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Stevegel
05-19-2008, 11:23 AM
http://store.gravitech.us/arduino-nano1.html

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).

Arduino received an Honory Mention in the Digital Communities section of the 2006 Ars Electronica Prix. Credits


Arduino Nano overview:

Arduino Nano is a surface mount breadboard embedded version with integrated USB. It is a smallest, complete, and breadboard friendly. It has everything that Diecimila has (electrically) with more analog input pins and onboard +5V AREF jumper. Physically, it is missing power jack and power select jumper. Since the Nano is automatically sense and switch to the higher potential source of power, there is no need for the power select jumper.

Nano’s got the breadboard-ability of the Boarduino and the Mini+USB with smaller footprint than either, so users have more breadboard space. It’s got a pin layout that works well with the Mini or the Basic Stamp (TX, RX, ATN, GND on one top, power and ground on the other). It’s a four-layer board with power and ground planes to help provide ICs with sufficient charge during switching and reduce noise (EMC) on high speed switching I/O pins. Ground plane help reduce radiation (EMI). Power plane is low in inductance; therefore any transients that may develop on the power line will be at lower levels.

You end up paying less with Nano than Mini and USB combined!


Specifications:

Microcontroller Atmel ATmega168
Operating Voltage (logic level) 5 V
Input Voltage (recommended) 7-12 V
Input Voltage (limits) 6-20 V
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins 8
DC Current per I/O Pin 40 mA
Flash Memory 16 KB (of which 2KB used by bootloader)
SRAM 1 KB
EEPROM 512 bytes
Clock Speed 16 MHz
Dimensions 0.73” x 1.70”


Features:

• Automatic reset during program download
• Power OK blue LED on the bottom
• Green (TX), red (RX) and orange (L) LED
• +5V to AREF jumper
• Auto sensing/switching power input
• Small mini-B USB for programming and serial monitor
• ICSP header for direct program download
• Power OK blue LED on the bottom
• Standard 0.1” spacing DIP (breadboard friendly)
• Manual reset switch


Power:

The Arduino Nano can be powered via the mini-B USB connection, 6-20V unregulated external power supply (pin 30), or 5V regulated external power supply (pin 27). The power source is automatically selected to the highest voltage source.

Darth Leximus
05-19-2008, 11:33 AM
that made me feel stupid

Klaatu
05-19-2008, 12:54 PM
Interesting..... Very interesting.... Nice find.

Stevegel
05-19-2008, 12:59 PM
It's the size of a stick of gum. sweet!

Malaki Skywalker
05-19-2008, 01:05 PM
Interesting, but wouldn't it need an Accelerometer for the swings etc.? :confused:

Stevegel
05-19-2008, 03:01 PM
Malaki i don't know, look down the page and it has the manual. (376 pages)

I went to their forum and reading alot of Interesting stuff.

here's a link about the audio.

http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1210275367

Marsupial
05-20-2008, 08:57 AM
using an arduino board isn't for everyone.

kudos to those wanting to learn to use those.

Ghostbat
05-20-2008, 09:16 AM
Interesting, but wouldn't it need an Accelerometer for the swings etc.? :confused:

One of the cool things about the arduino platform is that it's way open to soldering pretty much anything you can think of to it somewhere, it's like microcontroller lego :)

I still haven't picked one up, I'm only at all familiar with pic controllers which seem somewhat arcane compared to the arduino (if a bit cheaper to get into and maybe a little less support hardware heavy).

I would question whether or not the arduino would be a good base for a production board based on cost... but mostly I would question because I want to know the answer :)

Stevegel
05-20-2008, 10:30 AM
This a video one guy did.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2u71b_flying-type

and other's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0nvCAqFHGk&eurl=http://antipastohw.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD-GHBaxs2k


http://www.upwardnotnorthward.com/

simple robot finger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_tp7guSes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv26TEB98_E

Marsupial
05-21-2008, 09:57 AM
I would question whether or not the arduino would be a good base for a production board based on cost... but mostly I would question because I want to know the answer :)


costwise, you'd be better off using your own atmel microcontrollers (that's what arduino uses) and use your own PCB.

Arduino are good for prototyping, but I wouldn't consider that a good commercial option for specific applications.

savatron
06-19-2010, 11:26 PM
hey i was planing to use an arduino nano to make it in to a saber soundboard maybe we can all help ech other. i got alot of saber sound fonts and have ideas for how it should work but i do not know any c+. arduino nano has a mini b usb so u can plug it in to the computer, how cool would it be to plug your lightsaber in to the computer to chang the sounds and charge it :)

how i think the arduino nano saber soundboard should work:

on = fade on + on sound
idel = led flickering + idel sound loop
swing1 = swing1 sound
swing2 = swing2 sound
swing3 = swing3 sound
swing4 = swing4 sound
clash1 = led at max + clash sound
clash2 = led at max + clash2 sound
clash3 = led at max + clash3 sound
clash4 = led at max + clash4 sound
off = fade off + off sound

Skottsaber
06-20-2010, 04:38 AM
Please remember now that Tim is developing a new soundboard these discussions must be limited so as not to interfere with his business. There are other forums where you are allowed to discuss such open source soundboards. PM me for more info ;)

Rafalema
06-20-2010, 05:16 AM
I do not believe that you could plug the saber to your comp using USB, and then change sounds AND recharge.

