For this project, we will use a Texas Instruments (TI) LaunchPad™ development kit and the versatile Sidekick Basic kit for TI LaunchPad kit. The TI LaunchPad kit is our programmable processor that is capable of very complex to very simple embedded computing. The Sidekick is a handy breadboard kit that contains common components to make a wide variety of circuits. The Sidekick comes with 10 example circuits which you can look at in detail at here.
We will be modifying the circuit concepts we learned from the Sidekick examples to create a custom Jingle Bells audio circuit and LED array. The example concepts we pulled from are Example 1: RGB LED, Example 3: Multiple LED, and Example 5: Piezo Buzzer (all examples can be found here.)
To see the circuit in action and how it is assembled, check out our video tutorial or you can scroll through the below for step-by-step directions.
Make sure you have the Energia IDE and drivers (if needed) so you can program the LaunchPad kit. If you don’t have it, go to www.energia.nu/download.
Step 1: Construct your circuit. (Refer to the diagram in the schematics section. You can click on the image to enlarge for pin numbers.)
Step 2: Open up the Energia IDE. We are going to paste in our code into a blank sketch (what we call an Energia program).
Use the sample code found under the "Code" section.
Before we upload the code, make sure you have your LaunchPad kit connected to your computer with the USB cable. You will also want to select the right type of LaunchPad kit by clicking Tools > Board and select your LaunchPad kit version from the menu. If your board is not listed, be sure to go to the Boards Manager option and add your board package to Energia.
Lastly, make sure you select your LaunchPad port under Tools > Port. If no ports are available and this is your first time programming the LaunchPad kit, you might have not installed the drivers. Make sure to follow the instructions for your operating system on the Energia download page.
Step 3: Click the upload button, which is the right facing arrow in the upper left corner of the IDE window.
Now your code should run and you will hear Jingle Bells playing through the speaker. If you run into trouble, make sure you follow the steps correctly when wiring the circuit and copying the sample code.
Anything can be crafted with the right tools and technology to celebrate any season or reason. Enjoy the holidays!
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