Initial commit: D1 Mini Blinkin LED Driver Emulator for FTC

INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md

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+# Installation Guide - D1 Mini Blinkin Emulator
+
+## Two Ways to Install
+
+### Option 1: PlatformIO (Recommended for VS Code Users)
+
+#### Step 1: Install PlatformIO
+1. Open VS Code
+2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
+3. Search for "PlatformIO IDE"
+4. Click Install
+5. Restart VS Code
+
+#### Step 2: Open the Project
+1. File → Open Folder
+2. Select `KrakenKodersAllianceLights` folder
+3. PlatformIO will auto-detect the project
+
+#### Step 3: Install Libraries
+The libraries should install automatically when you build. If not:
+
+**Method A: Through PlatformIO Home**
+1. Click PlatformIO icon in sidebar
+2. Open "PIO Home" → Libraries
+3. Search for "Adafruit NeoPixel"
+4. Click "Add to Project"
+5. Select your project
+
+**Method B: Manual Command**
+1. Open PlatformIO Terminal (bottom toolbar)
+2. Run: `pio lib install "Adafruit NeoPixel"`
+
+#### Step 4: Configure Your Settings
+Edit `src/D1Mini_Blinkin_Ready.ino`:
+```cpp
+#define NUM_LEDS 60        // Your LED count
+#define BRIGHTNESS 100     // 0-255
+```
+
+#### Step 5: Build and Upload
+1. Connect D1 Mini via USB
+2. Click checkmark (✓) to build
+3. Click arrow (→) to upload
+
+### Option 2: Arduino IDE (Simpler for Beginners)
+
+#### Step 1: Install Arduino IDE
+Download from: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
+
+#### Step 2: Add ESP8266 Board Support
+1. Open Arduino IDE
+2. File → Preferences
+3. In "Additional Board Manager URLs" add:
+   ```
+   http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
+   ```
+4. Click OK
+5. Tools → Board → Board Manager
+6. Search "ESP8266"
+7. Install "ESP8266 by ESP8266 Community"
+
+#### Step 3: Install NeoPixel Library
+1. Tools → Manage Libraries
+2. Search "Adafruit NeoPixel"
+3. Click Install
+4. Also install any dependencies it asks for
+
+#### Step 4: Open the Sketch
+1. File → Open
+2. Navigate to `D1Mini_Blinkin_Arduino.ino`
+
+#### Step 5: Configure Board Settings
+Tools menu:
+- Board: "LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 R2 & mini"
+- Upload Speed: 921600
+- CPU Frequency: 80 MHz
+- Flash Size: 4MB (FS:2MB OTA:~1019KB)
+- Port: Select your COM port (appears when D1 Mini connected)
+
+#### Step 6: Configure Your LEDs
+Edit these lines in the code:
+```cpp
+#define NUM_LEDS 60        // Your LED count
+#define BRIGHTNESS 100     // 0-255
+```
+
+#### Step 7: Upload
+1. Connect D1 Mini via USB
+2. Click Upload button (→)
+3. Wait for "Done uploading"
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### PlatformIO Issues
+
+**"Adafruit_NeoPixel.h not found"**
+- Ensure platformio.ini contains:
+  ```ini
+  lib_deps = 
+      adafruit/Adafruit NeoPixel@^1.11.0
+  ```
+- Clean and rebuild: PlatformIO → Clean, then Build
+
+**"Platform not installed"**
+- Terminal: `pio platform install espressif8266`
+
+**Wrong COM Port**
+- Add to platformio.ini:
+  ```ini
+  upload_port = COM3  ; Change to your port
+  monitor_port = COM3
+  ```
+
+### Arduino IDE Issues
+
+**"Board not found"**
+- Ensure ESP8266 package is installed
+- Restart Arduino IDE
+- Select correct board from Tools → Board menu
+
+**"Port not showing"**
+- Install CH340 drivers: https://sparks.gogo.co.nz/ch340.html
+- Try different USB cable (data cable, not charge-only)
+- Windows: Check Device Manager for COM port
+
+**"Upload failed"**
+- Hold FLASH button on D1 Mini while uploading starts
+- Release after upload begins
+- Try slower upload speed (115200)
+
+### General Issues
+
+**LEDs not working after upload**
+- Check wiring (D4 → LED Data)
+- Verify LED strip has power
+- Test with Serial Monitor for debug output
+- Check voltage divider if using servo port
+
+**Wrong colors or flickering**
+- Some LED strips are RGB instead of GRB
+- Change in code:
+  ```cpp
+  // From:
+  Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(NUM_LEDS, LED_DATA_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
+  // To:
+  Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(NUM_LEDS, LED_DATA_PIN, NEO_RGB + NEO_KHZ800);
+  ```
+
+## Testing Your Installation
+
+### Serial Monitor Test
+1. Open Serial Monitor (115200 baud)
+2. Should see:
+   ```
+   D1 Mini Blinkin Emulator
+   Kraken Koders FTC Team
+   LEDs: 60
+   Ready!
+   ```
+
+### LED Test
+1. LEDs should show green sweep on startup
+2. Without PWM input, LEDs turn off
+3. With PWM input, patterns change
+
+### Simple Blink Test
+Upload this minimal test first:
+```cpp
+#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
+#define PIN 2  // D4
+#define NUMPIXELS 10
+
+Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
+
+void setup() {
+  pixels.begin();
+  pixels.setBrightness(50);
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  pixels.clear();
+  pixels.setPixelColor(0, pixels.Color(255, 0, 0));
+  pixels.show();
+  delay(500);
+  pixels.clear();
+  pixels.show();
+  delay(500);
+}
+```
+
+## Next Steps
+
+1. **Build the voltage divider** - See VOLTAGE_DIVIDER_BUILD_GUIDE.md
+2. **Test with servo tester** - Verify PWM reading
+3. **Connect to FTC robot** - Configure as servo device
+4. **Customize patterns** - Add your team colors!
+
+## Quick Command Reference
+
+### PlatformIO Commands
+```bash
+pio run                  # Build
+pio run -t upload        # Upload
+pio run -t clean         # Clean
+pio device monitor       # Serial monitor
+pio lib install "name"   # Install library
+```
+
+### Arduino IDE Shortcuts
+- Ctrl+R - Verify/Compile
+- Ctrl+U - Upload
+- Ctrl+Shift+M - Serial Monitor
+- Ctrl+Shift+L - Library Manager
+
+## Support
+
+If you're still having issues:
+1. Check all connections with multimeter
+2. Try the simple blink test first
+3. Enable DEBUG_MODE in code for more output
+4. Verify voltage divider output is 2.5-3.3V
+5. Test with different USB cable/port
+
+Remember: The D1 Mini is 3.3V logic - never connect 5V directly to GPIO pins!