a list of electrical components, and what they do; as learnt in intro to physical computing.
resistor:
a resistor essentially takes electricity as input, and limits the output. the resistance (see electricity) used must be appropriate for the output, and is usually understood by the type of band that is present on the resistor.
there are different types of resistors; some are variable (change resistance based on data such as light or force).
video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHk8vS5c1iE two main types that i see in the shop:
left is carbon-based, and the right is metal-based. higher resistance (ohm-values) have more ‘grooves’, for the current to bounce around more (and lose heat).
then saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2hFh6w0FRw
understood that the resistance is calculated like so:
r = (v(source) - v(load)) / i (current)
microcontrollers:
simple computers designed to take input and give output; essentially a fancy voltage-manipulator. arduino is a type of microcontroller, and tom co-founded it.
here is a diagram for the nano-33, which we use in class:
multimeters:
played around with in ipc_experiments_week-1.
these measure voltage, resistance and amperage; and are good tools to check circuits and different components.
voltage regulators:
change fluctuating voltage to consistent voltage.
the pins are easy to remember:
capacitors:
store energy when energy comes in, and then releases it when the energy stops.
diodes
permit voltage to flow in one direction, and block it in another. leds are a type of diodes.
transistors:
act as electronic switches. when a small voltage is put to the base and emitter, it allows a larger current and voltage to flow from the collector to the emitter.
look very similar to voltage regulators.
microcontrollerS:
a simple processor (see below for definition) that can do only one task, like listening to sensors.
Other devices, like light, heat, or motion sensors, motors, lights, our sound devices, are attached to these pins to allow the microcontroller to be sensitive to the world and to express itself.
from the itp-physcomp-page.
Generally, the term microcontroller refers to firmware-only processor.
from: https://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/lessons/microcontrollers-the-basics/
computer / processor:
anything that can run a program.
development boards:
a processor needs a bunch of other components, which is pre-packaged into a development board.
A processor, whether microcontroller or multimedia processor, can’t operate alone. It needs support components. For a microcontoller, you need at least a voltage regulator and usually an external clock called a crystal. You might also add circuitry to protect it in case it’s powered wrong, or in case the wrong voltage and current are plugged into the IO pins. You might include communications interfaces as well. This extra circuitry determines the base cost of a development board like the Arduino (Figure 5) or the Raspberry Pi (Figure 6).
activity boards:
Activity boards contain a pre-programmed microcontroller and some sensors and actuators along with a communications interface and a communications protocol so that you can interface the board and its sensors and actuators with software running on your personal computer. Boards like the MaKey MaKey (Figure 7) or the PicoBoard (Figure 8, now retired) are activity boards. Activity boards generally can’t operate on their own without being connected to a personal computer, while development boards can.
https://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/lessons/microcontrollers-the-basics/
servo motors:
Servomotors are motors with a combination of gears and an embedded potentiometer (variable resistor) that allows you to set their position fairly precisely within a 180-degree range. They’re very common in toys and other small mechanical devices. They have three wires:
- power (usually 5v)
- ground
- control
more parts to read about are here: https://itp.nyu.edu/physcomp/labs/components/