Analog Sensors in Mechatronics Lab: Potentiometer and Temperature Sensor

Objective

What is the mechatronics lab analog sensors?

The forth mechatronics lab discussed the analog sensors, their components and how to use them. The lab introduced two new components, the potentiometer and the temperature sensor. It also talked about the built-in components of the Arduino board such as the microprocessor, which is atmega328, and the digital pins. The lab also explained the simulator which allows the students to create the circuit digitally, and then simulate the process without the actual need of the physical circuit.

The objective of this lab was for the students to learn about some new types of components that can be used with the Arduino UNO. One of the components that was introduced was the potentiometer, which is a 3 pin variable resistor that, when powered with 5V, can have an output of 0V to 5V depending on the position of the knob. One of the features of the potentiometer is that it is not polarized and can be placed in any orientations, however, that will reverse it’s behavior.

The potentiometer can be used in many applications and is very beneficial for speed control and other control applications. Moreover, the other component that was introduced was the temperature sensor. The specific model used in the lab was the TMP36, which is a low voltage, precision centigrade temperature sensor. One of the features of this model is that it does not need any calibration to be done on it in order to provide an accurate measure. It’s typical accuracies are ±1°C at +25°C and ±2°C over the −40°C to +125°C temperature range. After the theoretical part of the lab, the students were given a class work which consisted of 4 exercises. 3 of the 4 exercises were to be done in the lab using the provided kit and the Arduino software.

The 4th exercise required using an online simulator called Tinker CAD, and asked to implement the previous 3 exercises using the software. The first 3 exercises required implementing a circuit using an LED. However, the first 2 exercises asked to use a potentiometer in order to control the blinking and brightness of the LED light. The 3rd exercise required the use of the temperature sensor in order to control the light.

Conclusion:

The team was able to complete the class work successfully and the objectives of the lab were completed. As shown in the procedure, all four tasks were done, and the team was able to construct the circuit and test it, and it functioned properly. However, the simulation was done at a later time next week. The concepts of the new components were easy to grasp, and the team finished the tasks in a short time. Lastly, the lab provided a beneficial overview for the use and functionality of the potentiometer and the temperature sensor.