The Engineering Projects

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor: Datasheet, Pinout & Working

Hey pals! Welcome to the next article where we're studying a gas sensor from the MQ sensor series. Today, we’ll understand the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor and will know the basic information about this product. This sensor has sensitivity for gases like LPG, isobutane propane etc and it is widely used to check any leakage of these gases. These are the commonly used gases but any leakage or excessive use may be harmful and even life-threatening. In such cases, sensors like MQ-6 are proved one of the most important devices. 

In this article, we’ll start the discussion with the introduction of the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor. After that, we’ll move towards the datasheet of this product in which we’ll study the specifications, features, and some graphs that will show its working. After that, we’ll work on the working principle and physical dimensions of this sensor and in the end, we’ll see some common examples of the applications in which this sensor is widely used.

Let’s move towards the first topic:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Introduction

Butane gas is not only used in houses but has a major role in multiple industries where it is used as a fuel. It is a common source of energy for factories but using safety precautions is the most important point to keep in mind and here, the duty of the sensor like MQ-6 starts. The MQ-6 LPG butane sensor detects the presence of leakage in the gases and provides the information in the form of analog values so that the user may know the amount of the gas present in the surroundings. 

At the core of this gas sensor, there is a small and sensitive structure of different components that allow it to detect the LPG butane gas from the surroundings with the help of a change in the electrical conductivity. The basic components of this sensor are:

• Micro AL2O3 ceramic tube

• Sno2 (tin dioxide) layer

• Measuring electrode

• Heater

• plastic and stainless steel net

• Base

These components collectively prepare a small sensor compatible with different types of circuits. The following are the gases that can be detected using the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor:

• Butane (C4H10)

• Propane (C3H8)

• Methane (CH4)

• Alcohol vapors

• Benzene

• Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Hydrogen (H2)

• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

The sensitivity of the MQ-6 sensor varies according to the type of the gas. 

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Datasheet

Before using any electrical component, always check the datasheet for detailed information on the product. In the case of the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor, here are the important points that one must know:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Features

• As mentioned before, this sensor has a high sensitivity to LPG, iso-butane, propane and other similar gases. 

• It has a small sensitivity to gases like alcohol, and smoke but is not suitable to be used as only a sensor for these gases.

• This sensor shows a fast response so is a reliable choice.

• It works continuously therefore providing stable results and having a long life.

• This sensor runs on the simple drive circuit

• As soon as it is turned on, it takes only 20 seconds to preheat and starts working.

• It can be used as a Digital or analogue sensor because it has both pins

• The user can vary the Sensitivity of the digital pin using the potentiometer in its structure

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Specifications

The following table is the evidence of its different specifications regarding different types of parameters:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Basic Structure

The basic compoeents of the MQ-6 LPG butane sensor have been discussed before but now, let’s have a look at the internal structure of this sensor to understand its working. Here is the circuit diagram for this purpose:

The detail of each label and its description is written here in the table below:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Sensitivity Characteristics

The MQ-6 LPG butane gas can detect multiple gases but the sensitivity varies according to the type of the gas. With the help of continuous experimentation, the sensitivity of this detector can be examined using the graph given below:

Here, other parameters such as temperature and humidity are kept constant. The above image shows the sensitivity of the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor in the range of 100-1000 ppm. Here, 

Rs:

• It stands for sensing resistance.

• It represents the actual resistance of the sensor in the presence of a specific gas concentration.

• It changes based on the gas concentration which decreases as the concentration increases.

Ro:

• It stands for Reference Resistance.

• It represents the sensor's resistance in clean air (absence of target gases).

• It is usually measured when the sensor is powered on and heated to operating temperature in a gas-free environment.

Rs/Ro:

• It represents the ratio of sensing resistance (Rs) to reference resistance (Ro).

• This ratio provides a normalized value to compare the sensor's response across different gas concentrations and environmental conditions.

• The higher Rs/Ro values generally indicate the presence of higher gas concentrations.

If you want to have more detail about its datasheet you can visit the link below and get all the information:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Pinout Configuration

The four-pin MQ-6 butane gas sensor is easy to install and has the simple pin configuration that is mentioned in the table below:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Packages

For the convenience of the users, the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor is present in different types of packages. Here is a brief introduction of these:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Alternatives

The butane is a widely used gas, therefore, there are different alternatives present in the market that have the same good performance as the MQ-6 LPG butane. Some of these belong to the MQ family and others are from different classes. Here are some alternatives:

Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) Sensors

• MQ-2

• MQ-3

• MQ-4

• MQ-5

• MQ-7

• MQ-8

• MQ-9

• MQ135

Electrochemical Sensors

• MiCS-5525/5526

• SGX Sensortech MiniMOS

• CityTech SEN5X

Infrared (IR) Sensors

• Senseair NDIR sensors

• SGX Sensortech IR sensors

Where to Buy MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor?

