Title: Arduino Ultrasonic Distance Detector with LCD Display – Beginner C++ Tutorial
Video Sections and Timing
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Brief overview of Arduino and C++.
- Showcase the final project: A device that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure distances and displays it on an LCD.
- Components required:
- Arduino Uno (or any compatible board).
- HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor.
- 16x2 LCD with I2C module.
- Jumper wires, breadboard.
Setting Up the Environment (10 minutes)
- Install Arduino IDE:
- Download and install the Arduino IDE.
- Set up the correct board and port in the IDE.
- Add Libraries:
- Install the necessary libraries (LiquidCrystal_I2C) from the Library Manager.
- Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.
- Search for LiquidCrystal_I2C and click Install.
- Hardware Setup:
- Connect the ultrasonic sensor to Arduino:
- VCC to 5V.
- GND to GND.
- Trigger (Trig) to pin 9.
- Echo to pin 10.
- Connect the LCD display:
- Use the I2C interface for simplicity.
- Connect VCC, GND, SDA, and SCL.
Coding the Ultrasonic Sensor (15 minutes)
- Explain the working principle:
- The ultrasonic sensor sends a sound wave and measures the time it takes for the echo to return.
- Distance = (time × speed of sound) / 2.
- Write the C++ code for the ultrasonic sensor:
cppCopyEditconst int trigPin = 9; const int echoPin = 10; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT); pinMode(echoPin, INPUT); } void loop() { long duration; int distance; // Send a 10us pulse to trigger digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); delayMicroseconds(2); digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH); delayMicroseconds(10); digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); // Measure the duration of echo duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH); // Calculate the distance distance = duration * 0.034 / 2; // Print to Serial Monitor Serial.print("Distance: "); Serial.print(distance); Serial.println(" cm"); delay(500); }
- Test the setup:
- Upload the code and open the Serial Monitor to view the distance measurements.
Integrating the LCD Display (15 minutes)
- Explain the 16x2 LCD Display:
- Discuss the I2C interface for reducing pin connections.
- Update the Code to Include the LCD:
cppCopyEdit#include <Wire.h> #include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h> const int trigPin = 9; const int echoPin = 10; LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // Adjust 0x27 to your I2C address void setup() { lcd.begin(16, 2); // Initialize the LCD lcd.print("Initializing..."); delay(2000); lcd.clear(); pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT); pinMode(echoPin, INPUT); } void loop() { long duration; int distance; // Send a 10us pulse to trigger digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); delayMicroseconds(2); digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH); delayMicroseconds(10); digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW); // Measure the duration of echo duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH); // Calculate the distance distance = duration * 0.034 / 2; // Display the distance on the LCD lcd.setCursor(0, 0); lcd.print("Distance: "); lcd.print(distance); lcd.print(" cm "); // Clear previous data delay(500); }
- Test the Setup:
- Upload the code and watch the distance values appear on the LCD.
- Debug common issues, like adjusting the I2C address if the LCD doesn’t work.
Adding Extra Features (10 minutes)
- Add Range Alerts:
- Flash an LED if the object is too close (<10 cm).
- cppCopyEditconst int ledPin = 13; // Built-in LED void setup() { pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Existing setup code...} void loop() { // Existing loop code... if (distance < 10) { digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); } else { digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); } }
- Customizing the LCD Display:
- Display a warning message if the object is out of range (>400 cm or <2 cm).
Wrapping Up (5 minutes)
- Review the project:
- Measured distances with an ultrasonic sensor.
- Displayed the distance on an LCD.
- Added alerts for critical ranges.
- Suggest Next Steps:
- Combine this project with a servo to create an obstacle-avoiding robot.
- Add more sensors for environmental data.