Week 4 : Embedded Programming

Objectives of the Week

Browse through the data sheet for your microcontroller write a program for a microcontroller, and simulate its operation,

To interact (with local input &/or output devices) and communicate (with remote wired or wireless connections)

Group Assignment Contribution

For this week, I have refered the Xiao - Seeed Studio Esp32C3 data module and I have wondered that the how the things became much compatible in the Current Generation. The datasheet provides information about the features, specifications, pinouts, and technical details of the Xiao - Seeed Studio Esp32C3.

For More about Group Assignment

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 – Key Datasheet Highlights

• 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor at 160 MHz
• Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE)
• 400 KB SRAM + 4 MB Flash memory
• 11 multifunctional I/O pins
• 1× UART, 1× I2C, 1× SPI, 4× ADC (12-bit)
• USB Type-C for programming and power
• Ultra-small form factor: 21 x 17.5 mm
• Supports low-power sleep modes
• Built-in RGB LED and reset button
• Ideal for IoT, wearables, and wireless projects

Comparison: Arduino Uno vs Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3

Feature	Arduino Uno	XIAO ESP32C3
Processor	ATmega328P (8-bit AVR @ 16 MHz)	ESP32-C3 (32-bit RISC-V @ 160 MHz)
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth	None	Wi-Fi + BLE 5.0
Flash Memory	32 KB	4 MB
SRAM	2 KB	400 KB
I/O Pins	14 Digital, 6 Analog	11 Multipurpose I/Os
ADC Resolution	10-bit	12-bit
USB Type	USB-B	USB-C
Power Consumption	Higher	Very Low (Supports sleep modes)
Form Factor	Large (68.6 x 53.4 mm)	Ultra-compact (21 x 17.5 mm)
Programming Language	Arduino (C++)	Arduino (C++), MicroPython
Cost & Availability	Widely available, low cost	Compact, modern, affordable

Arduino Uno R3 Technical Datasheet

Board Specifications

Microcontroller	ATmega328P
Operating Voltage	5V
Input Voltage	7-12V (recommended)
Digital I/O Pins	14 (6 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins	6
Flash Memory	32 KB (0.5 KB used by bootloader)
SRAM	2 KB
EEPROM	1 KB
Clock Speed	16 MHz
Dimensions	68.6mm × 53.4mm

Communication Interfaces

The Arduino Uno R3 supports the following communication interfaces:

Interface	Pins	Protocol
Serial	0 (RX), 1 (TX)	UART
I2C	A4 (SDA), A5 (SCL)	TWI
SPI	10 (SS), 11 (MOSI), 12 (MISO), 13 (SCK)	Serial Peripheral Interface

Power Specifications

Power Sources

• USB connection (5V)
• DC power jack (7-12V)
• Vin pin (7-12V)

Current Ratings

• 5V pin: 500mA max
• 3.3V pin: 50mA max
• I/O pins: 20mA per pin (40mA max total)

Additional Resources

• Schematic Diagram (PDF)
• Arduino IDE Download
• Official Product Page

Online Electronics Simulators

Online electronics circuit simulators are web-based tools that allow users to design, simulate, and test electronic circuits virtually—without any physical components. These platforms are especially useful for beginners, educators, and hobbyists, as they offer a low-risk environment to learn and experiment.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop interface for adding components like resistors, transistors, ICs, microcontrollers, etc.
• Real-time simulation of voltages, currents, and logic states.
• Breadboard and schematic views for clearer design understanding.
• Code integration for microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, etc.).
• Often cloud-based, allowing projects to be saved and shared online.

Different Online Simulators

Simulator Name	Features	Ideal For	Download Link
Tinkercad Circuits	Arduino simulation, breadboard view, code editor	Beginners, students	TinkerCAD
Falstad Circuit Simulator	Analog and digital simulation, waveform visualization	Intermediate users	Falstad Circuit Simulator
EasyEDA	PCB design + simulation, schematic editor	PCB designers	EasyEDA
CircuitVerse	Digital logic circuit simulator	Digital electronics learners	CircuitVerse
Multisim Live	SPICE simulation, schematic design	Engineering-level projects	Multisim Live

Introduction to TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and embedded coding. It's used by designers, hobbyists, teachers, and kids, for creating simple 3D models and circuits.

