How to use sensors with Arduino

Summary

This tutorial guides viewers on connecting and plotting data from four sensors using an Arduino. It covers the DHT-11 for temperature and humidity, HC-SR04 for range, HC-SR501 for motion detection, and the GY521 for orientation assessment. The script details the process of wiring, using third-party libraries for sensor data interpretation, and visualizing data with a serial plotter. It also touches on adding additional sensors and emphasizes the ease of setup for most Arduino sensor breakouts.

Takeaways

• 🔌 Connect and plot data from four sensors: DHT-11, HC-SR04, HC-SR501, and GY-521.
• 🔧 Start by powering the breadboard with the Arduino's 5V supply before connecting the DHT-11 sensor.
• 📚 Use a third-party DHT sensor library to simplify reading temperature and humidity data.
• 💻 Open a serial port and set the baud rate to 9600 bits per second to send sensor data from the Arduino to your desktop.
• 📊 Use the Arduino Serial Plotter to graph the data from the sensors.
• 📏 Connect the HC-SR04 ultrasonic range sensor using the same method as the DHT-11 and install its library for range measurements.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Wire the HC-SR501 motion detector similarly and use digitalRead to detect motion without needing a library.
• 🔄 Connect the GY-521 sensor using I2C communication, and install the MPU6050 library to read orientation data.
• 🔄 Use the getAngle commands to compute the GY-521's orientation, and test by rotating the sensor.
• 📺 For more Arduino tutorials, subscribe to the Curio Res channel.

Q & A

What are the four sensors mentioned in the tutorial?

The four sensors mentioned are DHT-11 for measuring temperature and humidity, HC-SR04 for measuring range, HC-SR501 for detecting motion, and GY-521 for assessing orientation.

How should the DHT-11 sensor be connected to the breadboard?

The DHT-11 sensor should be connected with the positive terminal to the 5-volt rail, the negative to ground, and the OUT or S pin to any of the Arduino digital pins.

Why is it not necessary to write code to interpret sensor readings from scratch?

It is not necessary because third-party libraries are available that can be used to interpret sensor readings, simplifying the coding process.

What is the purpose of a third-party library in this context?

A third-party library provides pre-written code that can be used to interact with specific sensors, making it easier to read and interpret data from those sensors.

How can one find and install a library for the DHT sensor?

One can search for a DHT sensor library in the Arduino Library Manager, click 'More Info' to visit the repository, and then install the library from there.

What is the baud rate set for serial communication in the tutorial?

The baud rate is set to 9600 bits per second for serial communication.

What command is used to start the DHT sensor in the code?

The command used to start the DHT sensor is 'dht.begin()'.

Why is it important to wait for a tenth of a second in the loop function?

Waiting for a tenth of a second ensures that sensor readings are taken and communicated at regular intervals.

How can one view the output of the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor?

One can view the output of the HC-SR04 sensor using the Serial Plotter in the Arduino IDE.

What is the default unit of measurement for the HC-SR04 sensor's range?

The default unit of measurement for the HC-SR04 sensor's range is in centimeters.

How does the HC-SR501 motion detector work?

The HC-SR501 motion detector sends a 1 to the pin when motion is detected and a 0 when no motion is detected. It has a built-in delay that can be adjusted with screws on the sensor.

What communication protocol does the GY-521 sensor use?

The GY-521 sensor uses I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication protocol.

What library is recommended for reading from the MPU-6050 sensor?

The Talkin' MPU 6050 library is recommended for reading from the MPU-6050 sensor.

How can the sensor's orientation be estimated using the MPU-6050?

The sensor's orientation can be estimated using the accelerometer and gyroscope readings from the MPU-6050, specifically by using the 'get angle' commands.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Setting Up Sensors for Data Collection with Arduino

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide to connecting and programming four different sensors with an Arduino. It covers using a DHT-11 sensor for temperature and humidity, an HC-SR04 for range detection, an HC-SR501 for motion detection, and a GY-521 for orientation assessment. The instructions start with wiring the DHT-11 sensor, including powering the breadboard rails with the Arduino's 5-volt supply. Users are advised to use a third-party library for interpreting sensor readings, and the process of installing and using the DHT sensor library is described in detail. Instructions also include setting up a serial port to send sensor data to a PC, using the Serial Plotter for data visualization, and coding practices for taking and printing sensor readings. Finally, users are guided on how to install and use libraries for other sensors like the HC-SR04 and the GY-521, along with advice on testing and verifying sensor readings.

