A-2 Other Components

GOAL: Identify the other components in your Photon kit and their purposes (inputs, outputs, connectors, and cables)

TASK: Review the information below, and then complete this assignment by finding each component in your Photon kit & identifying its name and function.

Physical Inputs

Your Photon kit includes these physical inputs, which can be connected to your circuit board:

  • Push Buttons – detects if button is being pushed (kit has red, yellow, green & blue buttons)

  • Trimpot Dial – detects position of dial (can be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise)

  • Motion Sensor – detects if something is moving in nearby environment

  • Magnetic Switch – detects if something is open or closed (such as door, window, etc.)

  • Photocell (Light Sensor) – measures amount of light in environment

  • Humidity & Temperature Sensor – measures relative humidity & temperature of air

  • Soil Moisture Sensor – measures amount of moisture in soil (or similar material)

  • Accelerometer – measures acceleration or tilt in 3 dimensions; can also detect taps or bumps

The following is not a standard part of the Photon kit, but your teacher may have added it:

Physical Outputs

Your Photon kit includes these physical outputs, which can be connected to your circuit board:

  • LED Lights – produces light (kit has red, yellow, green & blue LED lights)

  • Speaker – produces sound (tone) at any frequency from 20Hz to 20kHz

  • Servo Motor – rotates to any angle from 0° to ~180°

  • Micro OLED Display – displays text and simple graphics in monochrome

Connectors

Your Photon kit includes these components to help connect inputs and outputs to your circuit board:

  • Breadboard – provides additional pins to help connect and power your inputs and outputs

  • Jumper Wires – help connect inputs and outputs to pins on breadboard and circuit board

  • Resistors – help limit electric current for certain inputs or outputs (such as LED lights, etc.)

Power Cables

Your Photon kit will include one or more cables to provide power to your circuit board:

  • USB to Micro-USB Cable – powers circuit board by connecting to USB port or charger

  • 9V to Barrel Jack Adapter – powers circuit board by connecting to 9V battery

Only one power source (Micro-USB or Barrel Jack) needs to be connected.

USB to Barrel Jack: SparkFun sells a USB to Barrel Jack Adapter cable which is a great alternative to the cables included in the kit. This cable connects a USB port (computer, charger, etc.) to the barrel jack. If using this cable, the Photon's VIN pin will supply ~5 volts.

More Info

The product page for the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Photon provides links to details about each part included in the kit. (Click the "Includes" tab on the product page to see the links to the parts.)

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