Arduino Simulation 101: Create Circuits Without the Hardware
Working with Arduino microcontroller boards is easier than ever, thanks to all the resources available online. you may find countless Arduino hardware and software guides on the web, and the hardware itself is affordable and accessible to people from all walks of life. But what happens if you want to write your code before committing to buying Arduino hardware?
This is where Arduino simulation comes in. Offering a great learning and prototyping tool, a good Arduino simulator will serve you well whenever you want to test code without using hardware.
The Best (Free) Arduino Emulators/Simulators Online
In the true open-source spirit of Arduino, many of the simulator tools available online are free to use. Let’s explore three of the best free Arduino simulators around. There are loads ofgreat beginner Arduino projectsavailable online to get you started.
Wokwi Online Arduino and ESP32 Simulator
The Wokwi Online Arduino and ESP32 Simulator is an incredibly easy tool to use, offering loads of freedom when creating your circuits. The tool works exclusively in your browser, with a comprehensive range of Arduino components available to play with, including buttons, displays, and a host of sensors.
One of Wokwi’s main perks is that it lets you choose the I/O pins you want for each of your components. It also features all the most popular and common Arduino boards to provide an accurate experience.
Autodesk Tinkercad Circuits
Autodesk’s Tinkercad Circuits online circuit simulator isn’t as comprehensive as Wokwi when it comes to components, but the interface is more modern and easier to use. Only a handful of microcontroller boards are available with Tinkercad Circuits, making the tool best for those using Arduino Uno boards.
SimulIDE is the only Arduino simulator on this list that has to be installed on your computer. The software is available for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it just as easy to access as Wokwi and Tinkercad Circuits.
This software has a very old-school UI that may seem intimidating at first. Once you get past this, though, SimulIDE is an excellent Arduino simulator with one of the most comprehensive ranges of components available in a tool like this.
How to Simulate an Arduino Circuit and Code
Each of these Arduino simulators works quite similarly, but it’s worth exploring all of them to get an idea of which is best for you. To keep things fair, we will use the same code and hardware with each of the simulators: the standard Blink example that comes with the Arduino IDE.
How to Use Wokwi to Create an Arduino Circuit
Head to theWokwi websiteand scroll down the homepage to find theStart from Scratchsection. SelectArduino Unoto create a new project with it (or your chosen board) preloaded.
In the Simulation window, click on the blue “+” icon and selectLEDfrom the list. Go to the same menu again and add aResistorto the project.
Click on the Arduino’sGND pinand drag the new wire to the left leg of the LED. Follow this by clickingpin 13on the Arduino and connecting it to one end of the resistor. Connect the other end of the resistor to the right leg of the LED.
Now it’s time to add the code. Delete the code template that loaded with the new project and paste the Blink example code into the box.
Once complete, you can click on the green play (right arrow) button to launch your simulation. Your LED should blink on and off.
How to Use Tinkercad Circuit to Create an Arduino Circuit
Head to theAutodesk Tinkercad Circuitwebsite and log in or create a new account to get started. Once you have access to the dashboard, scroll down the page and selectCreate Your First Circuits Designin the Circuits section.
You will now see a blank canvas and a list of components on the right-hand side. Scroll down the list or search for “Arduino” and select theArduino Uno R3option from the list to add it to the canvas. Do the same to add anLEDand aresistorto the canvas.
Click on the Arduino’sGND pinand drag the wire to the left leg of the LED. Next, clickpin 13on the Arduino, and drag the wire to the closest leg of the resistor. Connect the other end of the resistor to the right leg of the LED.
Tinkercad Circuits works with both block- and code-based programming. For this demonstration, we are using code, but you can also make this work with blocks if you want. ClickCodeon the right of the screen and selectTextfrom the dropdown. Paste the code into this box and hitStart Simulationto see the code in action.
How to Use SimulIDE to Create an Arduino Circuit
Unlike Tindercad Circuits and Wokwi, SimulIDE is a downloadable application. Head to theSimulIDE website, download the latest version for your operating system, unpack the file, and run the EXE file inside.
We’re not quite ready to get started, yet. Alongside SimulIDE itself, you also need to download a legacy version of the Arduino IDE. Arduino IDE 1.8.19, to be precise. Head to theArduino website, download the zip version for your operating system and unpack it.
Launch SimulIDE and select theNew Fileicon above the right-hand canvas. Next, select theSettingscogwheel left of the New File icon, click onCompiler Settings, and make sure thatArduinois selected from the dropdown menu of devices. Set the Tool Path to the Arduino IDE directory you downloaded. In our case, this is F:\arduino-1.8.19-windows\arduino-1.8.19.
Now it’s time to add some hardware. Find anArduino Uno, anLED, and aresistorfrom the list on the left of the screen and drag them into the left-hand canvas. Much like the other circuits, connect theGND pinof the Arduino to the ground leg of the LED. Connectpin 13on the Arduino to one end of the resistor, and the other end of the resistor to the free leg of the LED.
Paste the code into the right-hand canvas. From here, click on theDebugicon above the right-hand canvas, save the file with a new name, and wait for the process to complete. Click on theRun to Breakpointicon above the right-hand canvas to run the simulation.
Which Arduino Simulator Is Best for You?
As you could see, building a circuit in Wokwi, Tinkercad Circuits, or SimulIDE is a similar process. Each of these tools stands out for different reasons, though, and the process we have just gone through makes it easier to see their strengths.
Get Started With Arduino Programming
If you don’t have an Arduino to hand, using one of these simulators is a great way to start learning to program one and plan an electronic project.
Arduinos are a great tool for any budding programmer or maker. They are easy to use, accessible, and loads of fun, and there are loads of articles on the MakeUseOf site to get you started. Whether you want to make a portable game console or desktop thermometer, it’s worth getting started with your Arduino dreams today.
Which programming language should you use for your microcontroller projects? Let’s explore the four best options.
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