Project Hub /Audio Displays & Interactive Media/LED Matrix & Cube Displays/Blink LED Using Random Number Generator

Intermediate

INDUSBOARD

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Blink LED Using Random Number Generator

Learn how to generate random numbers using an IndusBoard and Arduino IDE to control and blink LEDs in an unpredictable sequence.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Cable for Arduino Nano (USB 2.0 A to USB 2.0 Mini B) 30cm Rs. 69.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: Other Dev Board (Indusboard / Maixduino / misc)

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How It Works

The 'Blink LED Using Random Number Generator' project utilizes the IndusBoard Coin development board to drive four separate 5mm LEDs through a programmed software sequence. At the core of the system is the microcontroller on the IndusBoard, programmed via the Arduino IDE, which leverages a pseudo-random number generation algorithm. When the code executes, the microcontroller continuously computes unpredictable numerical values. Each generated number maps directly to a specific general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pin connected to one of the LEDs. By constantly varying the target pin and the active duration, the microcontroller sends discrete voltage pulses that toggle the LEDs on and off in an erratic, non-repetitive pattern. Between each IndusBoard GPIO pin and its corresponding 5mm LED sits a 1k ohm resistor wired in series. These 1k ohm resistors serve a critical circuit function by limiting the forward current flowing through the LEDs when the pins pull high, preventing excessive current draw that could otherwise damage the semiconductor junctions or overload the IndusBoard's internal power regulators. Connecting wires complete the physical circuit paths from the development board pins, through the current-limiting resistors, across the LEDs, and back to the board's ground reference. Powered via a standard USB cable connected to a host computer or power source, the entire system operates harmoniously to translate abstract software-level randomness into tangible, dynamic visual outputs.

Why Build This

Develop algorithmic random-state logic suitable for undergraduate-level embedded control systems and cryptographic prototyping.

Implement foundational hardware-software integration by bridging microcontroller math functions with physical GPIO switching.

Design unpredictable visual lighting arrays applicable to interactive media installations and behavioral testing edge-case simulations.

Real-World Application

Random number generators are used in cryptography, secure token generation, games, software testing edge cases, and creating unpredictable lighting effects to avoid synchronization issues.

Skills You'll Learn

pseudo-random number generation

digital GPIO control

current-limiting resistor calculation

Arduino IDE firmware flashing

basic schematic wiring

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

ARDUINO IDE

C++

MICROCONTROLLERS

LEDS

RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR

INDUSBOARD

GPIO

ANALOG READ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are 1k ohm resistors necessary for the LEDs?

The 1k ohm resistors limit the electrical current flowing from the IndusBoard pins through the 5mm LEDs, protecting both the components and the board from overcurrent damage.

Can I use this project with a standard development board instead of the IndusBoard Coin?

Yes, any compatible microcontroller running the Arduino IDE with enough available digital GPIO pins can execute the code, though physical wiring dimensions will vary with board form factors.

How is true randomness achieved by the microcontroller?

Microcontrollers typically use pseudo-random number generators seeded by floating analog pins or internal timing loops, producing a sequence that appears statistically random for interactive applications.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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