Hi all,
I have a problem with Analog Input on my Arduino Uno. I have A0 port to AD620N in-amp (powered from Arduino - +5V from USB), which amplifies signal from MPX2010DP sensor (powered from external 12V power supply). Readings I get from A0 port are far from I expect - they tend to oscillate from around 400mV to 4000mV (with the same frequency as sine signal I get when A0 is not connected to anything), when, standard, simple voltometer shows "steady" 1700+-10mV - and I don't know why.
I've tried connecting AD* to the same power supply as MPX* (power supply has +5V and +12V rails with two ground lines), disconnecting external supply, changing AD* - but no success.
I would be very thankful for any help/ideas why this may be happening.
I am using 47 Ohm resistor (for very high gain, since changes in pressure I'm going to detect are very small) - but changing it does not change the reading form A0 - it still oscillates.
Unfortunately, I do not have an oscilloscope, only very simple voltometer.
I do not have second Arduino either. I have tried connecting IA to other analog inputs, but with the same results - oscillating input (with nothing connected, it is simple sine wave).
If you short -IN and +IN on the AD620 do you get 0 volts out?
Are you using long wires between the pressure sensor and the AD620? They might act as antenna and shielded twisted-pair cable might be a better choice.
Are you sure the 12V to the sensor is well filtered?
I'll post the sketch as soon as I get home. What baffles me is that readout from voltometer works (or looks like it is) OK- it changes from 1700mV to 1600mV (or 1900mV) as I change pressure on sensor inputs.
I can try and connect AD620 to 12V power, but I don't know if Arduino AIn can handle its output.
OK, i forgot so specify that MPX image is wrong here - in database I found it has only one output. I have VOut+ connected to VIn+ and VOut- to VIn-. My bad ^^'' But, nevertheless, when I shor the AD620 i do not get 0 volts...
I have grounded that pin, output still oscillates but with different pattern (i get "peaks" from time to time), and when shorted i still get 0.5V volts on IA. Voltometer reports changing pressure better, and "peaks" change in amplitude when I change pressure)
AOUT is completely disconnected at the moment, so this should not be a problem. I have to return the project tomorrow, so I'll just leave it with analog part for now, with IA connected to +12V rail. I'll also look around for another IA - can anyone point me to something that works well with +5V power supply? Or maybe a better A-D converter?