Arduino LCD project

_posts/en/projects/2019-10-01-electronic-arduino-lcd.md

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+---
+layout:       article
+lang:         en
+parent:       electronic-projects
+breadcrumb:   true
+permalink:    /en/projects/electronic/lcd-arduino-2019
+ref:          2019-lcd-arduino
+title:        LCD Arduino
+author:       fionnc, tristan, Iain Campbell
+description:  How to use an LCD and Arduino to display a message
+tags:         Arduino, electronic, lcd
+code:         true
+---
+
+## Arduino LCD  
+
+This project used a Liquid Crystal display (LCDs) and an arduino to display a message.
+LCDs like these are very popular and broadly used in electronics projects as they are good for displaying information like sensors data from your project.
+
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-10-01-arduino-lcd/lcd-coderdojo-message.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+
+### More about the project
+
+The Arduino has a function known as a serial monitor, an area of the Arduino application in which data can be displayed. 
+However, when the Arduino is not attached to a computer, this feature cannot be used as there is no display to show these variables on.
+We decided to solve this issue by attaching a Liquid Crystal Display, or LCD, to the Arduino board and having this display the contents of the serial monitor.
+Normally, the LCD is only used with the larger Arduino Mega due to the large amount of pins and ports needed to control the inputs to the LCD. 
+We were able to adapt the circuit to a standard Arduino Uno without loss of functionality, but using the Mega is recommended if other circuits are necessary to acquire data for the LCD to display.
+We also added a potentiometer to the circuit in order to control the contrast of the text to the screen.
+
+
+### Components
+* Arduino Board
+* LCD Screen (compatible with Hitachi HD44780 driver)
+* Pin headers to solder to the LCD display pins
+* 10k ohm potentiometer
+
+
+### Schematic
+* This is the schematic for this project:
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-10-01-arduino-lcd/lcd-schematic.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+
+#### LCD pin out 
+
+The purpose of the pins of the LCD are shown below:
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-10-01-arduino-lcd/lcd-pinout.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+For more information see [Components 101 - 16 x 2 LCD Module ](https://components101.com/16x2-lcd-pinout-datasheet)
+
+#### How the circuit is connected
+
+* The LCD has 16 pins and the first one from left to right is the Ground pin `GND` or `VSS`. 
+* The second pin is the `VCC/VDD` which we connect the 5 volts pin on the Arduino Board. 
+* A potentiometer is attached to the `Vo` pin  for controlling the contrast of the display.
+* The `RS` pin or register select pin is used for selecting whether we will send commands or data to the LCD. 
+  For example if the RS pin is set on low state or zero volts, then we are sending commands to the LCD like: set the cursor to a specific location, clear the display, turn off the display and so on. 
+* When RS pin is set on High state (or 5 volts) we are sending data or characters to the LCD.
+* Next comes the R / W pin which selects the mode whether we will read or write to the LCD. Here we use write node for writing or sending commands and data to the LCD.
+* There are 8 data pins. In this project we used four of the eight pins.
+* Anode pin Connected to positive `5V` through a 220 Ohm resistor.
+* Cathode pin Connected to `GND` (negative).
+*  From the [Arduino’s official website](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/LiquidCrystal) you can find and see the functions of the library which enable easy use of the LCD. 
+   We can use the Library in 4 or 8 bit mode. In this tutorial we will use it in 4 bit mode, or we will just use 4 of the 8 data pins.
+
+### Component diagram
+
+* The following shows a breadboard diagram which was used for this project.
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-10-01-arduino-lcd/lcd-component-diagram.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+
+### Code
+
+* The following code snippet was used:
+
+```c
+
+/*
+  LiquidCrystal Library - Hello World
+
+ Demonstrates the use a 16x2 LCD display.  The LiquidCrystal
+ library works with all LCD displays that are compatible with the
+ Hitachi HD44780 driver. There are many of them out there, and you
+ can usually tell them by the 16-pin interface.
+
+ This sketch prints "Hello World!" to the LCD
+ and shows the time.
