Summary of Live Action MATLAB – Arduino data logger.
This article describes building an affordable Arduino-based data logger designed to interface seamlessly with MATLAB R2014a, leveraging MATLAB's updated Arduino support package from 2014. The project features an Arduino shield configured as an adjustable voltage divider to measure resistance. Key components include a 5V power supply input via a screw terminal, a 100k trim potentiometer to adjust the voltage divider for various sensors, and a switch to control data collection directly from MATLAB. Despite MATLAB's sampling limitations, this setup efficiently logs sensor data for later analysis.
Parts used in the Arduino MATLAB Data Logger:
- Arduino board
- Arduino shield designed in Fritzing
- Screw terminal for 5V power input
- 100k trim potentiometer (trim pot)
- Switch for MATLAB data collection control
Background
I was in need of an affordable data logger for a project. I have access to MATLAB on all of my machines so it was an easy choice to build an Arduino based data logger that would easily interface with MATLAB R2014a. MATLAB is limited in both its sampling frequency (25 Hz) and its time lag (1 sec) but for my purposes these restraints where not a hindrance.
In the fall of 2014 MATLAB updated their Arduino support package. The “Arduino Support from MATLAB” can be found here Unlike prior MATLAB Arduino support packages the user no longer has to upload a script to the Arduino board, this is done automatically by MATLAB when the function “arduino” is run. A full list of the MATLAB – Arduino functions can be found here here
Arduio Shield Layout
The layout of the Arduino was done in Fritzing. This shield allows the data logger setup to log resistance though the means of an adjustable voltage divider.
- 5V power is fed to the sensor to be measured via the screw terminal that is shown on the left side of the schematic. The 5V power is than fed to Analog Port 1 and is measured during the script to obtain the actual voltage going into the voltage divider.
- The 100k trim pot in the lower left acts as the bottom leg of the voltage divider. This is adjustable to allow the data logger to be used with a variety of sensors.
- The switch is used as an interface with MATLAB, when the switch is closed MATLAB is collecting data, when the switch is opened MATLAB exits the data collection for loop in the code and saves the data for post processing.
For More Detail: Live Action MATLAB – Arduino data logger.
