FINAL DEVELOPMENT
ELECTRONIC DEVELOPMENT
Microcontrollers
Unless you only require an led to turn on with a switch the chances are if you have any electronics in your design you are going to need a micro controller. The best place to start is on a virual prototyping platform but before you do that you should understand what kt we have in the department and what it would be useful for you to use initially. Below you will see a range of kits / microcontrollers that we have that you may find useful. Look through them and then speak to your teacher and see if they agree with your choice.
LITTLEBITS
Useful for initial hand on prototyping to prove a concept. Basic electronic models that snap together easily to prove simple concepts.
ARDUINO
Arduino has the capability of creating some very complex circuits and is ableto connect effectively with mechanical systems. This is for use by those who have more experinece programming / working with electronics.
MICROBIT
BBC microbit is the entry level microcontroller but has great usability. This is often used alongside a breadboard with extra components to prove concepts.
GROVESEED
This kit helps simplify the arduino. It works with the arduino with modular click in components that allow you to create more complex processes / systems with greater ease.
Systems thinking
Once you have decided on the system you want to use the fisrt step would be doing some planning. Create a systems diagram and then flowcharting the process. (see pages 295-296 of your textbook).
Virtual Prototyping
Put simply tinkercad.com (linked below on the logo) is the best and easiest option for virtualy prototyping your idea and checking it will work before doing it physically. There are lots of reasons to do this:
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Both Microbit and Arduino are on tinkercad
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There are step by step tutorials to help you. Use timkercad alongside the microcontroller website.
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all the components virtually work - phyical components frequently break and its hard to know if its your circuit not working or a broken component. This was you can check it works without worrying about that.
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You can record a little video of your circuit working which can go directly on your slides to prove a concept.
Physical Prototyping
It may be as part of your final prototype that you want to complete an electronic proof of concept prototype. To do this it will need to be physical. Once you've worked in out virtually you can find the components and build it.
Exemplars
