ArduiNIX

ArduiNIX: 8 x Nixie Tubes

The ArduiNIX shield is a user programmable platform for driving multiplexed Nixie tube or other high voltage displays.

The ArduiNIX shield uses digital data pins 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 on the Arduino.

AREF, IOREF, TX(digital 1), RX(digital 0), Analog 0-5, digital 18 and 19 are free to use as inputs/outputs.

An explanation of how the Arduinix works:

The ArduiNIX works by listening to a signal from the Arduino to tell it when to switch on one of the four anode pins., and when to switch on any single or combination of cathode channels in the two sets of 10 cathode sets that are controlled by the nixie tube driver chips.

The Anode pins go hot, send 180 volts to the nixie tube anode connection, and the system waits for the code to tell the arduinix to ground out one of the cathode pins that are controlled by the twoDriver ICs.

Once the Arduino code tells the ArduiNIX to open an anode channel, which is connected to the anode pin of your tube, and the code tells the ArduiNIX to ground out a cathode channel, 180 volts flow into the nixie tube, lighting the element that is connected to the cathode channel.

When multiplexing, you have one anode channel connected to two nixie tubes, and one set of nixie cathodes per cathode channels on the ArduiNIX. Doing so allows you to drive up to 8 ten element nixie tubes, pairs of tubes sharing anodes, alternating cathode grounds at a fast enough rate that we don’t see a flicker.

The ArduiNIX is 4×20 Multiplexed,meaning there are a total of 4 anodes and 20 cathodes that can be multiplexed and controlled through the code. This means that up to 80 signals can be controlled. Either eight 10 numeral tubes or 80 Neon bulbs like the INS-1. Or any combination of numeric tubes and dots.

The ArduiNIX V3 features Analog 0-5, GND, Reset, SCL, SDA, AREF, 5V, TX and RX broken out to an input/output section of headers at the front of the board near the cathode bank.

Don Luc

MODULO

What is Modulo?

Modulo is a set of tiny modular circuit boards that you can assemble to build powerful programmable electronics without needing to design and assemble circuits from scratch.

Modulos slide into a base which connects them and holds them securely. Modulo assembles in seconds but is nearly as solid, compact, and powerful as a custom-designed PCB!

How it works

Building projects with Modulo is ridiculously easy. Watch our video on how to get started or check out our handy guide below.

Start with a Base

Each base holds up to four Modulos. Bases can be connected together with extension cables if you need more room.

The Particle Base has a socket which accepts controllers like the wifi-connected Particle Photon, cellular connected Particle Electron, or bluetooth compatible Bluz.

Select a Controller

The Modulo controller is an high performance arduino-compatible microcontroller that slides into the Base, just like any other Modulo. It’s the most compact way to control your Modulo project. It can also act as a USB bridge so you can control Modulos from python running on a mac, PC, or single board computer.

Alternatively, you can use the Particle Photon, Particle Electron, or Bluz controller to build Wifi, Cellular, and Bluetooth connected projects respectively.

Add Modulos

Each Modulo is smart enough to handle all the low level details of its own operation, so you never need to worry about things like pin numbers or registers. We have an amazing set of Modulos available and will create more as time goes on.

Program away!

The Modulo API makes it a breeze to program your devices. You can use it from several development environments.

* Using the Arduino app, with code running on the Modulo controller or any other Arduino compatible microcontroller.
* Using particle.io’s awesome development environment with code running on the Particle Photon, Particle Electron, or Bluz. (Modulo Controller not required in this configuration)
* Using python, with code running on a mac, PC, or single board computer like a Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone. (requires a Modulo controller for connecting Modulo via USB)

Regardless of which programming environment you choose, we’ve made Modulo as simple and straightforward to program as possible. Want to learn more? Come join our community, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Don Luc

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Product Details

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B looks identical to the Pi 2 B at first glance. It is the same size and has much of the same components on board. So what is the difference? The new Pi 3 brings more processing power and on-board connectivity, saving you time with the development of your applications. Perfect for your Internet of Things (IoT) designs.

