DESIGN OF PEDOMETER USING ARDUINO
AND ADXL335 ACCELEROMETER
Aravind Vignesh C, Athish AS, Barani P, Boomiga R
21D209, 21D211, 21d212, 21d213
Department of Bio-Medical Engineering,
PSG College of Technology.
I. ABSTRACT II. INTRODUCTION
Pedometers are essential for tracking physical Pedometers have emerged as essential tools
activity and fostering healthier lifestyles. This for monitoring physical activity, particularly
paper introduces a unique pedometer system in the context of promoting healthy lifestyles
that utilizes the Arduino platform and the and tracking fitness goals. These devices
ADXL335 accelerometer. Unlike traditional typically employ various sensors to estimate
digital step counters, our solution prioritizes the distance traveled by individuals on foot,
simplicity and efficiency through analog primarily by counting steps taken. While
technology. The ADXL335's three-axis numerous projects exist utilizing step
acceleration measurement capability forms counters, this paper focuses on leveraging
the foundation of our system, offering hardware components, specifically the
accurate step detection with minimal power ADXL335 accelerometer, integrated with
consumption. Combined with Arduino's Arduino microcontrollers, to devise a
open-source ecosystem and wide sensor pedometer solution. An accelerometer is a
compatibility, our solution provides a vital sensor in this project, serving to measure
customizable platform for fitness monitoring. proper acceleration experienced by the device
We explore accelerometer technology, it is installed in. Unlike digital sensors, the
interfacing methods, and programming ADXL335 is an analog sensor capable of
approaches to convert accelerometer data into measuring acceleration across three axes: x, y,
step counts. Additionally, we discuss and z. The utilization of analog technology
practical applications of our pedometer offers distinct advantages, particularly in
system in promoting physical activity and simplicity and efficiency, aligning with the
improving health outcomes. By blending project's objective to devise a straightforward
analog hardware simplicity with Arduino's pedometer solution. The ADXL335's
versatility, our pedometer offers an accessible attributes make it a suitable choice for this
tool for individuals and organizations aiming endeavor. With its low power consumption,
to monitor and enhance physical activity small form factor, and ability to measure both
levels. static and dynamic acceleration, it presents a
versatile option for accurately detecting steps
Keywords: Pedometer, Physical activity in a pedometer application. Furthermore, its
monitoring, Health tracking, Fitness high resolution and capability for tilt and tap
technology, Step detection, Sensor detection expand the functionality of the
integration, Simplified design, Accelerometer proposed solution. Arduino, as the chosen
technology. platform for integrating the ADXL335
accelerometer, offers a user-friendly
environment for developing and deploying the measuring distance, speed, and estimating
pedometer system. Leveraging the open- calories burned. The ADXL345
source nature of Arduino, alongside its accelerometer's on-chip FIFO buffer reduces
extensive support for various sensors and the need for host processor intervention,
actuators, facilitates seamless integration and thereby saving power. With its 13-bit
customization of the pedometer functionality. resolution, the accelerometer can accurately
In this paper, we delve into the technical measure low-speed walking.
aspects of utilizing the ADXL335 Yudhiakto, Pramudya., Muarif, Islamiah.
accelerometer with Arduino to develop a (2019) discusses the use of the ADXL345
pedometer solution. We explore the accelerometer sensor controlled by Arduino
underlying principles of accelerometer Uno to measure vibrations in an observatory
technology, the interfacing of the ADXL335 located on the top floor of a building. The
with Arduino, and the programming vibrations are generated by the activities in
intricacies involved in translating the observatory dome and may affect the
accelerometer data into step counts. main telescope. The ADXL345 sensor is a
Additionally, we discuss the practical small and thin accelerometer with low power
implications and potential applications of the requirements, capable of measuring
proposed pedometer system in promoting gravitational and dynamic acceleration. The
physical activity and wellness monitoring. vibration characteristics of the observatory
III. LITERATURE REVIEW were measured to be 0.2356 m/s2, 0.2707
m/s2, and 0.3056 m/s2, which were generated
R, Pawan, Sai., Suma, Bapanapalle., K, while moving the dome to locate celestial
Praveen., M., P., Sunil. (2016) presents a objects.
