Cow Pi mark 1e Construction Instructions (Arduino Nano form factor, SPI communication)

These are the instructions to assemble a Cow Pi circuit using an Arduino Nano, a Nano clone, or another microcontroller board that has the same form factor. [1]

Tip

In addition to the professor and the TAs, you may freely seek help on this assignment from other students.

In the I/O labs, we will use a microcontroller board with some peripherals. In this prelab, you will assemble the hardware for the I/O labs.

Note

The EE Shop has prepared “class kits” for CSCE 231; your class kit costs $30. The EE Shop is located at C308 Scott Engineering Center and is open M-F 7am-4pm. You do not need an appointment. You may pay at the window with cash, with a personal check, or with your NCard. The EE shop does not accept credit cards.

Caution

Access in/through the Scott Engineering Center changes frequently due to construction. Starting in the third week of the semester, we will attempt to maintain this page with the best access route.

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• Prepare to Assemble the Cow Pi mark 1e
  • Inventory the Hardware
  • Assembling the Class Kit
• Insert the Microcontroller into the Breadboard
  • Breadboard Terminology
  • Install the Arduino Nano onto the Breadboard
• Install the IDE
  • Arduino IDE
  • Microsoft Terminal Server
  • VS Code with the PlatformIO Plugin
• Connect Power and Ground to Power Bus Strips
• Install the Light-Emitting Diode
• Install the CowPi and the CowPi_stdio Libraries
  • Install the Libraries for the Arduino IDE
  • Install the Libraries for PlatformIO
• Install the Slide Switches
• Install the Momentary Pushbuttons
  • This note applies only to 2-lead pushbuttons
  • This note applies only to 4-prong pushbuttons
  • Install the Buttons
• Install the Matrix Keypad
• Install the Display Module
• Kit Assembly is Complete

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[1]

For now, the instructions are particular to Arduino Nano and Nano clones. We will later update the instructions for other boards with the same form factor. Five-volt microcontroller boards that have the same form factor as the Arduino Nano include the Nano itself and the Arduino Nano Every. Three-volt microcontroller boards that have the same form factor as the Arduino nano include the Arduino Nano 33 IoT, the Arduino Nano 33 BLE, and the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect.