On another forum I described what I believe to be a VERY, VERY simple project, however, I am also very ignorant about electronics and electronic design in particular.
One of the replies suggested that Arduino is what I needed for the project.
Here is what I am wanting to do in a nutshell:
I want to have several (maybe 5) columns of little led lights.
A single "button" will "select" or "scroll" through the various columns.
When a column you wish to manipulate is selected another set of "buttons" will increase (a "+" button) or decrease (a "-" button) the number of led lights in that particular column that are lit. Each "press of a button" will add or subtract to the number of led lights that are lit in each column by an increment of one.
The question is twofold: Is Arduino what I need for this project? and Is what I am wanting to do simple or difficult to create?
flyndad123:
Is Arduino what I need for this project?
Arduino is not necessarily what you NEED, it can be done with various other hardware/microcontrollers. Although arduino is very suitable for this application as it is relatively cheap, easy to setup and you have the ability to modify the application with ease.
flyndad123:
Is what I am wanting to do simple or difficult to create?
What you want to do it fairly simple although you have not gone into depth on how many leds you are using. There are a couple ways to do what you are asking of.
1: Connect an individual led to each arduino pin, dependent on how many leds will determine what arduino would be suitable (uno, mega, mini/micro etc.) In your case, you stated that you would need 5 columns with several leds, an arduino uno would not be suitable but an arduino mega should suffice with 54 pins. You could connect 10 leds to each of the 5 columns (50 leds total) and connect your 3 buttons with 1 pin to spare.
2: Multiplexing, this allows you to control many leds with fewer pins/outputs although it alot more tedious and complex. (google arduino multiplexing for more information)
The question is twofold: Is Arduino what I need for this project?
An arduino with the proper external circuitry design could accomplish the project goals, as could most micro controllers.
and Is what I am wanting to do simple or difficult to create?
This is too subjective a question to answer accurately. The hardware and software skills and experience is too big a factor to say if it's difficult or simple for a specific person, it depends on the person doing the project. I suspect if you have to ask your not yet at that skill level yet. Start learning using a tutorial path of building simple circuits controlled by simple sketches and I think the time will come when you can answer the question for yourself.