{"id":3435,"date":"2019-09-02T05:17:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T04:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mathscitech.org\/articles\/?p=3435"},"modified":"2024-06-03T09:17:03","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T08:17:03","slug":"microcontrollers-nano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mathscitech.org\/articles\/microcontrollers-nano","title":{"rendered":"A microcontroller development kit for under \u00a310 (Arduino)"},"content":{"rendered":"

For under \u00a310<\/strong>, you can put together a microcontroller development platform, ready to program directly from your PC over USB using free Arduino software. Once programmed, your microcontroller will run autonomously, untethered from your PC, powered by as small a battery power supply as a single 1.5V AAA or 3V CR2032 coin cell. You can have it interact with its environment using dozens of low-cost sensors and motors. Everything you need to explore the exciting world of embedded systems<\/a> is available to you, typically for less than a day pass on the London underground<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"An

A homebrew Arduino Nano microcontroller development kit for under \u00a312 (including optional OLED display)<\/p><\/div>\n


\nWhat do you need to get started with microcontrollers?<\/strong> Apart from a PC and the willingness to experiment (Google is your friend!), below is a list that gives you an inexpensive, minimal development kit for under \u00a310. Everything is available on Amazon (prices are as of April 2019). Tools e.g. multimeter, mini pliers, wire strippers, soldering iron, can be found inexpensively from the equipment list.<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Parts List for a low-cost Arduino Nano development kit<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Arduino Nano microcontroller v3.0, with 30 dual inline pins for inserting directly into a solderless breadboard. \u00a32.33 ea.<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Solderless breadboard 400 tie-points, large enough to accommodate the Nano microcontroller, and additional components. \u00a31.31<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Portable power using 1.5V AAA battery (30p) with LilyPad 5VDC Boost Converter (has convenient on\/off switch). LilyPad \u00a31.87<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  4. Half dozen small LEDs (3mm) and resistors (1K ohms is fine) – less than 10p<\/li>\n
  5. Buzzer – with 2-pins, this is a simple component that can give a diagnostic beep, or a pitched tone driven by the Nano using tone()<\/code> command. 34p ea. (A speaker will require amplification of some kind, and while a simple 2N2222 transistor can work, it’s a bit more hassle and not essential)<\/li>\n
  6. Small jumper wires (10cm male-male), 40 pc. \u00a31.44<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. USB mini cable for programming Nano directly from PC. \u00a31.48<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  8. Arduino software IDE (FREE!)<\/a> for programming the Nano using the C language<\/a> (Tip: get the zip download for portable installation)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Total: \u00a38.87<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Optional (fun, but not required, as text-based debugging is not really the way to go in embedded development — easier and much more memory efficient to use LEDs and or tones)<\/p>\n