The electrical components are delicate and the performance varies because of different parameters. Here are some platforms where you can have the best quality MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensors:

• eBay

• AliExpress

• Amazon

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Working Principle

The working of the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor is similar to the other MQ sensors. I have divided the working principle into different steps and will understand the basic flow:

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Heating Process

When the sensor is turned on, the circuit starts heating the core of this sensor that has the sensitive element SnO2 layer. This process is done to maintain a temperature of around 300°C (572°F) which activates the sensing element and it starts absorbing the oxygen from the surrounding air. 

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Ion Creation

The result of the reaction in the previous step creates the depletion region around the sensing element. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the circuit decreases because of the high resistance.

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Gas Absorption

Once the MQ-6 LPG sensor comes into contact with the target gas, the oxygen ions from the depletion region start reacting with the gas molecules and as a result, the depletion region starts adsorbing. This causes the reduction in the number of oxygen ions and the overall conductivity increase.

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Resistance Measurement

The circuit of the sensor measures the change in the resistance and the electrical current as well. The change in the current is directly proportional to the amount of the target gas in the environment. In this way, the analog values are sent to the output device through the analog output pin.

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Digital Output

The MQ-6 provides the feature of digital output as well. The analog values, when exceeding the threshold value set through the potentiometer, are converted into the digital output and the sensor sends the signal through the digital pin. This is useful because usually, this pin is connected to the alarm and in the systems like an automatic alarm that shows the signal of the LPT butane gas presence.

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Physical Dimensions

MQ-6 LPG Butane Gas Sensor Applications

Here is a list of simple and basic examples that show the applications where the MQ-6 LPG butane gas sensor is extensively used:

Gas Leak Detection

• Homes
• Industries
• Vehicles

Air Quality Monitoring

• Indoor environments
• Industrial settings

Combustible Gas Safety Systems

• Appliances
• Furnaces
• Leak detection alarms

Environmental Monitoring

• Landfill gas detection
• VOC monitoring

Portable Gas Detection Devices

• Personal safety monitoring
• Industrial inspections

Research and Development

• Flammable gas sensing experiments
• Sensor evaluation and comparison

So, we have studied the MQ-6 LPG butane sensor in detail. We have started our discussion with the basic introduction of this sensor. We’ve seen the gases it can detect, the details of the datasheet, its pinout configuration, working graphs, its internal features, and the working principle in detail. After that, we saw the alternatives and package details along with the physical dimension of this sensor. In the end, we saw examples of different domains where this sensor is widely used. I hope I have covered all the points and you like the content. 

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor: Datasheet, Pinout & Working

Hi readers! Welcome to another article where we are discussing the MQ family members. Today, our motto is to learn about the MQ-5 natural liquified petroleum gas (LPG) sensor. The gas sensing material used in this sensor is known as tin dioxide(SnO2). It detects the natural LPG in the surroundings as soon as the core material of this sensor comes in contact with the LPG. This will be explained in simple words in this article.

Today, we’ll start learning about the basic introduction of the MQ-5 natural LPG sensor. After that, we’ll move towards its datasheet element, where we are going to see the specifications and features of the sensor, along with the pinout configuration and internal structure. We’ll also see the working principle and applications of the MQ-5 natural LPG sensor, and all the information will be shown by using tables, descriptions, and images for the best concepts.

So, let’s dive into the first topic to move forward:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Introduction

The MQ-5 natural LPG sensor belongs to the class of sensors that are used for the detection of different gases. The MQ-5 natural LPG sensor can detect multiple gases with the help of the semiconductor material tin dioxide (SnO2) present in its basic structure. This material has low conductance in pure gas (with no natural LPG), but as soon as it comes into contact with the natural LPG, the electrical conductance decreases, which is indicated through the output pin of this sensor. The simple circuit of this sensor converts this change in conductivity into a voltage change, and as a result, these sensors can send the signal to other components of the circuit to stimulate the system.

Here is a simple list of the detectable gases using an MQ-5 natural LPG sensor:

• Propane (C3H8): MQ-5 has the highest sensitivity for propane gas, making it suitable for propane leak detection. This is the primary gas for MQ-5 natural LPG sensor detection.
• Methane (CH4): The sensor has some sensitivity for methane as well, but not as precise as dedicated methane sensors. If the user wants to have a highly precise sensor for methane, then MQ-4 is a better option.
• Butane (C4H10): The butane gas is also detected using this sensor if the gas includes Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
• Alcohol (C2H5OH): For alcohol gas, this sensor has limited sensitivity. It is not ideal for precise alcohol measurements, but if the user wants a precise result, they can use the MQ-3 sensor.
• Hydrogen (H2): The MQ-5 has some sensitivity for hydrogen presence as well, but potential interference from other gases.

