Arduino and Robotics Notes

Robotics

  • Robotics is the industry related to the engineering, construction, and operation of robots.

  • It is a broad and diverse field related to many commercial industries and consumer uses.

  • The field of robotics generally involves looking at how any physical constructed technology system can perform a task or play a role in any interface or new technology.

Arduino

  • Arduino is an open-source platform used for building electronics projects.

  • Arduino consists of:

    • A physical programmable circuit board (microcontroller unit (MCU))

    • Software or IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that runs on your computer for writing and uploading code to the board.

Electricity

  • Electricity is harnessed heat and can perform tasks like lighting, spinning motors, or heating.

  • Conductor:

    • A material that allows electricity to transfer through it easily (e.g., copper wire).

    • Every conductor has internal resistance, preventing 100% power transfer.

    • Conductors have a maximum power transfer limit before overheating or melting (for copper wire).

  • Electrical devices:

    • Some (like Arduino) consume little electricity, producing little heat.

    • Others (like motor controllers) transfer large amounts of electricity and require heat sinks or fans to remove heat.

Electrical Analogy

  • Water tank analogy: Water level represents voltage, and water flow represents current.

  • High water level = higher water pressure.

  • Low resistance = more water coming out.

  • High resistance = less water coming out.

Electrical Basics

  • Voltage (V):

    • Represents the potential energy in an electrical system.

    • A higher voltage system has more energy to drive components.

  • Resistance (R):

    • Impedes (slows) the flow of electricity.

    • As resistance increases, voltage must also increase to maintain the same output power.

  • Amperage (I) or Current:

    • The amount of electrical charge (in coulombs) passing through a system per second.

  • Watt (P):

    • A measure of electrical power calculated by multiplying voltage and amperage.

Ohm’s Law

  • Ohm’s law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.

  • Different views of Ohm’s law:

    • V=I∗RV = I * R

    • I=V/RI = V / R

    • R=V/IR = V / I

Power Formulas

  • Use the following formulas to calculate total power:

    • P=V∗IP = V * I

    • P=I2∗RP = I^2 * R

Electrical Basics Example 1

  • Problem: A battery of 6.0V6.0V is connected to a purely resistive lamp, and a current of 2.02.0 amperes flows. All the wires are resistance-free. What is the resistance of the lamp?

  • Given:

    • I=2.0I = 2.0 Amps

    • V=6V = 6 Volts

  • Required: R

  • Solution:

    • V=IRV = IR

    • R=V/IR = V / I

    • R=6V/2AR = 6 V / 2 A

    • R=3R = 3 Ohms

Electrical Basics Example 2

  • Problem: An electronic device has a resistance of 20 ohms and a current of 15 A. What is the voltage across the device?

  • Given:

    • I=15AI = 15 A

    • R=20ohmsR = 20 ohms

  • Required: V

  • Solution:

    • V=IRV = IR

    • V=(15A)(20ohms)V = (15A)(20ohms)

    • V=300VV = 300 V

Electrical Basics Example 3

  • Problem: A 3V3 V potential difference is applied across a 6Ω6Ω resistor. What is the current that flows into the resistor?

  • Given:

    • R=6ΩR = 6 Ω

    • V=3VV = 3 V

  • Required: I

  • Solution:

    • V=IRV = IR

    • I=V/RI = V/R

    • I=(3V)/(6Ω)I = (3V)/(6 Ω)

    • I=0.5AI = 0.5 A