The
Arduino
(the Arduino foundation)
is an embedded digital computing device.
[Wikipedia image]
The Arduino is rated as powerful in handling
analog (analogue) input signals.
Needed for controlling industrial processes on the basis of
proportional signals, usually a voltage, from physical measuring
devices like thermocouples and load-cells.
On 22February2024 my first experience with an embedded device was with the "educational" micro:bit device (microbit educational foundation).
In building my scientific and engineering career I avoided embedded devices. My science and engineering "what to do" is strong and proven (eg webpage covering-letter); go now for embedded devices as "how to do it". Span both the "what" and the "how".
The "now if the time" juncture coming owes to seeing tin mining
restarting and lithium extracting starting - with their pilot plants
leading to process plants.
Also Cornish employers in heavy engineering making machines using
microprocessor monitoring and controls.
Appreciation goes to Software Cornwall. with their "Tech Jams". At their 09March2024 event they had an Arduino set-up and I got to it.
The Arduino is normally programmed at the console with the compiled language "C" - giving me a "head-start" having used "C" previously.
Starting with the usual "make the on-board LED flash" I progressed to interfacing with external devices - the purpose of the exercise.
Making the thermocouple I brought work and measure temperature needed soldering to make electrical connections - not available in the "classroom" environment.
So regrouped on the achievable objective of using a potentiometer as a continuously variable voltage analog input signal and doing some code around that, giving digital output signals as different coloured LED's lighting. Indicating input voltage ranges - "low", "medium" and "high".
This is seen in my video - link to
my "YouTube"
presence - see "Shorts" => "My first with Arduino - analog input,
digital output"
("direct" link
to video on 13 March 2024 - given "YouTube" changes URL's
occasionally)
The "analog input device" seen is a slide-potentiometer, going between
zero volts and the full applied voltage to the potentiometer of 5V.
The digital output indicated by the LED's - potentiometer voltage applied to the input pin as a percentage of "full" maximum volts:
The code driving the Arduino is seen here - done in 20 minutes so a bit "unpolished".
This is "trivial" - yet has the fundamentally crucial step of linking an analog input to a digital output.
Getting a thermocouple working with the Arduino makes an obvious next
goal.
I have ordered an Arduino and some kit to have my own set-up, now I
have been mentored through the first stage(s).
Obvious potential extending path: a kit I have ordered includes a
relay, and its "external power source" relay capacity is enough to
make a small helical coil of electrical resistance wire heat up.
Which could surround the thermocouple, providing an exercise in
controlling to a set temperature.
If achieved, a user input interface on the device to set that
temperature would then beckon.
etc.
All angling at industrial process control.
(R. Smith, 13Mar2024)