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Datasheet

Before going into the details of its external structure, it is better to know about the internal features and specifications of this product. Here are some important features of the MQ-5 sensor that make it a good choice for natural LPG detection:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Features 

• The first and most obvious feature of this sensor is, that it is highly sensitive to propane (C3H8); therefore, the primary goal of this sensor is to detect any liquified petroleum gas (LPG). 

• The internal structure is designed in such a way that it responds to the LPG as soon as the sensitive internal material comes into contact. 

• It requires simple additional circuitry to create the whole system, and its design is easy to integrate with other components. 

• It has low power consumption and, therefore, is a suitable component of projects like the Internet of Things (IoT). Here, it can work continuously, and the simple structure is the reason behind its long life. 

• It provides stable results and readings over time and, therefore, is a reliable component. 

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Specifications

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Structure

Before going into the details of the external structure, let’s have a look at the internal structure of this sensor:

The image shown above displays the structure of the dimension from different angles of the sensor. The unit here is a millimeter, and all the readings have a tolerance:±0.1mm. We’ll learn the detailed dimensions soon in this article. 

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Basic Circuit

An important feature of this sensor is its simple circuit, which not only makes it less power-consuming but also allows the user to install it without any complications. Here is the basic structure of this LPG sensor:

The labeling of the image will be clarified in the next section when we study its structure in detail.

If you want to study the datasheet in more detail then I suggest you visit the following link:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Pinout Configuration

Just like most of the gas sensors of this class, MQ-5 has four pins. In some models, the additional two pins are also present. It has a simple structure, and the detail of each pin is given in the table below:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Packages

A plus point of this series is, the gas sensors come in different packages so that the user may choose MQ-5 natural LPG sensor according to the type of circuit. Each package has its own pros and cons.  Here are some important packages in which this sensor is available:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Alternatives

Some other gas sensors from the MQ series can be used in place of the MQ-5 natural LPG sensor, but these may not be that efficient. Here are some popular gas sensors that can be used in place of MQ-5 natural LPG sensors:

• Semiconductor sensors (propane, butane, and carbon monoxide)
• Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide)
• NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensors (methane, CO2)
• Catalytic bead sensors (combustible gases)

Where to Buy MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor

The electronic components are sensitive, and the performance depends on the circuit and the manufacturing features. If you want to get the best MQ-5 natural LPG sensor, you must buy it from the following platforms:

• eBay

• AliExpress

• Amazon

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Working Principle

The MQ-5 sensor has a similar working as other gas sensors from the MQ series. The sensor detects LPG and methane gases through the semiconductor metal oxide sensing layer. Here is the breakdown of the work into different steps:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Heating Process

The MQ-5 has a heating element in its core that is constantly powered. Typically, it is done on the 5V and this heating enables the sensing layer to absorb more gas molecules from its surrounding air. Usually, the sensing element is tin dioxide (SnO2) because it is an excellent receptor of flammable gases.

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Ion Creation

The constant heating allows the reactive material to absorb oxygen and create oxygen ions on its surface. In this way, these ions are readily available for the flammable gases needed for the reaction. As a result, a depletion region is formed around the tin oxide so that the electrical resistance of the circuit increases. 

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Gas Adsorption

As soon as the reactive gases (LPG) come into contact with the oxygen ions, these start reacting with the liquified petroleum gas. This results in a decreasing number of ions and a decrease in electrical resistance. We know that the electric current is inversely proportional to the resistance so the overall electrical conductivity of the circuit is affected, which causes the sensing of the gas.

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Analogue Values

The circuit is designed in such a way that the change in the current values stimulates the analog output that can be detected at the analog pin as an output.

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Digital Output

Some models of MQ-5 have a digital output as well. The change in the electrical current causes a change in the voltage difference between the diodes of the circuit. This voltage change is detected on the digital pin of the MQ-5 natural LPG sensor. This happens because the circuit has an analog to a digital converter.

The voltage change typically ranges from 2.5V to 4.0V. As the concentration of the LPG and other reactive gases increases, it causes a change in the electrical conductance and as a result, less voltage change is seen.

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Physical Dimensions

A feature of this sensor is its small and compatible size, which can fit in different circuits. Here are the dimensions of the MQ-5 natural gas sensor that will help you work with it in a circuit:

MQ-5 Natural LPG Sensor Applications

There are different ways to use this sensor in applications. This is a common gas sensor in different domains of daily life. The basic and most common examples of its applications are given here:

• Industrial flammable gas alarm

• Portable gas detector

• Domestic gas leakage alarm

• Air quality monitor

• Educational projects

• Smart home devices

• Robotics

• Automotive

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

Hence, in this way, we have studied the mQ-5 natural LPG sensor in detail. We started this learning through the basic introduction of this sensor. We saw that it can detect multiple gases but it is most precise for the MQ-5 natural LPG. We studied the basic features and specifications through its datasheet and saw different graphs to understand its working. Just after that, we understood the pin configuration and working principle of this sensor. In the end, we saw the table for the physical dimension and the applications of this gas sensor. I hope I have covered all the topics but if you want to learn more, you can ask us.

