Getting started with IoT projects - part 3

Hello world

This post is part of a 3-part series.

Part 1 (here)
Part 2 (here)
Part 3 (this post)

Now that all the tinkering/research is done, you have to work towards your goal. But its absolutely okay if you do not reach this phase. As I said, the previous phase is the most enjoyable. But satisfying your project goal might present several challenges. And if executed with a proper plan in sight, it can be rewarding.

To this end you might need to do one or more things like:

Miniaturizing your project
Plan on how to install it
Enclosing it in a box

3d printing

making a custom printed circuit board

and, many more things.

All of these just transcend the IoT domain, but a project may be seldom complete, without them. But there are parts of the above "processes" I find enjoyable

1. Arranging things on a perforated board

This is really an art. The challenge here is arranging stuff in a confined area. You don't want to overlap  connections, and, still manage to keep all the components in that confined area. The area is usually defined by where you plan to finally install your project. It is further defined by giving clearances for installing screws, spacers, etc. 

However, this is not something a beginner should definitely dive into. It takes a lot of spatial thinking and imagination, and, practice. You could do this in software like kicad. But it will give you a rough idea only. The process is similar to designing printed circuit boards, but still not exactly the same.

 2. Soldering stuff onto a perforated board.

Frankly I don't enjoy this as much as I love prototyping. This is neck breaking. You may need a lot of soldering skills here. There are tricks I learned along the way. I generally find threading copper wires (0.4 mm to 0.6 mm) (non-enameled ones) wire useful. You can bend the wires, thread them through the perforations, so they run through the top side of the board, and thread them back, to reach a terminal of another component on the underside. The wires can be bent also to remain in the confines. And, when all else fails. I take a normal insulated copper wire and try to connect the remaining terminals. But the main challenge for me is soldering all of them. 

I use a lot of blu-tacks or re-usable mold-able adhesive (such as this or this) to fasten the copper wires if I need to join them to a terminal by soldering.

3. Mastering how to solder

Even today, this is something I am not proud to talk about. It takes a lot of practice, and, finger burns, and perhaps singing your friend's body parts too❗ There are a lot of videos to on how to solder various stuff. It may or may not give you confidence. It better to start off with this in the prototyping phase itself if you really anticipate doing this. 

You can get boards such as the wemos whose headers are normally not soldered. The wemos is relatively costly. You either learn soldering or brick the wemos. That is the hard-and-fast way.

4. Being complacent and shabby ✌

You may have to be complacent with whatever works for you. If you want to be shabby about the final look, there is nothing wrong. And I firmly believe that that captures the spirit of tinkering and IoT.

However for safety and security concerns you will most probably vie extra things such as mentioned before. But each of those deserves their own writeup. 

You may have to compromise a lot sometimes. For e.g. Say you have prototyped a way to automate your light/fan via wifi; you can now toggle your light via your mobile phone. But you may decide to keep it out of sight. The next choice is try to install inside the switch board. It might be a shock when you find that it doesn't fit. You will have to either scrap the project, redo, or, compromise - perhaps install it close to the switchboard by making a provision of running the wires out of the switchboard...and finally attract more eyes. 👀

Expect other people getting surprised or quizzical

As far as the above project is concerned, your spouse or mother or guardian might quizzically frown upon you when open up your switchboard and stare at it for no apparent reason. But remember, that just you, celebrating the IoT life...But be careful not to loose it to electrocution due to AC mains‼

Conclusion

There are a plethora I haven't mentioned like: 

devices talking to the cloud

communication protocols

sensors, analog, digital,

kicad, pcb etching, freecad,

etc, etc.

I can actually make a word cloud art out of it. 🤔 And that has to be your expectation moving forward. 

What we know is a drop. What's out there is an ocean.

Getting started with IoT projects - part 2

Hello world

This post is part of a 3-part series.

Part 1 (here)
Part 2 (this post)
Part 3 (here)

Here is advice that can get your started.

1. Think of a project

It can be anything. But let it solve some personal need.

For e.g. a door alarm, automating lights/ceiling fan in a room, etc.

It can be something for your car also. Just fix on something useful to you.

2. YouTube for it.

Search youtube. Enter keywords related to your goal. Along with those keywords add any popular board - like raspberry pi, arduino, etc. (or even the board you intend to work with).

You may be fascinated at realizing other people have already done it. Watching other people do stuff, (regardless of whether it is related to your project goal or not), will improve your confidence. You will come across other components and new concepts. This is how you learn about IoT, your first steps.

