convert time between triggers to voltage clock

Converting Time Between Triggers to Voltage Clock

In various applications, it is crucial to measure the time interval between triggers or pulses. This article will explore how to convert these trigger times into a voltage clock signal using an Arduino.

The problem statement is as follows: given a signal with two voltage drops spaced at exactly 35° apart, calculate the RPM of a motor using an Arduino. The signal consists of two voltage drops (1 and 2) created by a magnet on the flywheel passing two sensors in sequence.

To accomplish this task, we will employ the input capture feature of the UNO, Nano, Mini, Mega, Leonardo, or Micro boards. This feature allows us to measure the time interval between rising edges with high precision.

The circuit diagram and code implementation are as follows:

Code Implementation:

```c

#include

// Define the pin for Timer 1

#define TIMER_PIN 9

// Define the threshold values for the voltage drops

const uint32_t threshold1 = 1000; // milliseconds

const uint32_t threshold2 = 2000; // milliseconds

void setup() {

pinMode(TIMER_PIN, INPUT);

TCCR1B = _BV(CS10); // Start Timer 1 with no prescaler

TIMSK1 |= _BV(OCIE1A); // Enable Timer 1 Overflow Interrupt

}

void loop() {

// Read the input pin and check for rising edges

if (digitalRead(TIMER_PIN) == HIGH && previousState == LOW) {

uint32_t time = micros();

// Calculate the RPM using the time interval between rising edges

rpm = (1000 / (time - previousTime)) * 60;

previousTime = time;

previousState = digitalRead(TIMER_PIN);

}

```

Circuit Diagram:

```c

VCC -> Arduino Pin 5V

GND -> Arduino GND

Timer 1 Pin (9) -> Voltage Drop Sensor 1

Voltage Drop Sensor 2 -> Timer 1 Pin (10)

```

In the code implementation, we define a threshold value for each voltage drop and use the input capture feature to measure the time interval between rising edges. The RPM is calculated using the formula: `RPM = (1000 / (time - previousTime)) * 60`, where `time` is the current time and `previousTime` is the time of the previous rising edge.

This article demonstrates a simple yet effective method for converting time between triggers to a voltage clock signal using an Arduino. The input capture feature provides high precision in measuring the time interval between rising edges, making it suitable for applications requiring accurate RPM measurement.

Convert time between triggers to voltage clock