Output Devices
This week was a blast. I trust myself to debug codes theat don't work which is why I took the help of ChatGPT, to generate a basic code and then i built upon the previous version and added complexities wherever I could. I entered exactly what output I was expecting and with which component. The rest, as they say, was history!
Group Assignment
You can check this weeks group assignment on my Fab-Mate Sharvari's page
4-digit display
I have worked with single seven segment displays before with an Arduino Uno. This is the first time i got to tinker with a 4-digit display. Connections are simple Vcc to 5v, GND to GND, DIO to digital pin 3 and CLk to digital pin 2.
First I just installed the Library for the 4-Digit Display and tried displaying a single 1234.
Connection Schematic
Code for displaying 1234
Display 1234.cpp
Then I moved onto to using the millis function to create a timer.
#include <TM1637Display.h>
// Define the pins for the 4-digit 7-segment display
#define CLK D2 // Clock pin
#define DIO D3 // Data pin
// Create a TM1637 display object
TM1637Display display(CLK, DIO);
void setup() {
// Set the brightness to maximum
display.setBrightness(0x0f);
}
void loop() {
// Display a simple number (e.g., 1234)
display.showNumberDec(1234, false); // Display number 1234 without leading zeros
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
// Display another number (e.g., 5678)
display.showNumberDec(5678, false); // Display number 5678 without leading zeros
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}
Code to start a counter
Display counter.cpp
Finally, I used the previous code to create a clock that runs based on the system time.
#include <TM1637Display.h>
// Define the pins for the 4-digit 7-segment display
#define CLK 2 // Clock pin
#define DIO 3 // Data pin
// Create a TM1637 display object
TM1637Display display(CLK, DIO);
unsigned long previousMillis = 0; // stores the last time the display was updated
const long interval = 1000; // interval to update time (in milliseconds)
int seconds = 0; // Keep track of seconds
int minutes = 0; // Keep track of minutes
void setup() {
// Initialize the 7-segment display
display.setBrightness(0x0f); // Set brightness to maximum
}
void loop() {
unsigned long currentMillis = millis(); // Get the current time in milliseconds
// If 1 second has passed, update the display and the time
if (currentMillis - previousMillis >= interval) {
previousMillis = currentMillis; // Save the last time the display was updated
// Increment seconds
seconds++;
// If seconds reach 60, increment minutes and reset seconds
if (seconds >= 60) {
seconds = 0;
minutes++;
}
// Display the time in MMSS format (e.g., 0259 for 2 minutes and 59 seconds)
int timeToShow = minutes * 100 + seconds;
display.showNumberDec(timeToShow, false); // Display without leading zeros
}
}
Code to display the current time
Display time.cpp
#include <TM1637Display.h>
// Define the pins for the 4-digit 7-segment display
#define CLK 2 // Clock pin
#define DIO 3 // Data pin
// Create a TM1637 display object
TM1637Display display(CLK, DIO);
// Time variables to simulate system time
int startHour = 12; // Starting hour (e.g., 12:00:00)
int startMinute = 0; // Starting minute
int startSecond = 0; // Starting second
unsigned long previousMillis = 0; // Stores the last time the display was updated
const long interval = 1000; // Interval to update time (in milliseconds)
void setup() {
// Initialize the 7-segment display
display.setBrightness(0x0f); // Set brightness to maximum
}
void loop() {
unsigned long currentMillis = millis(); // Get the current time in milliseconds
// If 1 second has passed, update the simulated system time and the display
if (currentMillis - previousMillis >= interval) {
previousMillis = currentMillis; // Save the last time the display was updated
// Increment seconds
startSecond++;
// If seconds reach 60, reset seconds and increment minutes
if (startSecond >= 60) {
startSecond = 0;
startMinute++;
}
// If minutes reach 60, reset minutes and increment hours
if (startMinute >= 60) {
startMinute = 0;
startHour++;
}
// If hours reach 24, reset to 00 (simulating a 24-hour clock)
if (startHour >= 24) {
startHour = 0;
}
// Display the time in HHMM format (e.g., 12:34 for 12 hours and 34 minutes)
int timeToShow = startHour * 100 + startMinute;
display.showNumberDec(timeToShow, false); // Display without leading zeros
}
}
Neopixels
I have alwasy wanted to play around with Neopixels and this week was just that, these are the 3 experiments I did with neopixels this week.
