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5 · Communication & data

Three tasks in parallel

Expert30 min

Goal

Blink, measure and display at three different rates.

Why it matters

A cooperative scheduler fits in 20 lines and never blocks.

What you need

  • Arduino UNO board
  • 5 mm LED
  • 220 Ω resistor

Nothing to buy: every component below is simulated in the browser.

Steps

  1. 01Create three “last run” variables and three intervals.
  2. 02Test each one independently inside loop().
  3. 03Check that no delay() is used.

This tutorial runs inside the Circuitly simulator: your wiring and your code are checked automatically at every step.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy hardware for this tutorial?
No. Everything runs in the browser: Circuitly simulates the board, the components and the code. Real hardware is optional if you want to rebuild the circuit afterwards.
Which components are used?
Arduino UNO board, 5 mm LED, 220 Ω resistor. They are already available in the simulator library.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes, expert level, in 3 guided steps.
What should I know before starting?
The previous tutorial in the series, “State machine”, is enough preparation. No software install is required.
Is the code provided and checked?
The simulator checks your wiring and your code automatically at every step, and shows the commented solution if you get stuck.

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