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor: Datasheet, Pinout & Working

Hello readers! I hope you are doing great. Today we are discussing the features and details of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor, which belongs to the popular gas sensor MQ family. We have been working on other gas sensors as well, but MQ-4 is particularly suitable for detecting the presence of methane gas. This sensor is more popular because methane gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) are widely used for cooking and other related purposes. MQ-4 methane gas sensor is an important part of the home safety system.  Some other advantages of this sensor are, that it responds instantly and has a potentiometer that adds versatility to its functions. 

In this article, we are going to study the MQ-4 methane sensor from scratch. We’ll go through its introduction and will study the basic components of its datasheet. We’ll see some performance graphs and study the internal structure of this sensor. After that, we’ll move towards the external circuit and its working features. In the end, there will be a study of its applications. This is going to be an easy and informative article, so let’s move on to the first point:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Introduction

Methane gas is widely used everywhere, and we’ve seen multiple cases of gas leakage. Therefore, the MQ-4 methane gas sensor has a special place in different applications in almost every domain of life. The MQ-4 methane gas sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) that detects the presence of methane gases and then provides the result in the form of analog values. In this way, it provides information about the gas concentration, and its range is 300 ppm–10,000 ppm which is enough to detect leakage.

The basic structure of this gas sensor includes the following:

• A double mesh network
• Detecting element
• Pins
• Firm base

The sensitivity of this detector for different gases may vary but overall, it is a good choice for detecting any gas leakage. This sensor can detect gases like:

• Methane (CH4)
• Ethanol (C2H5OH)
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
• Benzene (C6H6)
• Smoke

The ignition of these gases is extremely exothermal, so these produce a large amount of what. Therefore, the MQ-4 methane sensor is a life-saving element. 

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Datasheet

Till now, we have seen the basic features of this sensor but now, we are going to discuss the details of its functions. Here are some important points that will highlight the importance of this sensor:

• The primary function of the sensor is to detect methane (CH4 ) gas. It is highly sensitive to methane and other natural gases; therefore, it is widely used to detect gas leakage.
• It has some sensitivity for gases like ethanol (C2H5OH) but is not an ideal choice for it. For the best precision of such gases, the MQ-3 alcohol sensor is used.
• Another gas that MQ-4 can detect is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It also includes propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10).
• Other gases detected by this sensor are benzene (C6H6), which is an aromatic hydrocarbon with potential health risks, and smoke (which may trigger incomplete combustion products).
• This sensor has a fast response time with a very small recovery time.
• It has a long life, and it provides suitable performance all the time.
• It has a compact size and an easy-to-integrate design.
  

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Specifications 

There are multiple types of specifications, and I’ve divided them into different groups for clarification. Here is the table that shows the standard work condition parameters and their details:

Now, here are some important environmental parameters for the MQ-4 methane sensor:

The sensitivity characteristics of this sensor, along with important parameters, are given below:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Structure

The internal structure of the MQ-4 methane sensor is similar to that of its other daily members. Here is the detailed internal structure diagram that will help you understand the information we’ll discuss in the next section:

As discussed before, the MQ-4 methane sensor has different sensitivity levels for different gases. Based on multiple experiments, here is the graph that describes the sensitivity results:

The temperature and humidity around the MQ-4 methane sensor play a crucial role in the performance scale. Here is the graph that shows the change in the sensor’s behavior with varying temperatures and humidity:

Here, 

Rs = The sensing resistance that depends on the concentration of the target gas. In the case of MQ-4, the target gas is methane. 

R0 = The resistance of the sensor in clean air. It is the baseline resistance of the sensor when there is no methane present in the air. 

Rs/R0 = It is the ratio of sensing resistance to the resistance in clean air. It is calculated to understand the relative change in the resistance of the sensor, and it depends on the target gas concentration.

If you want to see the detailed datasheet of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor, then you can visit the link MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor.

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Pinout Configuration

Now, it is time to discuss the external structure of this sensor. Just like most of the members of the MQ sensors, this sensor has four pins. The name of each pin and its function are given in the table below:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Packages

For the convenience of the user, the MQ-4 methane sensor comes in different packages. Here is the table that will show a brief introduction to the available packages:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Alternatives

Here is a list of some other alternatives that are used in place of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor, along with the types of gases these can sense:

• Electrochemical sensors
• Photoionization detectors (PIDs)
• Tunable diode laser (TDL) sensors
• Semiconductor sensors (propane, butane, and carbon monoxide)
• Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide)
• Semiconductor sensors (propane, butane, and carbon monoxide)
• Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide)
• NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) sensors (methane, CO2)
• Catalytic bead sensors (combustible gases)

Where to Buy MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor

The MQ-4 methane gas sensor is a common instrument available on multiple platforms, but one must always choose reliable sources. These sensors are proven to be life saviors, so I would suggest you buy them from the options given below:

• eBay

• AliExpress

• Amazon

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Working Principle

The working principle of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor is similar to that of the other MQ sensors. Let's discuss each component of this sensor and its role in the final result:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Basic Working

The basic workings of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor depend on the electrical conductivity of the metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) material used in the structure of this sensor.