Connection Schematic
The rainbow stick is very straightforward, a marquee type output is something I was looking for, and achieved it eventually!
Click for video
Code for Rainbow Stick
Rainbow LEDs
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED_PIN D2 // Neopixel data pin
#define LED_COUNT 8 // Number of LEDs in strip
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(LED_COUNT, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
strip.begin();
strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
setRainbowColors(); // Set each NeoPixel to a color of the rainbow
}
void loop() {
// Nothing in loop, the rainbow pattern is static
}
void setRainbowColors() {
// Define the colors of the rainbow
uint32_t rainbow[] = {
strip.Color(255, 0, 0), // Red
strip.Color(255, 127, 0), // Orange
strip.Color(255, 255, 0), // Yellow
strip.Color(0, 255, 0), // Green
strip.Color(0, 0, 255), // Blue
strip.Color(75, 0, 130), // Indigo
strip.Color(148, 0, 211), // Violet
};
// Loop through each LED and assign a rainbow color
for (int i = 0; i < LED_COUNT; i++) {
if (i < 7) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, rainbow[i]); // Assign rainbow colors to the LEDs
} else {
strip.setPixelColor(i, 0); // Turn off remaining LEDs if there are more than 7 LEDs
}
}
strip.show(); // Display the color pattern
}
Then I asked ChatGPT to move the colour down one LED every 0.01 seconds, and the last color moves to the first LED
Code for Moving Rainbow
Moving Rainbow
I will use the setup in my final project, when I initiate the Plasma blast from my glove I need sound and light output to compliment it. This is a potential option. Maybe with a smaller strip and LEDs but yes! Something very similar to this. #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED_PIN D2 // Neopixel data pin
#define LED_COUNT 8 // Number of LEDs in strip
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(LED_COUNT, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
strip.begin();
strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
setRainbowColors(); // Set initial rainbow colors
}
void loop() {
moveRainbow(10); // Call the function to move rainbow every 10 milliseconds
}
void moveRainbow(int wait) {
// Shift colors one step to the right
uint32_t lastColor = strip.getPixelColor(LED_COUNT - 1); // Save the last color
// Move all colors one step to the right
for (int i = LED_COUNT - 1; i > 0; i--) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, strip.getPixelColor(i - 1));
}
// The first pixel takes the last color (circular effect)
strip.setPixelColor(0, lastColor);
strip.show(); // Display the updated colors
delay(wait); // Delay to create smooth movement
}
void setRainbowColors() {
// Define the colors of the rainbow
uint32_t rainbow[] = {
strip.Color(255, 0, 0), // Red
strip.Color(255, 127, 0), // Orange
strip.Color(255, 255, 0), // Yellow
strip.Color(0, 255, 0), // Green
strip.Color(0, 0, 255), // Blue
strip.Color(75, 0, 130), // Indigo
strip.Color(148, 0, 211), // Violet
};
// Loop through each LED and assign a rainbow color
for (int i = 0; i < LED_COUNT; i++) {
if (i < 7) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, rainbow[i]); // Assign rainbow colors to the LEDs
} else {
strip.setPixelColor(i, 0); // Turn off remaining LEDs if there are more than 7 LEDs
}
}
strip.show(); // Display the color pattern
}
Click for video
Code for firing sequence light
Firing lights.cpp
I couldn't overlook a Neopixel ring lying around the lab, so I uploaded a random code on it.