Pi 3 compared to Pi 2

* More processor speed. The CPU on the Pi 3 is one and a half times faster at 1.2 GHz. Your Pi board performs better.
* On-board connectivity. The Pi 3 features 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN and Bluetooth Classic & Low Energy (BLE). You can get connected much quicker without the need for any external device.
* 2.5 A power supply. With more processor speed and on-board connectivity, you’ll need more power. Power supplies for previous Pi boards will not be sufficient. You will need the Official Raspberry Pi 3 Power Supply (9098126 — white) or (9098135 — black).
* New components. The Pi 3 features a chip antenna where status LEDs were located previously. The status LEDs are still on the board, right next to the microSD card slot.

New to Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a single computer board — developed to encourage and aid the teaching of programming and computing. It is also a fantastic starting point for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) projects. The low cost and ‘plug and play’ nature of Pi makes for a board that is accessible to all and has numerous connectivity options. Pi is the perfect experimental tool, whether you want to use it as a desktop computer, media centre, server or monitoring/security device within your home. No limits. Linux-based operating systems run on the Pi with plenty of access to free software and downloads. What is more, there is a great Pi community out there — look at DesignSpark, the design engineer community at RS.

Features & Benefits of the Pi 3

* Broadcom BCM2837 chipset running at 1.2 GHz
* 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
* 802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN
* Bluetooth 4.1 (Classic & Low Energy)
* Dual core Videocore IV® Multimedia co-processor
* 1 GB LPDDR2 memory
* Supports all the latest ARM GNU/Linux distributions and Windows 10 IoT
* microUSB connector for 2.5 A power supply
* 1 x 10/100 Ethernet port
* 1 x HDMI video/audio connector
* 1 x RCA video/audio connector
* 1 x CSI camera connector
* 4 x USB 2.0 ports
* 40 GPIO pins
* Chip antenna
* DSI display connector
* microSD card slot
* Dimensions: 85 x 56 x 17 mm

Don Luc

SparkFun MicroView – OLED Arduino Module

Sparkfun: DEV-12923

Description

The MicroView is the first chip-sized Arduino compatible module that lets you see what your Arduino is thinking using a built-in OLED display. With the on-board 64×48 pixel OLED, you can use the MicroView to display sensor data, emails, pin status, and more. It also fits nicely into a breadboard to make prototyping easy. The MicroView also has a full-featured Arduino library to make programming the module easy.

In the heart of MicroView there is ATMEL’s ATmega328P, 5V & 3.3V LDO and a 64×48 pixel OLED display, together with other passive components that allow the MicroView to operate without any external components other than a power supply. Additionally, the MicroView is 100% code compatible with Arduino Uno (ATmega328P version), meaning the code that runs on an Arduino Uno will also be able to run on the MicroView if the IO pins used in the code are externally exposed on the MicroView.

Features

* 64×48 Pixel OLED Display
* ATmega328P
* 5V Operational Voltage
* VIN Range: 3.3V – 16V
* 12 Digital I/O Pins (3 PWM)
* 6 Analog Inputs
* Breadboard Friendly DIP Package
* 32KB Flash Memory
* Arduino IDE 1.0+ Compatible

Don Luc

Programming: Tri-Axis Gyro – L3G4200D – Arduino

DonLuc1802Mk03.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// DonLuc1802Mk03 1.0

#include <Wire.h>

#define CTRL_REG1 0x20
#define CTRL_REG2 0x21
#define CTRL_REG3 0x22
#define CTRL_REG4 0x23
#define CTRL_REG5 0x24

int L3G4200D_Address = 105; //I2C address of the L3G4200D

int x;
int y;
int z;

void setup(){

  Wire.begin();
  Serial.begin(9600);