05:01

📏 Fine-Tuning Sensor Outputs and Learning More

This paragraph focuses on refining sensor output and understanding the specifics of each sensor's library commands. It emphasizes the importance of checking examples in the library documentation to ensure proper usage. The GY-521 sensor, which includes both an accelerometer and a gyroscope, is highlighted for its capability to estimate orientation. Users are encouraged to test the GY-521 by rotating it in different directions to see how the orientation data changes. The paragraph concludes with a prompt to subscribe to the Curio Res channel for further learning about Arduino and related projects.

Keywords

💡DHT-11

The DHT-11 is a digital temperature and humidity sensor used in this tutorial. It is a basic, low-cost sensor that provides readings of temperature and humidity in the surrounding environment. In the video, it is connected to the Arduino to measure these parameters, and its data is later plotted using the serial plotter.

💡HC-SR04

The HC-SR04 is an ultrasonic sensor used to measure distance by emitting sound waves and calculating the time it takes for them to bounce back. In the video, the HC-SR04 is connected to the Arduino, and its measurements are displayed in centimeters. The video emphasizes the simplicity of connecting this sensor similarly to the DHT-11 and how it provides accurate range measurements.

💡HC-SR501

The HC-SR501 is a motion detection sensor that triggers when movement is detected. It sends a signal to the Arduino, which is then used to indicate the presence of motion. The video explains that this sensor is straightforward to use, requiring no additional libraries, and highlights its ability to detect motion and adjust the delay between detections using built-in screws.

💡GY-521

The GY-521 is a sensor module that includes a gyroscope and accelerometer, used to assess orientation. This sensor communicates with the Arduino via I2C protocol. In the video, it is explained how the GY-521's readings can be used to estimate the orientation of an object by using specific commands from a library, such as 'get angle'.

💡Arduino

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. In the video, it serves as the central unit that connects all the sensors (DHT-11, HC-SR04, HC-SR501, and GY-521) to collect data and send it to a computer for visualization. The tutorial guides users through wiring the sensors to the Arduino and programming it to interpret sensor readings.

💡Serial Plotter

The Serial Plotter is a feature in the Arduino IDE that allows users to visualize data from the Arduino in real time. In the video, the Serial Plotter is used to graphically display the sensor readings, such as temperature, humidity, and range, making it easier to interpret the data collected from the sensors.

💡Library

In the context of Arduino, a library is a collection of code that makes it easier to interface with sensors, displays, and other devices. The video mentions installing libraries for the DHT-11 and HC-SR04 sensors, which provide pre-written functions that simplify reading and interpreting data from these sensors. The tutorial emphasizes checking examples from the libraries to ensure they meet the user's needs.

💡Breadboard

A breadboard is a tool for making temporary circuits without soldering, commonly used in prototyping electronics. In the video, the breadboard is used to connect the various sensors (DHT-11, HC-SR04, etc.) to the Arduino. It allows users to easily rearrange and test different circuit configurations as they follow along with the tutorial.

💡Baud Rate

Baud rate refers to the speed of data transmission between the Arduino and the computer, measured in bits per second (bps). The video specifies setting the baud rate to 9600 bps to ensure proper communication when sending sensor data from the Arduino to the Serial Monitor or Plotter. Matching the baud rate in both the code and the Serial Monitor is crucial for correctly displaying the data.

💡I2C Communication

I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a communication protocol used to connect low-speed devices like sensors to a microcontroller. The video highlights the use of I2C for the GY-521 sensor, where the SDA (Serial Data) and SCL (Serial Clock) pins are connected to the corresponding pins on the Arduino, enabling data exchange between the devices. This protocol is key to reading complex data like orientation from the sensor.

Highlights

Learn to connect and plot data from four sensors using Arduino.

Use a DHT-11 to measure temperature and humidity.

Utilize an HC-SR04 sensor for measuring range.

Incorporate an HC-SR501 motion detector for detecting motion.

Assess orientation using a GY-521 sensor, which includes an accelerometer and gyroscope.

Power the breadboard rails with the Arduino 5V supply before connecting sensors.

Search and install third-party libraries, like the DHT sensor library, from the Arduino Library Manager.

