05 Introduction to Serial Bus/ Microcontrollers

Microcontrollers
Most common microcontrollers we seen are embed in consumer products, they do one task and run one specific program and generally does not changed. It is low power, often small and  inexpensive.
A microcontroller is like a 'computer in a chip' because it contains memory, processing units, and input/output circuitry in a single unit. It comes 'blank' from the shop and then programmed with a specific control program to make the product more intelligent and easier to use.

For this project, obtain the following components:

• TIMSP430
• Breadboard
• Sufficient Wire
• 4 LEDs and 4 resistors between 200-500 ohms.
  (red red brown is 220Ω and ideal)

You will need to install the Programming Environment for the chip:
http://energia.nu/download/

There are 20 pins on this chip. 16 of these are usable for digital input or output (IO-means channel is either ON or OFF) Digital IO is is much like an electric switch that can be in one or two positions. In the case of this microcontroller, ON corresponds to a +3.3V and OFF corresponds to 0V.

Here is the Blink Codes from Energia website.

• Connect the breadboard to the LaunchPad
  The GND on the breadboard should be connected to the Pin 20 marked GND.
• The wire connected to the positiive end of the LED should connect to Pin 6 marked P14.
• Use a 220Ω resistor to limit current to the LED.

Here is the video showing the results with the programming codes of 1 second delay .

Here is the modified version of the blink codes to make 4 LED flash
with 4 resistors between 200Ω - 500Ω

 

Demonstrate LDR controlling LEDs