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PictoBlox Extension

Arduino Nano

Arduino_NANO
Extension Description
Learn how to connect and program Arduino Nano using PictoBlox Block Coding. This beginner-friendly guide explains board selection, serial port connection, Arduino Nano variants, Stage Mode, Upload Mode, and Arduino blocks.
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Available in: Block Coding
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Mode: Stage Mode, Upload Mode
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 WiFi Required: No
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Compatible Hardware in Block Coding: Arduino Nano
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Compatible Hardware in Python: Not Applicable
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Object Declaration in Python: NA
  • STEMpedia-Rocket-800x800 Extension Catergory:

Introduction

Arduino Nano is a compact microcontroller board commonly used in electronics, robotics, and embedded-system projects. It offers many of the features of larger Arduino boards while taking up less space.

PictoBlox makes Arduino Nano programming easier through a block coding environment. Instead of writing code manually, you can drag and drop blocks to control digital pins, analog pins, PWM outputs, tones, and timers.

In this documentation, you will learn about the Arduino Nano extension and how to connect Arduino Nano to PictoBlox.

Connecting Arduino Nano to PictoBlox

Follow these steps to connect Arduino Nano to PictoBlox.

Step 1: Connect Arduino Nano

Connect the Arduino Nano board to your computer using a compatible USB cable. Make sure the board’s power LED turns ON.

USB cable with arduio nano

Step 2: Select Arduino Nano Board

  1. Open PictoBlox and select the Block Coding environment.
    Select the Block Coding environment
  2. Click on the Board menu from the toolbar. Select Arduino Nano from the board list.
    Select Arduino nano board

Step 3: Select the Serial Port

From the available serial ports, select the port corresponding to the connected USB Arduino Nano device. The serial port may appear as a COM port on Windows. Then click Connect.

Click on the connect button to connect arduino nano

Step 4: Select the Arduino Nano Variant

PictoBlox will display three Arduino Nano board or processor options.

Select nano board as you have

Select the option that matches your Arduino Nano board.

The correct option may depend on the processor and bootloader used by your board. If the board does not connect or upload correctly, try another available Arduino Nano option.

Step 5: Confirm the Connection

After selecting the correct Arduino Nano option, PictoBlox will connect to the board.

Connected to arduino nano to pictoblox

A successful connection message will appear, and the connection status will show that the board is connected.

Click Go to Editor to open the coding workspace and start programming your Arduino Nano.

PictoBlox Modes for Arduino Nano

1. Stage Mode

  • Use Stage Mode when you want Arduino Nano to communicate with PictoBlox in real time.
  • The Arduino Nano must remain connected to the computer while the project is running.

2. Upload Mode

  • Use Upload Mode when you want to upload the program directly to Arduino Nano.
  • After uploading, the board can run the program independently without remaining connected to PictoBlox.

Read More

PictoBlox Blocks

The read status of digital pin () block checks whether the selected digital pin is HIGH or LOW. It returns True for HIGH and False for LOW.
The read analog pin () block reads the value from an Arduino Nano analog pin. It returns a value from 0 to 1023, representing an input voltage of approximately 0V to 5V.
The set digital pin () output as () block sets a selected digital pin to HIGH or LOW. Use it to control LEDs, buzzers, relays, and other digital output devices.
The set PWM pin () output as () block controls the PWM output from 0 to 255. It can be used to adjust LED brightness, motor speed, and other PWM-based devices.
The play tone on () of note () & beat () block plays a selected note on a digital pin. It is useful for creating buzzer sounds, alarms, melodies, and audio feedback.
The get timer value block returns the time elapsed since the board started or the timer was reset. The value is measured in milliseconds.
The reset timer block sets the current timer value back to 0. Use it when you want to begin measuring a new time interval
The cast () to () block converts a value into an integer or float. It helps match the required data type for calculations and other blocks.
The map () from ()–() to ()–() block converts a value from one range to another. For example, it can map an analog reading from 0–1023 to a PWM output from 0–255.
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