Day 7: Lessons – Internet of Arduino Things

There are a few options for connecting your Arduino Uno to the internet, and that is without considering the boards that have internet access built in.

Two options that we can look at right away are utilizing your existing computer’s internet connection (or a small computer that can take its place, such as the Raspberry Pi), and using an Ethernet breakout or shield.

• Shields are boards that attach to your Arduino to give it new abilities or functions.
• Breakouts are boards that you connect with wires that do the same or similar functions.

IFTTT via Processing

In this example, we use the Internet of Things automation service, IFTTT, via Processing.

We collect data from analog pin A0, send it to Processing over USB, and Processing calls the IFTTT webhooks service.

After that, you can tweet it, email, text, save it to a file in dropbox, and so on.

Ethernet Breakout

This example depends on acquiring a wifi shield or ENC28J60 breakout (I used the latter). They can be picked up on the usual places for around $3 or so.

   VCC -- 5V
   GND -- GND
   CS  -- D10
   SI  -- D11
   SCK -- D13
   SO  -- D12

Now, obviously, you will also need an ethernet connection, which might involve plugging into your cable/adsl router. We will get to wireless options later in this course. Using ethernet does mean less configuration, however – plug and play pretty much.

Arduino Web Server

Log Data to Thingspeak Service