This USB Stick contains more than 300 Arduino-related articles published in Elektor Magazine. The content includes both background articles and projects on the following topics:
Software & hardware development: Tutorials on Arduino software development using Arduino IDE, Atmel Studio, Shields, and essential programming concepts.
Learning: The Microcontroller Bootcamp offers a structured approach to programming embedded systems.
Data acquisition & measurement: Projects such as a 16-bit data logger, lathe tachometer, and an AC grid analyzer for capturing and analyzing real-time signals.
Wireless communication: Learn how to implement wireless networks, create an Android interface, and communicate effectively with microcontrollers.
Robotics and automation: This covers the Arduino Nano Robot Controller, supporting boards for automation, and explores various Arduino shields to enhance functionality.
Self-build projects: Unique projects such as laser projection, Numitron clock and thermometer, ELF receiver, Theremino, and touch LED interfaces highlight creative applications.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, this collection is a valuable resource for learning, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of Arduino technology.
The Elektor MultiCalculator Kit is an Arduino-based multifunction calculator that goes beyond basic calculations. It offers 22 functions including light and temperature measurement, differential temperature analysis, and NEC IR remote control decoding. The Elektor MultiCalculator is a handy tool for use in your projects or for educational purposes.
The kit features a Pro Mini module as the computing unit. The PCB is easy to assemble using through-hole components. The enclosure consists of 11 acrylic panels and mounting materials for easy assembly. Additionally, the device is equipped with a 16x2 alphanumeric LCD, 20 buttons, and temperature sensors.
The Elektor MultiCalculator is programmable with the Arduino IDE through a 6-way PCB header. The available software is bilingual (English and Dutch). The calculator can be programmed with a programming adapter, and it is powered through USB-C.
Modes of Operation
Calculator
4-Ring Resistor Code
5-Ring Resistor Code
Decimal to Hexadecimal and Character (ASCII) conversion
Hexadecimal to Decimal and Character (ASCII) conversion
Decimal to Binary and Character (ASCII) conversion
Binary to Decimal and Hexadecimal conversion
Hz, nF, capacitive reactance (XC) calculation
Hz, µH, inductive reactance (XL) calculation
Resistance calculation of two resistors connected in parallel
Resistance calculation of two resistors connected in series
Calculation of unknown parallel resistor
Temperature measurement
Differential temperature measurement T1&T2 and Delta (δ)
Light measurement
Stopwatch with lap time function
Item counter
NEC IR remote control decoding
AWG conversion (American Wire Gauge)
Rolling Dice
Personalize startup message
Temperature calibration
Specifications
Menu languages: English, Dutch
Dimensions: 92 x 138 x 40 mm
Build time: approx. 5 hours
Included
PCB and though-hole components
Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
Pro Mini microcontroller module (ATmega328/5 V/16 MHz)
Programming adapter
Waterproof temperature sensors
USB-C cable
Downloads
Software
Book: Mastering the Arduino Uno R4
Based on the low-cost 8-bit ATmega328P processor, the Arduino Uno R3 board is likely to score as the most popular Arduino family member, and this workhorse has been with us for many years. Eleven years later, the long-overdue successor, the Arduino Uno R4, was released. It is built around a 48 MHz, 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller and provides significantly expanded SRAM and Flash memory. Additionally, a higher-precision ADC and a new DAC are added to the design. The Uno R4 board also supports the CAN Bus with an interface.
Two versions of the board are available: Uno R4 Minima, and Uno R4 WiFi. This book is about using these new boards to develop many different and interesting projects with just a handful of parts and external modules. All projects described in the book have been fully tested on the Uno R4 Minima or the Uno R4 WiFi board, as appropriate.
The project topics include the reading, control, and driving of many components and modules in the kit as well as on the relevant Uno R4 board, including
LEDs
7-segment displays (using timer interrupts)
LCDs
Sensors
RFID Reader
4x4 Keypad
Real-time clock (RTC)
Joystick
8×8 LED matrix
Motors
DAC (Digital-to-analog converter)
LED matrix
WiFi connectivity
Serial UART
CAN bus
Infrared controller and receiver
Simulators
… all in creative and educational ways with the project operation and associated software explained in great detail.
Arduino Uno R4 WiFi
The Arduino Uno R4 is powered by the Renesas RA4M1 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processor, providing a significant boost in processing power, memory, and functionality. The WiFi version comes with an ESP32-S3 WiFi module in addition to the RA4M1, expanding creative opportunities for makers and engineers.
