How do I choose an Arduino model?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi all! I am currently working on a design project that involves incorporating an Arduino into a system to help with pulse width modulation to vary the speed of a motor. The main goal of the design would be to take an input signal from a sensor that measures distance or weight, calculate a flow rate, calculate a modulation constant, and then send an output signal to a MOSFET transistor based on the modulation constant to either block or let a 12V power supply through. Additionally, I would like to be able to remotely activate the Arduino to make the design and the simulations its incorporated in run smoother.

My main question is, is there a specific Arduino model that would allow for an input from a sensor, output a small current to the MOSFET, and allow for remote signaling? Additionally, since this is my first time using an Arduino, do you all have any helpful resources for choosing an Arduino for future projects?

2

That's tells nothing. A datasheet tells all. Please post it!

Different sensors have different interfaces. A datasheet link is needed.

3

I haven't chosen a specific sensor yet; it just needs to either measure weight or distance. Given that the Arduino would likely be more expensive, I assume it would be easier to choose the Arduino model based on the other requirements and then tailor the cheaper sensor to whatever that Arduino model would be compatible with. Would you have any recommendations for Arduino models based on the other requirements? I would like to work with either Python or MATLAB when it comes to the programming of the Arduino if that narrows it down at all.

4

You need to descide.

Unnecessary feers. All Arduinos are well capable of almost all sensors.

Usually the amount of memory needed, the processing speed and amount of I/O are key factors.

5

Python on an Arduino like Uno Q and MicroPython on some. MATLAB doesn't yet have an ARM version.

6

Is there something that relates these either/or things or are we talking about two completely separate projects?

7

I'm guessing you mean writing the code for the program that will run on the board, as opposed to the code for companion applications that will run on a standard PC and interact with the program running on the board.

As @EmilyJane already pointed out, the Arduino UNO Q board has full support for running standard Python scripts on its microprocessor:

https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/uno-q/

Note that the UNO Q has a hybrid design, where a microprocessor running the Linux operating system works in coordination with a powerful STM32 microcontroller on the board. You would typically write the code for the program that runs on the microcontroller in the "Arduino programming language" (or C++).

Another alternative is to use a variant of Python that is specifically designed for use on microcontrollers. There are actually two of these:

Arduino provides official support for using MicroPython with some of our boards. You can learn about that here:

https://docs.arduino.cc/micropython/

MicroPython also has support for various 3rd party boards:

CircuitPython, which is maintained by Adafruit also has support for various Arduino boards, as well as many 3rd party boards:

Although using MATLAB from an SBC such as the UNO Q would certainly be interesting, the lack of a build of the MATLAB application for the ARM-based platform of these boards does not preclude the use of MATLAB with Arduino boards. In fact the Arduino company has even produced a product specifically targeted to this use case:

The MATLAB application runs on your standard PC, with the Arduino board as a target (just as with Arduino IDE, etc.). There is more information on the subject here:

https://www.mathworks.com/hardware-support/arduino.html

And a list of supported boards here:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/supportpkg/supported-hardware.html

So @wrf16 if you wish to use MATLAB, I would recommend getting one of the boards listed there.

8

Once you know what interface your sensors use (I2C, SPI, UART) then just look at all the boards to see which have it (almost all will have) Almost all Arduinoi type boards use C++, very little support for MATLAB or Python. You will have more choices if you add C++ (mostly just plain C) to your list of requirements.

9

With some more research I'm now primarily looking at an Arduino Uno Rev3 as the model to work with, along with an ultrasonic sensor to measure distance. Would this sensor work with this model of Arduino? Additionally, for the PWM to work, do you all have any suggestions between using an L-298N motor driver, a MOSFET drive module, or a MOSFET transistor itself with a flyback diode and all the proper grounding?

Below I have links for the components I am looking at, if you all have suggestions for different components, please let me know!

H-Bridge:
Amazon.com: L298N Motor Drive Controller Board Module Dual H Bridge DC Stepper for Arduino Smart Car Robot R3 2560 ESP32 ESP826 : Electronics

MOSFET driver:
6PCS Dual High-Power MOSFET Trigger Switch Drive Module 0-20KHz PWM Adjustment Electronic Switch Control Board Motor Speed Controller Lamp Brightness Control, DC 5V-36V 400W, 15A (Max 30A): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Ultrasonic Sensor:
Amazon.com: Smraza 5pcs Ultrasonic Module HC-SR04 Distance Sensor with 2pcs Mounting Bracket for Arduino R3 MEGA Mega2560 Duemilanove Nano Robot XBee ZigBee : Industrial & Scientific

10

You have introduced PWM into the mix. What do you intend to do with that?

11

I mentioned that in my original post. I would like it to vary the speed of a motor that is attached to either the MOSFET or motor driver. The idea is to be able to control the flow rate out of a pump by changing the motor speed.

12

what is the specification of the motor?

for Python have a look at Getting started with MicroPython on the ESP32

13

This is along the lines of what I am currently looking at:

RS-360/365A | Kinmore Motor

I'd like to have a small brush motor, I've heard brushless motors don't work well with PWM for whatever reason, that I can then 3D print an attachable "shell" to allow it to work as a water pump. Would this motor be feasible or should I look for something else, and do you have any recommendations for specifications I should look for?

From my understanding, aquarium pumps are not easy to use in circuits as they generally use a simple plug into an outlet.

14

It is an excellent board! You should be aware that you can't use MicroPython or CircuitPython with this board. The reason is that, due to the nature of how Python works, significantly more resources are required to run a Python script than an Arduino sketch program. The UNO R3 has relatively modest resources. They are plenty sufficient to do absolutely incredible things with an Arduino sketch, but simply not enough to run Python scripts. So MicroPython and CircuitPython don't have support for the UNO R3.

However, Arduino/C++ is an excellent programming language, so I wouldn't worry too much about not having the option of writing your programs in Python. As I mentioned in my previous reply, you do still have the option of working with Python if you have a project where the UNO R3 is working in coordination with an application running on your PC.

And you probably noticed from the link I shared in my previous post that MATLAB is compatible with the UNO R3, so it meets that criterion of yours anyway.

Yes. It will work perfectly. The combination of the HC-SR04 and UNO R3 is used extensively in the Arduino community. You will find a lot of excellent resources are available for using this sensor in Arduino projects. I have successfully created projects with this combination of hardware myself.

15

What sort of distance? Will you be outside wifi range? If you want to stay with Arduino products there are microcontrollers in the MKR series with LoRa, GSM or narrow-band comms modules built into the board.

These are a bit more expensive but save you the bother of mounting, powering and interfacing to a discrete radio module.

16

have a look at modules such as Heltec WiFi32 LoRa V3 which combine the ESP32S3 with onboard WiFi and BLE plus a SX1262 LoRa module

maybe possible to program it using MicroPython - never tried it though

17

Which Python Interpreter is installed in the eMMC? Is it python3?

18

Are you seriously going to try to design a pump?

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19

Thank you so much! This was incredibly helpful for me.

20

While the original plan was to have wireless access through a LAN network, the design requirements have been changed to use a universal IR remote. My understanding is that I would just use an IR sensor and universal IR remote together and then have different lines of code be run based on the different IR signals from the remote. Is this a correct understanding of how these would work together?