  Serial.println("starting up L3G4200D");
  setupL3G4200D(2000); // Configure L3G4200  - 250, 500 or 2000 deg/sec

  delay(1500); //wait for the sensor to be ready 
  
}

void loop(){
  
   getGyroValues();  // This will update x, y, and z with new values

  Serial.print("X:");
  Serial.print(x);

  Serial.print(" Y:");
  Serial.print(y);

  Serial.print(" Z:");
  Serial.println(z);

  delay(100); //Just here to slow down the serial to make it more readable
  
}

void getGyroValues(){

  byte xMSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x29);
  byte xLSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x28);
  x = ((xMSB << 8) | xLSB);

  byte yMSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x2B);
  byte yLSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x2A);
  y = ((yMSB << 8) | yLSB);

  byte zMSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x2D);
  byte zLSB = readRegister(L3G4200D_Address, 0x2C);
  z = ((zMSB << 8) | zLSB);
  
}

int setupL3G4200D(int scale){

  // Enable x, y, z and turn off power down:
  writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG1, 0b00001111);

  // If you'd like to adjust/use the HPF, you can edit the line below to configure CTRL_REG2:
  writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG2, 0b00000000);

  // Configure CTRL_REG3 to generate data ready interrupt on INT2
  // No interrupts used on INT1, if you'd like to configure INT1
  // or INT2 otherwise, consult the datasheet:
  writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG3, 0b00001000);

  // CTRL_REG4 controls the full-scale range, among other things:

  if(scale == 250){
    writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG4, 0b00000000);
  }else if(scale == 500){
    writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG4, 0b00010000);
  }else{
    writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG4, 0b00110000);
  }

  // CTRL_REG5 controls high-pass filtering of outputs, use it
  // if you'd like:
  writeRegister(L3G4200D_Address, CTRL_REG5, 0b00000000);
  
}

void writeRegister(int deviceAddress, byte address, byte val) {
  
    Wire.beginTransmission(deviceAddress); // start transmission to device 
    Wire.write(address);       // send register address
    Wire.write(val);         // send value to write
    Wire.endTransmission();     // end transmission
    
}

int readRegister(int deviceAddress, byte address){

    int v;
    
    Wire.beginTransmission(deviceAddress);
    Wire.write(address); // register to read
    Wire.endTransmission();

    Wire.requestFrom(deviceAddress, 1); // read a byte

    while(!Wire.available()) {
      
        // waiting
        
    }

    v = Wire.read();
    return v;
    
}

Don Luc

Project #1 – The AcceleroSynth – Mk4

AcceleroSynth Mk4a

AcceleroSynth Mk4b

AcceleroSynth Mk4c

AcceleroSynth Mk4d

AcceleroSynth Mk4e

1 X Arduino and Breadboard Holder

1 X Breadboard

1 X Arduino UNO Rev3

1 X Speaker

11 X Jumper Wires Premium 3″ M/M

4 X Colorful Round Tactile Button Switch

1 X Cable

AcceleroSynthMk4.1.ino

// ***** Don Luc *****
// Software Version Information
// 4.1 Switch

// Which pin on the Arduino is connected pin 8?
// 8-ohm speaker
#define tonePIN 8
// Switch

int switchPin1 = 9;
int switchPin2 = 10;
int switchPin3 = 11;
int switchPin4 = 12;

boolean running = false;

// Pitches
#include "pitches.h"

void loop() {

  if (digitalRead(switchPin1) == LOW)
  {  // switch is pressed - pullup keeps pin high normally
    delay(100);                        // delay to debounce switch
    running = !running;                // toggle running variable
    tone(tonePIN, NOTE_C4, 100);
  }  

  if (digitalRead(switchPin2) == LOW)
  {  // switch is pressed - pullup keeps pin high normally
    delay(100);                        // delay to debounce switch
    running = !running;                // toggle running variable
    tone(tonePIN, NOTE_D4, 100);
  } 
  
  if (digitalRead(switchPin3) == LOW)
  {  // switch is pressed - pullup keeps pin high normally
    delay(100);                        // delay to debounce switch
    running = !running;                // toggle running variable
    tone(tonePIN, NOTE_E4, 100);
  }   

  if (digitalRead(switchPin4) == LOW)
  {  // switch is pressed - pullup keeps pin high normally
    delay(100);                        // delay to debounce switch
    running = !running;                // toggle running variable
    tone(tonePIN, NOTE_F4, 100);
  } 
  