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED_PIN D2 // Neopixel data pin
#define LED_COUNT 8 // Number of LEDs in strip
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(LED_COUNT, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
strip.begin();
strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
}
void loop() {
fireSequence();
delay(3000); // Delay before the next sequence
}
void fireSequence() {
// Light up in pairs with blue color
for (int i = 1; i < LED_COUNT; i += 2) {
for (int j = 0; j <= i; j++) {
strip.setPixelColor(j, strip.Color(0, 50, 255)); // Blue light
}
strip.show();
delay(500); // Lights up in pairs
}
delay(1000); // Hold all lights on in blue
// Change all LEDs to red for 2 seconds
for (int i = 0; i < LED_COUNT; i++) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, strip.Color(255, 0, 0)); // Red light
}
strip.show();
delay(2000); // Hold red for 2 seconds
strip.clear(); // Turn all off simultaneously
strip.show();
}
Click for video
Code for NeoRing
Connection Schematic
Experimenting with Neo.cpp
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define NUM_PIXELS_1 8 // Number of LEDs in the first circular NeoPixel (D1)
#define NUM_PIXELS_2 8 // Number of LEDs in the second circular NeoPixel (D0)
#define PIN_1 D1 // Pin connected to the first NeoPixel strip (circular)
#define PIN_2 D0 // Pin connected to the second NeoPixel strip (circular)
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip1(NUM_PIXELS_1, PIN_1, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800); // First NeoPixel object
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip2(NUM_PIXELS_2, PIN_2, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800); // Second NeoPixel object
void setup() {
strip1.begin(); // Initialize first NeoPixel
strip1.show(); // Clear all pixels on strip 1
strip2.begin(); // Initialize second NeoPixel
strip2.show(); // Clear all pixels on strip 2
}
void loop() {
// Create wave effect on first strip (D1)
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_PIXELS_1; i++) {
// Set all LEDs to off
clearPixels(strip1);
// Set current LED to a color (can change color if needed)
strip1.setPixelColor(i, randomColor());
strip1.show();
delay(100); // Control speed of the wave on strip 1
}
// Create wave effect on second strip (D0)
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_PIXELS_2; i++) {
// Set all LEDs to off
clearPixels(strip2);
// Set current LED to a color (can change color if needed)
strip2.setPixelColor(i, randomColor());
strip2.show();
delay(100); // Control speed of the wave on strip 2
}
}
// Function to turn off all LEDs in the strip
void clearPixels(Adafruit_NeoPixel &strip) {
for (int i = 0; i < strip.numPixels(); i++) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, strip.Color(0, 0, 0)); // Set LED to off
}
strip.show(); // Update strip
}
// Function to generate a random color
uint32_t randomColor() {
int r = random(0, 256); // Random Red value (0-255)
int g = random(0, 256); // Random Green value (0-255)
int b = random(0, 256); // Random Blue value (0-255)
return strip1.Color(r, g, b); // Return the random color
}
Buzzer
I had this code lying around for my arduino board. I just asked chatgpt to replce the tone() function to a PWM function for the Seeed Xiao RP2040
Click for video
Code for Playing Game of Thrones Theme
Game of thrones buzz.cpp
// Game of Thrones
// Connect a piezo buzzer or speaker to pin 11 (or choose a different pin)
// More songs available at https://github.com/robsoncouto/arduino-songs
#define NOTE_B0 31
#define NOTE_C1 33
