Creating a Traffic Light with Arduino
Creating a Traffic Light with Arduino
Creating a traffic light with Arduino is a fun and educational project that allows you to simulate how traffic lights work in real life. By using an Arduino board and a few simple electronic components, you can build your own traffic light system with different colored lights that change according to a set timing sequence.
To begin creating a traffic light with Arduino, you will need the following materials:
- Arduino board
- 3 LEDs (Red, Yellow, Green)
- 3 220-ohm resistors
- Push button
- Breadboard
- Jumper wires
Building the Circuit
1. Connect the LEDs: Connect the red, yellow, and green LEDs to three different digital pins on the Arduino board. Remember to use appropriate resistors to limit the current flowing through the LEDs and prevent them from burning out.
2. Add the Push Button: Connect a push button to another digital pin on the Arduino board. This button will simulate a person waiting at the traffic light.
Programming the Traffic Light
1. Define Variables: In your Arduino sketch, define variables for the red, yellow, and green LEDs. For example, you can use constants like RED, YELLOW, and GREEN to represent the pin numbers of the LEDs.
2. Write the Code: Modify the blink example code provided in the Arduino IDE to create a set timing sequence for the traffic light. When the button is pressed, the traffic light should cycle through the green, yellow, and red lights. When the button is not pressed, only the red light should be on.
3. Upload the Code: Upload your code to the Arduino board and test your traffic light system. Press the button to see the lights change according to the programmed sequence.
By following these steps, you can successfully create a traffic light using Arduino and gain hands-on experience in programming and electronics. Have fun experimenting with different timing sequences and adding more features to your traffic light project!