The MOS is also known as the chemiresistors, which means the electrical conductivity changes when these come into contact with the gas vapors. 

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Heating Element

The sensor has a heating element at its core, the duty of which is to maintain a constant heating temperature of around 300°C. This is a crucial process for the right response of the sensor. 

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Methane Adsorption

As soon as the methane gas comes into contact with the metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), it is absorbed onto its surface. The surface already has oxygen ions, and when these ions contact the vapors, they start reacting with them.

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Conductivity Change

The reaction between the oxygen ions and methane results in a decrease in the conductivity of the MOS layer. This change is directly proportional to the amount of methane present in the surrounding air of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor.

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Output 

The change in conductivity resulting from the previous step is measured as the change in voltage across the sensor electrodes. The greater the resistivity change, the greater the voltage change across the electrodes. 

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Physical Dimensions

Here is the table that shows the physical dimensions, their values, and additional notes of these parameters:

MQ-4 Methane Gas Sensor Applications

Till now, we have been discussing the basic output of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor but now, we’ll understand how this small instrument can be used in different ways to get the required output. Here are some important examples of applications where an MQ-4 methane gas sensor is used as the heart of the circuit:

• Natural gas leak detection (home and industrial)
• Ethanol detection
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) detection
• Benzene detection
• Smoke detection
• Air quality monitoring (broad VOC/combustible gas detection)
• Educational projects (learning gas sensing, basic electronics)

So, today we have seen the details of the MQ-4 methane gas sensor. We started with the basic introduction of this sensor and then saw the basic points of its datasheet. After that, we’ve seen the pin configuration and workings of this sensor. We understood every step of its operation and saw the physical dimensions of this methane gas sensor. In the end, we give some important examples where the MQ-4 methane gas sensor is used as the base. I hope you have understood each point, but if something is confusing, you can ask questions in the comment section.

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor: Datasheet, Pinout & Working

Hey readers! I hope you are having a good day. Today, we are learning the basics of another MQ sensor family, the MQ-3. This sensor is designed for the detection of alcoholic gases in the air surrounding it. Gas sensors are widely used in multiple applications, and they provide information to the other components of the circuit. In the air, it can detect the 25-500ppm alcohol gas concentration and is a highly sensitive detector. We are going to study it thoroughly from scratch. 

In this article, we are going to start the discussion with the basic introduction of this sensor. We’ll understand its datasheet and will know the basic details about its internal and external structure. After that, we’ll move towards the features, specifications, and best platform to buy these sensors. Then, we’ll see the circuit diagram and working principles, and in the end, we’ll go through the applications of this sensor. All of this is going to be very simple, and we will try to make it useful and uncomplicated. Let’s move on to the first topic:

 MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Introduction

The MQ-3 is an alcohol gas sensor that belongs to the MQ gas sensor family and is particularly designed using SnO2 to detect the gas using lower electrical conductivity in the air. When fresh air enters the sensor’s structure, this semiconductor gas sensor can detect the presence or absence of alcohol gases. If the target gas is present in the air, the resistance of the semiconductor material is enhanced with the rise in gas concentration. The structure is designed in such a way that it has a high sensitivity to alcohol. Moreover, it has good resistance to gasoline, smoke, and vapors.

The following gases are possible to detect using an MQ-3 alcohol sensor:

• Ethanol (primary target gas)
• Aromatic hydrocarbons:
• Toluene
• Benzene
• Xylene
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons:
• Trichloroethylene
• Dichloromethane
• Amines

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Datasheet

The MQ-3 alcohol sensor is studied in different ways. Here are the three tables that will define the specifications of this sensor depending on different sets of parameters:

Standard Work Conditions

In the standard work condition, the characteristics given in the table below are considered:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Environmental Conditions

The following parameters are considered when checking the environmental characteristics of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Sensitivity Characteristics

Moreover, here is the table related to the sensitivity characteristics of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Structure

Before learning the structure diagram, it is important to understand the configuration of the sensor. It contains three sets of pins (collectively six pins):

The above images show the 2D configurations of the MQ-3 alcohol gas sensor. The details of these pins will be discussed in the table below:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Sensitivity Curve

The core material in these gas detectors is highly sensitive to heat which plays an important role in gas detection. Before using any sensor, it is crucial to check its sensitivity graph. Here is the graph for the MQ-3 alcohol  sensor:

In the figure above, the parameters used are understood by the following explanation:

1. The Rs is the sensor’s resistance when it is exposed to a particular alcohol vapor concentration. The increase in concentration results in a decrease in Rs, and vice versa.
2. The R0 determines the sensor’s resistance in clean air when no alcohol is present in it. Hence, it is used as the baseline reference when dealing with the comparison between conditions.
3. The ratio of both of these is an estimation of the relative change in resistance. It is proportional to the alcoholic concentration in the air and, therefore, is helpful for the sensor’s working.

