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Home > IoT & Hardware > Robotics > Arduino for Secret Agents
Arduino for Secret Agents
Arduino for Secret Agents

Arduino for Secret Agents: Transform your tiny Arduino device into a secret agent gadget to build a range of espionage projects with this practical guide for hackers

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Arduino for Secret Agents

Chapter 2. Creating a Spy Microphone

In this chapter, we are going to build a very useful device for any secret agent: a spy microphone. The project will be based on Arduino, with a simple amplified microphone and an SD card.

The following are the steps that we are going to take to build this project:

  • We will see how to configure the project in order to make sure that it is recording for a given amount of time that can be configured by the user
  • Then, the recorded audio file will be written on the SD card and be accessible from any computer
  • Before doing that, we will test all the components of the project individually

Let's dive in!

Hardware and software requirements

Let's first see what the required components for this project are. As usual, we will use an Arduino Uno board as the 'brain' of the project.

Then, we will need a microphone. I used a simple SparkFun electret microphone, which has an amplifier onboard, as shown in the following image:

Hardware and software requirements

The most important thing here is that the microphone is amplified. For example, SparkFun is amplified 100 times, making it possible for the Arduino Uno to record usual sound levels (such as voices).

Then, you will need a microSD card with an adapter:

Hardware and software requirements

You will also need a way to record data on the SD card. There are many ways to do so with Arduino. The easiest, which is the solution that I chose here, is to use a shield. I had an Ethernet Shield available, which is great because it also has an onboard microSD card reader.

You can, of course, use any shield with a microSD card reader or even a microSD reader breakout board.

You will also need a breadboard and some...

Using the SD card

The first thing that we are going to do in this project is to test whether we can actually access the SD card. This will ensure that we don't run into SD card-related problems later in the project.

This is a picture of the Ethernet Shield that I used, with the microSD card mounted on the right:

Using the SD card

Let's now see the code that we will use to test the SD card's functionalities. The following is the complete code for this section:

// Include the SD library
#include <SPI.h>
#include <SD.h>

// Set up variables using the SD utility library functions:
Sd2Card card;
SdVolume volume;
SdFile root;

// change this to match your SD shield or module;
// Arduino Ethernet shield: pin 4
// Adafruit SD shields and modules: pin 10
// Sparkfun SD shield: pin 8
const int chipSelect = 4;

void setup()
{
  // Open serial communications and wait for port to open:
  Serial.begin(115200);
  while (!Serial) {
    ; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for Leonardo only...

Testing the microphone

We are now going to make sure that the microphone is working correctly and especially check whether it can record voice levels, for example. I had a problem when I was testing the prototype of this project with a microphone that wasn't amplified; I just couldn't hear anything on the recording.

The first step is to plug the microphone into the Arduino board. There are 3 pins to connect the microphone: VCC, GND, and AUD. Connect VCC to the Arduino 5V pin, GND to the Arduino GND pin, and AUD to the Arduino analog pin A5.

The following is a schematic to help you out:

Testing the microphone

Here is an image of the final result:

Testing the microphone

We are now going to use a very simple sketch to read out the signal from the microphone and print it on the serial monitor:

// Microphone test

void setup() {
 
  // Start Serial
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
 
  // Read the input on analog pin 5:
  int sensorValue = analogRead(A5);
 
  // Print out the value you read:
  Serial.println(sensorValue);
 ...

Building the spy microphone

In this section, we are going to put everything together and actually build our spy microphone.

The hardware for the project is nearly ready if you followed the previous section. You just need to plug the SD card into the reader again.

I also added an LED on pin 7, just to know when the recording is on. If you want to do the same, you just need an LED and a 330 Ohm resistor. Of course, remove this LED when you actually want to use it as a spy microphone or your project might get noticed.

The schematic to help you out is as follows:

Building the spy microphone

The following is the image of the completely assembled project:

Building the spy microphone

We are now going to see the details of the code for the project. Basically, we want the device to record audio from the microphone for a given amount of time and then stop the recording.

As the code is long and complex, we are only going to see the most important parts here.

The first step is to include the SdFat library:

#include <SdFat.h>

Then, we will create the instances...

Recording on the SD card

In the last section of the chapter, we are actually going to test the project and record some audio.

First, copy all the code and paste it into the Arduino IDE. Compile it and upload it to the Arduino board. Note that, as soon as you do that, the project will start recording the audio. If you have connected the optional LED on pin 7, the LED should also be on during the recording phase.

You can now talk a bit or play your favorite song just to make sure that actual audio is being recorded by the microphone.

Then, after the amount of time defined in the code, stop the project by disconnecting the power. Then, remove the SD card and insert it into your computer.

On your computer, navigate to the SD card and you will see that one file was recorded:

Recording on the SD card

You can now simply open this file with your favorite audio player and listen to what was just recorded.

I, for example, opened it with the free audio editing software, Audacity, to see how the waveform looked like:

Recording on the SD card

Congratulations...

Hardware and software requirements

Let's first see what the required components for this project are. As usual, we will use an Arduino Uno board as the 'brain' of the project.

Then, we will need a microphone. I used a simple SparkFun electret microphone, which has an amplifier onboard, as shown in the following image:

The most important thing here is that the microphone is amplified. For example, SparkFun is amplified 100 times, making it possible for the Arduino Uno to record usual sound levels (such as voices).

