Someone please help me with programming my Arduino Microcontroller

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

I was instructed to purchase this micro controller:

SeeedStudio Stalker - Wireless Sensor Network Node (Atmega 168)
Product code : RB-See-61

Here are the other parts that i have purchased:

DFRobot Arduino Compatible Motor Shield (2A)
Product code : RB-Dfr-58

12V, 8’’ Stroke 15lbs Force Linear Actuator
Product code : RB-Fra-68

What I am looking to build is an arm that opens a pet door at 5AM and closes it at 10 PM. The microcontroller is hooked up to the motor controller which is wired to an actuator.
I have the software downloaded and the hardware hooked up but I know absolutely nothing about writing code. Can somebody please help me? Thank you

2

Thanks for the help and taking the time to guide me through this.
For some reason when I try to upload the blink program it shows uploading but never finishes. What am I doing wrong? how do i know if my drivers are installed correctly

3

Hi benyuen420,

There are tutorials on the arduino website, and RobotShop has made tutorials for the Arduino as well. There could be many reasons why the software does not upload properly, so it will be important that you follow these steps. Did you choose the right COM port? did you select the right microcontroller (yours is a 168), is the controller powered etc. If you plan to start coding, you will need to learn, and Arduino is a great microcontroller to begin with since there is a wealth of free information online.

Sincerely,

4

Hi benyuen420 and welcome to the RobotShop forum.

Your project is very interesting. The first thing you will need to do is to familiarize yourself with the hardware you have and try to control it via software in the simplest possible way.

The first step would be to familiarize yourself with the Arduino Environment and programming.

]Download the Arduino software: arduino.cc/en/Main/Software/:m]
]Install the serial adaptor drivers: ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm/:m]
]Get the Blink Example running (Since you are using the Stalker, you will need to use your uartsb module in order to connect it to the computer./:m]
Awesome! if you are done with these steps, it means that you have programmed your first microcontroller!

Let us know how it does with this first step so we can post further instructions.

5

If you believe you have troubles with the serial drivers, please follow this procedure:

(1)
Please make sure the appropriate drivers are loaded and that the module is recognized by the Operating System. In windows it will show-up as a COM port, and in Linux as a device /dev/ttyUSB0 for instance.

The most common drivers can be found here: ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

(2)
Once the module is properly installed, you might want to do a simple Loop-back test. This test consists in connecting the RX to the TX lines and send messages trough a serial communication program such as Hyperterminal in Windows. The messages should mediately come back since the lines are connected together.

(3)
If there are still problems and there are no shorts or power supply issues, then it is likely the interface is defective and that you will need to exchange it. Please provide you invoice number and product code when requesting an exchange.