Motion Detector Interface

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

I would like to connect a standard security system Motion detector to an Arduino for the purpose of logging movement in an area. I would like to know if, when motion is detected, the Arduino board can send this information to software on my pc. I'd like to be able to have protocol set up for both activity, and lack of activity. I am currently working on the software for this project, but I am unsure of how to get the signal to my pc. Can the Arduino board relay information to software other than it's own? The motion detector I have is N.O., but when motion is detected it Closes. Can the Arduino receive a closure of a circuit as an input? How many inputs of this type can it receive? I'd like to have multiple motion detectors.

The following link is the spec sheet on the motion detector I would like to use. http://www.aleph-usa.com/_pdf/XP-40series.pdf

2

Could you provide a link to "a standard security motion detector" so someone can look at a spec sheet?

Yes, arduino can relay information to a PC so all you have to worry about is to make arduino get the information.

3

most security type motion sensors use a 12v DC supply and output 12v till motion is detected then they open a relay so your 12v output would drop to 0 volts

i would say you could monitor the voltage from the sensor and either use a resistor or even better a resistor and Optocoupler to isolate the Arduino from any power spikes

while 120v lighting type motion sensors are backwards they close a relay when motion is detected thus outputting 120v

4

There are several way to interact with PC, more than Arduino's IDE. For example you can use Processing (http://processing.org/).

If you want to know at what time you detect the motion, you can use RTC like DS1307.

And for detect motion I think you can also use PIR sensors (cheap).

Bye