The Arduino Uno R4 runs at 48 MHz, which provides a 3x increase over the popular Uno R3. Additionally, SRAM has been upgraded from 2 kB to 32 kB, and flash memory from 32 kB to 256 kB to support more complex projects. Responding to community feedback, the USB port is now USB-C, and the maximum power supply voltage has been raised to 24 V with an enhanced thermal design. The board includes a CAN bus and an SPI port, enabling users to reduce wiring and perform parallel tasks by connecting multiple shields. A 12-bit analog DAC is also provided on the board.
Specifications
Microcontroller
Renesas RA4M1 (ARM Cortex-M4)
USB
USB-C
Programming Port
Pins
Digital I/O Pins
14
Pins
Analog input pins
6
DAC
1
RTC
1
PWM pins
6
Communication
UART
1x
I²C
1x
SPI
1x
Qwiic I²C connector
1x
CAN
1x CAN Bus
Power
Circuit operating voltage
5 V
Input voltage (VIN)
6-24 V
DC Current per I/O Pin
8 mA
Clock speed
Main core
48 MHz
Memory
RA4M1
256 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM
LED Matrix
12 x 8 (96 red LEDs)
Dimensions
68.9 x 53.4 mm
Downloads
Datasheet
Schematics
This bundle contains:
Book: Mastering the Arduino Uno R4 (normal price: €40)
Arduino Uno R4 WiFi (normal price: €30)
Example projects with Node-RED, MQTT, WinCC SCADA, Blynk, and ThingSpeak
This comprehensive guide unlocks the power of Modbus TCP/IP communication with Arduino. From the basics of the Modbus protocol right up to full implementation in Arduino projects, the book walks you through the complete process with lucid explanations and practical examples.
Learn how to set up Modbus TCP/IP communication with Arduino for seamless data exchange between devices over a network. Explore different Modbus functions and master reading and writing registers to control your devices remotely. Create Modbus client and server applications to integrate into your Arduino projects, boosting their connectivity and automation level.
With detailed code snippets and illustrations, this guide is perfect for beginners and experienced Arduino enthusiasts alike. Whether you‘re a hobbyist looking to expand your skills or a professional seeking to implement Modbus TCP/IP communication in your projects, this book provides all the knowledge you need to harness the full potential of Modbus with Arduino.
Projects covered in the book:
TCP/IP communication between two Arduino Uno boards
Modbus TCP/IP communication within the Node-RED environment
Combining Arduino, Node-RED, and Blynk IoT cloud
Interfacing Modbus TCP/IP with WinCC SCADA to control sensors
Using MQTT protocol with Ethernet/ESP8266
Connecting to ThingSpeak IoT cloud using Ethernet/ESP8266
This complete ESP32 microcontroller programming course features a textbook, a component kit, hands-on projects, and a comprehensive online course with simulations. It is ideal for step-by-step learning of embedded systems programming with Arduino using a practical, hands-on approach.
A Practical Introduction to Embedded Systems with the ESP32
This course is designed for people who are new to embedded systems and looking for a structured, example-driven way to get started.
A kit of parts comprising LEDs and resistors, switches, sensors and actuators, displays, a breadboard and wires, and more is included. These are used in the course to illustrate example applications.
No prior experience with Arduino or embedded development is required. Each section features hands-on examples and mini projects designed to reinforce key concepts and inspire deeper exploration. By the end of the course, you’ll be able not only to reproduce the examples but also to build on them with your own ideas and applications.
What Will You Learn?
Microcontroller programming with the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE
Working with Digital I/O, read buttons and encoders, control LEDs and relays
Read analog inputs, voltages, and analog sensors
Generating analog output signals and PWM
Use serial communication like UART, I²C and SPI to control displays and read digital sensors and SD cards
Managing time
Working with interrupts
Real-time sensor input and control via buttons, LEDs, and displays
Control actuators like relays and servo motors
Who Is It For?
Students and self-learners exploring embedded systems
Makers and IoT enthusiasts looking to improve their hardware skills
Educators and trainers seeking ready-to-teach material
What's Inside the Box?
