Lesson 3: Arduino Microcontroller

Arduino Microcontroller

By Jonalyn Cadavos

​Characteristics of a Microcontroller

• Small and Low-Cost – Affordable and compact.

• Dedicated – Performs one specific task.

• Low-Powered – Uses very little electricity (about 50 milliwatts).

• Embedded – Can be built into other devices.

​Applications

• Used in:

  • Home appliances

  • Automobiles

  • Industrial machines

  • Mobile devices

  • Robotics

  • IoT (Internet of Things)

Popular Microcontroller Examples

• Arduino Uno R3 – Widely used in education and robotics.

• Raspberry Pi – For computing and programming projects.

• Intel Galileo – Compatible with Arduino.

• Asus Tinker Board – Advanced board by Asus.

• GizDuino – A Filipino-made microcontroller.

Arduino Microcontroller: Focus of the Lesson

Brief History

• Arduino is an open-source electronic platform used to design and build digital devices.

• Developed in 2005 in Italy to help students learn interactive design.

• Founded by Massimo Banzi and team.

• Named after a pub in Ivrea, Italy.

Why Use Arduino?

• Affordable

• Simple and beginner-friendly

• Cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)

• Strong online community support

Arduino Uno—Key Parts

• <iframe style="max-width:100%" src="https://wordwall.net/embed/play/94760/384/199" width="500" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Please click the link above and answer the first activity.

Arduino Uno—Key Parts

• Microprocessor (ATmega328P) – Executes the code.

• USB Port – Transfers code and provides power.

• Barrel Jack – Power via adapter (6–20V).

• Reset Button – Restarts the board.

• Power Header – Sends power to external parts.

• Digital Pins (0–13) – For digital input/output.

• Analog Pins (A0–A5) – For reading analog signals.

• PWM Pins (~3, ~5, ~6, ~9, ~10, ~11) – Mimics analog output.

Download and install locally.

2. Desktop IDE

• No installation needed.

• Requires internet and Arduino account.

1. Web Editor (online via Arduino Create)

💻 Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
🖥️ Options:

🧰 Features of Web Editor:

• Sketchbook – Saved codes.

• Examples – Sample projects.

• Libraries – Extra tools/functions.

• Serial Monitor – Data exchange with board.

• Preferences – Customize appearance.

Multiple Choice

What is the function of a microcontroller in a robotic system?

• Store data permanently
  

• Connect the robot to the internet

• Control and manage specific tasks

• Provide mechanical movement

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a microcontroller?

• A display device
  

• A power source

• A small computer on a chip

• A wireless transmitter

Multiple Choice

Which Arduino board is most commonly used in educational settings?

• Arduino Nano

• Arduino Mega

• Arduino Uno

• Arduino Leonardo

Multiple Choice

The brain of the Arduino Uno is the ____.

• USB chip

• Reset button

• ATmega328P

• Analog pin

Multiple Choice

What does IDE stand for in Arduino programming?

• Integrated Digital Emulator

• Interface for Device Editing

• Integrated Development Environment

• Internal Device Execution

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of the reset button on the Arduino Uno?

• To erase all data

• To restart the program

• To power off the board

• To connect to the internet

Multiple Choice

How many digital I/O pins does the Arduino Uno have?

• 10

• 12

• 14

• 16

Multiple Choice

What symbol is used to identify PWM-enabled pins on the Arduino Uno?

• @

• #

• ~

• *

Multiple Choice

Where was Arduino first developed?

• Germany

• United States

• Italy

• Japan

Multiple Choice

Which feature allows users to test communication between the board and computer?

• Code uploader

• Power LED

• Serial Monitor

• Reset button

Multiple Choice

What is Arduino Create?

• A mobile app for robotics

• A sensor tool

• A web-based coding platform

• A mechanical part

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a Filipino-made Arduino-compatible board?

• RaspiDuino

• GizDuino

• MegaDuino

• UnoDuino

Multiple Choice

What is stored in the Sketchbook folder in Arduino IDE?

• Video files

• Power settings

• Saved code sketches

• Audio files

Multiple Choice

Who is one of the co-founders of Arduino?

• Elon Musk

• Steve Wozniak

• Massimo Banzi

• Dennis Ritchie

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of Arduino libraries?

• To delete code

• To store images

• To provide prewritten code

• To increase voltage