Introduction to Microcontrollers

Hands-on introduction to basic and advanced concepts involved in development of projects using microcontrollers in robotics and motion, light and sound, sensing and data acquisition, signal amplification and filtering, communication with specialty integrated circuits, and computer interface using the Processing language. Use of the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to explore digital and analog input/output, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Inter-Integrated Circuit Sound (I2S), interrupts, timing, use and writing of software libraries, and other topics. Exploration also of ESP32 and RP2040 microcontrollers. Students construct and analyze first-order passive filters, operational amplifier (op-amp) circuits, and related material. Students are equipped to make creative software and hardware projects, and develop their own instrumentation for subsequent laboratory or design projects. Project-based homework has small theory component. Includes final design project.

Letter grading.