+
+  The circuit:
+ * LCD RS pin to digital pin 12
+ * LCD Enable pin to digital pin 11
+ * LCD D4 pin to digital pin 5
+ * LCD D5 pin to digital pin 4
+ * LCD D6 pin to digital pin 3
+ * LCD D7 pin to digital pin 2
+ * LCD R/W pin to ground
+ * LCD VSS pin to ground
+ * LCD VCC pin to 5V
+ * 10K resistor:
+ * ends to +5V and ground
+ * wiper to LCD VO pin (pin 3)
+
+ Library originally added 18 Apr 2008
+ by David A. Mellis
+ library modified 5 Jul 2009
+ by Limor Fried (http://www.ladyada.net)
+ example added 9 Jul 2009
+ by Tom Igoe
+ modified 22 Nov 2010
+ by Tom Igoe
+
+ This example code is in the public domain.
+
+ http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LiquidCrystal
+ */
+
+// include the library code:
+#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
+
+// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
+LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);
+
+void setup() {
+  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
+  lcd.begin(16, 2);
+}
+
+void loop() {
+    // Print a message to the LCD.
+    lcd.print("  Coderdojo");
+    // set cursor to send line 
+    lcd.setCursor(0,1);
+    // Print a message to the LCD.
+    lcd.print(" is Awesome!");
+}
+
+```
+
+
+### Further experiments
+
+* We experimented with additional LCD library functions using a `Hello Coderdojo!` message to auto-scroll the text from right to left in a loop as shown below:
+
+```c
+#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
+
+// initialize the library by associating any needed LCD interface pin
+// with the arduino pin number it is connected to
+const int rs = 12, en = 11, d4 = 5, d5 = 4, d6 = 3, d7 = 2;
+LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7);
+
+void setup() {
+  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
+  lcd.begin(16, 2);
+  // Print a message to the LCD.
+  lcd.print("Hello Coderdojo!");
+  delay(1000);
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  // scroll 16 positions (string length) to the left
+  // to move it offscreen left:
+  for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 16; positionCounter++) {
+    // scroll one position left:
+    lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();
+    // wait a bit:
+    delay(150);
+  }
+
+  // scroll 32 positions (string length + display length) to the right
+  // to move it offscreen right:
+  for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 32; positionCounter++) {
+    // scroll one position right:
+    lcd.scrollDisplayRight();
+    // wait a bit:
+    delay(150);
+  }
+
+  // scroll 16 positions (display length + string length) to the left
+  // to move it back to center:
+  for (int positionCounter = 0; positionCounter < 16; positionCounter++) {
+    // scroll one position left:
+    lcd.scrollDisplayLeft();
+    // wait a bit:
+    delay(150);
+  }
+
+  // delay at the end of the full loop:
+  delay(1000);
+
+}
+
+
+
+```
+
+
+### Resources
+* The [Arduino "Hello World"](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld) tutorial on LCD and Arduino provides a useful reference. 
+

_posts/en/resources/2019-02-12-tinkercad-resistor-led.md

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+---
+layout:       article
+lang:         en
+parent:       electronic-resources
+breadcrumb:   true
+permalink:    /en/resources/electronic-resources/tinkercad-resistor-led
+ref:          LED circuit
+title:        Use Tinkercad to build a LED circuit
+author:       Iain Campbell
+description:  Tinkercad tutorials, LED and resistor experiments
+tags:         electronics, LED, resistor, components,circuits, tinkercad
+---
+
+## LED and resistors
+
+### Objectives
+* Take a series of Tinkercad online tutorials to get started
+* Understand how to read a basic circuit diagram
+* Build a LED (Light Emitting Diode) and Resistor Circuit 
+* Conduct a series of experiments to understand some basics principles about electronics
+
+### Prerequisites
+* It is you are already familiar with some of basic electronic components 
+* For a recap on components see [Basic Electronic components, how and why to use](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UTOTgbJ_8E)
+* Recap on [Resistors](https://kids.kiddle.co/Resistor) and what they do
+
+### Online tutorials 
+* Follow the [Tinkercad Starter Tutorials Online Series ](https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/circuits/learning) to get started. This tutorial series will assist you and help you to understand the following:
+  * How to use Tinkercad to start simulate circuits
+  * How to edit, wire and add components to circuits
+* Follow the [Tinkercad Further Lessons Online Tutorial Series](https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/circuits/lessons) to learn: 
+   * How to use breadboards
+   * Ohm's law
+   * The difference between series and parallel circuits
+
+### Reading basic circuit diagrams / schematics
+
+* Follow the [How to Read a Schematic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HZ-EQ8Hc8E ) for a good overview about how to read basic electronic circuits
+* Read [Sparkfun - How to Read a Schematic](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic/all) and keep it handy as a reference. 
