Data Sheet

13 : circuit 1a
PROJECT 1
Welcome to your rst SparkFun Inventor’s Kit
project. Each project is broken up into several
circuits, the last circuit being a culmination of
the technologies that came before. ere are ve
projects total, each designed to help you learn about
new technologies and concepts. is rst project
will set the foundation for the rest and will aid in
helping you understand the fundamentals of circuit
building and electricity!
In Project 1, you will learn about Light-
Emitting Diodes (LEDs), resistors,
inputs, outputs and sensors. e rst
project will be to build and program your own
multicolored night-light! e night-light uses a
sensor to turn on an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED
when it gets dark, and you will be able to change the
color using an input knob.
NEW COMPONENTS INTRODUCED
IN THIS PROJECT
• LEDS
• RESISTORS
• POTENTIOMETERS
• PHOTORESISTORS
NEW CONCEPTS INTRODUCED IN THIS PROJECT
• POLARITY
• OHM'S LAW
• DIGITAL OUTPUT
• ANALOG VS. DIGITAL
• ANALOG INPUT
• ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERSION
• VOLTAGE DIVIDER
• PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION
• FUNCTIONS
YOU WILL LEARN
• HOW TO UPLOAD A PROGRAM TO
YOUR REDBOARD
• CIRCUIT-BUILDING BASICS
• HOW TO CONTROL LEDS WITH
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
• HOW TO READ SENSORS
WITH ANALOG INPUTS
BLINKING
AN LED
READING A
POTENTIOMETER
READING A
PHOTORESISTOR
RGB NIGHT-LIGHT
NEW IDEAS
Each project will introduce new
concepts and components, which will
be described in more detail as you
progress through the circuits.
A
B C D