"Make your life a mission - not an intermission." - Arnold H. Glasgow
Introduction to Loops

Loops allow you to repeat sections of code efficiently. Blockly has three types of loops:

• For Loops: Repeat code a specific number of times.

• While Loops: Repeat code as long as a condition is true.

• Until Loops: Repeat code until a condition is true.

Using For Loops

For loops repeat code a set number of times. Blockly offers two for loop blocks:

• Repeat _ times: Specify a number directly or use a variable.

• Count with: More advanced, using a variable to count within a range.

1. Access Blockly: Open the CoDrone Blockly interface.

2. Find the For Loop Block:

   • Locate the "Loops" category in the Blockly toolbox.

   • Drag the "repeat _ times" block or the "count with" block to the workspace.

3. Set the Loop Count:

   • For "repeat _ times": Enter the number of iterations directly.

   • For "count with": Define the variable, start value, end value, and step size.

4. Add Actions:

   • Place the actions you want to repeat inside the loop block.

   • Examples include moving the drone, changing LED colors, or playing sounds.

5. Run the Program: Upload the code to your drone and observe the repeated actions.

For more detailed examples and instructions, visit Robolink's CoDrone Blockly Jr Loops Lesson.

While Loops

While loops repeat code while a condition is true. Use them to perform actions repeatedly based on dynamic conditions.

Until Loops

Until loops function like while loops but run until a condition is true, useful for tasks needing repetition until a specific event occurs.

Explore more at Robolink's CoDrone Blockly Jr Loops Lesson.

While Loops

1. Access Blockly: Open the CoDrone Blockly interface.

2. Find the While Loop Block:

   • Go to the "Loops" category in the Blockly toolbox.

   • Drag the "while" block to the workspace.

3. Set the Condition:

   • Define the condition that needs to be true for the loop to execute.

   • Example: while (battery level > 20%).

4. Add Actions:

   • Place the actions you want to repeat inside the while block.

   • Examples: move forward, turn left, etc.

5. Run the Program: Upload the code to your drone and observe the repeated actions until the condition is false.

Until Loops

1. Find the Until Loop Block:

   • In the "Loops" category, find the "repeat until" block.

   • Drag it to the workspace.

2. Set the Condition:

   • Define the condition that needs to be true for the loop to stop.

   • Example: until (distance < 10cm).

3. Add Actions:

   • Place the actions you want to repeat inside the until block.

   • Examples: hover, change LED color, etc.

4. Run the Program: Upload the code to your drone and observe the repeated actions until the condition becomes true.

For detailed examples and further guidance, visit Robolink's CoDrone Blockly Jr Loops Lesson.

Practical Examples

• Program a Stair-Climbing Drone: Use for loops to make the drone ascend steps.

• Shape-Flying Drone: Use while loops to fly in geometric patterns.

• Disco Drone Challenge: Use loops to create dynamic LED light patterns on the drone, like a disco ball. Add music to make it more interesting.

• What is an LED?

  An LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is a small electronic component that emits light when electricity passes through it. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, which use a filament that heats up to produce light, LEDs use a semiconductor to emit light. This makes LEDs much more energy-efficient and longer-lasting.

  LEDs on Your CoDrone

  Your CoDrone is equipped with 6 RGB LEDs: one on each arm, one for the eyes, and one for the tail. RGB stands for red, green, and blue, and by combining these colors, you can create almost any color imaginable.

  Traditional Bulbs vs. LEDs

  Traditional Bulbs:

  • Mechanism: Use a filament that heats up to produce light.

  • Energy Use: Consume more power, as a lot of energy is lost as heat.

  • Lifespan: Shorter lifespan, often needing replacement.

  LEDs:

  • Mechanism: Use a semiconductor to emit light when an electric current passes through.

  • Energy Use: More efficient, using less power to produce the same amount of light.

  • Lifespan: Much longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

  LEDs on Your CoDrone

  The CoDrone has 6 RGB LEDs: one on each of the four arms, one for the eyes, and one for the tail. These LEDs can be programmed to display a wide range of colors, not only making the drone look cool but also providing important feedback. For example, the tail light shows the drone's connection status: a solid green means it's connected, while a flashing green means it's in pairing mode. While the tail light's color is fixed, you can program the other LEDs to display any color and pattern you want.