}

pitches.h

{
/*************************************************
 * Public Constants
 *************************************************/

#define NOTE_B0  31
#define NOTE_C1  33
#define NOTE_CS1 35
#define NOTE_D1  37
#define NOTE_DS1 39
#define NOTE_E1  41
#define NOTE_F1  44
#define NOTE_FS1 46
#define NOTE_G1  49
#define NOTE_GS1 52
#define NOTE_A1  55
#define NOTE_AS1 58
#define NOTE_B1  62
#define NOTE_C2  65
#define NOTE_CS2 69
#define NOTE_D2  73
#define NOTE_DS2 78
#define NOTE_E2  82
#define NOTE_F2  87
#define NOTE_FS2 93
#define NOTE_G2  98
#define NOTE_GS2 104
#define NOTE_A2  110
#define NOTE_AS2 117
#define NOTE_B2  123
#define NOTE_C3  131
#define NOTE_CS3 139
#define NOTE_D3  147
#define NOTE_DS3 156
#define NOTE_E3  165
#define NOTE_F3  175
#define NOTE_FS3 185
#define NOTE_G3  196
#define NOTE_GS3 208
#define NOTE_A3  220
#define NOTE_AS3 233
#define NOTE_B3  247
#define NOTE_C4  262
#define NOTE_CS4 277
#define NOTE_D4  294
#define NOTE_DS4 311
#define NOTE_E4  330
#define NOTE_F4  349
#define NOTE_FS4 370
#define NOTE_G4  392
#define NOTE_GS4 415
#define NOTE_A4  440
#define NOTE_AS4 466
#define NOTE_B4  494
#define NOTE_C5  523
#define NOTE_CS5 554
#define NOTE_D5  587
#define NOTE_DS5 622
#define NOTE_E5  659
#define NOTE_F5  698
#define NOTE_FS5 740
#define NOTE_G5  784
#define NOTE_GS5 831
#define NOTE_A5  880
#define NOTE_AS5 932
#define NOTE_B5  988
#define NOTE_C6  1047
#define NOTE_CS6 1109
#define NOTE_D6  1175
#define NOTE_DS6 1245
#define NOTE_E6  1319
#define NOTE_F6  1397
#define NOTE_FS6 1480
#define NOTE_G6  1568
#define NOTE_GS6 1661
#define NOTE_A6  1760
#define NOTE_AS6 1865
#define NOTE_B6  1976
#define NOTE_C7  2093
#define NOTE_CS7 2217
#define NOTE_D7  2349
#define NOTE_DS7 2489
#define NOTE_E7  2637
#define NOTE_F7  2794
#define NOTE_FS7 2960
#define NOTE_G7  3136
#define NOTE_GS7 3322
#define NOTE_A7  3520
#define NOTE_AS7 3729
#define NOTE_B7  3951
#define NOTE_C8  4186
#define NOTE_CS8 4435
#define NOTE_D8  4699
#define NOTE_DS8 4978
  
}
setup.ino
void setup() {

  // Switch
  pinMode(switchPin1, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(switchPin1, HIGH);      // turn on pullup resistor
  pinMode(switchPin2, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(switchPin2, HIGH);      // turn on pullup resistor  
  pinMode(switchPin3, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(switchPin3, HIGH);      // turn on pullup resistor
  pinMode(switchPin4, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(switchPin4, HIGH);      // turn on pullup resistor
    
}

Don Luc