Arduino is a type of IC under the group called microcontrollers. Research the me

Question

Arduino is a type of IC under the group called microcontrollers. Research the mean features of microcontrollers and classify the typical applications they are used for. Why the CPU of our computers are not microcontrollers? Research on some applications made by Arduino UNO and briefly state two of them. Prepare codes for fading LED's with the Arduino Software (can be downloaded from) that will switch on and off the LED for 1 secs periods. Find out the difference between analogWrite() and digitalWrite() of Arduino functions.

Explanation / Answer

1) A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications.

Microcontrollers are used in automatically controlled products and devices, such as automobile engine control systems, implantable medical devices, remote controls, office machines, appliances, power tools, toys and other embedded systems. By reducing the size and cost compared to a design that uses a separate microprocessor, memory, and input/output devices, microcontrollers make it economical to digitally control even more devices and processes.

They are similar to a PC but with lesser memory. They can perform most of the tasks performed by a computer, but one at a time.

2) Microcontrollers generally include a small amount of memory on their chip. Typically microcontroller programs must fit in the available on-chip program memory. Our computers (PC's) require much larger amount of memory and large size programs than those that can fit in RAM of a microcontroller. Microcontrollers are generally used for limited number of fixed operations. Our computers need more flexibility. Microprocessors provide such flexibility.

3) Arduino UNO can be used for a wide range of projects. They are typically used for home automation. They can be used in a theft detector, an LED clock, calculator ,safety lock ,etc,.

4) /*
Blink
Turns on an LED on for one second, then off for one second, repeatedly.

This example code is in the public domain.
*/

// Pin 13 has an LED connected on most Arduino boards.
// give it a name:
int led = 13;

// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {  
  // initialize the digital pin as an output.
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);     
}

// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);     // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);   // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);     // wait for a second
}

5) analogWrite() : Writes an analog value (PWM wave) to a pin. Can be used to light a LED at varying brightnesses or drive a motor at various speeds. After a call to analogWrite(), the pin will generate a steady square wave of the specified duty cycle until the next call to analogWrite() (or a call to digitalRead() or digitalWrite() on the same pin).

digitalWrite(): Write a HIGH or a LOW value to a digital pin.   If the pin has been configured as an OUTPUT with pinMode(), its voltage will be set to the corresponding value: 5V (or 3.3V on 3.3V boards) for HIGH, 0V (ground) for LOW.   If the pin is configured as an INPUT, digitalWrite() will enable (HIGH) or disable (LOW) the internal pullup on the input pin.

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