Quick-learning Arduino basics

Writing for DesignNews, Rob Siegel notes that Arduino has come quite a long way since the very first boards hit the streets way back in 2005. 

According to Siegel, the open source, Atmel-powered lineup of boards is “showing up everywhere,” from consumer and industrial products to engineering toys for budding engineers.

“Just look at the last few Gadget Freak projects presented by Design News and Allied Electronics, and you’ll see a wide range of Arduino use, from a touch-sensitive audio desk tray to motion-controlled blinking eyes for a rock sculpture,” says Siegel.

“We recently reported on an artificial arm that can be controlled by Bluetooth-powered brainwaves – powered by an Arduino board and created by a teen.”

As Siegel points out, the Arduino is both user-friendly and well-suited for rapid-development electronics. Which is why both devs and Makers will want to tune into a five-day overview of the Arduino in the continuing education program, “Get Your Project Started with Arduino,” jointly presented by Design News and Digi-Key.

The class will be presented by Don Wilcher, an electronics technology teacher and electrical engineer with 26 years of industrial experience.

“Wilcher worked on industrial robotics systems, automotive electronic modules and systems and embedded wireless controls for small consumer appliances,” Siegel added.

“He’s currently developing 21st-century educational products that focus on the IoT (Internet of Things) for makers, engineers, technicians and educators.”

Interested in learning more about signing up for “Get Your Project Started with Arduino?” You can check out the detailed curriculum calendar here.

Transforming fashion with tech

17-year-old Ella DiGregorio recently introduced a line of “Transforming Beauty” gowns that literally change from long skirts to short with the touch of a button.

Image Credit: MySuburbanLife.com

As Mari Grigaliunas of MySuburbanLife reports, DiGregorio’s sample dress uses threads that run from the bottom hem to the waist of the garment to shorten the skirt when she pushes the button of an Atmel-based Arduino board hidden in the back of the dress.

Additional designs sketched by the teen arrange the threads in various designs to create completely different looks including a high-low skirt, a layered look and an Angelina Jolie inspired slit that disappears.

“I really like the idea of technology and fashion. There’s so many possibilities.” DiGregorio said.

Image Credit: MySuburbanLife.com

“I’m kind of use to hiding things in clothing,”

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, quite a lot of wearable activity is currently centered around companies like Arduino and Adafruit. Both offer wearable electronic platforms powered by versatile Atmel microcontrollers (MCUs).

“Building electronics with your hands is certainly a fun brain exercise, but adding crafting into the mix really stretches your creativity,” says Becky Stern, Adafruit’s director of wearable electronics.

Image Credit: Adafruit

“Sewing is fun and relaxing, and adorning a plush toy, prom dress, or hat with a circuit of tiny parts can make you feel like you’re some kind of futuristic fashion designer. Playing with sensors and conductive textiles breaks electronics out of their hard shells and makes them more relatable.”

Just like their IoT DIY Maker counterparts, the soft electronics community has adapted various Atmel-powered platforms specifically for wearables, including the Arduino Lilypad (ATmega328V) (developed by MIT Media Lab professor Leah Buechley) and Adafruit’s very own Flora (ATmega32u4), which can be easily daisy chained with various sensors for GPS, motion and light.

Interested in learning more? You can check out our wearables article archives here.

Worldwide IoT market to exceed $7 billion by 2020

Analysts at IDC confirm a transformation is underway that will see the worldwide market for IoT solutions increase from $1.9 trillion in 2013 to a staggering $7.1 trillion in 2020. Indeed, consumers continue to experience and embrace IoT in their homes, cars and in many other aspects of their daily life.

Globally, individuals are developing a high affinity for full-time connectivity, which makes consumer IoT a compelling proposition. Businesses are also intrigued by the efficiencies, business process implications and revenue opportunities IoT solutions are capable of generating.

“Businesses are taking the necessary steps to gain a deeper understanding of IoT and the overall value,” explained Vernon Turner, Senior VP of IDC’s Enterprise Infrastructure, Consumer, Network, Telecom and Sustainability Research. “Technology vendors are evolving their solutions in a supply-driven market that’s edging toward becoming a more demand-driven market.”

Carrie MacGillivray, Program VP, Mobile Services, IoT, and Network Infrastructure at IDC, expressed similar sentiments.