#define NOTE_CS1 35
#define NOTE_D1 37
#define NOTE_DS1 39
#define NOTE_E1 41
#define NOTE_F1 44
#define NOTE_FS1 46
#define NOTE_G1 49
#define NOTE_GS1 52
#define NOTE_A1 55
#define NOTE_AS1 58
#define NOTE_B1 62
#define NOTE_C2 65
#define NOTE_CS2 69
#define NOTE_D2 73
#define NOTE_DS2 78
#define NOTE_E2 82
#define NOTE_F2 87
#define NOTE_FS2 93
#define NOTE_G2 98
#define NOTE_GS2 104
#define NOTE_A2 110
#define NOTE_AS2 117
#define NOTE_B2 123
#define NOTE_C3 131
#define NOTE_CS3 139
#define NOTE_D3 147
#define NOTE_DS3 156
#define NOTE_E3 165
#define NOTE_F3 175
#define NOTE_FS3 185
#define NOTE_G3 196
#define NOTE_GS3 208
#define NOTE_A3 220
#define NOTE_AS3 233
#define NOTE_B3 247
#define NOTE_C4 262
#define NOTE_CS4 277
#define NOTE_D4 294
#define NOTE_DS4 311
#define NOTE_E4 330
#define NOTE_F4 349
#define NOTE_FS4 370
#define NOTE_G4 392
#define NOTE_GS4 415
#define NOTE_A4 440
#define NOTE_AS4 466
#define NOTE_B4 494
#define NOTE_C5 523
#define NOTE_CS5 554
#define NOTE_D5 587
#define NOTE_DS5 622
#define NOTE_E5 659
#define NOTE_F5 698
#define NOTE_FS5 740
#define NOTE_G5 784
#define NOTE_GS5 831
#define NOTE_A5 880
#define NOTE_AS5 932
#define NOTE_B5 988
#define NOTE_C6 1047
#define NOTE_CS6 1109
#define NOTE_D6 1175
#define NOTE_DS6 1245
#define NOTE_E6 1319
#define NOTE_F6 1397
#define NOTE_FS6 1480
#define NOTE_G6 1568
#define NOTE_GS6 1661
#define NOTE_A6 1760
#define NOTE_AS6 1865
#define NOTE_B6 1976
#define NOTE_C7 2093
#define NOTE_CS7 2217
#define NOTE_D7 2349
#define NOTE_DS7 2489
#define NOTE_E7 2637
#define NOTE_F7 2794
#define NOTE_FS7 2960
#define NOTE_G7 3136
#define NOTE_GS7 3322
#define NOTE_A7 3520
#define NOTE_AS7 3729
#define NOTE_B7 3951
#define NOTE_C8 4186
#define NOTE_CS8 4435
#define NOTE_D8 4699
#define NOTE_DS8 4978
#define REST 0
// Change this to make the song slower or faster
int tempo = 85;
// Change this to whichever pin you want to use
int buzzer = 11;
// Notes of the melody followed by the duration
int melody[] = {
// Game of Thrones
NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16,
NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16,
NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_E4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_E4,16, NOTE_F4,16,
NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_E4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_C4,8, NOTE_E4,16, NOTE_F4,16,
NOTE_G4,-4, NOTE_C4,-4, //5
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,4, NOTE_C4,4, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, //6
NOTE_D4,-1, //7 and 8
NOTE_F4,-4, NOTE_AS3,-4,
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_D4,16, NOTE_F4,4, NOTE_AS3,-4,
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_D4,16, NOTE_C4,-1, //11 and 12
NOTE_G4,-4, NOTE_C4,-4, //5
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,4, NOTE_C4,4, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, //6
NOTE_D4,-1, //7 and 8
NOTE_F4,-4, NOTE_AS3,-4,
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_D4,16, NOTE_F4,4, NOTE_AS3,-4,
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_D4,16, NOTE_C4,-1, //11 and 12
NOTE_G4,-4, NOTE_C4,-4,
NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16, NOTE_G4,4, NOTE_C4,4, NOTE_DS4,16, NOTE_F4,16,
NOTE_D4,-2, //15
NOTE_F4,-4, NOTE_AS3,-4,
NOTE_D4,-8, NOTE_DS4,-8, NOTE_D4,-8, NOTE_AS3,-8,
NOTE_C4,-1,
NOTE_C5,-2,
NOTE_AS4,-2,
NOTE_C4,-2,
NOTE_G4,-2,
NOTE_DS4,-2,
NOTE_DS4,-4, NOTE_F4,-4,
NOTE_G4,-1,
NOTE_C5,-2, //28
NOTE_AS4,-2,
NOTE_C4,-2,
NOTE_G4,-2,
NOTE_DS4,-2,
NOTE_DS4,-4, NOTE_D4,-4,