So it was the information about the datasheet, and if you require more details, then you visit the following link:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Pinout Configuration

The MQ-3 alcohol sensor has four external pins, and its pin diagram is given here:

A brief description of each of them is given in the table:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Packages

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Alternatives

The MQ gas sensor family works on the detection of different gases. In some cases, these can be used alternatively. But if we talk about the other classes of gas sensors, some other detectors can be used in place of the MQ-3 sensor, and these are listed below:

• Electrochemical Sensors
• Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) Sensors: MQ-135, MQ-303A
• Photoionization Detectors (PIDs): MiniPID 2, ppbRAE 3000
• Infrared (IR) Sensors: Figaro TGS822, Sensirion SENSPAIR SFK-D8
• Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) Sensors: Gasmet Dx4340, Aerodyne QCL-32

Where to Buy MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor

There are different ways to buy electronic components like MQ-3 but the most promising platforms to buy these products online are:

• eBay
• AliExpress
• Amazon

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Working Principle

The working principle of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor can easily be understood by learning its internal structure. It is a heat-driven sensor and, therefore, is covered under the mesh known as the anti-explosion network. This network is the double layer of the stainless steel material that ensures the heat-sensitive material inside the sensor remains safe from the outside’s flammable gases. The special feature of its structure is the presence of a plastic cover that we don't see in models like MQ-2. This cover not only protects the sensor but is also responsible for filtering unwanted materials.

• Inside this mesh, there is a simple star-like structure of the sensing material surrounded by the size elements. These are called the connecting legs and consist of three pairs of leads. The two H leads are connected to the Nickel-Chromium coil. It is a popular conductive alloy that helps to maintain the connection between the star-structured elements. 

The remaining leads (A and B) are connected with the sensing element. All of these are connected together with the help of platinum wires that make the structure more protected and provide conductance as well. 

In the case of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor, aluminum oxide (AL2O3) ceramic with a tin dioxide coating (SnO2). is used in the form of a tubular structure and is known as the sensing element. It is important to notice that tin oxide is the most important element here because it is sensitive to alcohol, which is the basic purpose of this sensor. The role of aluminum oxide is to improve efficiency and heat sensitivity. It maintains the continuous heating of the system and, as a result, helps in efficient results. 

Now, that you know the basic structure, you can understand the flow of the MQ-3 sensor:

• When the MQ-3 alcohol sensor is turned on, the circuit heats the internal structure of the sensor. As a result, the SnO2 layer is at a high temperature. It results in the absorption of oxygen from the surrounding air.
• This results in a depletion region around the sensing element that creates a potential barrier. This barrier makes the sensitive element more resistive, so the electric flow is affected.
• When the alcohol gas is present surrounding the sensor, the electrical resistance decreases because alcohol reacts with the sensing element’s depletion region.
• The change in the electrical resistance is inversely proportional to the current flow; therefore, the change in current results in the detection of alcohol gas.
• The higher the alcohol concentration in the air, the higher the values obtained at the analog pin.
• The analog values can be converted into digital output using the LM393. It is a high-precision comparator that converts the values, and, as a result, the digital values are present at the D0 pin.
• This module also has a built-in potentiometer that has the feature of setting threshold values. As a result, the module will show a low output unless the values reach the threshold.

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Physical Dimensions

The physical dimension of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor is similar to that of its other companion sensors. These are mentioned in the table below:

MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor Applications

The MQ-3 is designed to test the presence of alcohol-related gases. It is usually the part of the project that is designed for safety purposes. Here are some common applications for which MQ-3 is a popular choice:

• Basic breathalyzer (informative, not legal/professional)
• Air quality monitoring (broad VOC/combustible gas detection)
• Home gas leak detection (limited, not specific)
• Educational projects (learning gas sensing, basic electronics)
• Non-critical industrial gas detection (budget option)

One must keep in mind before using this sensor that it is not an accurate sensor and certain limitations are tied to it. Therefore, it is not suitable for critical applications that require precise measurements.

