Introduction to Physical Computing

Presentations

The aim of the courses and the practical sessions is to offer to students a theoretical and practical overview of Physical Computing domain. By Physical Computing we means the building of little systems, usually interactive, composed of sensors (like button), actuator (like led and motors) linked to microcontroller and eventually connected to computer.

Examination

Students will be evaluated on the basis of reports written during practical sessions.

Questions which must be addressed in your report is prefixed below, by: In your report.

The reports must describe your realisations and experiments. You can adapt and modify circuits and codes to show your creativity or possible enhancements. When a circuit is operational give a demonstration to the teacher. In your report, for each built circuit present the schematic and code (you can omit some part latter if you give appropriate indication) with explanation. In report, always indicate your modification, circuit and code enhancements and your sources of information if any.

Practical materials

Circuits will be built with Arduino board as main component. Arduino IDE will be used to edit, compile program and to upload the compiled program on Arduino board (also referred as flashing the board).

See also, translated wiki page praticals with arduino

Level 1 : Basics (courses 1 and 2)

The minimal circuits to realise are Blinking on board LED, Blinking external LED, Music , Push Button, Potentiometer and PushButton/Music.

1. Blinking on board LED: use Files/Examples/Basics/Blink in Arduino IDE
2. Blinking external LED: explanations, code and Schematic
3. Music with Piezo or Speaker: explanations, code and Schematic
4. Push Button: explanations, code and Schematic. Code is also in Arduino IDE (Files/Examples/Digital/Button). Pull Up / Pull Down Resistor
5. Multiple LEDs: explanations, code and Schematic
6. Potentiometer (variable resistor): explanations, code and Schematic
7. In your report: Create a circuit which plays a music or one note when you push the button and a another music when you release it.

Level 2 : Medium (courses 2 and 3)

to be completed

1. Demonstrates the use of analog output to fade an LED. explanations, code and Schematic. PWM
2. Servormotor
3. DigitalReadSerial - read a switch, print the state out to the Serial Monitor explanations, code and Schematic Serial Communication

1. Deboucing Push Button
2. Servermotor controlled by Wii Nunchuk
3. Nokia LCD
4. Bidirectional Communication with PC
5. Matrice Keyboard
6. Introduction to Processing environment

Level 3 : Advanced (courses 3 and 4)

to be completed

1. Wireless Communication: Bluetooth or Zigbee
2. Use of interruption

Level 4 : Misc.

to be completed

In your report: Address one of projets, below:

1. Create our own project
2. Simon game with your personal modification
3. Pong Game with arduino + 2 potentiometers + processing + sound

Link

Translated wiki pages praticals with arduino