Arduino
From CandyFabWiki
Arduino (WP) is a modern embedded computing platform that is popular within the electronic art and electronics hobbyist communities.
Contents |
[edit] Architecture
The Arduino platform consists of two separate parts: a desktop computer integrated development environment (IDE), based on Processing, and a hardware interface board (an "Arduino"). While Arduino boards are made with a few different designs, each is based around an AVR microcontroller (most commonly the ATmega168) that is preprogrammed with a serial bootloader. This bootloader allows the Arduino IDE to reprogram the Arduino board through a serial interface. Most Arduino boards include a USB-Serial interface so that only an external USB cable is required.
[edit] Programming the Arduino
The Arduino platform is tightly integrated and Arduino boards are commonly programmed through the Arduino IDE. The Arduino's programming language is a variation of the Wiring programming language. Both of these environments are based upon C/C++.
Generally speaking, AVR-GCC code (C code written for the AVR) can used in within the Arduino IDE with minor modifications. (Interrupt handling is a notable exception.)
Since the Arduino hardware platform is a conventional AVR microcontroller platform, AVR-GCC and the rest of the GNU AVR toolchain can also be used to directly program it without the Arduino IDE, either through the bootloader or using a traditional in-system programmer.
[edit] Proprietary and open source nature
While the Arduino hardware and software designs have been released under true open source licenses, the name "Arduino" has been reserved for use only by official Arduino development team.
