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Unread 03/06/2011, 04:22 PM   #6
katchupoy
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 1,548
Terminology

Terminologies to learn first.

Arduino - a small computer that you can program or assign tasks. It will just keep doing it until you program it again for a different task. It has several input (sense environment) and output (control hardwares) so it can do a wide range of tasks.

Sketch - This is not like a drawing or a diagram. In the Arduino world, this means "code" or line of codes. This is where you see a lot of "if" "else" etc. etc. This is also the part where my head starts to spin. Ha ha...

Transistor - In our purpose for this project, we can call it simply a "switch". Like a mechanical light switch, they turn on or off what ever is connected to them. Another example is, imagine you are the "arduino" and the wall light switch is the "transistor". You control the switch. Arduino controls the transistor.

PWM - Pulse-Width Modulation. A very fast on/off signal. Its so fast, that we dont see it by our naked eyes. Very common in controlling motors. Since you cannot just change the volts to control motor speed, they use PWM or they just turn it on of off so fast that the motor speed changes. This is the same concept we are going to use for our LEDs.

POT - or Potentiometer. Its like those one found on old stereos where you turn the knob to change the volume. Its actually variable resistors, that can adjust voltage and/or current of the device or circuit. (thanks Fishman)

RELAY - Another form of a switch. This is very common if you want to control high voltage appliances with low voltage controller. Very useful with Arduino in controlling 110 Volt appliances.

SHIELD - These are boards that can plugged on top of the Arduino PCB. More info here. You can keep adding shields or features to your Arduino. Modular approach... Maybe LED light dimmer for now, but full blown Reef Controller in the future....

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Last edited by katchupoy; 03/06/2011 at 05:08 PM.
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