Arduino Starter Kit Setup: Drivers, Board & Port Configuration
Getting Started with Your Arduino: A Beginner's Guide
You've acquired an Arduino starter kit, and perhaps some additional interesting components. The next step is understanding how to begin programming your new Arduino device.
This guide will detail the setup process and explain how to upload code to your board.
Initial Setup and Assumptions
For the purpose of this explanation, it will be assumed that you are using an Arduino Uno board.
This is because the Arduino Uno is commonly included in most starter kits, making it a logical starting point.
Before proceeding, ensure you have the necessary software installed on your computer. This includes the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
Connecting Your Arduino
To connect your Arduino Uno to your computer, you'll need a USB cable.
Plug one end of the USB cable into the Arduino board and the other end into an available USB port on your computer.
Once connected, your computer should recognize the Arduino as a serial device.
Installing the Arduino IDE
The Arduino IDE is the software used to write, compile, and upload code to your Arduino board.
Download the latest version of the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
Follow the installation instructions provided for your operating system.
Selecting the Board and Port
After installing the Arduino IDE, you need to configure it to recognize your Arduino Uno board.
In the Arduino IDE, go to "Tools" > "Board" and select "Arduino Uno" from the list.
Next, go to "Tools" > "Port" and select the COM port that corresponds to your Arduino board.
The correct COM port will usually be identified by the name "Arduino Uno" or similar.
Uploading Your First Code
Now that your Arduino is connected and the IDE is configured, you can upload your first program.
The Arduino IDE comes with a simple example sketch called "Blink" which is perfect for beginners.
Go to "File" > "Examples" > "01.Basics" > "Blink" to open the sketch.
Click the "Upload" button (the right-arrow icon) to compile and upload the code to your Arduino board.
If the upload is successful, you should see the onboard LED on the Arduino Uno blinking on and off.
Driver Installation
Mac OSX
The driver installation process is simplified on macOS. Simply download the most recent Arduino package, mount the downloaded file, and then execute the included FTDIUSBSerial Driver. Following this, transfer the application to your Applications folder.
A system restart is necessary for the newly installed drivers to become fully operational.
Upon connecting the Arduino, macOS will detect a new interface. Confirm this by clicking Network Preferences and then selecting Apply; no further configuration is required at this stage.
Windows 7
Driver installation on Windows can be more complex. Begin by downloading the latest Arduino package and extracting its contents, ensuring the original folder structure is maintained. Be aware that the download is substantial – approximately 85MB initially, expanding to 230MB – so allow sufficient time for completion.
Connect the Arduino to your computer using the provided USB cable. Windows may attempt to locate drivers automatically, but this may fail. Close any resulting wizards and proceed to open the Device Manager.
A quick way to access the Device Manager, bypassing Windows’ complex Control Panel menus, is to click Start and type devmgmt.msc. Press Enter to launch the Device Manager directly.
Within Other Devices, you should identify an Arduino Uno, indicated by a yellow exclamation mark signifying a problem. Double-click the entry, then select Update Drivers and choose Browse My Computer for Driver Software.
Select the option Let Me Choose a Driver, then click All Devices, Have Disk, and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the package. Locate the Arduino Uno file within the drivers folder and select it.
The driver installation process will recognize the device as a “Communications Port” and may trigger an “unsigned driver error” during installation. Acknowledge this warning and proceed with the installation.
For users of Windows XP, the installation procedure is more intricate, requiring the installation of two separate driver sets. Refer to the complete instructions available on the official Arduino website for detailed guidance.
Configuring the Arduino IDE: Board and Port Selection
Begin by initiating the Arduino application, accessible either from your downloads or applications directory. The initial step involves configuring the correct board and port settings. A tools menu is available on both operating systems; locate and access it.
Board and Port Verification
Ensure the following settings are correctly configured within the tools menu.
- Verify that the appropriate board is selected. The Uno is typically the default option, as it was in my case, but confirmation is always recommended.
- Confirm the correct serial port is chosen.
On Windows systems, a single port option is often presented, as illustrated in the screenshot. It may initially be unselected, simplifying the selection process.
For macOS users, port names are generally more complex. However, the correct port will correspond to one of the listed USB connections.
- On my system, cu-USB proved to be the correct selection, though your specific configuration may differ.
Proper board and port selection is crucial for successful communication with your Arduino.
Getting Started with Your Arduino
Let's begin with a brief overview of the Arduino IDE toolbar.
Moving from left to right, you’ll find the following functions:
- Play icon: This function compiles your code, verifying its correctness without transferring it to the Arduino board. However, initiating an upload also performs this compilation step.
- Stop icon: This halts the compilation process of your program; it does not interrupt any application currently running on the Arduino.
- New file: This option initiates a fresh code project.
- Up arrow: This opens and loads a pre-existing project. Numerous example programs are included, though it’s recommended to postpone exploring these for the moment.
- Down arrow: This saves the current project.
- Right arrow: This uploads the currently written code to the Arduino board.
- Serial Monitor: This tool enables you to observe communication data originating from the Arduino when it’s connected to your computer. We will not focus on this feature presently.
Now, it’s time to execute your initial application. Select Open, and navigate to the example application located within 1. Basics -> Blink. The following code should appear:
To confirm that your Arduino board is functioning correctly and is properly connected, proceed to click the Upload button. Following a brief compilation period, the orange lights labeled TX / RX on the Arduino should begin to flash. This indicates data transmission or reception – specifically, the uploading of your code. Upon completion, the code will automatically begin execution.
This application is remarkably straightforward; it simply causes the on-board Labeled LED to blink. You can also utilize an external LED if desired. Connect the longer leg of the LED to pin 13, and the shorter leg (identified by a flat side on the LED’s head) to the adjacent GND pin. Both LEDs will now flash in unison.
For this session, we will conclude here. You have successfully configured the Arduino and learned how to upload applications, verifying its operational status. This represents a solid starting point, and you may wish to examine the Blink application code to understand its functionality. Don’t be concerned if the code isn’t immediately clear, as a detailed explanation will be provided in the next session, along with a comprehensive overview of the Arduino board’s components.
Thank you for your time, and we encourage your feedback. Should you encounter difficulties during the setup process, please feel free to post your questions in the comments section. However, inquiries pertaining to obsolete Windows versions or less common Linux distributions may be difficult to address.
