MarkWill

I am having a blast getting familiar with my Netduino (and, in fact, refreshing my memory of electronics - so lots to learn). One of the biggest challenges I have is getting some context for what is realistically in scope for what I can do with the Netduino (and what I can not). Let me take an example. Take a look at this digital thermometer (DS18S20). http://datasheets.ma...ds/DS18S20.pdf. I like the idea of being able to (eventually) hunt down chips like this and integrate them into solutions. But I have no idea if I am barking up the wrong tree. For example, the chip has a defined set of command (initialization, reset, read, search, etc, etc). What pins would I hook up (on the Netduino)? And how do I send command to a device like this. The datasheet has detailed information on the initialization timing - the pulse levels, durations, etc, etc. Are such things controllable from the Netduino and, if so, through what pins/features would I do this? I am not so much asking about this particular device (although I am actually interested in this). Rather, I'm trying to understand if this is the type of device that I can consider down the road when I learn more about the techniques available to me through the Netduino (hardware and software). Thanks. Mark

I am trying to come to terms with the various pins on my spanking brand new Netduino. Some of these are probably basic electronics page (I am a software chap, with limited hardware experience).

• What is the maximum output on the digital I/O pins? I see 3.3V mentioned on the specs page but when I take a voltage I see no more than about 2.5V
• What is the high voltage for a digital pin supposed to be? This is where I get the 2.5V from - I put an LED in and ensure that pin 13 is on and read 13.
• am I right in saying that ALL the pins can be used as "simple" on/off pins (programmed with OutputPin) but some of the pinds offer additional capabailities (such as PWM on pins 5,6,9 and 10)?
• What is a typical application for a UART pin?
• Same question for SPI MOSI - in what scenarios might I use these?
• Same for I2C
• Why no analog out pins? For variable output like a motor where I might want to vary the speed that seems like a problem. Or am I supposed to use PWM in such a situation?

Thanks.

Mark

Well, after a while waiting (including a UPS train derailment :-)), I finally got my Netduino today. All worked exactly as planned and within 15 minutes I'd run the blinking light demo and the event handler. All pretty simple. And now I have some questions... I purchased an AdaFruit Protoshield and that's all build and piggybacking my Netduino. What's not clear to me is how the various buttons on the shield relate to the Netduino. For example, I have two LEDs on the protoshield and two buttons. How are these addressable through code (given that the Netduino only has one of each)? How does the Port.ResisterMode work? Does this imply that I can turn on and off a resister associated with each pin? And if so, what resistence is involved? I'm not clear on the various voltages available to me between the Netduino and the protoshield and what pins use what voltage. The analog pins use 3.3V input right? Anything above that can do damage? What I'd like to do as a next step is control a 5v motor, attached to the shield, and have its speed adjusted with a photoresister. Pretty basic, eh? :-) I'm not clear on how/where I'd hook up the motor to the shield (which pins) and also where the photresistor fits into the picture (on the shield in series with the motor, presumably, but what voltages should I use)? I like the event handler approach (as opposed to a while(true) loop. As a curiosity I'm wondering of there's any way to have the photoresister trigger the motor on and off only when it reaches a certain light level (= resistance) and if this can be done with event handlers. I'd like to detect this in software and take "some action" based on the resistence (like start the motor). How would I go about that without the while(true) loop? I'm really looking forward to getting into this. Thanks. Mark

A couple of questions about what I'd need if I wanted to get GPS information into a Netduino. It seems I need both a GPS shield AND a GPS module. Is that correct? And, if I want to store data I'd need a GPS data logger. Correct again? A bit confused... Also, does anyone happen to know if the typical GPS support on a device of this nature (using a GPS module) supports altitude? I am a private pilot and - just for the heck of it - interested in building something for my (small) cockpit that uses GPS information. I actually have no idea if all GPS devices that follow standards have the capability to obtain an altitude. I've tried finding this out but can't find any reference to this on any of the devices I found. Thanks. Mark

Is there a short/medium term plan for training content for Netduino? Theer are some nice little video's on the site but they are obviously just a start and pretty sparse. As someone who is just getting into this whole thing at a basic level (just ordered my Netduino last night!), I am a sponge for any and all such content. I understand that this is all relatively new but I also know (or at least suspect) that a lack of educational content is a blocker for anyone looking into this. By the way, my interest is beyond basic "light an LED" or getting it to respond to a button (although those video's are still useful, especially the event handler one which sparked my thinking about how this could be used). However, I have a need for "fundamentals" of physical computing with a platform like Netduino. I'd like to read about the various types of ports on the Netduino, when they might be appropriate to use for various scenarios, what sort of interfaces are required/suggested, how I'd program/use these ports and so on. I've decided to take the risk and see where it leads but it would be great to know what the plans are in this area. Thanks. Mark