This workshop will take you through the need-to-know essentials when tackling your own Internet of Things project – everything from picking the right prototyping platform and means of device-device communication, through to the pros and cons of different network protocols and topologies.

With a solid background in place, we’ll then get hands-on with the Arduino-compatible Particle Photon IoT development kit. Going deeper into the electronics and programming necessary for controlling sophisticated electronic components such as LED arrays and high precision sensors, before finishing up with a rapid prototype of a web-enabled weather station.

The workshop fee covers both day’s tuition, as well as an IoT experimenter’s pack (worth £50!) – including a Particle Photon Development Kit and a breakout board for Bosch’s BMP280, a high-precision temperature and pressure sensor.

The course covers:

- IoT essentials: development platforms and means of communication (from bluetooth low-energy to mobile 3G); network protocols and topologies; power management, when it matters and how best to do it
- Getting started with the Particle Photon
- A peek under the hood: how does the Photon communicate with its cloud?
- Sensors and integrated circuits (microchips with specific tasks such as LED drivers)
- Communicating with SPI and I2C, “USB for microcontrollers and sensors”
- Prototyping an internet-connected weather station, with live web updates

Who is the course for?

This is an intermediate level course, for those who already have a basic understanding of electronics prototyping (e.g. Arduino) and programming. We will be going deeper into these two subjects – interfacing custom electronics with software running on a remote computer, and make it accessible through a web or mobile app.

What do I need to bring?

You will need a laptop running a recent version of either Windows, Linux or Mac OS X. Make sure it’s got a working USB port to connect and program the Photon.

You would also benefit from bringing a USB wall charger, and a smartphone running either Android or iOS, but this is not essential.

Your Tutor

Asa Calow is a creative technologist and co-founder of MadLab. He has been working with (and teaching) electronics prototyping since MadLab’s inception, with commissions including a wearable lie detector, an Oyster Card operated tarot machine, and more interactive light sculptures than you can shake a stick at. Most recently he has been building low-cost laboratory equipment using old lightbulbs and disk drives.

Booking your place

For your convenience, we offer a number of ways to book:

- Book via our website www.madlab.org.uk/courses
- Invoice or PayPal - by phoning 0161 839 6324 or emailing office@madlab.org.uk
- Payment by cheque - made out to MadLab CIC, and sent to MadLab 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN
- We also accept card payments in person