Hence, today we have learned a lot about the MQ-3 alcohol sensor. It is a sensitive alcohol detector that is used to detect multiple gases. We have seen the data sheet of this sensor, where we have seen the pin configuration, working conditions, and internal structure of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor. After that, we saw the working principle in detail, and after knowing the physical dimensions, we saw the applications of this sensor. I hope I have conveyed all the points, but still, if you want to know more, you can ask in the comment section.

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor: Datasheet, Pinout & Working

Hello learners! I hope you are doing good. Today, we are learning about an important member of the gas sensor family, which is the MQ-2. When it comes to detecting or measuring smoke or gas, the MQ series gas sensors are widely used components in circuits. These sensors come with an operational amplitude comparator and a digital output pin therefore, they have applications in multiple fields of life. Mostly, it is used in Arduino projects where it senses the gas and the information is fed into the Arduino to allow the circuit to work according to its digital output. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the basic introduction of this sensor in detail, along with the datasheet. Moreover, we’ll know its pinouts in detail and will see some important circuit diagrams. Moreover, we’ll try to figure out the workings and applications of this sensor in different domains to understand the core concept. This is going to be a detailed article on the MQ-2 sensor, so let’s get started.

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Introduction

The MQ-2 is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor and one of the most widely used sensors in the MQ series. We know that MOS sensors are known as Chemiresistors because there is a sensing material in them that works based on the change in its resistance when it is exposed to the reactive gas. Hence, when using the MQ-2 in the circuit, it can detect multiple gases and provide the digital values of change in the gases at its output pin. The list of gases this sensor can detect is given next:

• Liquified petroleum gas (LPG)
• Smoke
• Alcohol
• Propane
• Hydrogen
• Methane
• Carbon Monoxide

This sensor is particularly suitable to detect combustible gases, smoke, and other pollutants. Basically, it consists of the tin dioxide (SnO2) semiconductor gas sensor, a comparator (using the op-amp), and necessary supporting components.

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Datasheet

Before using any electrical component, it is important to study its datasheet. The datasheet has multiple characteristics, and some of these are mentioned below:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Basic Parameters

Here is a table that provides the basic details of the MQ-2 smoke/gas sensor:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Sensitivity Graph

The sensors can detect multiple gases, and the sensitivity of the resistive material is different for all of them. Based on the multiple experiments and the specification, here is the sensitivity graph for the MQ-2 smoke/gas sensor:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Sensitivity Graph

The sensitivity material is affected not only by the type of gas but also by other parameters such as humidity and temperature. Here is the graph that shows the details:

If you want to know more details about the datasheet, then here is the link to it:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Pinout Configuration

The MQ-2 smoke/gas sensor has four pins, as shown below in the image:

The pin arrangement may vary depending on the model. Here, one must know that the DOUT pin is not always present, but some models do not have it, and in such cases, the analogue pin AO is the output pin. The details of each pin are given next:

The internal structure is shown below to add more detail in this discussion:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Packages

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Alternatives

In addition to all these, the MQ series has multiple members that are widely used in place of MQ-2. These may include 

Where to Buy MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor 

Along with millions of other products, sensors like MQ-2 smoke/gas sensors are available at the following platforms:

1. eBay

2. Amazon

3. AliExpress

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Working Principle

The working principle and characteristics of the MQ-2 are easily understood by studying the internal structure in detail. Here is the detail of each part, and we’ll discuss the working principal using the following structure:

As mentioned before, the MQ-2 smoke/gas detector works on the principle of chemisorption. It is defined as:

"Chemisorption is the process by which the molecules of the material adhere to the solid surface because of the chemical bonding."

In the case of MQ-2, chemisorption is the process in which the gas molecules surrounding the sensor interact with its surface material and cause a change in the electrical resistance. 

It is a heat-driven sensor, therefore it is covered with two layers of steel mesh. These layers are referred to as the anti-explosion network. This sensor is designed to detect combustible gases; therefore, the anti-explosion network is responsible for the protection of the heater element from the surrounding gases.

This network is in the form of a mesh so that it filters the suspended articles and allows only gases to reach the internal sensitive circuit. A copper plating is used to secure the mesh at its place.

When the mesh is removed, the following structure is seen:

This star-shaped structure is responsible for the detection of the gas. Here is the explanation of each element:

• The sensing element lies in between all the other elements. It has a coating of tin oxide (SnO2), which is heated to 200-300 °C. This temperature activates the sensing element so that it may absorb the oxygen from the surrounding air. As a result, a depletion region is formed that increases the overall sensor resistance.
• The H indicated the sensing element heaters. Usually, it is a Nickel-Chrominum coil (conductive alloy).
• The A and B are the signal-carrying leads that are connected with the platinum wires. Through these wires, the A and B connect with the sensor element body. These are responsible for the small changes in the current values.

Once the gas enters this internal chamber, it reacts with the depletion region of the sensing element. As a result, the amount of oxygen decreases depending on the amount of the external gas, and as a result, there is a change in the resistance. The magnitude of this change determines the amount of combustible gas surrounding the gas sensor.