+
+### Build your first circuit in Tinkercad
+
+Build a simple LED resistor circuit diagram in Tinkercad.
+
+#### Simple LED resistor circuit diagram
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-02-12-tinkercad-resistor-led/battery-led-resistor.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+##### Components
+* 9V battery
+* Jumper wires
+* LED (any colour you prefer!) (x1)
+* Diode
+* Switch
+* Resistor (220 Ω)
+* Potentiometer (1kΩ )
+
+
+##### Breadboard layout
+
+<img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-02-12-tinkercad-resistor-led/resistorLED.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+The following shows a basic LED resistor circuit (without the switch, diode or potentiometer - you can add these yourself as an experiment!)
+
+
+
+### Experiments
+
+The following experiments will help understand the basics ideas:
+
+1. Build the Battery LED circuit shown above. However, use a 9V DC supply rather than 3V.
+2. Measure the voltage across the LED when the LED is turned on. Measure the voltage across the resistor. What is the sum of the voltage ?
+3. Reverse LED pins around. What happens ?
+4. Take out the resistor and put 9V across the LED ? What happens ? Why ?
+5. Choose different colour for LED
+6. Switch LED and resistor around. What happens ? Why ? Are the resistor and LED in series or parallel ?
+7. Add a [diode](https://kids.kiddle.co/Diode) in series to LED1
+8. Reduce voltage from 9V to 3V. What effect does this have to the circuit ?
+9. Revert to back use 9V battery again
+10. Add a [potentiometer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xiHtAwyFgc) to the circuit in replacement of the resistor. Vary the resistance of the potentiometer when the circuit is active and note how this effects the LED.
+11. Measure resistance across the potentiometer as you vary the resistance. 
+12. Add a switch to the circuit (single pole single throw SPST)
+12. Measure current through circuit. In addition use Ohm's law to calculate the current, when a 9V batter is used and a 270 Ohm resistor is used.
+13. Add more LEDS in parallel to existing circuit (different colours)
+14. Learn more about resistors and [resistor colour codes](http://www.resistor-calculator.com/)
+15. Use mnemonics to remember the resistor colour codes  [“**B**ad **B**ooze **R**ots **O**ur **Y**oung **G**uts **B**ut **V**odka **G**oes **W**ell”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_electronic_color_code_mnemonics) is my favorite mnemonic to remember the resistor colour code list!
+16. Reverse the direction of the diode
+
+### Quiz
+
+* Describe to a friend how you use breadboard to prototype a circuit and how the pins of the breadboard are interconnected.
+* Some components have a _____ - a positive and a negative end.
+* What is the symbol for the following component
+
+   <img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-02-12-tinkercad-resistor-led/cap.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+* Name some components with a positive / negative terminal.
+* Battery has a voltage measured in ______ ?
+* Current flows through a electronic circuit. Current in measured in ___ ?
+* Resistors have a _______ code which tell you ________ ?
+* If too much current flows through an LED what happens ?
+* If a resistor has colour codes Red Black Orange Gold. What is it's resistance ?
+* Use Ohm's law to calculate resistance.  Imagine we want 20 mA of current flowing through the LED in the following circuit. What resistance value do we need for the resistor ?
+
+   <img class="img-fluid" src="{{'assets/posts/2019-02-12-tinkercad-resistor-led/quiz_findResistance.png' | relative_url}}"/>
+
+
+### Report 
+
+* Write about what you learned, you can also write about your own experiments you conducted and what you discovered. 
+* A mentor can help publish your experiments to the [Coder Dojo Athlone Projects](https://coderdojoathlone.com/en/projects/) website!