Embedded - ->for u

There exists an awesome software PWM library which allowed me to use all the pins as if they were hardware PWM. This setup created endless possibilities for animations!

Second part is the touch sensor.. To be able to interact with a snowflake add another brass rod to create a capacitive touch sensor. Use great library and tutorial by Paul Stoffregen. The touch sensor is used to interact with the arduinoflake - change animation, turn on/off, sparkle when touched, you name it...

Leaf LEDs are connected separately each to the nearest Arduino's output pin. Branch LEDs are grouped by two and connected to PWM pins. Core LEDs are also grouped by two and connected to the rest of the pins. Arduino NANO has only 18 output pins (A6 and A7 are input only) and need one pin for the touch sensor, that left with only 17 pins so the two pairs of core LEDs are connected together to create a group of 4. Using 220Ω resistors to limit the current flowing thru each pin to around 8mA. That means 240mA in total which is little high for ATmega328 chip but it works - safe maximum is said to be 200mA.

Step 3 : Next is to add the Arduino Nano microcontroller under the core structure leaving enough space in between to fit 3 layers of brass rod wirings which will connect microcontroller pins to all the LED anode leads.

Step 2 : Create a core hexagon by bending a single rod and soldering the ends together. By adding another 6 rods to the tops of the hexagon the ground wiring is complete, all cathode leads of LEDs now need to be soldered to it to create a snowflake pattern.

Step 1: Choose a nice and simple snowflake crystal and print it to the size to fit Arduino Nano inside the hexagon - core of the crystal.

The snowflake consists of 30 LEDs grouped into 17 independent segments which can be controlled separately by Arduino Nano microcontroller. Each of the LED group can be dimmed with PWM to create some awesome animations. Additionally, there is a capacitive touch sensor ring that allows you to interact with the flake.

It has some features.. will explain..

This is what it looks like.. Looks simple.. !!

Just thought of sharing a small DIY project for Christmas..

Microchip Technologies recently released the DSC613, a 3-output low power MEMS clock generator housed in a tiny package that produces up to three separate frequency outputs.

Sensors There are MEMS gyroscopes, inclinometers, accelerometers, flow sensors, gas sensors, pressure sensors, and magnetic-field sensors. Switches Electrically controlled switches are a particularly interesting application of MEMS technology.  Combining a micromachined resonator with excitation circuitry and sustaining circuitry results in a MEMS oscillator.