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TalTech Arduino Laboratory Hardware Reference
Introduction
Each laboratory node is equipped with an Arduino Uno board. This board is widely used for prototyping and educational purposes due to its ease of use, extensive compatibility with sensors and modules, and a simple programming environment.
The hardware setup includes several sensors, actuators, and interfaces designed for various practical lab exercises.
Arduino Uno Board Overview
- Microcontroller: ATmega328P
- Operating Voltage: 5 V
- Digital I/O Pins: 14 (6 pins provide PWM output)
- Analog Input Pins: 6
- Clock Speed: 16 MHz
- USB Interface: Yes (for programming and serial communication)
- Power Supply: USB connection or external power supply
Hardware Components and Pin Assignments
| Component | Model/Description | Pins | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Motor | Micromotors Brushed Geared DC Motor, 12V, 20Ncm, 5rpm | Digital pins: AIN1=12, AIN2=11, PWM=3 | Controlled via Pololu TB6612FNG Dual Motor Driver |
| Servo Motor | SG90 or similar | PWM pin: 10 | Controlled via Arduino Servo library |
| Fan | 12V DC Fan | Digital pin: 2 | Controlled via digital on/off |
| Thermistor | Steinhart-Hart Thermistor | Analog pin: A5 | Used for precise temperature measurement |
| Photoresistor (LDR) | Chanzon GL5549, 10Ω LDR | Analog pin: A2 | Used for ambient light sensing |
| LCD Screen | Alphanumeric LCD 16×2 (HD44780) | Pins: RS=8, EN=9, D4=4, D5=5, D6=6, D7=7, Buttons input: A0 | Used for displaying text and sensor values |
Additional Hardware
- Motor Driver: Pololu TB6612FNG Dual Motor Driver Carrier
- Supports two DC motors independently
- Motor voltage range: 4.5 – 13.5 V
- Continuous current per channel: 1.2 A (peak 3 A)
- Built-in protection: thermal shutdown and undervoltage lockout
- Control inputs: Logic-level PWM and direction signals (2.7–5.5 V compatible)
Wiring Diagram
Typical Usage Scenarios
Suggested Knowledge Resources
- Arduino programming fundamentals
- Basic understanding of PWM, analog/digital I/O
- Use of common Arduino libraries:
Servo.h– Servo motor controlLiquidCrystal.h– LCD display handling- Standard Arduino analog/digital I/O functions
Development Environment Configuration
Typical platformio.ini file configuration for Arduino Uno:
[env:uno] platform = atmelavr framework = arduino board = uno lib_ldf_mode = deep+
Validation and Troubleshooting
Ensure correct wiring and pin configuration as described above. If devices do not respond:
- Check pin assignments in software
- Verify power connections
- Confirm libraries are correctly installed and imported
If persistent issues occur, consult lab administrators or documentation links provided above.
