Building a Measurement System with Ultrasonic Sensors and LCDs

In today’s post, we will explore the process of creating a measurement system that employs ultrasonic sensors and LCD screens. This project is ideal for engineering students who want to enhance their practical skills in electronics and coding. Throughout this guide, I will provide detailed steps, connections, and coding examples to help you replicate the project easily.

Project Overview

The goal of this project is to build a simple measurement system that can display distance measurements on an LCD screen using an ultrasonic sensor. This setup is not only a great way to learn about sensors and displays but also serves as a foundation for more complex projects in the future.

Components Needed

Before diving into the connections and coding, let’s gather all the necessary components:

• Arduino Board (e.g., Arduino Uno)
• Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)
• LCD Screen (16x2 or similar)
• Jumper Wires
• Breadboard
• Power Supply (USB or Battery)

Wiring the Components (Connections)

Now that we have all the components, let's start by connecting the ultrasonic sensor and the LCD screen to the Arduino. Here’s how to do it:

1. Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04) Connections

VCC → 5V on the Arduino
GND → GND on the Arduino
Trig Pin → A0 on the Arduino
Echo Pin → A1 on the Arduino

2. LCD Display with I2C Module Connections

GND → GND on the Arduino
VCC → 5V on the Arduino
SDA → A4 on the Arduino (for Arduino Uno, Nano)
Note: On Arduino Mega, SDA is on pin 20
SCL → A5 on the Arduino (for Arduino Uno, Nano)
Note: On Arduino Mega, SCL is on pin 2

Circuit Diagram

Uploading the Code

With the hardware connected, it’s time to upload the code to the Arduino. Below is a sample code that reads distance from the ultrasonic sensor and displays it on the LCD:

 

#include <Wire.h> // Library for I2C communication

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h> // Library for LCD

 

// Initialize LCD with I2C address 0x3F and dimensions 16x2

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

 

int trigPin = A0; // Trigger pin for ultrasonic sensor

int echoPin = A1; // Echo pin for ultrasonic sensor

 

long distance;      // Distance in cm

long distanceInch;  // Distance in inches

long duration;      // Duration of the ultrasonic pulse

 

void setup() {

  lcd.begin();       // Initialize LCD

  lcd.backlight();   // Turn on the LCD backlight

  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);

 

  // Display a welcome message

  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

  lcd.print("   WELCOME TO");

  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);

  lcd.print("  Vishnu Projects");////////can chanhe name from here//////////////

  delay(2000);

  lcd.clear();

}

 

void loop() {

  ULTRASONIC(); // Call the ultrasonic sensor function to measure distance

 

  // Display the distance in cm and inches

  lcd.clear();

  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

  lcd.print("DISTANCE CM:");

  lcd.print(distance); 

  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);

  lcd.print("DISTANCE INCH:");

  lcd.print(distanceInch); 

 

  delay(500); // Delay for readability

}

 

// Function to measure distance using the ultrasonic sensor

void ULTRASONIC() {

  // Send a trigger pulse

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  delayMicroseconds(2);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);

  delayMicroseconds(10);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

 

  // Measure the echo pulse duration

  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);

 

  // Calculate distance in cm and inches

  distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;

  distanceInch = duration * 0.0133 / 2;

}

 Directly download codes from Here

Copy this code into your Arduino IDE and upload it to your board. Ensure that all connections are secure before powering up the system.

Testing the System

Once the code is uploaded, it’s time to test the system. Power on your Arduino and observe the LCD screen. As you move an object closer or farther away from the ultrasonic sensor, the distance displayed on the LCD should change accordingly. This real-time feedback is a great way to visualize how ultrasonic sensors work.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues during setup, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• LCD Not Displaying: Check the connections and ensure the contrast is adjusted correctly.
• Incorrect Distance Readings: Ensure that the ultrasonic sensor is unobstructed and that you are measuring within its range (typically 2cm to 400cm).
• Code Upload Failures: Ensure that the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.

Conclusion

This project provides a hands-on experience with ultrasonic sensors and LCD displays, which are valuable components in many engineering applications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will not only enhance your technical skills but also gain confidence in building electronic systems. Don’t forget to share your results and modifications!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. Happy coding!