ESP32 microcontroller board + USB cable
Book: Programming Microcontrollers in C/C++ Using Arduino
Component Box:
2× LED, red, 5 mm
LED, green, 5 mm
3× Resistor, 470 Ω, 0.25 W
LDR
Potentiometer, 10 kΩ, linear
Pushbutton
Rotary encoder module
Relay module
DHT22 Humidity & Temperature Sensor
TM1637-compatible 4-digit 7-segment display
MPU-6050 IMU with headers
SSD1306-compatible I²C OLED display
Micro SD card adapter with header
Buzzer
SG90 Micro Servo
ILI9341-compatible SPI 240×320 TFT display
20× Jumper wires
Breadboard
Access to the full course on the Elektor Academy Pro Learning Platform
Downloadable project files for every module
All Programming Courses (and differences in content)
Arduino
Raspberry Pi Pico with Arduino C/C++
ESP32 with Arduino C/C++
Raspberry Pi Pico with MicroPython
ESP32 with MicroPython
Uno R3
Raspberry Pi Pico
ESP32
Raspberry Pi Pico
ESP32
Book: Programming Microcontrollers in C/C++ Using Arduino
Book: Programming Microcontrollers in MicroPython
40-piece Component Box
Access to Full Course
Access to Full Course
Access to Full Course
Access to Full Course
Access to Full Course
32 new Projects, Practical Examples and Exercises with the Elektor Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board
Electronics and microcontroller technology offer the opportunity to be creative. This practical microcontroller course provides you with the chance to bring your own Arduino projects and experience such moments of success. Ideally, everything works as you imagined when you switch it on for the first time. In practice, however, things rarely work as expected. At that point, you need knowledge to efficiently search for and find the reason for the malfunction.
In this book for advanced users, we delve deep into the world of microcontrollers and the Arduino IDE to learn new procedures and details, enabling you to successfully tackle and solve even more challenging situations.
With this book, the author gives the reader the necessary tools to create projects independently and also to be able to find errors quickly. Instead of just offering ready-made solutions, he explains the background, the hardware used, and any tools required. He sets tasks in which the reader contributes their own creativity and writes the Arduino sketch themselves.
If you don’t have a good idea and get stuck, there is, of course, a suggested solution for every project and every task, along with the corresponding software, which is commented on and explained in detail in the book.
This practical course will teach you more about the inner workings of the Arduino Nano and its microcontroller. You will get to know hardware modules that you can use to realize new and interesting projects. You will familiarize yourself with software methods such as ‘state machines,’ which can often be used to solve problems more easily and clearly.
The numerous practical projects and exercise sketches are once again realized on the Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board, which you may already be familiar with from the course book ‘Microcontrollers Hands-on Course for Arduino Starters’, and which contains all the hardware peripherals and operating elements we need for the input/output operations of our sketches.
Readers who do not yet own the Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board can purchase the required hardware separately, or alternatively, build it on a breadboard.
Realize your own projects with the Elektor Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board
The microcontroller is probably the most fascinating subfield of electronics. Due to the multitude of functions, it combines on its chip, it is a universal multi-tool for developers to realize their projects. Practically every device of daily use today is controlled by a microcontroller. However, for an electronic layman, realizing his own ideas with a microcontroller has so far remained a pipe dream due to its complexity. The Arduino concept has largely simplified the use of microcontrollers, so that now even laymen can realize their own electronics ideas with a microcontroller.
Book & Hardware in the Bundle: 'Learning by Doing'
This book, which is included in the bundle, shows how you can realize your own projects with a microcontroller even without much experience in electronics and programming languages. It is a microcontrollers hands-on course for starters, because after an overview of the internals of the microcontroller and an introduction to the programming language C, the focus of the course is on the practical exercises. The reader acquires the necessary knowledge by 'learning by doing': in the extensive practical section with 12 projects and 46 exercises, what is learned in the front part of the book is underpinned with many examples. The exercises are structured in such a way that the user is given a task to solve using the knowledge built up in the theoretical part of the book. Each exercise is followed by a sample solution that is explained and commented on in detail, which helps the user to solve problems and compare it with his own solution.
Arduino IDE
The Arduino IDE is a software development environment that can be downloaded for free to your own PC and that contains the entire software package needed for your own microcontroller projects. You write your programs ('apps') with the IDE’s editor in the C programming language. You translate them into the bits and bytes that the microcontroller understands using the Arduino IDE's built-in compiler, and then load them into the microcontroller's memory on the Elektor Arduino MCCAB Nano Training Board via a USB cable.
Query or control external sensors, motors or assemblies
In addition to an Arduino Nano microcontroller module, the Elektor Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board contains all the components required for the exercises, such as light-emitting diodes, switches, pushbuttons, acoustic signal transmitters, etc. External sensors, motors or assemblies can also be queried or controlled with this microcontroller training system.