And it also prepares you for the next phase - buying stuff.

You can research more. But not recommended right away. Many components will have a part number and a specifications document. It's never welcoming to read them. But know that they exist. It can help when it's time to troubleshoot components.

3. Buying

There are many ways you can purchase stuff. Whatever the approach, it pays well if you make a well informed choice. So like a healthy consumer, do proper pre-purchase research. Look at reviews/comments/ratings. Re-watch those youtube videos if you have to.

And once you have finally obtained the product. Share your feedback through the channels provided. For e.g. if its amazon you are buying through, review the product with pics, and, videos. If it's a shop you got it from, make a video review and put it on your youtube channel - share it in a social forum where you can network with other IoT developers/creators.

You will end up with faulty products. Don't let that get to you. Your most creative and illustrative post-delivery review or feedback will help others not fall into that nasty surprise trap.

If its devices like sensors you are buying provided that they are cheap, then consider buying more than one. So if you happen to break/brick one, hopefully you have realized your mistake, and not waste time waiting for a replacement to be delivered.

If I am on a budget, China markets look enticing. I used to procure things from Aliexpress, and, Bangood at one point of time. But traditional ecommerce problems/pains still apply here. Do your due diligence. (Always make the informed choice). However if you have purchased, the delivery might run into months sometime. Sometimes they don't reach you. Many of "our kind" has lost money due to this. 😢

For your first project however, don't consider procuring through foreign ecommerce sites. Relationship between China and India has become complicated these days. It might become complicated for other countries too. And the ongoing pandemic just makes matters worse. 

But this pandemic also gives domestic ecommerce deliveries, a bad experience. Just know "delays" are inevitable, and, they will one day slap your face...Don't let it discourage you.

3. Tinkering/Prototyping

So once you have got your hands on all the things you need. You can prototype on a breadboard. The following things help

Connection diagrams
A multimeter
Pictures/videos of the breadboard with stuff connected - working or failing

I don't have to stress how that's important.

This is the best part, for me at least.

But there are hazards too. Like for e.g. working off AC mains. Take proper precautions. Before testing out with live electricity see that your wires don't short.

Getting started with IoT projects

Hello world

This post is part of a 3-part series. 

Part 1 (this post)
Part 2 (here)
Part 3 (here)

In my last post I suggested on how to start off with an IoT project. I realize that that post is quite insufficient. Even googling today, I didn't find an article that would better equip you. That might not be the case in the future. Anyway, I thought it best I write some advice based on how I got started. 

Remember these are just my thoughts...

For the absolute beginner

My first advice would be start off with a project for your home. Doing a "hands-on" ASAP is the best approach.

There are books out there. Considering my initial advice, I feel books are silly. But I did find one book useful:

Make Electronics (https://amzn.to/2CNrMgB)

(I might update this section if I come across more books)

There are also various starter kits available. But once you buy and stare at them you might experience bull-in-a-china-shop syndrome; except, (in all probability) you are not in a shop. You might not know what to do with it.

You need a lab/workspace

The idea here is, you don't want to be interrupted. You do not want to interrupt others. You may want to kid proof to some extent. Air and illumination should be in adequate supply. Access to a computer and/or AC mains is a plus.

A lack of such a space, in any way, should not discourage you. Just take extra precautions like cleaning up after your work.

Also have a fire extinguisher handy. You need not purchase it. For e.g. if you live in an apartment complex, there is probably a place where it is installed. Just know where to run to and grab it in case of fire...Be sure you grab one meant to douse electrical fires.

You need a toolbox (of sorts)

You need a set of tools to help you prototype and for troubleshooting.

Multimeter

Assorted components

Resistors

Capacitors

Transistors

Tools

Wire cutters

Tweezers

Soldering iron kit (with solder reel, stand, etc)

Wires

Jumpers - assorted (every combination of Male/female)

Hookup wires

Alligator wires

Power supply

Linear regulators

DC sources

Of course there are perforated boards, jewellery repair stand, etc. You do not need those now...

I have summarized this based on my experience so far, and also collating what I have seen from several IoT creators on YouTube. And this a minimal list. 

DO NOT BUY ALL AT ONCE. Make a fair judgement based on what your project needs and then procure.

If you happen to watch a lot of creator videos today they may have a lot of equipment. They are nice to have, but they can drain your budget. I am talking about oscilloscope, frequency generators, etc. For simple projects, you don't need those. Even if there are cheap versions of the same, look the other way...

The next part is advice you really need.