR studio (or any other better alternative?) over the Arduino IDE. Feel like it's so simple and childish. I need to know the experts idea and choice..
22
votes
15answers
16k views
Controlling 500 LEDs with PWM
I'm considering taking on a project that would involve individually addressing 500 LEDs, optimally with PWM support for each.
I'm planning on using an Arduino since I already have one, but I'm open ...
22
votes
3answers
2k views
Is there any way to simulate a program run before burning it onto the board?
Programs may, at times, have runtime errors. These are sometimes hard to find and can easily be missed. Is there any way to test the program before actually burning it onto the board ?
22
votes
2answers
2k views
Why do some pins have `~` signs next to their numbers?
I was looking at my Arduino Uno and I noticed that symbol by digital pins 11, 10, 9, ...
21
votes
3answers
2k views
Arduino pin spacing
How do you get around the annoying pin spacing on the Arduino?
Where pin 7 and pin 8 are not standard spacing.
Why is it set up like this?
21
votes
1answer
654 views
Why does my AVR reset when I call wdt_disable() to try to turn the watchdog timer off?
I am having a problem where executing a disable watchdog sequence on an AVR ATtiny84A is actually resetting the chip even though the timer should have plenty of time left on it. This happens ...
20
votes
6answers
36k views
How to drive brushless motor with Arduino?
Is it possible to drive a brushless motor directly with Arduino? Or should I revert on controlling a brushless motor ESC with PWM pulses?
20
votes
3answers
3k views
Why do Arduinos ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz?
Why do Arduino boards ship w/ 16MHz crystal instead of 20MHz? They are spec'ed for operating at 20MHz, after all.
I guess there are a few advantages to running more slowly (lower power consumption, ...
19
votes
10answers
27k views
Why is AVR used in Arduino?
Why is Arduino using AVR? I understand that they are the official processor but there isn't a reason the code couldn't be ported to an ARM or a Freescale architecture other than cost, right? As long ...
19
votes
10answers
3k views
Is Arduino ideal for making a HRNG (hardware random number generator)?
I'm putting together a design for a hardware random number generator that will utilize multiple sources of entropy (combined):
Ambient light
Ambient sound (and sound levels)
Ambient temp
Ambient ...
19
votes
1answer
3k views
Getting a large number of (~100) digital output signals from Arduino
I would like to be able to control around 100 independent LEDs using an Arduino. The problem is that the Arduino does not have nearly enough pins that can be configured for this. What would be a way ...
18
votes
7answers
5k views
Is it possible to use multi gigabyte DRAM modules with a microcontroller?
I have two leftover 2GB RAM modules that I removed from my MacBook Pro when doing an upgrade. I was just wondering if these were usable with, for example, an Arduino. I'd be too much of a beginner to ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
I understand Arduino: now what?
Alright, I've played around enough with Arduino that I feel pretty comfortable with it. Anything done now is more learning the electronics than it is the Arduino side of it.
What's the next step for ...
18
votes
4answers
1k views
Why do we need hardware programmers?
I use a Boarduino and a 30-row bread board to program my ATtiny. I load a not too complicated sketch called ArduinoISP (included by default now in the Arduino IDE), and suddenly I have a working ...
17
votes
12answers
19k views
Reliability of the Arduino platform for industrial use
I'm no electrical engineer (just mechanical) but I would like to apply some of my hobbyist experience to my job and implement various automated systems in an industrial (manufacturing) environment.
...
17
votes
7answers
18k views
How many individual lights can an arduino control
I want to use a regular Arduino board to control LEDs - what is the most lights I can control individually from the board?
Is there a tutorial on how to hook it up?
17
votes
10answers
3k views
What kind of project could help a software engineer become more of an electronic engineer?
I'm a software developer with practically no electronics background, but I want to get into this since it's relevant to the work I'm doing (infotainment system development). I'm a software engineer, ...
17
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I extend the number of analog (input) pins available to me?
I already know how to extend the number of digital pins on an Arduino using a multiplexer.
I want to increase the number of analog input channels that I have. One solution is to add another Arduino ...
17
votes
8answers
5k views
Electronic pet-door access control - RFID
Inspired by projects such as the tweeting cat door and CATaLOG [sic] I’m wanting to add some form of automated access control to our pet door to control who can go in and out, when.
(Full Disclosure: ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
How to water-protect my Arduino?
I am building a watering system with an Arduino. Basically it runs on a track with a hose that drips water down on plants a couple of times every day. Its outside, and water might sometimes get from ...
16
votes
8answers
2k views
How to graduate from Arduino to using a microcontroller directly?
I've been working on an Arduino project. After I get everything working using the Arduino, I would like to move to a solution that does NOT use Arduino. That is, I would like to use a microcontroller ...