Specifications (Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board)
Power Supply
Via the USB connection of the connected PC or an external power supply unit (not included)
Operating Voltage
+5 Vcc
Input Voltage
All inputs
0 V to +5 V
VX1 and VX2
+8 V to +12 V (only when using an external power supply)
Hardware periphery
LCD
2x16 characters
Potentiometer P1 & P2
JP3: selection of operating voltage of P1 & P2
Distributor
SV4: Distributor for the operating voltagesSV5, SV6: Distributor for the inputs/outputs of the microcontroller
Switches and buttons
RESET button on the Arduino Nano module 6x pushbutton switches K1 ... K6 6x slide switches S1 ... S6 JP2: Connection of the switches with the inputs of the microcontroller
Buzzer
Piezo buzzer Buzzer1 with jumper on JP6
Indicator lights
11 x LED: Status indicator for the inputs/outputs LED L on the Arduino Nano module, connected to GPIO D13 JP6: Connection of LEDs LD10 ... LD20 with GPIOs D2 ... D12
Serial interfacesSPI & I²C
JP4: Selection of the signal at pin X of the SPI connector SV12 SV9 to SV12: SPI interface (3.3 V/5 V) or I²C interface
Switching output for external devices
SV1, SV7: Switching output (maximum +24 V/160 mA, externally supplied) SV2: 2x13 pins for connection of external modules
3x3 LED matrix(9 red LEDs)
SV3: Columns of the 3x3 LED matrix (outputs D6 ... D8) JP1: Connection of the rows with the GPIOs D3 ... D5
Software
Library MCCABLib
Control of hardware components (switches, buttons, LEDs, 3x3 LED matrix, buzzer) on the MCCAB Training Board
Operating Temperature
Up to +40 °C
Dimensions
100 x 100 x 20 mm
Specifications (Arduino Nano)
Microcontroller
ATmega328P
Architecture
AVR
Operating Voltage
5 V
Flash Memory
32 KB, of which 2 KB used by bootloader
SRAM
2 KB
Clock Speed
16 MHz
Analog IN Pins
8
EEPROM
1 KB
DC Current per I/O Pins
40 mA on one I/O pin, total maximum 200 mA on all pins together
Input Voltage
7-12 V
Digital I/O Pins
22 (6 of which are PWM)
PWM Output
6
Power Consumption
19 mA
Dimensions
18 x 45 mm
Weight
7 g
Included
Elektor Arduino Nano MCCAB Training Board
Arduino Nano
Book: Microcontrollers Hands-on Course for Arduino Starters
Practical Multitasking Fundamentals
Programming embedded systems is difficult because of resource constraints and limited debugging facilities. Why develop your own Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) as well as your application when the proven FreeRTOS software is freely available? Why not start with a validated foundation?
Every software developer knows that you must divide a difficult problem into smaller ones to conquer it. Using separate preemptive tasks and FreeRTOS communication mechanisms, a clean separation of functions is achieved within the entire application. This results in safe and maintainable designs.
Practicing engineers and students alike can use this book and the ESP32 Arduino environment to wade into FreeRTOS concepts at a comfortable pace. The well-organized text enables you to master each concept before starting the next chapter. Practical breadboard experiments and schematics are included to bring the lessons home. Experience is the best teacher.
Each chapter includes exercises to test your knowledge. The coverage of the FreeRTOS Application Programming Interface (API) is complete for the ESP32 Arduino environment. You can apply what you learn to other FreeRTOS environments, including Espressif’s ESP-IDF. The source code is available from GitHub. All of these resources put you in the driver’s seat when it is time to develop your next uber-cool ESP32 project.
What you will learn:
How preemptive scheduling works within FreeRTOS
The Arduino startup “loopTask”
Message queues
FreeRTOS timers and the IDLE task
The semaphore, mutex, and their differences
The mailbox and its application
Real-time task priorities and its effect
Interrupt interaction and use with FreeRTOS
Queue sets
Notifying tasks with events
Event groups
Critical sections
Task local storage
The gatekeeper task
Two reasons can be identified for the immense success of the Arduino platform. First, the cheap, ready to go processor board greatly simplifies the introduction to hardware. The second success factor is the free and open-source programming suite that does not require an installation procedure.
Simple entry-level examples ensure rapid successes. Complex selection procedures for parameters like the microprocessor version or interface settings are not required. The first sample programs can be uploaded to the Arduino board, and tested, in a matter of minutes.