“The worldwide IoT market is exploding… IoT solutions are at the heart of IDC’s view of the third platform and the four pillars — mobility, social business, big data/analytics, and cloud — resulting in millions of applications available to billions of end points.”

MacGillivray also noted that developed regions (currently) garner the majority of the IoT market, representing approximately 90% of installed units. However, the worldwide IoT install base is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% from 2013 to 2020.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel is well-positioned to benefit from the rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT). According to Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Andrew Uerkwitz, Atmel is one of a handful of companies that makes microcontrollers (MCUs) that will increasingly be in demand.

“As we move toward Internet of Things, if you think about everybody’s connected devices today, everybody has about three to four connected devices, meaning connected to each other in some way. And we believe within five to 10 years, that’s going to be about 10 devices,” said Uerkwitz. “Everyone’s going to have 10 things that are connected to the Internet or connected to a smartphone or just generally connected whether it’s in the automobile, in the home or in the office.”

As Uerkwitz points out, a number of devices, such as thermostats and televisions that may not currently be connected to the Internet will increasingly become “smart devices.” 

As this trend plays out, those devices will require the components that Atmel supplies.

“So, their core business has thousands of customers trying to add these microcontrollers to devices, consumer electronics and we think that core business will grow nicely,” Uerkwitz added.

Interested in learning more about the IoT? You can check out Atmel’s recent IoT SoMa panel on the subject here, Patrick Sullivan’s EELive! 2014 presentation and our extensive Bits & Pieces IoT article archive here.

Walltech SmartWatch tick-tocks with Atmel

After successfully designing and extensively documenting the open source OLED Watch (v 4.2), Walltech founder John Wall has moved on to version 6.0 of the Atmel-powered smartwatch.

The latest wearable device is built around the FemtoduinoBLE, which features an ATmega32u4 microcontroller (bootloaded as an Arduino Leonardo) paired with a BlueGiga Bluetooth 4.0 low energy module to link devices and receive notifications.

The newest Walltech also boasts a 1.5-inch full color OLED display as well as an on-board microSD card slot.

“A step up from the monochrome .96′ OLED display of v4.2, this screen also consumes very little power thanks to the OLED technology behind it and can show beautiful images that will be the GUI for the smart watch,” John explained in a recent blog post.

“Now that there’s an SD card on board, I can use fancy graphics and make it look professional and keep the code to the MCU, enabling more to be coded instead of storing images too.”

In addition, says the designer, the DS1307 and accompanying regulator make an appearance again, with the same battery charging IC from the previous model powering up the 500mah lithium ion battery.

“To make selections, there will be a surface mount three-way navigation switch in the top right that you can flick up, down and push in to make selections and scroll through faces and apps,” he added.

Interested in learning more? You can check out John’s completed OLED Watch (v 4.2) here and the Walltech Smart Watch v6.0 introductory blog post here.

What is authentication and why should you care?

Authentication means making sure that something is real, just like it sounds.

In the real world, authentication has many uses. One of the most recognizable is anti-counterfeiting, which means validating the authenticity of a removable, replaceable, or consumable client. Examples include system accessories, electronic daughter cards and spare parts. Of course, authentication is also employed to validate software and firmware modules, along with memory storage elements.

Another important and growing role for authentication is protecting firmware or media by validating that code stored in flash memory at boot time is the real item – effectively helping to prevent the loading of unauthorized modifications. Authentication also encrypts downloaded program files that can only be loaded by an intended user, or uniquely encrypt code images that are accessible on a single, specific system. Simply put, authentication of firmware and software effectively makes control of code usage a reality, which is important for IP protection, brand equity maintenance and revenue enhancement.

Storing secure data, especially keys, for use by crypto accelerators in unsecured microprocessors is a fundamental method of providing real security in a system. Checking user passwords via authentication means validation – without allowing the expected value to become known, as the process maps memorable passwords to a random number and securely exchanges password values with remote systems. Authentication facilitates the easy and secure execution of these actions.

Examples of real-world benefits are quite numerous and include preserving revenue streams from consumables, protecting intellectual property (IP), keeping data secure and restricting unauthorized access.