16
votes
2answers
6k views
Selecting a MOSFET for driving load from logic
I'm looking to drive a magnetic door lock from an Arduino. I've found a question about driving a solenoid from an Arduino, which includes a circuit that looks perfect for this kind of situtation:
...
16
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I create a permanent application from something prototyped with Arduino?
Part one of a three part series on transitioning from Arduino to a plain AVR microcontroller and minimum supporting components (part two, part three)
I've built up a project on my Arduino Uno to ...
15
votes
2answers
6k views
Can Arduino be used in commercial products?
Is it legal for me to sell a product that's built with an Arduino? I know that it's open source, but does that mean I can sell my product for profit, or only for use in prototyping?
15
votes
3answers
3k views
Low power micro-SD card storage
We are building a low-power data logger based upon the ATmega328P, in order to make use of the Arduino boot loader and IDE, etc. Ideally power consumption should be less than 0.3mA @ 3.3V to get ...
15
votes
3answers
4k views
Jtag debugging AVR
Can anyone advise what hardware and software is required for debugging AVR in circuit.
15
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I use my SMD Arduino to program a separate DIP ATmega328?
I have an arduino with a surface mounted (SMD) microcontroller:
I know how to use a DIP arduino as a programmer for a DIP ATmega328. It's easy --you just pop your microcontroller in the holder.
...
15
votes
6answers
14k views
How do I set the clock speed fuses on an ATtiny85 when using an Arduino as a programmer?
I'm following this tutorial, programming the ATtiny85 with an Arduino, using it to play some tones (through a piezo speaker). I'm struggling with getting the tones at the right pitch (I'm creating the ...
14
votes
4answers
19k views
Can I use the analog pins on the Arduino for my project as digital?
I am new to using Arduino, and I have an Arduino Uno. For the projects I've done, I've only used the digital pins.
I am building a small vehicle that uses stepper motors. I have run out of pins to ...
14
votes
3answers
19k views
Do I really need resistors when controlling LEDs with Arduino?
I'm just trying out Arduino Uno for the first time with 2 blinking LEDs on a breadboard. All the tutorials on the Internet seem to use a resistor. I do know the function of resistors, but does it ...
14
votes
5answers
18k views
How much current can I draw from the Arduino's pins?
What's the maximum amount of current which I can draw from each of the Arduino's pins without tripping any of the internal fuses? Is there a limit per pin as well as an overall limit for the whole ...
14
votes
3answers
7k views
I burnt a pin. Now, what do I do?
I accidently shorted pins 10 and 11 with 10 set to output HIGH and 11 set to input. The pin 11 is not working. How do I figure out what component I burned?
Can the problem be fixed?
14
votes
6answers
50k views
Saving Arduino sensor data to a text file
How can I save data retrieved from a sensor to a text file on the computer?
14
votes
4answers
2k views
Are solder bridges on chips always bad?
I just bought my Arduino Ethernet shield – a knock-off one for $10 instead of $60. I connected it up, but it doesn’t work – LEDs light up but do not blink, and no ethernet link is established ...
14
votes
2answers
7k views
Serial newbie: why can't I just hook the wires up?
I'm trying to transmit from an ATtiny85 to a PC using Arduino-esque code over a USB-Serial converter without understanding very much of anything. I was shocked and appalled that it did not work.
I ...
13
votes
4answers
6k views
Is there anything I should watch out for with cheap “Arduino” copies?
There's a plethora of cheap Arduino copies on eBay and similar sites, usually originating from the far east, that can be had for a significant chunk less than the official boards, especially if you're ...
13
votes
3answers
41k views
Using a microphone with an Arduino
EDIT: I have been investigating in this problem for quite some time. It turns out to be a way more difficult project than I thought and not something for beginners. This requires expensive hardware ...
12
votes
6answers
7k views
My MOSFET operated solenoid circuit destroys my Arduino inputs
I made a series of PCBs to power some solenoid valves that use an external power supply. I switch them with BS170 MOSFETs using an Arduino as gate signal.
I based it a solution by Jason S.
This is an ...
12
votes
6answers
8k views
How is binary converted to electrical signals?
I'm just starting off in electronics and am already fascinated. Having played with an Arduino these past few days I'm aware that binary is a representation of different voltages - such as +5V ...
12
votes
3answers
10k views
12
votes
4answers
16k views
Arduino Uno R3: Directly supply regulated 5V to 5V pin?
I'd like to use an Arduino Uno R3 battery powered a datalogger. I want do supply it directly with a Step-Up regulated 5V rechargable battery powersource at power ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Pin 13: Do I need a Resistor?
This question mentioned that pin 13 has a built-in resistor for the LED that comes standard on most Arduino units. A friend of mine told me that because there's already a resistor on the pin, I don't ...
