C++ Hardware Programming

Bring code to life by interacting with the physical world! Using C++ and the modern gpiod library, you can read sensor inputs, toggle actuators, and control motor speeds. We recommend starting with environment configuration and progressing through components in order of complexity.

Hardware Control Roadmap

1. Development Setup

Configure your C++ development environment on Raspberry Pi OS. Learn compiler setup (g++), compile commands, build your first "Hello World" executable, and run programs via terminal.

2. LED Control with GPIO

Step into physical computing. Wire an LED and resistor on a breadboard, learn the basics of digital outputs, and write C++ code using gpiod to blink an LED.

3. Tactile Switch Input

Read data from the physical world. Wire a momentary button switch, learn the theory of pull-up/pull-down resistors, and handle switch debouncing in C++ code to register clean inputs.

4. PWM Buzzer Control

Understand Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Generate audio frequencies on a passive buzzer, control volume via duty cycle adjustments, and program custom chime alerts.

5. Servo Motor Control (Positional)

Use precise PWM signals to set servo angles. Learn how to sweep a standard positional SG90 servo motor from 0 to 180 degrees using timing duty cycles.

6. Continuous Servo Control

Take the final step towards robotics. Learn how continuous rotation servos translate PWM timing values into motor rotation speeds and directions instead of fixed angles.