Chapter IV

Sensor Communication & Data acquisition system

 4. Sensor Interfacing/communcation
• As we try to discuss in the first chapter of this course; There are different types
of sensors and acutators that we use in our daily life.
Sensors; position/distance, speed, Temprature, presence sensors etc
Actuators; LEDs, motors, solonoids, spreakers etc.
• Those sensors and actuators have a means of communication with
the centeral processing unit or what it call microcontrollers or
microprocessors(Programmable logic device).
• Sensors may be digital or analog .
• Microcontrollers are capable of processing only digital data.

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i. Analog Input ports
• Analog ports are necessary to connect sensors to our controller.
• Also are known as Analog to Digital Convertor(ADC)
• They receive analog signal and convert them to a digital number with in a
certain numerical range.
• The analog signal is measured after a predefined period of time passes. At
each time period, the voltage is recorded as a number.
• This number then defines a signal of 0's and 1's.
• Most microcontrollers today are 8 bit, meaning they have a range of 256 (2^8
= 256).
• There are a few that are 10 bit, 12 bit, and even 32 bit, but as we increase
precision we also need a much faster processor.
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• For example, suppose a sensor reads 0V to an 8 bit ADC this would give us a
digital output of 0. 5V would be 255.
• Now suppose a sensor gave an output of 2.9V, doing the math:
2.9V/5V = X/255 → X = (2.9*255)/5 = 148
• This bit range could also be seen as a resolution.
• Higher resolutions mean higher accuracy, but occasionally can mean slower
processing and more susceptibility to noise.
• For example, suppose we had a 3 bit controller which has a range of 2^3 = 8.
• Then we have a distance sensor that outputted a number 0 → 7 (a total of 8)
that represents the distance between our robot and the wall.

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• If our sensor can see only 8 feet, then we get a resolution of 1 bit per foot (8
resolution / 8 feet = 1).
• But then suppose we have an 8 bit controller,
we would get 256/8 = 32 ~ 1 bit per centimeter - way more accurate
and useful! With the 3 bit controlle.
• The sensor output must not exceed our digital logic voltage (usually 0V →
5V), and then plug that output directly to the analog port

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ii. Digital I/O Ports
• Digital ports are like analog ports, but with only 1 bit (2^1 = 2)
hence a resolution of 2 - on and off.
• Digital ports for that reason are rarely used for sensors; except for maybe
on/off switches.
• We can use them to control motors or LED's.
• Send a high 5V signal to turn something on, or a low 0V to turn something off.
Or if we want to have an LED at only half brightness, or a motor at half speed,
send a square wave.
• Square waves are like turning something on and off so fast

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iii. Serial Communication and Timers

• A serial connection on a microcontroller is very useful for communication.

• We can use it to program the controller from a computer, and to output data
from the controller to a computer (great for debugging), or even to operate
other electronics such as digitalvideo cameras.
• Usually the microcontroller would require an external IC to handle everything,
such as an RS232.
• I^2C (pronounced 'Isquared-C') is also useful for communicating.
• It's actually somewhat complicated, but usually the manufacturer has
simplified it.

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• A timer is the method by which the microcontroller measures the
passing of time - such as for a clock, sonar, a pause/wait command,
timer interrupts, etc.
iv. Motor Driver
• To run a dc motor we need to either have an H-Bridge or a Motor Driver IC.
• The IC is great for small robots that do not exceed 1 or 2 amps per motor and
the rated motor voltage is not higher than about 12V.
• The home made H-Bridge would need to be used if we wanted to exceed those
specs with a heat sink onto the motor driver.

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2- Standard Interfacing Circuits
i. Output Device Interfacing
• Many output devices will require a transistor switching circuit.
• In most cases a Darlington pair formed from two transistors is ideal.

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• Note that it is usual to connect a back EMF suppression diode across the
output device.
• This is essential with devices such as relays, solenoids and motors which
create a back EMF when power is switched off.

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• A relay can be used to switch higher power devices such as
motors and solenoids.
• If desired, the relay can be powered by a separate power supply, so, for
instance, 12V solenoids can be controlled by the microcontroller.
• Note the use of a back EMF suppression diode across the relay contacts. This
is to prevent damage to the transistor when the relay switches off.

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Data acquisition system
• Data acquisition is the process by which physical phenomena from
the real world are transformed into electrical signals that are
measured and converted into a digital format for processing,
analysing, and storage by a computer
• A data acquisition system is a device or an integrated system used to
collect information about the state or condition of various
parameters of any process.

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• A Data Acquisition System ( DAQ) is a combination of computer hardware
and software that gathers stores or processes data in order to control or
monitor some sort of physical process. The basic elements of a data
acquisition system
1. Sensors and transducers
2. Field wiring
3. Signal conditioning
4. Data acquisition hardware
5. PC (operating system)
6. Data acquisition software
•

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• Sesors measure physical variables such as pressure, flow, & motion into
electrical signals.
• Field wiring used to connect different hardware components.
• The signal conditioning device amplifies and filters the sensor signal
• Data acquisition hardware is used to convert analog signal to digital and
digital signal to analog.
• The computer provides a processor, a system clock, a bus to transfer data,
memory and disc space to store data.
• Software includes both operating system and data acquisition software.
• The software allows exchanging information between the hardware and
computer.

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Data acquisition system structure

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 End of Chapter IV

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