Websearch for TinkerCAD

Interface of TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD is not just only for designing circuits, we can also use it to design 3D models and many inbuilt examples are available in the website

TinkerCAD

Differnet usage of TinkerCAD

Let's Create a new circuit for our Assignment

Click on the Circuits button below

Step 1:

Navigation bar in KiCAD

1. Clipboards
2. Rotation of components
3. Delete
4. Undo
5. Redo

Navigations

Control Bars

Components Selection Area

Various Display availability in TinkerCAD

Step 2:

For this Week, we are gonna work on LCD Display so Choosing 16*2 LCD display

Various Display availability in TinkerCAD

Arduino LCD 16x2 Display Guide

This guide explains how to display "Welcome to Fab Academy" on a 16x2 LCD using an Arduino and the Adafruit_LiquidCrystal library.

1. Hardware Requirements

• Arduino Board (Uno, Mega, etc.)
• 16x2 LCD Display
• I2C Module (PCF8574T)
• Connecting Wires
• External Power Source (if needed)

2. Wiring Instructions

LCD Pin	Arduino Pin
VCC	5V
GND	GND
SDA	A4 (Uno) / 20 (Mega)
SCL	A5 (Uno) / 21 (Mega)

3. Arduino Code

            #include <Adafruit_LiquidCrystal.h>
            int seconds = 0; 
        Adafruit_LiquidCrystal lcd_1(0);
    
        void setup() {
            lcd_1.begin(16, 2);
            lcd_1.print("Welcome to Fab");
            lcd_1.setCursor(0, 1);
            lcd_1.print("Academy");
            delay(2000);
            lcd_1.clear();
            }
    
        void loop() {
            lcd_1.setCursor(0, 0);
            lcd_1.print("Time (sec): ");
            lcd_1.setCursor(11, 0);
            lcd_1.print(seconds);
        
            lcd_1.setBacklight(1);
            delay(500);
            lcd_1.setBacklight(0);
            delay(500);
        
            seconds++;
        }
        

Arduino Code Explanation – LCD with Timer

Libraries and Variables

#include <Adafruit_LiquidCrystal.h>
int seconds = 0;
Adafruit_LiquidCrystal lcd_1(0);
  

• #include <Adafruit_LiquidCrystal.h>: Adds the library needed to control the LCD using I2C or other interfaces.
• int seconds = 0;: Creates a variable to count and display time in seconds.
• Adafruit_LiquidCrystal lcd_1(0);: Creates an LCD object called lcd_1. The parameter 0 is used when only one LCD is connected.

setup() Function

void setup() {
  lcd_1.begin(16, 2);
  lcd_1.print("Welcome to Fab");
  lcd_1.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd_1.print("Academy");
  delay(2000);
  lcd_1.clear();
}
  

• lcd_1.begin(16, 2);: Initializes the LCD with 16 columns and 2 rows.
• lcd_1.print("Welcome to Fab");: Prints text on the first line of the LCD.
• lcd_1.setCursor(0, 1);: Moves the cursor to the beginning of the second line.
• lcd_1.print("Academy");: Prints "Academy" on the second line.
• delay(2000);: Waits for 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds).
• lcd_1.clear();: Clears the LCD screen.

loop() Function

void loop() {
  lcd_1.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd_1.print("Time (sec): ");
  lcd_1.setCursor(11, 0);
  lcd_1.print(seconds);

  lcd_1.setBacklight(1);
  delay(500);
  lcd_1.setBacklight(0);
  delay(500);

  seconds++;
}
  

• lcd_1.setCursor(0, 0);: Places the cursor at the beginning of the first line.
• lcd_1.print("Time (sec): ");: Displays the label "Time (sec):" on the LCD.
• lcd_1.setCursor(11, 0);: Moves cursor to the 12th column of the first line.
• lcd_1.print(seconds);: Displays the current value of seconds.
• lcd_1.setBacklight(1);: Turns ON the LCD backlight.
• delay(500);: Waits for half a second.
• lcd_1.setBacklight(0);: Turns OFF the LCD backlight.
• delay(500);: Waits again for half a second, creating a blinking effect.
• seconds++;: Increases the second counter by 1 every second.

What This Code Does

This Arduino code displays a welcome message ("Welcome to Fab Academy") for 2 seconds, then starts counting time in seconds. The LCD backlight blinks every 0.5 seconds to create a visual effect while the time increases.

Learning Summary

• Understand the basics of Arduino and its components.
• Understand about the Xiao - Seeed Studio Esp32C3
• Learn how to use the LiquidCrystal library to control an LCD screen.
• Implement a simple timer using the LCD screen.

Finally Leaving my files here

Arduino Uno Datasheet

Xiao ESP32C3 Datasheet

Source Code