Arduino Speed Sensor Module

Description

Arduino Speed Sensor Module

This Arduino speed sensor module measures the rotational speed of a motor or another moving object. It is available in two versions: a 3-pin version with a digital output, and a 4-pin version with both digital and analog outputs.

Detailed specifications

• Supply voltage: 3.3–5 V
• Digital output: 0 or 1
• Analog output: Voltage proportional to speed (4-pin version only)
• Maximum output current: 15 mA
• Operating temperature: 0°C to +80°C
• Sensor type: Infrared (IR) or Hall effect, depending on the model

How it works

The module uses either an infrared sensor or a Hall-effect sensor to detect interruptions caused by a rotating disc or a magnet. Each interruption is counted to determine rotational speed (RPM).

Applications

• Motor speed measurement
• Robotics projects
• Bicycle speedometers
• Industrial monitoring systems
• DIY projects

Pinout (3-pin version)

• VCC: Power supply (3.3–5 V)
• GND: Ground
• DO: Digital output

Pinout (4-pin version)

• VCC: Power supply (3.3–5 V)
• GND: Ground
• DO: Digital output
• AO: Analog output

How to use it

Connect the VCC and GND pins to the Arduino power supply. Connect DO to an Arduino digital input. On the 4-pin version, AO can be connected to an analog input to obtain a speed-proportional reading.

Using it with an Arduino Uno

Basic Arduino code example (3-pin version)

const int sensorPin = 2;
volatile int pulseCount = 0;


void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(sensorPin), countPulse, RISING);
}


void loop() {
  Serial.print("Pulses: ");
  Serial.println(pulseCount);
  delay(1000);
}


void countPulse() {
  pulseCount++;
}

What the code does

This code counts pulses from the speed sensor and displays the pulse count in the serial monitor.

Components required for the basic example

• Arduino Uno
• Speed sensor module (3-pin version)
• Connecting wires

Basic code explained

1. Initialization: Serial communication is started and the sensor is configured as an input with the internal pull-up resistor enabled.
2. Pulse counter: An interrupt is attached to count each pulse detected by the sensor.
3. Displaying data: The pulse count is displayed in the serial monitor every second.

Basic wiring

• VCC: 5 V (Arduino)
• GND: GND (Arduino)
• DO: D2 (Arduino)

Advanced Arduino code example (4-pin version)

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>


LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);
const int sensorPin = 2;
const int analogPin = A0;
volatile int pulseCount = 0;
int analogValue = 0;


void setup() {
  lcd.begin();
  lcd.backlight();
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(sensorPin), countPulse, RISING);
}


void loop() {
  analogValue = analogRead(analogPin);
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Pulses: ");
  lcd.print(pulseCount);
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Speed: ");
  lcd.print(analogValue);
  delay(1000);
}


void countPulse() {
  pulseCount++;
}

What the code does

This code counts speed-sensor pulses and displays both the pulse count and analog speed reading on an I2C LCD.

Components required for the advanced example

• Arduino Uno
• Speed sensor module (4-pin version)
• 1602 I2C LCD
• Connecting wires

Advanced code explained

1. Including libraries: #include <Wire.h> and #include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h> add the library required for the LCD.
2. Initialization: Set up communication with the LCD and initialize the sensor pins.
3. Reading and displaying data: Pulses and the analog speed value are read and displayed on the LCD.

Advanced wiring

• VCC: 5 V (Arduino)
• GND: GND (Arduino)
• DO: D2 (Arduino)
• AO: A0 (Arduino)
• VCC (LCD): 5 V (Arduino)
• GND (LCD): GND (Arduino)
• SCL (LCD): A5 (Arduino)
• SDA (LCD): A4 (Arduino)

Installing the driver/library

To use the speed sensor and LCD with Arduino, install the LiquidCrystal I2C library through the Arduino IDE:

1. Open the Arduino IDE: Make sure you are using the latest version.
2. Open the Library Manager: Choose Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries.
3. Search for “LiquidCrystal I2C”: Use the search box to find the library.
4. Install the library: Click Install to add it to your IDE.

Keywords: speed, counter, optical, speed sensor, RPM, Arduino.