SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY

This is basically LED's connected together to form the figure eight (8). Any of these LED's can be individually controlled (switched on or off) depending on the character the user wants to display.

These LED's are denoted by a, b, c, d, e, f, g,  and common terminal. Sometimes, dot terminal is included.

Each segment is connected to an individual input pin, and by supplying the appropriate voltage or current, the corresponding segment can be illuminated.

Seven-segment displays are commonly found in digital clocks, calculators, electronic meters, and other devices where numerical or basic character information needs to be visually displayed. They provide a simple and effective way to convey numerical data in a clear and readable format.

  

TYPES OF SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY

There are two types of seven segment display, they are:

• Common Anode
• Common Cathode

The difference between the two types of display is the way the LED's in them are arranged.

For clarity sake, anode is the positive terminal while cathode is the negative terminal

COMMON ANODE

Just as the name implies,  the positive terminal of all the LED are joined together to have a common anode. The individual negative terminals are labelled a, b, c, d, e, f and g.

         

common anode display

To display a character using common anode seven segment display, a positive supply voltage will be supplied to the common anode terminal and a negative supply voltage will connected to the individual terminals that make up such character.

COMMON CATHODE

This type of seven segment display has a common negative (cathode) for all the LED's and an individual positive terminal labelled a, b, c, d, e, f and g.

Common cathode display

Let's say you want to display the number 2, you will turn on the LED's connected to a, b, d, e, g and the common terminal.

Is Arduino the right board for me?

 In a world filled with lots of development boards, why should you choose Arduino? Today, we'll explore the reasons why Arduino is an excellent choice for bringing your projects to life. 

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Arduino offers unique advantages that make it a popular choice.

Different Arduino Boards

Why choose an Arduino?

It provides an integrated development environment (IDE) that simplifies the programming process. The IDE has a straightforward interface, making it easy to write, compile, and upload code to the Arduino. 

Arduino IDE

Arduino’s online community is another reason to choose it. The Arduino community is a vibrant ecosystem of enthusiasts, makers, and developers who freely share their knowledge, projects, and code.

Whether you have a question, need troubleshooting assistance, or want to showcase your project, there's always someone ready to help and provide guidance.

Arduino Forum

The boards are versatile and compatible with a wide range of sensors, actuators, and other electronic components. This compatibility allows you to easily integrate various modules into your projects as it has multiple input/output (I/O) pins that allow you to connect sensors, LEDs, motors, displays, and more.

The wide selection of pre-built libraries that simplify complex tasks. These libraries provide ready-to-use code for specific functions or modules, saving you time and effort. You can find libraries for almost any component or task you need.

whether you're a hobbyist, a student, or an aspiring inventor, Arduino offers a perfect blend of simplicity, versatility, community support, and affordability.

Arduino empowers you to unleash your creativity, turning your ideas into reality. It's an incredible platform for learning, experimenting, and prototyping innovative projects.

5V Regulated Power Supply Using 7805

Almost every electronics circuit requires 5volts DC supply in one or more sections that make up the circuit. To this end, I will be teaching you how to build a 5V regulated power supply with DC input. I will attach a simulation video at the end.

Components Used

• 7805
• 100uF Capacitor

The main component here is 7805. It basically receives voltage supply between 6V to 30V as input and gives out a regulated 5V. Any voltage less than or equal to 5V does not apply.

The type of capacitor used here is the electrolytic capacitor. It stores charges thereby stabilizing the output voltage. The time it takes for the capacitor to discharge is dependent on the value of the capacitor. A 10microFarad capacitor will discharge faster than a 47microFarad capacitor under the same load.

Have you seen some television sets that the power indicator does not go off immediately it is switched off? This stored charges is responsible for this.

Below is a simulation to demonstrate this.

Gray Code to Binary Code Conversion

To convert a gray code to a binary code, lets consider the formula below:

G7 is the most significant bit and G0 is the least significant bit for the gray code.
B7 is the most significant bit and B0 is the least significant bit for the binary code.

Step 1:
B7 becomes G7

Step 2:
B6 becomes the addition of B7 and G6 (B7 + G6)

Ohm's Law

Ohms law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to its potential difference provided that physical conditions (temperature) remains constant.

Mathematically,

I α V

V = IR

Where,

V = potential difference measured in volt
I = current measured in ampere
R = constant (resistance) measured in ohm

This law established the relationship between voltage, current and resistance.

When the voltage is kept constant, the current flowing in a circuit will increase with decrease in resistance and the current will decrease with an increase in resistance.
Also, when the resistance is kept constant, the current will increase with an increase in voltage and will decrease with a reduction in voltage.

ROBOTICS BASICS

The word robot was coined from the word ROBOTA which means "forced labour".

Robot is an electromechanical machine embedded with artificial intelligence (AI) which is reprogrammed and executes various tasks. It is a universal machine hence, the re-programmable ability. 

Robotics technology deals with the research, design, building and controlling of robot.

All robots are machines but not all machines are robot.

Not all software's are artificial intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence replicates human actions. If a software's does not meet this, it is not AI.

STRUCTURES OF ROBOT

• Control unit
• Mechanical unit
• Programming unit

Control Unit: This section is made up of sensors that provide feedback from the physical world to the digital world which are processed for action to be taken based on the information stored in the memory of a control computer., 

Mechanical Unit: This section of a robot is comprised of motors (stepper, servo) which provides locomotion, bearings to provide support, joints to provide a degree of freedom, end-effectors to interact with the environment and carry out assigned tasks depending on design.

Programming Unit: The control unit of a robot need to be programmed (storing of processed datain its memory). This is done in the section.

APPLICATION AREAS OF ROBOT

- Bomb discarding in the military

- Material handling
- Mechanical cutting
- Welding (Arc welding, spot welding)
- Painting in automotive industry
- Domestic use (pool cleaners, vacuum cleaners)
- Exploration

HOW TO READ RESISTOR COLOUR CODE

Resistor colour coding is used to represent the value and tolerance of a resistor. This colour coding could be four, five or sometimes six.

In a four band colour coding, the first two colours represents the first and second digits, the third colour serves as the multiplier and the last colour is the tolerance.

To find the resistance of a resistor whose colours are Orange, Orange, Brown and Gold.