Inputs & Outputs / Pins
Inputs & Outputs (Pins)
Programs don't just display information.
They also interact with the world around them.
How does a program know when a button is pressed?
How does an LED turn on?
How does a motor move?
The answer is pins.
Pins allow your program to communicate with electronic components like buttons, LEDs, sensors, motors, and buzzers.
Think of pins as doors that allow information to move into and out of your program.
What Are Pins?
Pins are the connection points on the D1 R32.
They allow information to travel between your program and electronic components.
Input Example
Button
↓
Pin
↓
Program
Output Example
Program
↓
Pin
↓
LED
Inputs & Outputs Category
[INSERT CATEGORY IMAGE HERE: Inputs & Outputs]
Figure 7.1 – Blocks available in the Inputs & Outputs category.
The category can be organized into:
DIGITAL
↓
ANALOG
↓
PWM
Block Guide
| Block | Block Image | What It Does | What the Options Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH / LOW | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: HIGH / LOW ] | Provides a digital logic value. | HIGH represents 1. LOW represents 0. |
| Setup Digital Pin | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Setup Digital Pin ] | Configures a selected pin for digital operation. | PIN# selects the physical pin. Digital Output configures the pin as an output. The available setup mode should be selected according to whether the pin will send or receive a digital signal. |
| Digital Output | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Digital Output ] | Sets the selected digital output to HIGH or LOW. | HIGH → 1 and LOW → 0. |
| Digital Input | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Get Digital Input ] | Reads the current digital value of a pin. | The returned value represents the current digital state of the selected pin. |
| Setup Analog Input | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Setup ADC ] | Configures an ADC input on the selected analog-capable pin. | The selected pin determines which ADC input is created. |
| ADC Attenuation | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: ADC Ref Voltage Stat ] | Changes the ADC attenuation setting, which changes the input-voltage range handled by the ADC. | Available generated settings: ATTN_11DB, ATTN_6DB, ATTN_2_5DB, ATTN_0DB. |
| ADC Resolution | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: ADC Resolution Stat ] | Configures the ADC reading resolution. | Available generated resolutions: 12-bit, 11-bit, 10-bit, 9-bit. |
| Get Analog Input | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Get Analog Input ] | Reads the selected ADC input. | Clu-Blocks Pro generates an analog reading using read_u16(). |
| Setup PWM Output | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Setup PWMAnalog Output ] | Configures the selected pin for PWM output. | PIN# selects the PWM-capable output pin. |
| PWM Value | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: PWMAnalog Output value ] | Sets the PWM duty value. | The numerical input determines the generated PWM duty value. |
| PWM Frequency | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: PWMAnalog Output frequencyStat ] | Sets the PWM frequency. | The numerical field specifies the frequency used by the PWM output. |
| Attach Interrupt | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: attachInterrupt ] | Configures a pin to trigger a function when the selected signal change occurs. | Available generated triggers are RISING, FALLING, and RISING + FALLING. |
| Interrupt Function | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: attachInterrupt_func ] | Contains the instructions executed by the interrupt handler. | The visible function is attachInterrupt_func. |
| Setup DAC Output | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: Setup DACAnalog Output ] | Configures a DAC-capable pin for analog output. | PIN# selects the DAC output pin. |
| DAC Output | [ INSERT BLOCK IMAGE: DACAnalog Output ] | Sends a numerical value to the configured DAC output. | The numerical input provides the DAC output value. |
🔢 HIGH and LOW
Digital electronics use two states:
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HIGH | ON |
| LOW | OFF |
Example
HIGH
↓
LED ON
LOW
↓
LED OFF
Digital means ON or OFF.
Digital Output
[INSERT BLOCK IMAGE HERE: Digital Output]
Digital Output sends a signal from the program to a component.
Example
Program
↓
Digital Output
↓
LED
Common Uses
LEDs
Buzzers
Relays
Simple modules
Digital Input
[INSERT BLOCK IMAGE HERE: Digital Input]
Digital Input reads a signal from a component.
Example
Button
↓
Digital Input
↓
Program
Common Uses
Push buttons
Switches
Motion sensors
Digital sensors
Analog Input
[INSERT BLOCK IMAGE HERE: Analog Input]
Unlike digital signals, analog values can change continuously.
Example
A potentiometer might produce:
0
↓
2000
↓
4095
Concept
Sensor
↓
Analog Value
↓
Program
Analog means "how much" instead of simply ON or OFF.
PWM Output
[INSERT BLOCK IMAGE HERE: PWM Output]
PWM allows you to control the strength of an output.
Example
Low PWM
↓
Dim LED
High PWM
↓
Bright LED
Common Uses
LED brightness
Motor speed
Servo control
Sound generation
Easy Memory Rule
PWM Value
↓
How much output
Inputs vs Outputs
| Type | Direction |
|---|---|
| Input | Into the Program |
| Output | Out of the Program |
Input
Button
↓
Program
Output
Program
↓
LED
Inputs bring information IN. Outputs send information OUT.
Inputs + Logic + Outputs
Most robotics projects follow the same pattern:
INPUT
↓
THINK
↓
OUTPUT
Example:
Button Pressed?
↓
TRUE
↓
LED ON
Beginner Pins Projects
Push Button LED
Button
↓
Program
↓
LED
Skills:
Digital Input
Digital Output
Logic
Traffic Light
Program
↓
LED Outputs
Skills:
Outputs
Timing
Control
Brightness Controller
Potentiometer
↓
Analog Input
↓
PWM
↓
LED
Skills:
Analog Input
PWM
Math
Quick Guide for Students
Need ON or OFF?
Use:
Digital
Need a button?
Use:
Digital Input
Need to turn something on?
Use:
Digital Output
Need a changing sensor value?
Use:
Analog Input
Need brightness or speed control?
Use:
PWM
Quick Reference
| Family | Main Idea |
|---|---|
| HIGH / LOW | ON or OFF |
| Digital Input | Read signals |
| Digital Output | Control components |
| Analog Input | Read changing values |
| PWM | Control brightness or speed |
Summary
In this lesson, you learned how pins connect your program to the real world.
You explored:
Digital Inputs
Digital Outputs
HIGH and LOW
Analog Inputs
PWM Outputs
Pins allow your program to communicate with buttons, LEDs, sensors, motors, and many other electronic components.
Recommended Learning Progression
HIGH / LOW
↓
DIGITAL OUTPUT
↓
DIGITAL INPUT
↓
ANALOG INPUT
↓
PWM
Key Takeaway
Pins are the connection points between your code and the real world. They allow your program to receive information from sensors and send instructions to LEDs, motors, buzzers, and other electronic components.