NOTE_C5,8, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_GS4,16, NOTE_AS4,16, NOTE_C5,8, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_GS4,16, NOTE_AS4,16,
NOTE_C5,8, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_GS4,16, NOTE_AS4,16, NOTE_C5,8, NOTE_G4,8, NOTE_GS4,16, NOTE_AS4,16,
REST,4, NOTE_GS5,16, NOTE_AS5,16, NOTE_C6,8, NOTE_G5,8, NOTE_GS5,16, NOTE_AS5,16,
NOTE_C6,8, NOTE_G5,16, NOTE_GS5,16, NOTE_AS5,16, NOTE_C6,8, NOTE_G5,8, NOTE_GS5,16, NOTE_AS5,16,
};
// sizeof gives the number of bytes, each int value is composed of two bytes (16 bits)
// there are two values per note (pitch and duration), so for each note there are four bytes
int notes = sizeof(melody) / sizeof(melody[0]) / 2;
// this calculates the duration of a whole note in ms
int wholenote = (60000 * 4) / tempo;
int divider = 0, noteDuration = 0;
void setup() {
// Set the buzzer pin to output
pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);
// Iterate over the notes of the melody
for (int thisNote = 0; thisNote < notes * 2; thisNote = thisNote + 2) {
// Calculates the duration of each note
divider = melody[thisNote + 1];
if (divider > 0) {
// Regular note, just proceed
noteDuration = (wholenote) / divider;
} else if (divider < 0) {
// Dotted notes are represented with negative durations
noteDuration = (wholenote) / abs(divider);
noteDuration *= 1.5; // Increase the duration in half for dotted notes
}
// Generate PWM signal to play the note
if (melody[thisNote] != REST) {
analogWrite(buzzer, (melody[thisNote] / 2)); // Scale down the frequency
delay(noteDuration); // Wait for the specified duration
analogWrite(buzzer, 0); // Stop the note
}
// Wait for a brief pause after each note
delay(noteDuration * 0.1);
}
}
void loop() {
// No need to repeat the melody
}
Relay
I couldn't find any device to fit into the plugs on the actual relay board, but for exploring I tried setting an On & Off function every 5 seconds.
Click for video
Code for the relay
Relay Code
// Define the relay control pin
const int relayPin = 15; // Use GPIO 15 for controlling the relay (IN1 pin)
void setup() {
// Set relayPin as an output pin
pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
// Start with the relay turned off
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
}
void loop() {
// Turn on the lamp (relay closes, AC power flows)
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);
delay(5000); // Keep the lamp on for 5 seconds
// Turn off the lamp (relay opens, cuts power to the lamp)
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
delay(5000); // Keep the lamp off for 5 seconds
}
8x8Matrix
I had to go retro with output devices and thats why I chose the 8x8 Matrix. It displays how life is going after 10 weeks of Fab,lol ;).
Connection Schematic
Click for video
Code for 8x8 Matrix
8x8 Matrix.cpp
#include <MD_Parola.h>
#include <MD_MAX72XX.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#define MAX_DEVICES 1
#define DATA_PIN D2
#define CS_PIN D4
#define CLK_PIN D3
MD_Parola P = MD_Parola(MD_MAX72XX::PAROLA_HW, DATA_PIN, CLK_PIN, CS_PIN, MAX_DEVICES);
void setup() {
P.begin();
P.setIntensity(8); // Brightness
P.displayText("STILL ALIVE", PA_CENTER, 100, 1000, PA_SCROLL_LEFT, PA_SCROLL_LEFT);
}
void loop() {
if (P.displayAnimate()) {
P.displayReset();
}
}
I used this code first but the text appeared mirrored. That's why I edited a line in the code to get an unmirrored output.
Unmirror the output.cpp
MD_Parola P = MD_Parola(MD_MAX72XX::FC16_HW, DATA_PIN, CLK_PIN, CS_PIN, MAX_DEVICES);
Design Files and links
The board I am using:My breakout board