CPET11L-M - Microprocessor and Microcontroller Systems, Lab

EXPERIMENT NO.2
Using a Photoresistor Handout
OBJECTIVES
In this activity, we will learn how to use the Arduino to collect measurements (signals)
from a photoresistor—a sensor that detects light.

EQUIPMENTS

Software:
 Tinker CAD

BACKGROUND
The Arduino Uno belongs to a class of 8 bit microcontrollers of RISC
architecture. It has ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Flash memory and two ports namely PORTC
which has 6 pins (PC0PC5), PORTB has 7 pins (PB0PB6) and PORTD has 8 pins
(PD0PD7). These ports are configurable as input or output which means there are 21
input/output ports. They are used to interface to different electronic devices such as
LEDs, switches, motors, sensors, LCDs, and keypads.

.
LEDs with current limiting resistors are connected to microcontroller in two ways.
One is to switch them on with logic zero, and the other using logic one. The value of
resistor is determined by the amount of current that can flow to the LED. The maximum
current flow through the LED is set by the manufacturer.

1. Gather the following materials:

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  1 Arduino, USB cable & breadboard
 1 220Ω resistor (red-red-brown)
 2 jumper wires
 1 photoresistor (aka light-dependent resistor or photocell)
2. Construct the following setup:

A. Connect 1 jumper wire from GND (“ground”) to one of the rows. Then place 1 leg of the
resistor in the same row as the GND wire. Place the other leg of the resistor in a new
row.
B. Place 1 leg of the photoresistor in the previous row. Place the other leg of the resistor in
a new row.
C. Connect 1 jumper wire from the previous row to the 5V pin.
D. Connect 1 jumper wire from analog pin A0 to the row that has the legs of both the
resistor and photoresistor.
E. Check that your setup matches the setup in the diagram above (or at the front of the
room).
Create the Program
3. Type up the associated program for Activity #4 (see the next page).
4. Save the file as Sensor_Reading.
5. To check that the Arduino can compile your code: “Verify” it. Do this by either pressing
Command + R or by clicking on the Verify button (it looks like a check mark).
/*
Activity 4: Sensor Reading
Collect measurements (signals) from a sensor using an Analog Input Pin.
*/

int SensorPin = A0;

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int Sensor_value = 0;

void setup() {

//Setup a connection for serial communication between the Arduino and the computer.
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Getting started.... ");
}

void loop() {

Sensor_value = analogRead(SensorPin);

Serial.println(Sensor_value);

delay(200);
}
Troubleshoot Errors
6. Error messages pop up in orange text at the bottom of the IDE window. The computer tells
you where (what lines) it believes the errors in the program are located (though it is not
always right).
7. Start by reading the first error message and checking that line of code. Compare what you
have written to the original program. Common errors:
 If you get the message “________ was not declared in this scope,” it is possible you
misspelled one of the variables or functions.
 If you get the message “expected ‘;’ before ____” — then you forgot to add a semi-
colon at the end of the previous line.
Run the Program
8. Using the USB cable, connect the Arduino to the computer. Expect to see some lights flash
on the Arduino board. Then the Arduino starts to execute the last program that was
uploaded to it.
9. From the “Tools” menu in the Arduino IDE, make sure the appropriate serial port is selected.
10. Now upload the “Sensor_Reading” sketch. To do this, hit Command + U. (Or, click on the
Upload Button in the Arduino IDE, which looks like an arrow pointing to the right.)
11. Wait a few seconds. Then open the serial monitor by pressing Shift + Command + M.
(Alternately, click on the magnifying glass icon at the top right corner of the Arduino IDE
window to open the serial monitor).
12. Expect to see a list of numbers start to form. Move your hand over the photoresistor (up
and down) and observe how the numbers change.
Reflection Questions
1. What do you think the function analogRead( ) does? What information must go in its
parentheses for it to work?

2. What do you think the function Serial.println( ) does? What information must go in its
parentheses for it to work?

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3. What are the lowest and highest readings you get on the serial monitor? Why do you get
these numbers? Read the following two pages from the Arduino website and then answer
this question.
 http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/AnalogInputPins
 http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/analogRead

Alternatives
1. Figure out how to create a nightlight by adding an LED to your setup that is controlled by the
photoresistor. Make it so the LED turns on when the photoresistor is covered; otherwise,
the LED stays off. Sketch the new setup below and describe the changes you made to the
program to accomplish this.

2. Building off the first alternative, replace the photoresistor with a force-sensitive resistor
(FSR) pad. Make it so that when you push down on the FSR, the LED goes on; otherwise, the
LED stays off. Use alligator clips to connect the FSR to the system.

3. For Programmers: Building off the first alternative, create an adaptable nightlight such that
its level of brightness is dependent on the level of light received by the photoresistor. There
are a few ways to do this. One way is to use the map( ) function. If you need some help,
watch Jeremy Blum’s tutorial on Analog Inputs (see link below), from time 8:39 to 11:45 in
the video.

Watch Jeremy Blum’s Tutorial 04 for Arduino: Analog Inputs (18-minute video) at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4TK0U848I&index=4&list=PLA567CE235D39FA84.

Results and Discussion of Method of Exercises (Individual)

(Screenshot, Code and Discussion, follow the guidelines below.)

Include relevant schematic diagrams, charts, visualizations, code snippets, and program outputs for each required
problem or task. Please provide insights, commentaries, or explanations regarding the data. If an explanation requires the support of
literature such as academic journals, books, magazines, reports, or web articles please cite and reference them using the IEEE
format.
Please take note of the styles on the style ribbon as these would serve as the style format of this laboratory report. The
body style is Times New Roman size 12, line spacing: 1.5. Body text should be in Justified alignment, while captions should be center-
aligned. Images should be readable and include captions. Please refer to the sample below:

If an image is taken from another literature or intellectual property, please cite them accordingly in the caption. Always
keep in mind the Honor Code [1] of our course to prevent failure due to academic dishonesty.

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Supplemental Activities (By Group)
Create a system a Sunrise-Sunset Detector with Serial Monitor that will have an LED
and Photoresistor and provide the following:

 Your program in tinkercad.

 Flowchart
 Block Diagram
 Schematic Diagram
 Discussion of the Supplementary activities.

Result and Discussion for Supplementary Activities: (By Group)

(Screenshot, Code and Discussion, Put the name of all member, Provide a 10 slide PPT)
 Your program in tinkercad.
 Flowchart
 Block Diagram
 Schematic Diagram

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