Following objective: I have an unknown PWM signal, it is a signal that regulates an electrical fuel pump. The pump motor is specified at 6V, the control unit intakes a 3s LiPo rated at 11.1V. Anything else is a "black box" i need to figure out.
So what am i planning: I want to measure the PWM over the pump output spread. Sadly i do not own an oscilloscope, and since i will need to gather the data and convert it on an arduino anyways, i figured i can just use an arduino to measure it in the first place.
So, first challenge, getting a readable signal. If it overvolts then i might fry my little helpers.....and i`m not really keen on that.
Second challenge will be reading the PWM from the stepped down signal.
Should not affect the PWM waveform unless R1+R2 are really low values. If R1+R2 = 10K total for instance, and VCC = 15V, then current draw from Vcc will be small, just 1.5mA, which will be a good amount to drive the A0 input.
Should not affect the PWM waveform unless R1+R2 are really low values. If R1+R2 = 10K total for instance, and VCC = 15V, then current draw from Vcc will be small, just 1.5mA, which will be a good amount to drive the A0 input.
In my calculation i am running 30k.... so 0.5mA at 15V. If i run at just 6V (pump spec), will the values still work?
I will need to order resistors, i have none in the specified range, so id hate to have to wait if my pick was off ....
Why the A0 pin. Are you expecting a 'voltage' into the pin from that PWM signal?
I would expect you use a digital pin to measure the PWM on/off times.
Leo..
You might save some time by getting a inexpensive pot (potentiometer) and just dial in what you need for the measurement. The Arduino probably can detect digital input voltages below 5v for some voltage margin.
Wawa:
Why the A0 pin. Are you expecting a 'voltage' into the pin from that PWM signal?
I would expect you use a digital pin to measure the PWM on/off times.
Leo..
That is the ultimate goal yes.....but if my black box outputs the full 11V as PWM i will fry the arduino. So i want to start conservative......if it outputs the 11 or so volts, it should read fine. If it outputs considerably less, i will be able to change resistors to 10k/10k or so
Will work fine for just reading, but on the final edition i will need interrupts for the pwm reading. While reading, the Arduino will have to convert it either into stepper speed or servo output....
Don't be too worried - there are always the clamping diodes (and you could add one of your own if you're still worried) to keep the voltage under control.
The main thing you have to do is keeping the current under control. At 3x LiPo the highest voltage possible is 3x4.2 = 12.6V. Those diodes are rated 1 mA, so limit to 0.5 mA and you're safe - that means a resistor of (12.6 - 5.5) / 0.0005 = 14200Ω. A 15-22k resistor between the signal source and your Arduino pin is all you need to stay safe, and you'll reliably and safely detect the signal at any voltage from 3V up to 15V or so.
Then a pulseIn(pin, LOW) followed by a pulseIn(pin, HIGH) to measure the low and high times of the signal gives you the frequency and duty cycle.
To measure the voltage levels of the signal, use a 12:1 voltage divider, connect it to an anlog input, and use the internal 1.1V reference (calibrate this with a known voltage as it has a 10% tolerance!) to measure the actual voltage levels used on your signal.
If you're running a 6V motor from a 3xLiPo source, that should mean a duty cycle of no more than 50%, to average the voltage down to 6V.
