IoT Sensors, Actuators, and Microcontrollers: Electronics and Circuit Design

What is the focus of electronics in IoT?

The control of electricity and the physical components and circuits that direct electrical energy.

What does Ohm's Law state?

Voltage (V) is directly proportional to the strength of current (I) multiplied by resistance (R).

What is the unit of measurement for electrical power?

Watts (W)

What does a multimeter measure?

The ratio of voltage to current across an object.

What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?

A series circuit stops working if a single component fails, while a parallel circuit allows multiple paths for current flow.

What are active circuits?

Circuits that contain active components relying on an external power source to control current flow.

What is the primary difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)?

DC flows in one direction, while AC periodically reverses direction.

What are analog circuits?

Circuits where signals vary continuously with time.

What is the purpose of a relay in electronic circuits?

To control a large amount of current and/or voltage with a small electrical signal.

What is the Arduino IDE?

A free, downloadable software used to create programs for the Arduino microcontroller.

What is a sketch in Arduino programming?

A program written using the Arduino IDE, saved with the file extension .ino.

What types of sensors are included in the SparkFun Inventor's Kit?

Soft potentiometer, Flex sensor, Photo resistor, and Temperature sensor.

What is an actuator?

A type of motor responsible for creating physical movement.

What does the Informed Design Process model consist of?

A contemporary approach to design pedagogy with eight clearly defined phases.

What is the first step in the Design Phase of the Informed Design Process?

Research - finding possible vendors and material costs.

What is a solderless breadboard used for?

A tool commonly used in electronic prototyping to build circuits without soldering.

What is the role of a microcontroller in IoT?

To manage and control devices and sensors, often with low power requirements.

What is the function of the SparkFun Inventor's Kit?

To help beginners get started with electronics and microcontrollers.

What is the significance of voltage in electrical circuits?

Voltage (V) represents the electrical potential difference or 'electrical pressure'.

What is the unit of measurement for electrical current?

Amperes (A)

What is the unit of measurement for electrical resistance?

Ohms (Ω)

What does impedance measure?

Opposition to changes in voltage or current due to electrical and magnetic interactions.

What is the purpose of a light-emitting diode (LED) in a circuit?

To emit light when an electric current passes through it.

What is the primary function of electronic components in a circuit?

To control current and perform specific functions within the circuit.

What is the role of a pushbutton in a microcontroller system?

To serve as an input to the microcontroller, triggering actions based on user interaction.

What are the two main types of circuits discussed?

Analog circuits and Digital circuits.

What happens during the Prototype Phase of the Informed Design Process?

Hardware, Mechanical, and Software Development, PCB layout, building prototypes, and product testing.

What is the function of the checkmark icon in the Arduino IDE?

To compile the code and check for syntax errors.

What is the purpose of the connections group in Packet Tracer?

To connect IoT devices to an MCU board.