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CEC Semester Twenty Five 2024

Getting Started in Automation With Arduino

Dr. Don Wilcher -
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham
March 25,
2024
An Introduction to Automation
CEC participants will explore the world of automation with the Arduino Opta. The basics of automation devices and systems will be discussed through the lens of a micro–programmable logic controller. Industrial control concepts will be provided through hands-on lab activities.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Arduino Portenta X8: Unleash the Power of Your Linux Applications - Blog
The Ultimate Robotics and Building Automation Solutions with Arduino Pro – Blog
Arduino PLC IDE Software Overview – maker.io
March 26,
2024
Understanding the Arduino Opta
In this day two webinar session, CEC participants will learn about the system structure of the Arduino Opta. The input/output (I/O) wiring structure, communication setup, and ladder logic programming concepts will be presented in this hands-on session.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Arduino Portenta X8: Unleash the Power of Your Linux Applications - Blog
The Ultimate Robotics and Building Automation Solutions with Arduino Pro – Blog
Arduino PLC IDE Software Overview – maker.io
March 27,
2024
Wiring and Testing Automation Controls
Basic logic functions used in automation controls will be explored using the Arduino Opta in this Day 3 webinar session. Participants will learn the importance of basic logic functions used in automation controls.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Arduino Portenta X8: Unleash the Power of Your Linux Applications - Blog
The Ultimate Robotics and Building Automation Solutions with Arduino Pro – Blog
Arduino PLC IDE Software Overview – maker.io
March 28,
2024
Understanding the IEC 61131 3 Functional Programming Language Specification
Participants will learn the basics of the IEC 61131-3 Functional Programming Language Specification through PLC hands-on learning activities. Interpretation of the hardware and software systems models will be discussed in this Day 4 session.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Arduino Portenta X8: Unleash the Power of Your Linux Applications - Blog
The Ultimate Robotics and Building Automation Solutions with Arduino Pro – Blog
Arduino PLC IDE Software Overview – maker.io
March 29,
2024
Building a Start Stop Automation Control Circuit
In this final session, participants will learn an important automation control circuit, the start-stop controller. The combinational logic-based circuit will be presented and demonstrated in this hands-on project activity. A DC motor operation will be demonstrated using this automation control circuit.
Course Resources
Special Educational Materials
Arduino Portenta X8: Unleash the Power of Your Linux Applications - Blog
The Ultimate Robotics and Building Automation Solutions with Arduino Pro – Blog
Arduino PLC IDE Software Overview – maker.io
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Instructor
Dr. Don Wilcher
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham

Dr. Don Wilcher, an Electrical Engineer, is an Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a Technical Education Researcher, Instructor, Maker, Emerging Technology Lecturer, Electronics Project writer, and Book Author. His Learn Electronics with Arduino book, published by Apress, has been cited 80 times in academic journals and referenced on patents.

He is the Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham. His research interest is Embedded Controls, Robotics Education, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence applications and their impact on Personalized Learning, Competency-Based Models curriculum, and instructional development in Mechatronics, Automation, IoT, Electronics, Robotics, and Industrial Maintenance Technologies. He is also the Founder and owner of MaDon Research LLC, an instructional technology consulting, technical training, and electronics project writing company serving Electronics Marketing Media, Technical and Engineering Education companies.