But how does a manufacturer ensure that the authorization process is secure and protected from attack? With hardware key storage devices such as Atmel’s ATSHA204A, ATECC108A and ATAES132 – which are all designed to secure authentication by providing a hardware-based storage location with a range of proven physical defense mechanisms, as well as secure cryptographic algorithms and processes.

The bottom line? Hardware key storage beats software key storage every time – because the key to security is literally the cryptographic key. Locking these keys in protected hardware means no one can get to them. Put another way, a system is not secure if the key is not secure – and the best way to secure a key is in hardware. It is that simple.

Future Bits & Pieces posts will explore various methods of authentication such as asymmetric and symmetric, the ways in which Atmel’s key storage devices operate, specific authentication use models and other security related topics.

Creating a 3D printer for under $100

Tarkun Gelstronic has created a 3D printer for under $100.

Aptly dubbed the Poor Man’s 3D Printer, the device includes a heat bed and is capable of printing with multiple materials.

Key components purchased by Gelstronic include:

• Atmel-powered Arduino Arduino Mega 2560 (ATmega2560 MCU)
• 
Stackable motor driver shield
• Hotend
• PTFE tube
• Fan
• Additional small items

As 3DPrint’s Monica Aderholt notes, one of the major ways Gelstronic was able to keep the price so low was by recycling old computer and printer parts.

“Tarkun obtained four stepper motors from old DVD and Blu-ray drives, a power supply from an old PC, a NEMA 17-like stepper motor from an old printer and a modified gear from an old Hewlett Packard printer, which was used for the bowden extruder,” Aderholt explains.

“Of course, he had to use a bunch of screws, washers, nuts, wires, etc., but these were things that he and a lot of people would have lying around in their garages. For the frame of the printer, he did cheat slightly, and used some aluminum sheet metal that he had lying around. However, he points out that this could be replaced with wood.”

All told, Tarken ended up spending only 49 Euros, or approximately $67 on all purchased items, which isn’t bad for a 3D printer that offers the following features:

• Fused deposition modeling ABS/PLA
• Heat bed
• Use of open source firmware – a modified version of Tonokip
• Free host software, Repetier-Host
• Bowden-extruder
• Max. build size 40mm x 40mm x 40mm
• Resolution 0.08mm

Interested in learning more? You can check out the project’s Instructables page here.

Interacting with cars that feel

Digital agency Soap Creative recently launched Cars That Feel, an interactive Vivid festival installation designed with Toyota.

According to AdNews, the installation transforms three Toyota Prius cars into “sentient beings” which respond emotionally to human interaction. Indeed, the cars are set to sleep during the day, but as the sun goes down the vehicles come to life and begin interacting with Vivid festival attendees.

“Soap is a collection of people who love to play, make and do,” Brad Eldridge, Soap Creative partner told AdNews.

“We’ve always been fans of Vivid and we’re stoked to be able to contribute a playful, interactive digital experience that brings something new to the festival.”

As Eldridge notes, each car boasts it’s own personality and connects with people via light projections, color and sound. The cars are equipped with 6 internal BenQ projectors, [Atmel-based] Arduino controllers and high intensity LED light rigs. Meanwhile, a custom app is tasked with controlling internal projection mapping, lighting, sound and animation.

The Cars That Feel installation is located directly under the south end of the Harbour Bridge from May 23rd to the 9th of June in Sydney, Australia. Festival goers can capture and share their images with the hashtag #carsthatfeel.

Mega Makerspace opens in Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus Idea Foundry has officially opened its doors in a brand new location – a 65,000 square ft. Makerspace in a downtown district known as Franklinton. 

According to COO Casey McCarty and Shop/Production Manger Matt Hatcher, the Idea Foundry is “the largest community Makerspace on the planet.”

Image Credit: TechCrunch

As Jay Donovan of TechCrunch reports, the newly minted Makerspace, housed in a 100-year-old former shoe factory, is kind of like a gymnasium for people who want to make things.

“You pay a monthly membership fee of $35 and then an hourly fee to use a multitude of different tools to make that thing you need,” Donovan explains. 

”[It could be] a 3D printed prototype, a piece of jewelry, a CNC metal cut, laser cut template, fired pottery or other needful object for your startup, business or art studio. There are different hourly rates ranging from $5-$35 depending on the toolset. Additionally, you can also pay a fee to have the facility just make your prototype for you.”

