Serial LCD

This example shows how to send serial input from a host computer to the LCD connected to microcontroller. I am using 4 bit mode to drive my LCD.

Video

Original Photo

Pin Connection

• LCD RS pin to digital pin 12
• LCD Enable pin to digital pin 11
• LCD D4 pin to digital pin 5
• LCD D5 pin to digital pin 4
• LCD D6 pin to digital pin 3
• LCD D7 pin to digital pin 2

Schematic

Code

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

void setup(){
    // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  // initialize the serial communications:
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{
  // when characters arrive over the serial port...
  if (Serial.available()) {
    // wait a bit for the entire message to arrive
    delay(100);
    // clear the screen
    lcd.clear();
    // read all the available characters
    while (Serial.available() > 0) {
      // display each character to the LCD
      lcd.write(Serial.read());
    }
  }
}

Open the serial monitor, type anything and press send.

The data from your PC will be displayed on your LCD.

Mood Lamp

Mood Lamp basically is a RGB led lamp made with 10 RGB led connected in parallel. This lamp is controlled by microcontroller which changes its colour through PWM pins.

RGB led 

                                   

PARTS USED

• RGB LEDs
• PCB
• Power supply (9v)
• Arduino microcontroller
• Transistor TIP122
• Solder iron

Schematic 

RGB led lamp Circuit

Code

int redPin = 6;

int greenPin = 15;

int bluePin = 3;

void setup()

{

  pinMode(redPin, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(greenPin, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(bluePin, OUTPUT);  

}

void loop()

{

  setColor(255, 0, 0);  // red

  delay(1000);

  setColor(0, 255, 0);  // green

  delay(1000);

  setColor(0, 0, 255);  // blue

  delay(1000);

  setColor(255, 255, 0);  // yellow

  delay(1000);  

  setColor(80, 0, 80);  // purple

  delay(1000);

  setColor(0, 255, 255);  // aqua

  delay(1000);

}

void setColor(int red, int green, int blue)

{

  analogWrite(redPin, red);

  analogWrite(greenPin, green);

  analogWrite(bluePin, blue);  

}

Change the code as per your project.

Embedded system

An Embedded System is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts.

Embedded systems control many devices in common use today, namely Mobile Phones, Automobiles, Aircrafts, Computers, etc.

In simple words: An Embedded System is a combination of hardware and software whose purpose is to control a device, a process or a larger system.