method for monitoring the distance covered Song, Hao-ran. (2006) discusses the use of
on feet and the calories burned during the ADXL330 accelerometer from Analog
walking, running, or jogging. It uses a 3-axis Device to create a high accuracy pedometer
MEMS digital accelerometer ADXL345 for portable consumer electronic devices. The
interfaced to a microcontroller Atmega328P ADXL330 is a 3-axis analog outputs, low g
to detect the motion of the arms during accelerometer with high sensitivity, high
walking. An algorithm is designed to relate accuracy (95%), high integration, and low
the movement of the arms to the movement power consumption (3.3 mW). It is suitable
of the feet, allowing for the calculation of the for measuring human steps and calculating
number of steps taken by the person. The consumed energy in devices like handsets,
algorithm then calculates the total distance MP3 players, and PMPs.
traveled by the person based on the number
IV. MATERIALS and METHODS
of steps taken. Additionally, a mathematical
formula is applied to the collected data to This project explores the use of an
calculate the total calories burned by the accelerometer with an Arduino Uno to create
person, which is then displayed on an LCD a step counter, a fundamental component of
display against the Basal Metabolic Rate many wearable fitness devices and health
(BMR) of the person. monitoring systems. The accelerometer
detects changes in acceleration along different
Neil, Zhao. (2010) presents a reference design
axes, providing data that can be used to infer
for a pedometer that utilizes the 3-axis
motion and activity levels.
ADXL345 accelerometer. The pedometer is
capable of recognizing and counting steps,
One of the key aspects of this project is the total acceleration magnitude. It then
calibration process, which involves taking compares this magnitude to a predefined
multiple readings from the accelerometer to threshold to determine if a step has been
determine the average values for each axis. taken. If the threshold is exceeded, the step
These average values are used as references to count is incremented.
calculate the total acceleration magnitude, To enhance the project, additional features
which is crucial for accurate step detection. can be implemented. For example,
This project uses an Arduino Uno and an incorporating a display module such as an
accelerometer to create a step counter. The LCD screen can provide real-time feedback
accelerometer is a sensor that measures on the step count, making the device more
acceleration forces along three axes (x, y, z). user-friendly. Furthermore, integrating a
These measurements are used to detect when wireless communication module can enable
a step has been taken. data transmission to a smartphone or
The circuit connection involves connecting computer for remote monitoring and
the accelerometer to the Arduino Uno. The x, analysis.
y, and z pins of the accelerometer are VI. CONCLUSION
connected to the analog pins A1, A2, and A3
This project effectively demonstrates the
of the Arduino, respectively. The VCC and
integration of sensor technology with
GND pins of the accelerometer are connected
microcontroller programming to create a
to the 5V and GND pins of the Arduino,
functional step counter. By utilizing the
respectively.
accelerometer's ability to measure
acceleration along different axes, the Arduino
is able to detect the characteristic motion
patterns associated with walking or running
and accurately count steps. This calibration
could be further refined by implementing
advanced calibration techniques or using
more sophisticated sensors for improved
accuracy. The use of Arduino's Serial Monitor
for displaying the step count provides a simple
yet effective means of monitoring the device's
performance. However, this project could be
Fig:1 Circuit Configuration expanded to include a more user-friendly
The code initializes the accelerometer and interface, such as an LCD screen or a
calibrates it by taking multiple samples for smartphone app, for a more interactive
each axis to determine the average values. experience.
These average values are used as references Overall, the step counter project highlights the
to calculate the total acceleration magnitude, accessibility and versatility of Arduino in
which is then compared to a predefined creating innovative solutions. It demonstrates
threshold to detect steps. When a step is how basic sensor inputs can be used to create
detected, the step count is incremented and meaningful and interactive projects with real-
displayed on the Serial Monitor. world applications.
The main loop of the code continuously reads
the accelerometer values and computes the
VII. REFERENCE [3] Pramudya, Yudhiakto, and Muarif
[1] Sai, R. Pawan, et al. "Pedometer and Islamiah. "Vibration characteristics study on
calorie calculator for fitness tracking using observatory using accelerometer ADXL345
MEMS digital accelerometer." 2016 sensor and Arduino." AIP Conference
International Conference on Inventive Proceedings. Vol. 2169. AIP Publishing,
Computation Technologies (ICICT). Vol. 1. 2019.
IEEE, 2016. [4] Song, Haoran, Wenshuai Liao, and
[2] Zhao, Neil. "Full-featured pedometer Yiming Zhao. "Using 3-axis accelerometer
design realized with 3-axis digital adxl330 to high accuracy pedometer."
accelerometer." Analog Dialogue 44.06 Chinese Journal of Sensors and Actuators
(2010): 1-5. 19.4 (2006): 1005-1008.
CODING: OUTPUT:
