Duration:

10 Days

Audience:

This course is available to law enforcement and US government personnel only.

Prerequisites:

  • No prior Arduino or electronics experience is required, although some basic knowledge of programming concepts will be beneficial.
  • Basic experience with IP networking is also beneficial.

Course Description:

This course provides a structured introduction to Arduino, focusing on the practical application of electronics and programming skills. Participants familiarize themselves with Arduino hardware, the IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and basic electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, LEDs, and breadboards. From there, they learn how to write and upload code to Arduino, read schematics, and use Arduino libraries.

Students develop skills in programming, using control structures, variables, arrays, and functions, and handling both digital and analog inputs and outputs. Practical applications will be introduced through projects involving push buttons, relays, and LED control.

Students also learn to integrate Arduino with WiFi and Bluetooth modules, enabling data transmission over networks, and will complete projects involving real-world scenarios such as motion detection and wireless alert systems. More advanced topics like controlling servo motors and working with sensors (PIR, temperature, humidity, air quality) are also learned to equip students with the ability to create more complex systems.

This course introduces the use of Node-RED to visualize sensor data and create simple automated workflows, providing a pathway toward building interconnected IoT systems.

Course Objective:

  • To provide an introduction to Arduino microcontrollers, electronic components, and Arduino programming concepts.
  • For students to learn learn to design, build, and program basic Arduino projects, understand key electronics principles, and apply intermediate concepts such as analog and digital I/O, serial communication, and sensor integration.
  • For students to gain experience networking with Arduino, using WiFi and Bluetooth, and integrating Arduino with external platforms like Node-RED.

Hands-on Focus

This course is designed to be largely hands-on. Concepts are introduced and discussed followed by students implementing practical lab projects to reinforce what was learned.

Key Topics Covered

  1. Introduction to Arduino and Components
    • Overview of Arduino boards and IDE
    • Basic components: resistors, capacitors, LEDs
    • Introduction to circuits and schematics
  2. Programming in Arduino
    • Core programming concepts: variables, loops, and control structures
    • Digital and analog I/O
    • Serial communication
  3. Basic Projects and Troubleshooting
    • Writing and uploading basic Arduino sketches
    • Handling common issues and debugging
  4. Intermediate Concepts: Analog I/O and Relays
    • Understanding analog signals and PWM
    • Controlling devices with relays
  5. Networking with Arduino
    • WiFi and Bluetooth integration
    • Sending data over WiFi and Bluetooth
  6. Sensors and Input Devices
    • Working with PIR sensors, light detection, and other inputs
    • Timers, delays, and non-blocking code
  7. Advanced Projects and Automation
    • Servo motor control
    • Sensor-based alert systems (audio, visual, message alerts)
  8. Node-RED Integration
    • Setting up and using Node-RED for data visualization and automation
    • Connecting Arduino with Node-RED

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

  • Understand the key components and programming principles of Arduino.
  • Be able to read schematics, work with various electronic components, and build simple circuits.
  • Write and troubleshoot Arduino code for digital and analog I/O.
  • Implement wireless communication using WiFi and Bluetooth modules.
  • Integrate sensors and actuators into practical projects.
  • Use Node-RED to visualize data and create basic automated systems.