Level 1: Control an RGB LED
Using Arduino

Arduino & Arduino IDE

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform that consists of both hardware and software components. Arduino includes a series of microcontroller boards that are equipped with various input and output pins. The Arduino IDE is a programming environment used to write, compile, and upload code to the Arduino board. It uses a programming language based on C/C++ code to write sketches. Arduino Sketches are the program files with the .ino extension that contain Arduino code. Arduino code is written with C/C++ language syntax and structure and uses distinct methods and functions.

• The Arduino IDE can be downloaded at https://www.arduino.cc/en/software.

Tinkercad

Tinkercad can be used to program and simulate a virtual Arduino microcontroller circuit online. Tinkercad is an online platform that allows users to design and simulate 3D models. Tinkercad includes a circuit simulation feature that allows users to design and simulate electronic circuits.

• Create a Tinkercad account at https://www.tinkercad.com.

Build the Circuit

This circuit will require an Arduino Uno R3 board, an RGB LED, three 220Ω resistors, a breadboard, and jumper wires.

Using Tinkercad

• If using Tinkercad, click on "Create" and select "Circuit" from the drop-down menu.
• This will open a new workspace so that you can drag-and-drop the components needed.

Create an Arduino Sketch

Open the Arduino IDE and insert the code that is shown.

Using Tinkercad

• If using Tinkercad, click on "Code" button on the top right area of the screen.
• Change the Edit Mode from "Blocks" to "Text" by clicking on the selector.

                    
/* rgbLED.ino */
/* Requires pins that support PWM (denoted by ~) */
const int redPin = 11, greenPin = 10, bluePin = 9;
bool commonAnode = false; // set true for common anode
void setup() {
    pinMode(redPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(bluePin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(greenPin, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
    setColor(255, 0, 0); // Red
    delay(1000); // every 1 sec (1000 ms)
    setColor(255, 255, 0); // Yellow
    delay(1000);
    setColor(0, 255, 0); // Green
    delay(1000);
    setColor(0, 0, 255); // Blue
    delay(1000);
    setColor(255, 0, 255); // Violet
    delay(1000);
}
void setColor(int redValue, int greenValue, int blueValue) {
    if (commonAnode) {
        redValue = 255 - redValue;
        greenValue = 255 - greenValue;
        blueValue = 255 - blueValue;
    }
    analogWrite(redPin, redValue);
    analogWrite(greenPin, greenValue);
    analogWrite(bluePin, blueValue);
}
                    
                

Upload the Sketch to the Board

1. Connect your Arduino Uno board to the USB port.
2. Go to "Tools", then "Board", and select "Arduino Uno".
3. Go to "Tools", then "Port", and select "COM#:Arduino Uno".
4. Go to "Sketch", and select "Verify/Compile" or click the checkmark button.
5. If there are any errors, review the code, fix the errors and compile the code again.
6. Go to "Sketch", and select "Upload" or click the arrow button.

Using Tinkercad

• If using Tinkercad, click on "Start Simulation" button on the top right area of the screen.
• If the code has any errors, the code will not run and the errors will be highlighted in red.