Arduino hardware comes in many different shapes and sizes.
Such is the bewildering variety, it is hard to pin down what exactly an Arduino is.
I would suggest it is the software or ecosystem.
In lesson 1 we look at some of the available boards and the features they have, plus what jobs Arduino can be put to.
Notes for Lesson 1
What is Arduino?
- Arduino is a popular microcontroller board used for various projects.
- There are different types of Arduino boards available, with the most familiar one being the various versions of the Arduino Uno.
- Arduino boards have inputs and outputs, have on-board memory, and are connected to 5v-9v power via USB or power jack.
- The boards are usually programmed using a USB cable, which can sometimes be a point of failure but make them very convenient for prototyping.
Types of Arduino Boards
- Uno: The official Arduino board, commonly used for general projects.
- Nano: A smaller and cheaper version of the Uno, often used for more conservative power management.
- ESP8266 and ESP32: high-powered Wi-Fi enabled Arduino boards, often with more limited inputs and outputs.
- iBeacon: An Arduino board with built-in bluetooth, suitable for battery-powered projects.
- Particle Electron: A board that runs over the cell network and has software support for Internet of Things projects.
Conclusion
Arduino boards are more than just blinking lights; there is a board for every possible purpose, official or third-party, and they can even be used for serious projects and jobs.