Arduino Motor Control

Arduino motor control is the practice of using a programmable Arduino microcontroller to precisely manage the operation—including speed, direction, and position—of various electric motors like DC, servo, and stepper motors. This is accomplished by writing code that sends control signals, often using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), from the Arduino's digital output pins to a dedicated motor driver circuit, which is necessary to handle the higher power requirements of the motor itself. As a core component of robotics, automation, and physical computing, it represents a practical application of computer science principles to create interactive systems and is a foundational element for many Internet of Things (IoT) devices that need to manipulate their physical environment.

1. Introduction to Arduino and Physical Computing
   1. Overview of Physical Computing
      1. Definition and Scope
      2. Real-world Applications
      3. Sensors and Actuators Integration
      4. Human-Computer Interaction
   2. What is an Arduino?
      1. History and Development
      2. Open-Source Philosophy
      3. Microcontroller vs. Microprocessor
         1. Definitions and Differences
         2. Use Cases for Each
         3. Performance Characteristics
      4. The Arduino Ecosystem
         1. Hardware Boards
            1. Arduino UNO
            2. Arduino Nano
            3. Arduino Mega
            4. Arduino Leonardo
            5. Specialized Boards
            6. Board Selection Criteria
         2. Software Environment
            1. Arduino IDE
            2. Alternative IDEs
            3. Web-based Editors
            4. Command Line Tools
         3. Community and Libraries
            1. Open-source Nature
            2. Library Manager
            3. Community Forums
            4. Documentation Resources
   3. Core Electrical Concepts for Motor Control
      1. Basic Electrical Principles
         1. Voltage
            1. Definition and Units
            2. Measurement Techniques
         2. Current
            1. Definition and Units
            2. AC vs DC Current
         3. Resistance
            1. Definition and Units
            2. Resistor Color Codes
         4. Ohm's Law
            1. Mathematical Relationship
            2. Practical Applications
            3. Circuit Analysis
      2. Power Concepts
         1. Power Calculation
         2. Power Dissipation
         3. Heat Generation
         4. Power Ratings
      3. Circuit Types
         1. Direct Current (DC)
            1. Characteristics
            2. Power Supplies
         2. Alternating Current (AC)
            1. Characteristics
            2. Safety Considerations
      4. Signal Types
         1. Digital Signals
            1. Logic Levels
            2. Noise Immunity
            3. Switching Characteristics
         2. Analog Signals
            1. Continuous Values
            2. Signal Conditioning
            3. Noise Considerations
         3. Signal Conversion
            1. Analog-to-Digital Conversion
            2. Digital-to-Analog Conversion
            3. Resolution and Accuracy
      5. Grounding Concepts
         1. Common Ground
         2. Ground Loops
         3. Noise Reduction
         4. Safety Grounding
   4. Introduction to Electric Motors
      1. Fundamental Principles
         1. Electromagnetism
            1. Magnetic Fields
            2. Current and Magnetism
            3. Electromagnetic Induction
         2. Motor Operation Basics
            1. Force Generation
            2. Rotational Motion
            3. Energy Conversion
      2. Motor Classifications
         1. By Current Type
            1. DC Motors
            2. AC Motors
         2. By Construction
            1. Brushed Motors
            2. Brushless Motors
         3. By Control Method
            1. Open Loop
            2. Closed Loop
      3. Motor Terminology
         1. Torque
            1. Definition and Units
            2. Holding Torque
            3. Running Torque
            4. Stall Torque
         2. Speed
            1. RPM Measurement
            2. Speed-Torque Relationship
            3. No-Load Speed
         3. Current Characteristics
            1. Stall Current
            2. Running Current
            3. Starting Current
         4. Voltage Specifications
            1. Nominal Voltage
            2. Voltage Range
            3. Effects of Voltage Variation
         5. Efficiency
            1. Power Conversion
            2. Heat Generation
            3. Operating Conditions