In the realm of automation and sensor-based systems, ultrasonic sensor control plays a crucial role in a wide variety of applications. By utilizing ultrasonic sensor control, users can measure distances, monitor specific ranges, and even trigger alarms when certain thresholds are reached. This system can be enhanced further with Bluetooth communication through the BlueBot controller app, making it even more versatile and user-friendly. In this blog, we will explore how to implement ultrasonic sensor control with Arduino and the HC-05 Bluetooth module, showing how distance measurements can be used to trigger alarms. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to visualize this data and provide multiple alarm options for the user.
Table of Contents
Features of the BlueBot Controller App
- Simple Command Interface: Easily send commands like “ON” and “OFF” to control devices.
- Customizable Buttons: Create custom commands to suit your project needs.
- Real-Time Control: Instantly see the results of your actions.
- Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Arduino and Bluetooth modules like HC-05 and HC-06.
How to Download the BlueBot Controller App
To get started, download the BlueBot Controller App from the official source:
Make sure you have a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to pair with your project.
Understanding Ultrasonic Sensor Control
Ultrasonic sensor control refers to using ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. These sensors work by emitting sound waves at a high frequency and measuring the time it takes for the waves to bounce back after hitting an object. By calculating the time it takes for the echo to return, the sensor can determine the distance to the object.
In this case, we integrate ultrasonic sensor control with the BlueBot app and an HC-05 Bluetooth module. The system works by providing real-time distance measurements in centimeters (cm), displaying these measurements on the app, and triggering an alarm if the distance falls below or exceeds a predefined threshold.
How Ultrasonic Sensor Control Works with BlueBot
The ultrasonic sensor control system works by connecting an ultrasonic sensor (such as the HC-SR04) to an Arduino board. The sensor sends a pulse, waits for the echo to return, and calculates the distance. This distance data is then sent to the mobile phone through the HC-05 Bluetooth module, where the BlueBot app displays the value and can trigger an alarm when certain conditions are met.
Here’s how the process works step-by-step:
- Distance Measurement: The ultrasonic sensor sends out a pulse. The sensor measures the time it takes for the pulse to bounce back and calculates the distance to the nearest object.
- Data Transmission: The measured distance is transmitted via Bluetooth to the BlueBot app. The app can display the distance on the screen, making it easy for users to monitor.
- Alarm Trigger: If the distance falls within a certain range, the app can trigger an alarm. This alarm can be one of five options, allowing users to choose the sound they prefer.
- Visual Representation: The app can also display the distance using a visual representation, such as a progress bar or gauge, to indicate how far the object is from the sensor.
Sample Code for Ultrasonic Sensor Control
To better understand how ultrasonic sensor control works, let’s take a look at the following Arduino code that interfaces with the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor and the HC-05 Bluetooth module.
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
// Pin definitions for HC-SR04
const int trigPin = 5; // Trigger pin of the ultrasonic sensor
const int echoPin = 6; // Echo pin of the ultrasonic sensor
// HC-05 Bluetooth module
SoftwareSerial bluetooth(2, 3); // RX, TX pins for Bluetooth
// Variables for ultrasonic sensor
long duration;
int distance;
int maxDistance = 100; // Maximum measurable distance in cm
void setup() {
// Initialize Serial Monitor
Serial.begin(9600);
// Initialize Bluetooth
bluetooth.begin(9600);
Serial.println("Bluetooth initialized");
// Set pin modes for the ultrasonic sensor
pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
}
void loop() {
// Measure distance using the ultrasonic sensor
distance = getDistance();
// Calculate fill percentage based on distance
int fillPercentage = map(distance, 0, maxDistance, 0, 100);
fillPercentage = constrain(fillPercentage, 0, 100);
// Format and send the data via Bluetooth
bluetooth.print(distance);
bluetooth.print(";");
bluetooth.print(fillPercentage);
bluetooth.println(";");
// Debugging: Print the values to Serial Monitor
Serial.print("Distance: ");
Serial.print(distance);
Serial.print(" cm, Fill Percentage: ");
Serial.print(fillPercentage);
Serial.println("%");
// Add a delay for stability
delay(1000);
}
// Function to measure distance using the HC-SR04 sensor
int getDistance() {
// Send a 10-microsecond pulse to the trigger pin
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
// Read the duration of the echo pulse
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
// Calculate the distance in cm
int distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;
return distance;
}
Explanation of Code:
- HC-SR04 Pin Setup: The triggerPin and echoPin are set to 5 and 6 respectively for interfacing with the ultrasonic sensor.
- Bluetooth Setup: The HC-05 Bluetooth module is initialized on pins 2 and 3.
- Distance Measurement: The
getDistance()function sends a pulse to the ultrasonic sensor and measures the duration of the echo to calculate the distance. - Bluetooth Communication: The calculated distance and corresponding fill percentage are sent over Bluetooth to the mobile app.
- Output to Serial Monitor: The distance and fill percentage are printed to the Serial Monitor for debugging purposes.
Triggering Alarms Based on Distance
In this system, ultrasonic sensor control not only measures the distance but also triggers alarms if the object is within a certain range. For instance, if an object comes too close to the sensor (e.g., less than 10 cm), the app can play an alarm sound.
Alarm Functionality:
- Alarm Options: The BlueBot app provides five different alarm sounds. The user can select their preferred alarm sound.
- Alarm Triggering: If the distance falls below the specified threshold, the app triggers the selected alarm sound, alerting the user.
- Visual Indicators: The app can also visually represent the distance using a gauge or progress bar, providing users with both audio and visual cues.
Advantages of Using Ultrasonic Control with BlueBot
- Real-Time Monitoring: Ultrasonic sensor control allows for real-time distance monitoring, which is crucial for applications like security, robotics, and automation.
- Customizable Alarms: With five different alarm sounds, users can choose the one that best suits their needs.
- Easy Integration with Arduino: The system easily integrates with Arduino, making it accessible for hobbyists and developers to create custom solutions.
- Bluetooth Communication: The Bluetooth communication via the HC-05 module ensures that users can monitor the sensor data wirelessly from their smartphones.
Conclusion: Mastering Ultrasonic Sensor Control with BlueBot
In this blog, we’ve explored the concept of ultrasonic sensor control, how it works with Arduino, and how it can be used to trigger alarms through the BlueBot app. Whether it’s for measuring the distance between objects, activating alarms when thresholds are reached, or simply displaying the distance on your mobile device, this system provides flexibility and ease of use. With the ability to select from five alarm sounds and visualize the distance, ultrasonic sensor control is an invaluable tool for a wide range of applications.
By integrating ultrasonic sensor control with the BlueBot app, users can enhance their projects and make their systems more interactive and responsive. This technology is not only easy to implement but also scalable, allowing for more complex systems to be built in the future.
Download BlueBot Controller App and start your journey today!