Lesson 1: Simple Blinking LED Project With Arduino

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In this lesson, we will learn the very basics of using Arduino by making a simple blinking LED project with Arduino.

List of Content

1. List of Components
2. Connections: Blinking LED Circuit Schematics
3. The Code and How It Works
4. How to Go Further in Your Blinking LED Circuit

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1. Needed Components

• Arduino Board (Arduino Uno or another type)
• LED (any color)
• Resistor (330 ohm)
• Breadboard
• Jumper Wires
• Power Supply (USB cable or battery pack)

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2. Connecting Your Blinking LED Circuit

Set Up the Breadboard:

1. Place the LED on the breadboard. The longer leg (anode) is the positive side, and the shorter leg (cathode) is the negative side.
2. Connect the anode of the LED to a digital pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin 13).
3. Connect one leg of the 330-ohm resistor to the cathode of the LED, and connect the other leg of the resistor to the ground (GND) on the Arduino.

Schematics and Pictures

• First connection option: LED connected directly to the Arduino pin with a resistor to GND.
• Second connection option: LED and resistor connected in series to the Arduino pin and GND.

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3. Code

Here’s a simple Arduino code to make the LED blink:

// Define pin number
const int ledPin = 13; // LED connected to digital pin 13

void setup() {
  // Set pin mode
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set the LED pin as an output
}

void loop() {
  // Turn the LED on
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Send HIGH signal to turn on the LED
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second (1000 milliseconds)

  // Turn the LED off
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Send LOW signal to turn off the LED
  delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
}

How This Code Works:

• Variable Declaration: At the beginning, we store the number 13 into the variable ledPin to represent the pin where the LED is connected.
• Setup: The pinMode() function sets the ledPin as an output pin, meaning it will send signals to the LED.
• Loop:
• The digitalWrite() function turns the LED on by sending a HIGH signal and off by sending a LOW signal.
• The delay() function pauses the program for a specified time (in milliseconds). Here, it pauses for 1 second between turning the LED on and off.

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4. Tips for Modification

Now that you you know how to make a simple blinking LED project with Arduino, it may be a good idea to take the next step

1. Change Blinking Speed: Modify the delay() values to make the LED blink faster or slower.

• Example: delay(500) for 0.5 seconds or delay(2000) for 2 seconds.

1. Multiple LEDs: Add more LEDs and control them independently by connecting them to different pins and modifying the code. When you are done, check our traffic light project.
2. Patterns: Create custom blinking patterns, such as Morse code or alternating blinks between multiple LEDs.
3. Brightness Control: Use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) pins (marked with ~, pins 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, or 11 on Arduino Uno) and the analogWrite() function to control the LED brightness. Ex: analogWrite(3,124) for halfing brightness.
4. External Input: Add a push button to control when the LED blinks, as in our lesson 3. For example, the LED only blinks when the button is pressed.

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This simple blinking LED project is a great starting point for learning Arduino. You can expand it in countless ways as you gain more experience! Enjoy experimenting!