Then, you will need a microSD card with an adapter:

You will also need a way to record data on the SD card. There are many ways to do so with Arduino. The easiest, which is the solution that I chose here, is to use a shield. I had an Ethernet Shield available, which is great because it also has an onboard microSD card reader.

You can, of course, use any shield with a microSD card reader or even a microSD reader breakout board.

You will also need a breadboard and some jumper wires to make...

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Key benefits

  • • Discover the limitless possibilities of the tiny Arduino and build your own secret agent projects
  • • From a fingerprint sensor to a GPS Tracker and even a robot– learn how to get more from your Arduino
  • • Build nine secret agent projects using the power and simplicity of the Arduino platform

Description

Q might have Bond’s gadgets– but he doesn’t have an Arduino (not yet at least). Find out how the tiny Arduino microcomputer can be used to build an impressive range of neat secret agent projects that can help you go undercover and get to grips with the cutting-edge of the world of espionage with this book, created for ardent Arduino fans and anyone new to the powerful device. Each chapter shows you how to construct a different secret agent gadget, helping you to unlock the full potential of your Arduino and make sure you have a solution for every tricky spying situation. You’ll find out how to build everything from an alarm system to a fingerprint sensor, each project demonstrating a new feature of Arduino, so you can build your expertise as you complete each project. Learn how to open a lock with a text message, monitor top secret data remotely, and even create your own Arduino Spy Robot, Spy Microphone System, and Cloud Spy Camera This book isn’t simply an instruction manual – it helps you put your knowledge into action so you can build every single project to completion.

Who is this book for?

This book is for Arduino programmers with intermediate experience of developing projects, and who want to extend their knowledge by building projects for secret agents. It would also be great for other programmers who are interested in learning about electronics and programming on the Arduino platform.

What you will learn

  • • Get to know the full range of Arduino features so you can be creative through practical projects
  • • Discover how to create a simple alarm system and a fingerprint sensor
  • • Find out how to transform your Arduino into a GPS tracker
  • • Use the Arduino to monitor top secret data
  • • Build a complete spy robot!
  • • Build a set of other spy projects such as Cloud Camera and Microphone System

Product Details

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Publication date : Nov 20, 2015
Length: 170 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781783986095
Vendor :
Arduino
Category :
IoT & Hardware
Languages :
Python
Concepts :
Robotics
Tools :
Arduino

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Publication date : Nov 20, 2015
Length: 170 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781783986095
Vendor :
Arduino
Category :
IoT & Hardware
Languages :
Python
Concepts :
Robotics
Tools :
Arduino

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Table of Contents

10 Chapters
1. A Simple Alarm System with Arduino Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
1. A Simple Alarm System with Arduino
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Configuring the alarm system
Testing the alarm system
Summary
2. Creating a Spy Microphone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Creating a Spy Microphone
Hardware and software requirements
Using the SD card
Testing the microphone
Building the spy microphone
Recording on the SD card
Summary
3. Building an EMF Bug Detector Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Building an EMF Bug Detector
Hardware and Software requirements
Hardware configuration
Testing the LCD screen
Building the EMF bug detector
Summary
4. Access Control with a Fingerprint Sensor Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Access Control with a Fingerprint Sensor
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Enrolling your fingerprint
Controlling access to the relay
Accessing secret data
Summary
5. Opening a Lock with an SMS Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Opening a Lock with an SMS
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Testing the FONA shield
Controlling the relay
Opening and closing the lock
Summary
6. Building a Cloud Spy Camera Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Building a Cloud Spy Camera
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Setting up your Dropbox account
Setting up your Temboo account
Saving pictures to Dropbox
Live streaming from the spy camera
Summary
7. Monitoring Secret Data from Anywhere Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Monitoring Secret Data from Anywhere
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Sending data to dweet.io
Monitoring the device remotely
Creating automated e-mail alerts
Summary
8. Creating a GPS Tracker with Arduino Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Creating a GPS Tracker with Arduino
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Testing the location functions
Sending a GPS location by SMS
Building a GPS location tracker
Summary
9. Building an Arduino Spy Robot Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Building an Arduino Spy Robot
Hardware and software requirements
Hardware configuration
Setting up the motor control
Setting up live streaming
Setting up the interface
Testing the surveillance robot
Summary
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index

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what the doctor order
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What a fun book! I really enjoyed this book. I've only built two of the nine projects so far but both worked great and they were very straightforward. Ideally I'd give the book 4.5 stars because I do think the projects could use a little more "why" and I'm guessing folks not experienced at building projects like these might struggle with the assembly on a couple of the projects but both of these are very minor issues, hence deciding to go with five stars instead of four. All in all a great collection of fun projects that, more importantly, leave you with a great cookbook of code and examples that can easily be expanded on with personal experimentation. Highly recommended if you are looking for fun projects to build with Arduino.
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About the author

Profile icon Marco Schwartz
Marco Schwartz
Marco Schwartz is an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and blogger. He has a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Supélec, France, and a master's degree in micro engineering from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. He has more than five years' experience working in the domain of electrical engineering. Marco's interests center around electronics, home automation, the Arduino and Raspberry Pi platforms, open source hardware projects, and 3D printing. He has several websites about the Arduino, including the Open Home Automation website, which is dedicated to building home automation systems using open source hardware. Marco has written another book on home automation and the Arduino, called Home Automation With Arduino: Automate Your Home Using Open-source Hardware. He has also written a book on how to build Internet of Things projects with the Arduino, called Internet of Things with the Arduino Yun, by Packt Publishing.
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