Indeed, the massive Makerspace is well stocked with a wide range of tools and rooms, including laster cutters, an IC3D three-dimensional printer, a large space dedicated to development boards like the Atmel-powered Arduino family, three kilns, as well as complete wood and metal shops.

“What a lot of people don’t know about Columbus is that there is a fierce entrepreneurial spirit in the capital of the 7th most populous state in the nation. There are many startups in Columbus, and in nearby Cincinnati too,” Donovan adds.

Image Credit: TechCrunch

“I can see how a facility like this could lower the barriers for many hardware startups — for which the beginning capital investment can be a bit more intense — to get their concepts going. I think relatively low rates like they are offering will boost the activity in the area even more. The facility is opening now and looking for the next big thing from Makers in the area.”

Interested in learning more? You can visit the online home of the Columbus Idea Foundry here.

Mozzi creates complex sounds for Arduino

Doarhan recently kicked off a project with the Mozzi library to create a wide range of complex sounds for Atmel-based Arduino boards – which are typically tasked with generating only simple tones.

Aside from an Atmel-powered Arduino board and the Mozzi library, key project components include:

• 100K potentiometers – x5
• Male headers
• Female headers
• 1/8″ audio jack
• Audio cable
• Speaker

“Currently your Arduino can only beep like a microwave oven. Mozzi brings your Arduino to life by allowing it to produce much more complex and interesting growls, sweeps and chorusing atmospherics,” Doarhan explained in a detailed Instructables post.

“These sounds can be quickly and easily constructed from familiar synthesis units like oscillators, delays, filters and envelopes. You can use Mozzi to generate algorithmic music for an installation or performance, or make interactive sonifications of sensors, on a small, modular and super cheap Arduino, without the need for additional shields, message passing or external synths.”

On the hardware side, Doarhan recommends Makers begin by configuring the potentiometers.

“The middle output of the potentiometer is always the analog output. The other two outputs on the left and right are either power (5V) or ground. Solder your red, black and white wires on to the potentiometers,” Doarhan instructed.

“Solder the male headers to the ends of each wire. This will make it easier to put it together on the Arduino afterwards. The reason that I did not solder the wires on a proto shield is to make it removable so it can be replaced with a different kind of input like sensors.”

Next up? Getting your audio jack and soldering a white wire to one of the positive outputs, then soldering the black wire to the negative output. Then, configure the female headers, connect all the pieces, link the audio and upload/run the Arduino sketch.

Interested in learning more? You can check out the project’s official Instructables page here.

CNC router goes xPRO with Atmel’s ATmega328

Spark Concepts has debuted the CNC xPRO on Kickstarter, a versatile platform powered by Atmel’s ATmega328 microcontroller (MCU).

The CNC xPRO can be used to drive:

• Four-axis CNC Mill
• Three-axis CNC Mill with dual drive motors
• Laser cutter with XY, auto focus and rotary attachment
• Plasma cutter
• Pick and place for SMD components
• Wireless robotics

The GRBL compatible CNC xPRO can be powered via an ATX PSU or a dedicated 12V/24V two wire power supply. The board is also capable of driving four motors with DRV8825 Stepper Drivers at 2.5A (peak) with 1.75A (RMS) and up to 1/32 microstepping.

“One driver is capable of cloning X,Y, or Z or being run as an independent axis, [with] hardware support offered for both USB and wireless operation (XBee, WiFly, or RN42-XV),” a Spark Concepts rep explained.

“In addition, there are 12V and 5V outputs for powering peripherals (fans, pumps, vacuums), [allowing Makers and engineers] to quickly connect Stepper Motors and limit switches with 3.5mm screw terminals.”

Meanwhile, an expansion port supports future upgrades, such as a handheld jog controller and integrated spindle speed control.

“The CNC xPRO ships fully assembled and ready to connect (except for those opting for the bare board). All you need to do is screw down your motor leads and limit switches, plug in your ATX supply (or 12V/24V supply) and computer. You can also add a kill, pause/stop, resume and abort switches,” the rep noted.

“To add Bluetooth wireless, simply plug the RN42-XV into the xPRO and pair it with your computers Bluetooth. When paired correctly, this creates a virtual serial port over Bluetooth linking the computer to the xPRO.”

Interested in learning more? You can check out the CNC xPRO on Kickstarter here.