I'm also not convinced that this was useful information to this thread..

xl97
06-20-2010, 10:05 AM
It added 'nothing' to the thread expect some 'wants' ..

no real applicable way to go about doing ANY of it..

as far as a I know Arduino has no native way to read/play sounds.. maybe it they were store in another static chip.. but to read an SD card (or whatever) you'd need more..

The Arduino is a GREAT platform for all sorts of PROTOTYPING.. imho stuffing an Arduino and everythign else in a saber is defeating the purpose.. since you want SMALL footprint.. you dont wann all that extra junk on the Arduino boards.. (look up barebones or standalone Arduino)

either way the Arduino is more or less the brain... however the brain cant DO ANYTHING without arms/legs and other appendages to 'control'.. (ie: sensors, led driver, acelerometer...etc)

so plan on adding ALL that other stuff too..

Skottsaber-

are you referring to Saberconcepts (again?)

who is really doing ANYTHING over there? Troy is really it!? maybe me posting some code samples? (both RFX and Arduino based) anyone else?.. and from what I was originally told.. it was closed to only a few who actually wanted to 'participate'.. instead fo just read. (maybe that has changed?)

chargeing from a USB is pointless IMHO.. as a real charge does MORE that throw XXvolts at the battery..like over charge protection..and I dont think it sends 5v out teither.. (which a USB cable does.. although I think you can also grab a 3.3v line too.)

You'd also need soem sort of serial to USB type converter.. and possible an IDE to even talk with your hardware??

Arduino does what you 'say'.. it uses the USB cable to POWER (not charge) the Arduino board.. and you can also use it to send data to your chip.. (flash a bootloader for example.. or watch serial communication back and forth)

Also.. and I can NOT keep stressing this enough... I think people find a certain piece of hardware and figure "ITS A SOUND BOARD SOLUTION/ALTERNATIVE"..

and maybe in some case it can be TURNED into a 'solution'.. but the reality of it is.. most of us are using a pre-defined platform.. a generic platform even .. used for development..

Id say in almost 90% of all these scenarios.. you will NEVER get a better solution than a product that was DESIGN for that specific purpose..

ie: a board design with being a soundboard for a lightsaber
vs.
a board that can do many things.. and some of things can be tweaked or used for saber related 'functions'..

IMHO... the downfall of the Arduino (so far) is it ability to play audio..

wher as the RFX could do so no problem..

RFX just wasnt developed with enough 'other' options to get pin status..etc (external interrupts for example..from what I rememebr everything was code/polling based)

IMHO... these RFX and Arduino projects are great.. but the reality is I think its only for those motivated and really into DIY stuff.. more so for a personal project saber or something..and NOT something for the retail masses...

truly is for the tinkers amongst us.

There is PLENTY of code for the Arduino osted around.. try and look at it..

the C+ code examples are fairly easy.. (for anyone).. and they have a TON of tutorials..


also..that nano is the old one.. I think they have a v3.+ out now or something..

savatron
06-20-2010, 12:15 PM
ok so here are items needed for this.

Arduino nano
http://www.cutedigi.com/product_info.php?products_id=4235

Breadboard
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8803

Swing Sensor
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Swing-Sensor-P486.aspx

Clash Sensor
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Clash-Sensor-P485.aspx

Premium Speaker
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Premium-Speaker--P77.aspx

Luxeon III Star
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Luxeon-III-Star-P1.aspx

Breakout Board for SD-MMC Cards
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=204

Breakout Board for VS1053 MP3 and MIDI
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8954

Sunrider
06-20-2010, 01:36 PM
Yep, I think a soundboard with all that & more in a 1 x 2 inch package is the way to go.;)

Matt Thorn
06-20-2010, 04:30 PM
Necroposting! :p And about a subject that is somewhat verboten here, to boot.

What I would most like to know is if we can expect the TCSS soundboard/LED driver this year, or is this still a long way off? Give us just a little hint. We're dying here.

xl97
06-20-2010, 06:28 PM
ok so here are items needed for this.

Arduino nano
http://www.cutedigi.com/product_info.php?products_id=4235

Breadboard
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8803

Swing Sensor
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Swing-Sensor-P486.aspx

Clash Sensor
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Clash-Sensor-P485.aspx

Premium Speaker
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Premium-Speaker--P77.aspx

Luxeon III Star
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Luxeon-III-Star-P1.aspx

Breakout Board for SD-MMC Cards
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=204

Breakout Board for VS1053 MP3 and MIDI
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8954

@savatron -

well geez.. if thats ALL it takes.. let us know how it works out! :)

lol.. Im messing with ya.. :P

but I dont see the point or 'help' in your post?

dont take this the wrong way by any means.. its meant to be helpful..and give you an understanding of the full scope of something lik this.

All these 'items' have been brought up and posted before..

however.. the same 'problem' exists..

putting ALL these components together in a FINISHED board.

Many could cobble together pre-existing pcb's with jumper wires and breadboards..LOL

but getting the CODE to work.. with everything.. (and be good/stable)..along with a stable hardware platform is a FAR FAR jump away from providing links.


@ Matt Thorn-

while this is NOT official.. I do believe last I read Tim was to have these this year.. I havent asked how things have been moving along..but last I did ask (month or 2 ago).. he stated things were still fine/good.. and moving along.

take it for its worth though..