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Modern Measuring & Display Systems

Arslan Anjum
2010-MM-14

MODERN MEASURING AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS Microcontrollers

Microcontroller is an integrated chip/circuit containing many of the same items that a computer has, such as CPU, memory etc. but does not include any human interaction devices like keyboard or mouse. These devices are very small and used as controller because they control machines, gadgets etc. By definition micro-controller are used to connect machines rather than to humans. We can surely build an instrument, feed the program in it and allow it to control it automatically. Microcontrollers are very versatile i.e. the same device can be used in engine or in a toaster or even in the microwave oven. Generally there are two types of microcontroller. Single Programmable Re Programmable

Single programmable instruments are once programmed and used for specified applications like our cars antilock braking system. Re Programmable instruments are used over and over for multi applications. These instruments can use 4-bit words and can function at the frequencies of clock rate like 4 kHz. They have the ability to retain their performance during the button press or other such interference. Their power consumption may be nanowatts, so they can be used in long lasting applications. History In 1869, some Japanese engineers had gone to USA with a proposal that they need few integrated devices for calculation in their project. Their request was forwarded to INTEL, and here came the idea that with a single type of integrated circuit, a greater memory and functionality can be achieved. Microcontroller Description A microcontroller having a little memory, ram and speed can be used for small calculations. A simple microcontroller has three parts A, B & C. We can install or feed the program according to our requirement. Quartz Crystal oscillator is used as processor in some microcontroller. The material constant is 0.051mV/ .

MODERN MEASURING AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS

A microcontroller cannot detect mV; to detect this Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is attached to it. So microcontroller converts the analogue signal into the digital signal. ADC has 8 bit minimum resolution. 10, 16 and 12 bit are also common. Like a computer, a microcontroller should have input pins to connect to the system and output pins to display the results of the system affecting on it.

ADC (analogue to digital converter)

Microcontrollers are devices that read the inputs, do processing and write to outputs (control).

Microcontroller can detect the parameters for it is used; it is the ADC that is used to convert the value in a suitable recognized value. In ADC binary system is used. Here an 8 bit ADC is shown for voltage control. It is operated at 5mV and divided according to its resolution. When there is 4.88mV then it displays 1 and it displays 0 when less than 4.88. At 4.882 = 9.76 it displays 2 and so on. We can make the microcontroller to carry on decision at different voltage value.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 00000000 00000001 00000010 00000011 0000 0100 00000101 00000110 00000 111

MODERN MEASURING AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS Different Microcontrollers

Here are some of the types of microcontrollers along with their specifications.

Type 16f676 16f677 16f685 16f707 16f767

Program memory (KB) 1.75 3.5 7 14 28

Ram (bytes) 64 128 256 368 1024

ADC 10 bit 10 bit 12 ch, 10 bit 14 ch, 8 bit 11 ch, 10 bit

Temperature Range ( ) -40 to 125 Do Do Do Do

Voltage Range(V) 2 5.5 2 to 5.5 do 1.8 to 5.5 Do

Applications

With the increasing of measuring capability and electrical complexity, microcontrollers

are used in automobiles industries like in fuel indication system etc.

These are also used in telecommunication to reduce complexity, weight, cost and interconnections. They are also used in different machines to indicate the safe values and limits for running of smooth process. position and level of liquids.

They find their applications in satellites and rockets to indicate the pressure value of air, Display Systems
There are two types of display systems mainly concerned.

7 segment displays Alpha numeric

7 Segment Display This system of displays is used anywhere we need a visual description of the measured quantities. We can display all digits 0-9 through this type of display system. In displaying three digits we need 21 LEDs and 42 wires are used to control it. To compensate it we reduce the

MODERN MEASURING AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS

wires, one for the negative junction and 7 for the positive junction. So total 8 wires are combined to display a digit. This implies that 24 wires are used for 3-digit display.

Alpha Numeric Display This type of display is playing an important role in the field of electronics. It not only displays the values of the quantities, but also displays the precautions, the name of the quantity to be measured and the some information regarding the experiment. Generally we can display the digits and the alphabets simultaneously.

This type of display is used in word processors, palmtop computers, photocopiers and medical instruments. The 162 alphanumeric dot matrix has the ability to display 224 characters or symbols. In this system every dot of the display is controlled. It is connected to a single microcontroller pin and it enables the controller to visualize the readings and the instructions on the LCD module.