You're reading from DIY Microcontroller Projects for Hobbyists The ultimate project-based guide to building real-world embedded applications in C and C++ programming

Product type Paperback

Published in Jul 2021

Publisher Packt

ISBN-13 9781800564138

Length 320 pages

Edition 1st Edition

Languages

Tools

ARM Cortex

Concepts

Microcontroller

Authors (2):

Miguel Angel Garcia-Ruiz

Pedro Cesar Santana Mancilla

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Table of Contents (16) Chapters

Preface

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Microcontrollers and Microcontroller Boards

2. Chapter 2: Software Setup and C Programming for Microcontroller Boards FREE CHAPTER

3. Chapter 3: Turning an LED On or Off Using a Push Button

4. Chapter 4: Measuring the Amount of Light with a Photoresistor

5. Chapter 5: Humidity and Temperature Measurement

6. Chapter 6: Morse Code SOS Visual Alarm with a Bright LED

7. Chapter 7: Creating a Clap Switch

8. Chapter 8: Gas Sensor

9. Chapter 9: IoT Temperature-Logging System

10. Chapter 10: IoT Plant Pot Moisture Sensor

11. Chapter 11: IoT Solar Energy (Voltage) Measurement

12. Chapter 12: COVID-19 Digital Body Temperature Measurement (Thermometer)

13. Chapter 13: COVID-19 Social-Distancing Alert

14. Chapter 14: COVID-19 20-Second Hand Washing Timer

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Introducing super-bright LEDs and calculating their necessary resistors

A super-bright LED is a light-emitting diode (LED) that glows with high intensity, higher than regular LEDs. LED brightness (light intensity) is calculated in millicandelas (mcd). Bear in mind that 1,000 mcd equals 1 candela. Candelas typically measure how much light is generated at the light source, in this case, an LED, but candelas can be used to measure other light sources, such as light bulbs. The super-bright LED that we use in this chapter is rated as 6,000 mcd, emitting a nice and powerful orange glow, which is quite bright when connected to a proper current-limiting resistor. In comparison, typical LEDs are rated at a range of about 50 to 200 mcd.

Super-bright LEDs have a special design to increase light diffusion by using a transparent glass coating and reflective material. However, some super-bright LEDs have a reduced viewing angle (the observation angle with the LED light looks more intense) of...