Arduino now in India - Installation and using Freeduino board

Arduino installation and First time usage:

This tutorial will explain about Software installation on Windows operating system and tips for first time users.

1. Buy the Freeduino board and USB Cable
   

Freeduino boards are 100% compatible with Arduino. 

EmbeddedMarket.com has made Freeduino-DU which is compatible with Arduino Duemilanove board and USB cable is included with the product.

Shield for Freeduino Board - A push in circuit for Freeduino for motor & sensors

2. Download IDE Software

Download IDE from this link: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

The IDE Software is used to write the source code, compile the source code and to program the compiled hex (called as Sketch) to your Freeduino Board

Once downloaded the software, unzip it and its ready to use by double clicking the Arduino.exe. No installation required.

3. Connect the Freeduino board to PC / Laptop

The Freeduino board made by DeccanRobots has a power source selection jumper. The board can be powered from USB or from external 9V power source.

Use the jumper to select the power source. Once done, connect the Freeduino board to PC / Laptop using USB cable. The LED marked as PWR will glow indicating that Freeduino is ON and ready.

If an external 9V power source is used to power the Freeduino, still you will need the USB cable to connect the Freeduino board to PC. In this case the USB cable is used to transfer sketch (program) from PC to the Freeduino board.

First time connecting the Freeduino, PC / Laptop will prompt for Driver Installation.

4. Install Drivers
   

If the driver gets automatically installed then skip this section.

If Windows prompts for driver installation then you will need latest FTDI drivers from this link: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Download the drivers in ZIP format and unzip it before processing further.

As you connect the Freeduino to PC / Laptop for the first time, a driver installation process initiates.

·        Driver installation wizard will ask for “Can Windows Connect to Windows Update to search the Software?”, Select ‘No, not this time” and click “Next”

·        Install driver from Specific Location (Specify location of FTDI driver stored on your computer’s Hard drive)

·        The Wizard will finish the installation task and the “USB Serial Port” will be ready to use

5. Working with IDE – Writing code & compile it
• Start the "Arduino.exe" and open sample program from menu File=>Examples=>Digital=.Blink
• This sample program will blink the LED connected to digital pin 13
• Use the menu “Sketch=>Verify/Compile” to compile the sample program

6. Working with IDE – Board selection

·        Selecting the correct board is important.

·        Use the menu “Tools=>Board” to select the board

·        Select “Arduino NG or older w/ATmega8” if your board is Freeduino-NG

·        Select “Arduino Diecimila, Duemilanove or Nano w/ATmega168” if your board is Freeduino-DM

·        Select “Arduino Duemilanove or Nano w/ATmega328” if your board is Freeduino-DU

7. Working with IDE – Serial Port Selection

·        Select COM Port from the menu “Tools=>Serial Port”

·        If you find multiple entries under this menu and not sure about which one to select then a simple trick of unplug the USB cable and plugging it back will remove and re-add one COM entry under this menu.

8. Working with IDE – Upload your program sketch

The words “Upload” or “Program” or “Download” are used commonly to copy the sample program to Freeduino Board. To do this, use the menu “File=>Upload to I/O Board”. Or this can be done with clicking “Upload” button too. Once successfully completed, message saying “Done Uploading” will appear in the status bar.

9. Working with IDE – Running the Sketch on Freeduino Board

The program starts after 5 seconds, so wait for 5 seconds after the message “Done Uploading” appears on the screen

That’s so simple!! You re up and running the Freeduino in less than 3 minutes!!