Arduino Adventures: Escape from Gemini Station
- 4h 24m
- Harold Timmis, James Floyd Kelly
- Apress
- 2013
Arduino Adventures: Escape from Gemini Station provides a fun introduction to the Arduino microcontroller by putting you (the reader) into the action of a science fiction adventure story. You'll find yourself following along as Cade and Elle explore Gemini Station—an orbiting museum dedicated to preserving and sharing technology throughout the centuries.
Trouble ensues. The station is evacuated, including Cade and Elle's class that was visiting the station on a field trip. Cade and Elle don’t make it aboard their shuttle and are trapped on the station along with a friendly artificial intelligence named Andrew who wants to help them get off the damaged station. Using some old hardware, a laptop, and some toolboxes full of electronics parts, you will follow along and build eight gizmos with Cade and Elle that will help them escape from Gemini Station.
The hardware is Arduino. Each new challenge opens a new area of Arduino and basic electronics knowledge. You’ll be taken incrementally from a simple task such as turning on a light through to a complex combination of microcontroller, electronic components, and software programming. By the end of the book you’ll be well on your way towards being able to create and implement any sort of electronically controlled device you can imagine, using the stunningly popular Arduino microcontroller.
- Provides eight challenges, each challenge increasing in complexity
- Builds around a fictional storyline that keeps the learning fun
- Leaves you on a solid foundation of electronic skills and knowledge
What you’ll learn
- Install and configure Arduino’s programming environment
- Build understanding of LEDs, Resisters, and other basic components
- Build and test electronic circuits involving breadboarding and basic wiring
- Program behavior using the Arduino Programming Language
- Interface and influence the physical world through motors and sensors
Who this book is for
Escape from Gemini Station: An Arduino Hands-On Adventure is suitable for ages 8 and up. No experience is required, and complete instructions are provided on using the Arduino microcontroller. Teachers will find the book useful for the downloadable teacher handouts available from the authors' website. The book is perfect for anyone learning Arduino, or preparing to teach it to first-time users.
About the Authors
James Floyd Kelly is a professional writer from Atlanta, Georgia. He has written numerous books on multiple subjects, including LEGO robotics, open source software, and building your own CNC machine as well as a 3D printer. He is the editor-in-chief of the number one MINDSTORMS NXT blog, The NXT Step (TheNXTStep.com), where he is joined by fellow NXT experts who share their knowledge and designs with other robot fans around the world.
Since Harold Timmis was a small child, he has fostered a curiosity for technology, taking apart everything in his parents’ house just to see how it all worked. This fueled his thirst for knowledge of computer science, programming and its uses. He has worked with LabVIEW and Arduino for the past three years. During that time, he has been involved in several professional projects using LabVIEW, as well as many hobbyist projects utilizing both Arduino and LabVIEW. Harold attended the Florida Institute of Technology, where he studied computer engineering and was introduced to LabVIEW and Arduino. Later, he worked at the Harris Corporation and General Electric, where he created several LabVIEW projects for trains and became very interested in serial communication, including GPS and Arduino.
In this Book
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Trouble at Gemini Station
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Challenge 1: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 1: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 1: Examining the Software
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Damage Assessment
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Challenge 2: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 2: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 2: Examining the Software
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Feeling the Heat
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Challenge 3: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 3: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 3: Examining the Software
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Uninvited Guest
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Challenge 4: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 4: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 4: Examining the Software
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Hide and Seek
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Challenge 5: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 5: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 5: Examining the Software
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Carousel Ride
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Challenge 6: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 6: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 6: Examining the Software
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Push the Button
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Challenge 7: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 7: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 7: Examining Software
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Off the Station
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Challenge 8: Fun Stuff to Know
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Challenge 8: Examining the Hardware
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Challenge 8: Examining Software
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Epilogue