The Arduino user is supported by an array of software libraries. However, the daily increasing volume of libraries poses initial problems to the newcomer, and the way ahead may be uncertain after a few entry-level examples. In many cases, detailed descriptions are missing, and poorly described projects tend to confuse rather than elucidate. Clear guidance and a single motto are missing, usually owing to the projects having been created by several different persons—all with different aims in mind.
This book represents a different approach. All projects are presented in a systematical manner, guiding into various theme areas. In the coverage of must-know theory great attention is given to practical directions users can absorb, including essential programming techniques like A/D conversion, timers and interrupts—all contained in the hands-on projects. In this way readers of the book create running lights, a wakeup light, fully functional voltmeters, precision digital thermometers, clocks of many varieties, reaction speed meters, or mouse controlled robotic arms. While actively working on these projects the reader gets to truly comprehend and master the basics of the underlying controller technology.
This book is about DC electric motors and their use in Arduino and Raspberry Pi Zero W based projects. The book includes many tested and working projects where each project has the following sub-headings:
Title of the project
Description of the project
Block diagram
Circuit diagram
Project assembly
Complete program listing of the project
Full description of the program
The projects in the book cover the standard DC motors, stepper motors, servo motors, and mobile robots. The book is aimed at students, hobbyists, and anyone else interested in developing microcontroller based projects using the Arduino Uno or the Raspberry Pi Zero W.
One of the nice features of this book is that it gives complete projects for remote control of a mobile robot from a mobile phone, using the Arduino Uno as well as the Raspberry Pi Zero W development boards. These projects are developed using Wi-Fi as well as the Bluetooth connectivity with the mobile phone. Readers should be able to move a robot forward, reverse, turn left, or turn right by sending simple commands from a mobile phone. Full program listings of all the projects as well as the detailed program descriptions are given in the book. Users should be able to use the projects as they are presented, or modify them to suit to their own needs.
Programming and Projects for the Minima and WiFi
Based on the low-cost 8-bit ATmega328P processor, the Arduino Uno R3 board is likely to score as the most popular Arduino family member, and this workhorse has been with us for many years. Eleven years later, the long-overdue successor, the Arduino Uno R4, was released. It is built around a 48 MHz, 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller and provides significantly expanded SRAM and Flash memory. Additionally, a higher-precision ADC and a new DAC are added to the design. The Uno R4 board also supports the CAN Bus with an interface.
Two versions of the board are available: Uno R4 Minima, and Uno R4 WiFi. This book is about using these new boards to develop many different and interesting projects with just a handful of parts and external modules. All projects described in the book have been fully tested on the Uno R4 Minima or the Uno R4 WiFi board, as appropriate.
The project topics include the reading, control, and driving of many components and modules in the kit as well as on the relevant Uno R4 board, including
LEDs
7-segment displays (using timer interrupts)
LCDs
Sensors
RFID Reader
4x4 Keypad
Real-time clock (RTC)
Joystick
8×8 LED matrix
Motors
DAC (Digital-to-analog converter)
LED matrix
WiFi connectivity
Serial UART
CAN bus
Infrared controller and receiver
Simulators
… all in creative and educational ways with the project operation and associated software explained in great detail.
Program and build Arduino-based ham station utilities, tools, and instruments
In addition to a detailed introduction to the exciting world of the Arduino microcontroller and its many variants, this book introduces you to the shields, modules, and components you can connect to the Arduino. Many of these components are discussed in detail and used in the projects included in this book to help you understand how these components can be incorporated into your own Arduino projects. Emphasis has been placed on designing and creating a wide range of amateur radio-related projects that can easily be built in just a few days.
This book is written for ham radio operators and Arduino enthusiasts of all skill levels, and includes discussions about the tools, construction methods, and troubleshooting techniques used in creating amateur radio-related Arduino projects. The book teaches you how to create feature-rich Arduino-based projects, with the goal of helping you to advance beyond this book, and design and build your own ham radio Arduino projects.
In addition, this book describes in detail the design, construction, programming, and operation of the following projects:
CW Beacon and Foxhunt Keyer
Mini Weather Station
RF Probe with LED Bar Graph
DTMF Tone Encoder
DTMF Tone Decoder
Waveform Generator
Auto Power On/Off
Bluetooth CW Keyer
Station Power Monitor
AC Current Monitor
This book assumes a basic knowledge of electronics and circuit construction. Basic knowledge of how to program the Arduino using its IDE will also be beneficial.