Protoype Build

INTRO

The Prototye Build creates the vehicle that brings the idea to life! This is where much fun, joy, satisfaction (and frustration) can be found. You order parts and assemble the circuit while anticipating how your abstract ideas will play out in the real world.

A prototype enables

• functional tests of the design
• hands-on tests of the interface
• easy debug and design modifications

 

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ARDUINO + ANALOG SCHEMATIC

Here's the schematic of our Digital Voltmeter showing the Solderless Breadboard and connections to the Arduino UNO Board.

 

ARDUINO + PROTOBOARD

There is no easier way to prototype a circuit than with the Solderless Protoboards. Drop in a component and begin wiring! Although the breadboard is limited to lower frequency designs, you can easily test, modify and experiment with your design.

A handy online drawing program (www.cirkitstudio.com/) allows you to create a parts-based wiring diagram as shown below.

Please note, the diagram above is only a suggestion. Arrange parts and wire the circuit anyway you prefer!

PARTS LIST

Even with the most basic components, you can build a working digital voltmeter. The parts below were already preselected in the design strategy or calculated in the design phase. Feel free to select alternate components for preference / availability / cost.

The critical components to meet accuracy spec are the 0.1% resistors 200k and 806k.

Qty (Ref)	Description	Part Number (Digikey)
1	Arduino Uno Rev3 Microcontroller Board	A000066
1 pkg	Adafruit Industries LLC JUMPER WIRE M TO M VARIOUS	(1528-2185-ND)
1	SparkFun Electronics COM-00097 Push Button	(1568-COM-00097-ND)
1	SparkFun Electronics PRT-12002 BREADBOARD	(1568-PRT-12002-ND)
2	TEST LEADS GATOR TO GATOR, BLK, RED	any available
2 (SW1,2)	SSR RELAY SPST-NO 500MA 0-60V	TLP592A(F) (TLP592AF-ND)
1 (R1)	RES 806K OHM 0.1% 1/8W AXIAL	any available
1 (R2)	RES 200K OHM 0.1% 1/8W AXIAL	any available
1 (RP1)	RES 200K OHM 1% 1/8W AXIAL	any available
1 (CP1)	CAP CER 0.15UF 50V X7R RADIAL	any available
2 (R3,4)	RES 1K OHM 1% 1/8W AXIAL	any available

 

CRITICAL PRETEST!

Before you apply power!!! Perform a couple of simple tests to avoid potential damage to your circuit, Arduino or PC.

Grab a Digital Multimeter (cheap ones available < $10) and measure the resistance between the points listed below. Basically, a smaller resistance could draw excess power causing damage. Check the following with the POWER OFF (No USB or Power Cable connected to Arduino).

  if PASS, then proceed
  if FAIL, then recheck wiring and component value, type, orientation.

• Arduino Pins +5V and GND
    Check for > 1000 ohms
• Arduino Pins D12, D13 and GND
    Check for > 1000 ohms
• Arduino Pins A0 and GND
    Check for > 200k ohms
• Protoboard Pins +5V and GND
    Check for > 1000 ohms
• Protoboard Vinput and GND
    Check for > 1M ohms

 

NEXT UP

The next step - apply the power and run the code!

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