Hi Guys and Gals... Im brand into into this world and would love your input.
I am looking for the right board to do the following.
I need to connect 2 pressure sensors to it.
The board will then do it's stuff and in a specific order alert the following:
Sounds Alarm
Flash lights
trigger door locks
Access windows
Etc.
I would also like to have an LCD readout board attached to it to see it's current status, incorporate GPS location, and also if even possible, have it alert a key chain FOB or something (Similar to a car alarm does). And maybe even connect to a Cell phone or something?!
Yes, of course it can be done. There is nothing difficult in your specification.
If you are not familiar with the Arduino I suggest you get an Uno and study the various examples that come with the Arduino IDE and look at the demos at the tops of the different sections of the Forum.
You will need to decide what exact sensors you want to use and how you are going to interface the Arduino outputs to the various high power devices you mention. The Arduino cannot itself power external devices.
You don't say how many of each output you need. But the things you mention are unlikely to need to change within milliseconds so it is not difficult to extend the number of outputs that an Uno can control.
The Mega is similar in most ways to the Uno but has more I/O pins. However the microprocessor chip in the Uno can be replaced easily if you get things wrong and let the smoke out.
Robin2:
You will need to decide what exact sensors you want to use and how you are going to interface the Arduino outputs to the various high power devices you mention. The Arduino cannot itself power external devices.
I'm not sure what is meant by the above? Can you explain a little more? From my thoughts the only sensors I was going to use were 2 pressure sensors which would be the inputs. From there it would all be outputs. Eg: If the pressure sensor is active, the doors would not lock.
For the interface, I am not sure as I am brand spankin new at this and don't know where to head on that front.
If I wanted a board that is more than capable in order to develop the prototype should I just go with the Uno R3?
DRFTBLD:
From my thoughts the only sensors I was going to use were 2 pressure sensors which would be the inputs. From there it would all be outputs. Eg: If the pressure sensor is active, the doors would not lock.
I just meant that you need to identify the exact make and model so you can figure out exactly how to connect them to an Arduino.
And you need to figure out how the Arduino would control the door locks.
An Uno should be fine - and it is the best starter Arduino.