4 Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036) Guide 28036

guide-28036

User Manual:

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Copyright © Parallax Inc. 4-Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036) v1.0 12/20/2010 Page 1 of 4

4-Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036)

The 4-Directional Tilt Sensor is a perfect accelerometer replacement in those applications which may not

need precise angular feedback. This type of sensor is commonly used in many smart phones and digital

cameras as a cheaper means to adjust the screen display when the device is rotated.

Features

 Small 6-pin DIP packaging with

breadboard-friendly 0.1" pin spacing

 Easy communication with any

microcontroller

 Positional feedback in four directions

Key Specifications

 Power Requirements: 3 to 5.5 VDC

 Communication Interface: 2-pin

high/low output for four sensor states

 Operating temperature: 32 to 122 °F

(0 to 50 °C)

 Dimensions: 0.42 x 0.32 x 0.49 in

(1.07 x 0.81 x 1.24 cm)

Application Ideas

 Rotating display adjustment

 Robotic movement

 Tilt sensing for remote controls

 Alarm systems

Resources and Downloads

Check for the latest version of this document, free software, and example programs from the 4-

Directional Tilt Sensor product page. Go to www.parallax.com and search 28036.

Theory of Operation

Internally, the 4-Directional Tilt Sensor includes one IR LED, two phototransistors, and a small ball that

moves when the sensor is rotated. Depending on the orientation of the sensor, the two phototransistors

will output high or low signals depending whether light is detected or not. New locations are triggered

when the sensor is rotated roughly 30° toward the new position.

The chart below depicts the cylinder location when rotating the sensor, and the output states of each

phototransistor during revolution.

Copyright © Parallax Inc. 4-Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036) v1.0 12/20/2010 Page 2 of 4

Location

Phototransistor

1 Phototransistor

2

A 0 0

B 1 0

C 1 1

D 0 1

Items of Note:

 When the sensor is lying flat and only acted on by g-forces, the cylinder will be in Location C.

 Upon startup and when lying flat, the sensor remains in the last location before shutdown. Once

movement is detected, the sensor will respond normally.

Pin Definitions and Ratings

Pin Name Type Function

1 OUT2* O Output state of phototransistor 2

2 Vdd* P Supply Voltage -> 3.0 - 5.5V

3 GND G Ground -> 0V

4 GND G Ground -> 0V

5 Vdd* P Supply Voltage -> 3.0 - 5.5V

6 OUT1* O Output state of phototransistor 1

Pin Type: P = Power, G = Ground, I = Input, O = Output

*Note: Maximum output signal voltage approaches power supply voltage.

Copyright © Parallax Inc. 4-Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036) v1.0 12/20/2010 Page 3 of 4

Connection Diagrams

For use with the BASIC Stamp and Propeller P8X32A example programs listed below. Note: Maximum

output signal voltage approaches power supply voltage, so use the same voltage level for microcontroller

and sensor supply.

*Vdd = 3.3V for Propeller Applications, 5V for BASIC Stamp Applications

BASIC Stamp® Example Code

4DirectionalTiltSesnor_Simple.bs2 displays the output states of both phototransistors. It uses the Debug

Terminal, which is built into the BASIC Stamp Editor software. The software is a free download from

www.parallax.com/basicstampsoftware.

' 4DirectionalTiltSensor_Simple.bs2

' Displays output states of both phototransistors

' {$STAMP BS2}

' {$PBASIC 2.5}

PAUSE 1000

DO

DEBUG HOME, "Phototransistor 1: ", BIN1 IN0, CR,

"Phototransistor 2: ", BIN1 IN1

PAUSE 50

LOOP

Propeller™ P8X32A Example Code

4DirectionalTiltSesnor_Simple.spin displays the current output states of both phototransistors. It uses the

Parallax Serial Terminal to display the device output. The object and the Parallax Serial Terminal itself are

included with the with the Propeller Tool v1.2.7 or higher, which is available from the Downloads link at

www.parallax.com/Propeller.

'' 4DirectionalTiltSensor_Simple.spin for P8X32A

'' Displays output states of both phototransistors

_CLKMODE = XTAL1 + PLL16X

_XINFREQ = 5_000_000

OBJ

pst : "Parallax Serial Terminal.spin"

Copyright © Parallax Inc. 4-Directional Tilt Sensor (#28036) v1.0 12/20/2010 Page 4 of 4

PUB Main

dira[0..1]~ ' Set pins 0-1 to input

pst.Start(115_200) ' Set Parallax Serial Terminal to 115,200 baud

repeat

pst.Home

pst.str(string("Phototransistor 1: "))

pst.bin(ina[0], 1)

pst.NewLine

pst.str(string("Phototransistor 2: "))

pst.bin(ina[1], 1)

waitcnt(clkfreq/10 + cnt)