arduino. led matrix.

got an arduino finally, and i've decided to document my trials and tribulations with it. perhaps, someone will stumble upon this and find something useful as i make the journey to teach myself about physical computing.

my first project was to create an led matrix and have patterns run across it.

fortunately, my dad is an electronic mastermind so he whipped up this schematic for me, which i fumbled my way through deciphering. from what i've seen on ebay and sparkfun, you could buy matrices cheap. i think building one has helpd me understand them better though.

in the end i was lazy and left out the transistors and resistors, but the matrix still worked. so with any luck, my arduino board will not blow up.

here's the schematic for the matrix, and the list of materials.
radioshack
ugh.
- cheapo blank PC board (276-148) $1.99
- package of 15 transistors (276-617) $2.59

fry's
which sucks, more than radiosack, couldn't believe it. i think i'll either make the trip to al lashers in berkely or mailorder from now on.
- package of 25 green mini-leds (625972) $6.69
- package of 750k Ohm resistors (3628745) $1.99



here's a view from the front and back, not too bad a soldering job.


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Permalink  17 February 2009, 9:31:00 AM