Nikhil Agnihotri

In the previous tutorial, we discussed the basics about Arduino sketches, with a a quick Arduino language reference. Now, it’s time to get our hands dirty. Interfacing LED and driving digital output from a source is the “Hello World” of embedded systems.  As discussed in the previous tutorial, a microcontroller interfaces and interacts with other…

The previous tutorial included a discussion about the tools and components necessary to get started with Arduino. However, before starting with Arduino UNO (or any other Arduino board) — and experimenting with hardware projects on various sensors, actuators, and modules — it’s important to get through the basics of Arduino sketches and the embedded C…

Arduino are single-board microcontrollers that are easily programmable through a USB connection. They are used with electronics to design embedded system prototypes, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), and electronic gadgets.  Much like other microcontrollers, Arduino provides software-backed computing and embedded control to basic electronics applications. That means getting started with Arduino is no different than with other…

Embedded electronics are in a countless number of devices and appliances, with microcontrollers at the heart of the operation. A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit that controls a specific operation in an embedded system. There was a time when only BASIC stamp microcontrollers, with a simple interpreter, were available for designing, prototyping, and testing…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed the object-oriented features of Python. These features are of great importance in organizing our code and structuring our applications. Now, let us talk about designing graphic interfaces in Python. Embedded applications developed on microcontrollers usually have LEDs, character LCDs, or small graphic LCDs as display devices. These displays cannot…

In the previous tutorials, we discussed sequences and unordered collections in Python. We also learned about operations, functions, and methods applicable to them. There can also be more complex data structures in an application. The data values in these data structures can have a complex relationship and behavior. These data structures are defined as user-defined…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed manipulating data values in lists and byte arrays. Python also has mutable unordered collections like sets and dictionaries. Let us see how data values/objects in sets and dictionaries can be manipulated. Sets Sets are unordered mutable collections of items. The items in a set can be any arbitrary immutable…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed basic syntax and elements of Python language. In Python, there are six types of sequences – strings, bytes, byte arrays, range, tuples, and lists. The strings, bytes, range, and tuples are immutable sequences and cannot be modified once defined. It is only possible to create or destroy these sequences.…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed the syntax of Python — identifiers, keywords, comments, statements, literals, and some data types in Python. We also discussed that Python is object-oriented in that everything in Python is an object, and even data types are classes. Python objects can be mutable or immutable. Python objects that point to…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed the Python language, its applications, implementations (CPython, Jython, IronPython, and PyPy), and IDEs. We also discussed writing Python scripts and modules and learned to run Python scripts through IDLE and Bash shell. Before we jump to controlling hardware via Python scripts, it will be useful to have a strong…

In the previous tutorial, we successfully set up a Raspberry Pi Linux desktop. Let us now start learning Python. We could have jumped right to controlling hardware using Python scripts, but this will defeat the very purpose of using Raspberry Pi and a Very-High-Level-Language (VHLL) like Python to control electronics. We can easily control electronics…

In the previous article, we discussed the role of an operating system. We explored about Linux as a popular open-source operating system that can be used and modified to be used for desktop, mobile, server, cloud, mainframe, supercomputer, cluster, and embedded computing. Raspbian, the official OS for the Raspberry Pi itself is based on Debian…

In the previous article, we discussed various Raspberry Pi models. We also discussed situations in which particular models deem suitable. Most of the time, you will be using RPi as a Linux computer. Raspbian, the official operating system for Raspberry Pi itself is a variant of Debian OS (a Linux Distribution). There are other operating…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed what Raspberry Pi is, operating systems we can run on it, programming languages that can be used with it, the advantages and limitations of Raspberry Pi, and what Raspberry Pi can be used for. We also learned about other single board computers comparable to the RPi. The following models…

Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation. It was developed as a low-cost microcomputer to impart computer skills to school children. It comes without any power supply or peripherals, and it is supposed to be programmed in Python —  the reason for the ‘Pi’ in its name. Raspberry Pi (RPi)…

In the previous articles, we discussed types of batteries and different battery packs. Many embedded circuits and devices rely on batteries for a power supply and many of these devices use primary batteries that may need to be replaced. Other embedded devices are rechargeable and use secondary batteries to remain powered. It is not difficult…

In the previous tutorial, we discussed different types of batteries. Apart from reusability and battery chemistry, how a battery is packaged is an important factor, as it should be accommodable in a device without compromising safety norms. The geometry and size of a battery also plays a vital role in its application to a circuit.…

2G networks will be soon a thing of the past, as will the GSM/GPRS modems based on it. In the past few years, 2G modems such as the  SIM800 and SIM900 from SIMcom have been popular in embedded systems, particularly hobby projects. As the telecom sector moves forward, 4G has pretty much become the norm.…

In the previous articles, we discussed passive electronic components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers. The passive components are particularly useful in designing various analog circuits. The real fun of modern electronics begins with semiconductors and digital electronics. Electronics is all about signals (in the form of voltage or current) and processing signals by components…

In the previous article, we discussed the classification of transformers by core material, geometry, and voltage levels. The transformers can also be classified by their application and use. Let’s explore the two broad categories of use cases first  – transformers used in the electrical domain and transformers used in the electronics domain. The transformers used…