Parameters for CoDrone LED Controls

CoDrone allows you to control the arm LEDs, eye LEDs, or both through the Lights menu. Each LED block has several parameters:

• Color: Click on the color to open a menu and choose the desired LED color.

• Brightness: For solid LED blocks, set the brightness from 0 (off) to 100 (full brightness).

• Mode: Choose the light pattern:

  • BLINK: LEDs flash on and off.

  • DOUBLE BLINK: LEDs flash twice before turning off.

  • DIMMING: LEDs fade in and out.

• Interval: Set the frequency (per second) for light patterns, ensuring the interval value is positive

Practical Elementary Exercises with CoDrone LED Parameters

Exercise 1: Color Fun

• Objective: Change the color of the drone's LEDs.

• Instructions:

  1. Open the Lights menu.

  2. Drag the "set arm LEDs to" block to the workspace.

  3. Click on the color parameter and choose a color (e.g., red, blue, green).

  4. Upload the code and observe the LEDs change color.

Exercise 2: Brightness Control

• Objective: Adjust the brightness of the LEDs.

• Instructions:

  1. Select the "set arm LEDs to" block from the Lights menu.

  2. Set the brightness parameter to different values (0, 25, 50, 75, 100).

  3. Upload the code each time and observe the brightness change.

Exercise 3: Light Patterns

• Objective: Explore different light modes.

• Instructions:

  1. Select the "set arm LEDs to" block.

  2. Choose a mode: BLINK, DOUBLE BLINK, or DIMMING.

  3. Set the interval (e.g., 1 second).

  4. Upload the code and watch the LEDs display different patterns.

Exercise 4: Rainbow Cycle

• Objective: Create a rainbow cycle with the LEDs.

• Instructions:

  1. Use multiple "set arm LEDs to" blocks.

  2. Set each block to a different color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).

  3. Arrange the blocks to change colors every 2 seconds.

  4. Upload the code and watch the LEDs cycle through colors.

Exercise 5: Connection Status Indicator

• Objective: Program the tail light to indicate connection status.

• Instructions:

  1. Select the "set tail LED to" block.

  2. Program it to show solid green when connected and flashing green when in pairing mode.

  3. Test the drone by connecting and disconnecting it, observing the tail light for status changes.

These exercises provide clear, step-by-step instructions to help students understand and experiment with CoDrone LED parameters in a hands-on and engaging way.

Understanding Morse Code

Morse Code: A communication system using a series of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals) to represent letters, numbers, and punctuation. It was historically used in telegraphy and radio communications.

• Dot: Short signal (e.g., short blink)

• Dash: Long signal (e.g., long blink)

Exercise: Using Morse Code with Drone LEDs

Objective

• Program your drone's LEDs to blink in Morse code to spell "SOS" (the universal distress signal).

Instructions

1. Open Blockly Interface:

   • Access the CoDrone Blockly interface.

2. Create Morse Code for SOS:

   • S: ... (dot-dot-dot)

   • O: --- (dash-dash-dash)

   • S: ... (dot-dot-dot)

3. Program Dots and Dashes:

   • Use the "set arm LEDs to" block.

   • For dots: Set a short blink (e.g., 0.2 seconds on, 0.2 seconds off).

   • For dashes: Set a long blink (e.g., 0.6 seconds on, 0.2 seconds off).

4. Arrange Blocks:

   • Sequence the blocks to create ... --- ... with appropriate delays between letters (e.g., 0.6 seconds).

5. Example Code:

   python

   Copy code

   set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.6 seconds # Space between letters set LED to on for 0.6 seconds # Dash set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.6 seconds # Dash set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.6 seconds # Dash set LED to off for 0.6 seconds # Space between letters set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.2 seconds set LED to on for 0.2 seconds # Dot set LED to off for 0.6 seconds # End

6. Upload and Test:

   • Upload the code to your drone.

   • Observe the LEDs blink in Morse code, spelling "SOS".

This exercise teaches students how to use loops, timings, and LED control to create meaningful signals with their drones.

4o

The Morse Code alphabet and learn some letters.