Book Image

C Programming for Arduino

By : Julien Bayle
Book Image

C Programming for Arduino

By: Julien Bayle

Overview of this book

Physical computing allows us to build interactive physical systems by using software & hardware in order to sense and respond to the real world. C Programming for Arduino will show you how to harness powerful capabilities like sensing, feedbacks, programming and even wiring and developing your own autonomous systems. C Programming for Arduino contains everything you need to directly start wiring and coding your own electronic project. You'll learn C and how to code several types of firmware for your Arduino, and then move on to design small typical systems to understand how handling buttons, leds, LCD, network modules and much more. After running through C/C++ for the Arduino, you'll learn how to control your software by using real buttons and distance sensors and even discover how you can use your Arduino with the Processing framework so that they work in unison. Advanced coverage includes using Wi-Fi networks and batteries to make your Arduino-based hardware more mobile and flexible without wires. If you want to learn how to build your own electronic devices with powerful open-source technology, then this book is for you.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
C Programming for Arduino
Credits
About the Author
Acknowledgement
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Arduino, battery, and autonomy


The Arduino boards can supply power in two ways:

  • A USB wire from a computer

  • An external power supply

We already used USB for supplying power to the Arduino since the beginning of the section. This is a pretty nice way to begin (and even to make a great project). This is easy and works for many purposes.

We can also use an external power supply when we need more autonomy and mobility with our Arduino devices.

In any case, we have to keep in mind that both our Arduino and our circuits wired to it need power. Usually, the Arduino consumption is no more than 50mA. Add some LEDs and you'll see the consumption increase.

Let's check some cases of real use.

Classic cases of USB power supplying

Why and when would we use a USB power supply?

Obviously, if we need our computer connected to our Arduino for data communication purposes, we can naturally supply power to the Arduino through the USB.

This is the main reason for using a USB power supply.

There are also some cases where...