Get your Pi to read analog data
Even the most basic Arduino, the UNO, has seven analog pins. In fact, the last time around we tried to make the Pi read analog inputs [1], we used a Digispark – a tiny Arduino compatible board with analog pins. We read from an analog source and passed the digitized data on to the poor old Pi via one of its USB ports.
The solution was inelegant, bordering on messy overkill. It was also much more expensive than it needed to be. We were using an $8 device capable of much more than acting as a mere translator.
What we really need is an ADC, or an Analog to Digital Converter (Figure 1). These modest little ICs costs about one Euro each, or less if you buy several together.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
Pages: 5
(incl. VAT)
Buy Raspberry Pi Geek
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Related content
-
Use an analog sensor as a video game controller
We put our Analog-to-Digital converter to work reading positions from an analog sensor (a potentiometer) and control a bat in a simple implementation of the classic Breakout game.
-
Reading and writing from an analog multiplexer
It's easy to run out of analog pins on your Arduino far too soon when you are working on a project. Add a multiplexer or two, though, and you're back in business.
-
Adding analog input to the Pi using the Digispark
Analog input needs special treatment in the digital Raspberry Pi world. We show you what you need to do to get analog data into your Rasp Pi via the USB port.
-
Write your own drivers for Arduino
So, you have some new kit for your Arduino – maybe some sensors or ICs – but programming them is clumsy and painful. Don't despair: You can make your life easier by writing your own drivers!
-
Use the Rasp Pi to log data from bicycles and motorcyles
University students take the Raspberry Pi to the streets, using it as a data logger for bicycles and motorcycles.
