Week 3: Adventures in Making

This week was more challenging than the previous two weeks. This week we had two projects to conquer. The first project was complete a RGB LED so three different colors will be blinking from the same LED bulb. The second project was to complete a circuit which consists of multiple LEDs, eight to be exact.

Circuit 3- RGB LED

The code used for the RGB LED is more complicated than the previous projects. For the RGB LED project I learned about PWM ("Pulse-Width Modulation") which is when a digital pin is used to "fake" an analog signal by the pin blinking faster than they eye can see, which I think is fascinating. If the code is set on HIGH, the LED will be brighter, and if the code is set on LOW, the LED will appear dim. I have provided the code and documentation of my project below. 

Code used for RGB LED

Screenshot of Code

Schematic of the Circuit Used

Picture of the circuit including Arduino and Breadboard

 

 Electronic Diagram

Circuit 3: RGB LED Video

Circuit 4: Multiple LED’s

I enjoyed building the Multiple LED's circuit. As a reward, I enjoyed watching the dancing LED's. The most difficult aspect of this weeks project is understanding the code. I learned about "for()loops" which are used to run a code the amount of times you would like the code to run. "Arrays[]" are used to manage variables by grouping them together. The array function made controlling the LEDs easier. It would take much longer to write the code for each individual LED. I didn't run into any problems setting up the breadboard, I found the challenge enjoyable. I have provided the clean code, and documentation of the Multiple LED's project below.

Code used for Multiple LED's

Schematic of the Circuit Used

 Pictures of the circuit including Arduino and Breadboard

Electronic Diagram Multiple LEDs

Multiple LEDs Video

Week 3 Challenge

This weeks challenge was indeed a challenge. My goal was to create multiple LED's as a count down event that lights up the RGB LED. The code is getting more complex and I am struggling to make sense of it in such a short time. After hours of studying and working with the code, through trial and error I partially accomplished my goal. The multiple LED's goes through one complete cycle up the strand, and back down the strand before the RGB LED flashes. It wasn't exactly what I had planned, but I can still sit and watch the dancing lights until my eyes are hurting. 

Code for Challenge: Chasing LED and RGB 

Picture of the circuit including Arduino and Breadboard

Chasing LEDs and RGB  LED Video

Reflection
I loved working with the dancing lights this week. I continue to feel more comfortable with the Arduino. I enjoy building the circuits and finding solutions if part of the circuit is not working properly. The coding is the most difficult for me to understand. As the coding gets more complex I feel lost and unsure of myself. I feel if I had more time to learn the code I might feel differently, but this is a fast pace course so I try to grasp all I can. The challenge that was most difficult for me this week was modifying the code to create a circuit from the four circuits and their associated codes I worked with in circuit 3 and 4. I will continue to study the codes to hopefully feel more comfortable working with them. 

When I think of possible extensions of the project I completed, I think of the chasing Christmas lights.  I couldn't help but think of the RGB LED circuit as I looked at the dehumidifier in my home.  The LED in the on position is green, and when the water chamber is full the light turns to orange and the dehumidifier shuts off. Another possible extension that comes to mind is speakers that have LED's that pulse with the beat of the music. When I have more time I would like to spend more time exploring the circuits I have created this week and their possibilities.