Include library headers and define sensor pins in the code to use the DHT sensor.

Use Serial.print and Serial.printline to send sensor data to the Arduino's serial port.

Set the baud rate to 9600 bits per second to match the data rate for serial communication.

Graph sensor data using the Arduino Serial Plotter.

Add additional sensors, like the HC-SR04 ultrasonic range detector, using similar wiring setups.

The GY-521 sensor communicates using I2C protocol, requiring specific wiring and library commands.

Adjust the delay of the HC-SR501 motion detector using the screws on the side of the sensor.

Test the GY-521 sensor by rotating it in different directions to assess orientation readings.

Transcripts

in this tutorial you'll learn to connect

and plot data from four

sensors you'll use a dht-11 to measure

temperature and humidity

and hc sr04 to measure range and hc

sr-501 to detect motion and a gy521 to

assess

orientation get started by hooking a

dht11

into the breadboard before wiring the

sensor power the breadboard rails with

the arduino 5 volt supply

when you connect the sensor be sure to

check the labels

connect the positive terminal to the 5

volt rail the negative to ground

and the out or s pin to any of the

arduino digital pins

writing code to interpret sensor

readings from scratch isn't necessary

you can use a third party library

instead search the library manager for a

dht

sensor library before selecting a

library click

more info to visit the repository where

the library is stored

once there look for examples these will

show you how to use the library examples

can also help you to identify if a

library is right for your current skill

level

this one looks good go ahead and install

the dht sensor library

first include the library headers so you

can use the library's classes and

functions

use a macro to define the sensor pen and

an instance of the dht class from the

dht library

in order to send sensor information from

the arduino to your desktop

you need to open a serial port and set

the data rate

set the baud rate to 9 600 bits per

second

start the sensor with a call to

dht.begin

you can graph data received from the

arduino on your pc using the serial

plotter

the serial.print and serial.printline

commands write text and numeric data to

the serial port as ascii text

the first line printed to the serial

port determines the legend on the plot

so let's add some descriptive names

using serial.print line

in the loop function start by waiting

for a tenth of a second

this ensures that sensor readings are

taken and communicated at regular

intervals

then take temperature and humidity

readings from the dht object

now that the readings have been taken

print them to the serial line

you'll also need to print a white space

character finish by printing a new line

character so that each set of readings

appears on a new line

now upload the code to the arduino and

open the serial monitor

set the baud rate to 9600 to match the

data rate set in the code

check that your legend is printed on the

first line and each sensor reading shows

in a new line below

now that your data is streaming close

the serial monitor and open the serial

plotter to graph the data

verify your sensor readings with a test

most arduino sensor breakouts have a

similar setup so adding additional

sensors is easy

let's add an hc sr04 ultrasonic range

detector

orient the sensor so that it is free

from obstructions

connecting the hc sr04 is just like

connecting the dht-11

the hc sr04 trigger and echo pins are

wired to digital pins on the arduino

install the ultrasonic library for the

hc-sr04

like the dht library the ultrasonic

library requires you to include a header

and define an instance of the ultrasonic

class

take a reading by calling the read

function from the ultrasonic class and

write the result to the serial line

open the serial plotter to view the

output of the ultrasonic sensor

the default measurements from this

library are in centimeters

how accurate are the hc sr04 range

measurements

wire the hc sr501 motion detector using

the same pattern you used to wire the

dht-11

the motion detector is so simple it

doesn't need a library

simply define the pin set it to input

mode and call the digital read function

when motion is detected the sensor will

send a 1 to the pin otherwise it will

send 0.

add an entry to the legend and print to

the serial line to complete the sensor's

code

the sr501 has a built-in delay between

motion detections

you can adjust the delay using the

screws on the side of the sensor

the fourth sensor is the gy521 breakout

this sensor uses i squared c

communication

so wire the serial data and serial clock

pins to the same pins on the arduino

these pins are labeled sda and scl on

both devices

you'll also need to wire the sensor to

the power rails

install the talkin mpu 6050 library and

follow the standard steps to read from

the sensor

the exact commands required depend on

the library so always check the examples

to learn which commands are necessary

the mpu-6050 has an accelerometer

and a gyroscope together these readings

can be used to estimate orientation

use the get angle commands to compute

the sensor's orientation

test the sensor by rotating it in

various directions

if you're interested in learning more

about arduino subscribe to the curio res

channel