The sensor has a voltage divider circuit that converts the change in resistance into the output voltage, which is then sent as an output through the pin.

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Features

Most features of this sensor have been discussed so far in this article, but here is a quick revision of these features:

• It detects the combustion gases around it, and the structure is protected through an anti-explosion network. The other gases surrounding the sensor do not have any effect on its working in normal conditions.
• In most of the models, there is only the analogue pin, whose value is potentially related to the detectable gas concentrations.
• Some modules have a digital output as well, which is indicated by DOUT.
• The calculation of the resistance in this case is followed by the formula given next:

This is a simple-to-use sensor that is compatible with multiple circuits. Another feature that supports its importance is its low cost and high-quality performance.

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Physical Dimensions

The following table shows the dimensions of this sensor:

MQ-2 Smoke/Gas Sensor Applications

The smoke and gas detector sensors are used in different ways in the project and are one of the most important parts of such circuits. Here are some basic examples of MQ-2 smoke/gas sensor applications:

• Residential gas leak detection (homes)

• Industrial gas leak detection (factories)

• Basic fire alarm systems (buildings)

• General air quality monitoring (sensor network)

• Portable gas detectors (personal safety)

• Educational electronics projects

Hence, today we have learned the basic information and its detailed specifications. We started with the basic introduction of the MQ-2 sensor and how it works. We understood its features, and workings and read the datasheets. In the end, we see some simple applications in different domains of life. I hope this was an informative guide for you, and if you want to add more information in it, you can comment to us.

INA219 Current Sensor Module Datasheet, Pinout, Features & Applications

Hi Friends! Hope you’re well today. I welcome you on board. Today, I’ll walk you through the Introduction to INA219.

The INA219 is a current sensor module that incorporates the I2C protocol for submitting the data obtained through sensing current, voltage, and power. It is a bi-directional zero drift current/ power sensing module mainly used in digital multimeters and power profilers.

I suggest you read this post all the way through as I’ll detail the complete Introduction to INA219 covering datasheet, pinout, features, and applications. Let’s get started.

Introduction to INA219

• INA219 is a current/power sensor module mainly employed to sense the power, voltage or current where up to 128 samples can be averaged together to get filtering in noisy environments. This data is then submitted to a microcontroller using the I2C bus.

• This device features an I2C protocol mainly used to transmit data between devices. The I2C protocol comes with two wires SDA and SCL. The SDL is a serial data line that carries the data while SCL is a serial clock line that carries the clock signal and ensures the synchronization of data transfer over an I2C bus.

• In the I2C protocol, one device acts like a master and the other as a slave. Using this communication protocol you can attach multiple slaves with a single master whereas you can also control single or multiple slave devices with multiple masters.
• INA219 can be easily incorporated with microcontrollers and Arduino boards and with devices that come with an I2C bus interface.
• It also contains a 2W 0.1 Ohms 1% rated shunt resistor mainly employed to fulfill the current measuring requirements.
• This sensor module is a key part of the power monitoring systems. The power input of this device ranges from 3V to 5.5V and the target voltage is up to +26V.

INA219 Datasheet

It is better to go through the datasheet of the device before you embed this device into your electrical project. The datasheet features the main characteristics of the module. Click the link below to download the datasheet of INA219.

INA219 Pinout

The following figure shows the pinout diagram of INA219. The following table represents the pin description of each pin incorporated into the module.

Pin Description of INA219
Pin No.	Pin Description	Pin Name
1	Sensed Input line -	VIN-
2	Sensed Input line +	VIN+
3	Input voltage	VCC
4	Connected to ground	GND
5	Serial clock line that carries the clock signal	SCL
6	Serial data line that contains the data	SDA

INA219 Features

• Contains 2C- or SMBus-compatible interface
• Comes with up to +26V target voltage
• Power Input Range = 3.0V-5.5V
• Can Sense Bus Voltages ranging from 0 to 26 V

• Up to 128 samples are averaged to get filtering in noisy environments.
• Capable of up to ±3.2A current measurement, with ±0.8mA resolution
• Contains ohm 1% 2W current sense resistor
• Board Dimension = 0.8 x 0.9 inch (l x w x h)

INA219 Applications

• Used in power monitoring systems
• Employed in power profiler
• Used in digital multimeter

That’s all for today. Hope you find this article helpful. If you’re unsure or have any questions, you can approach me in the section below. I’d love to help you the best way I can. Feel free to share your valuable feedback and suggestions around the content we share so we keep coming back with quality content customized to your exact needs and requirements. Thank you for reading the article.

Introduction to MAX30100

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at a detailed Introduction to MAX30100. MAX30100 is a heart pulse rate monitor sensor. This sensor consists of two Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), (one emits infrared light and the other emits red light) modifiable optics, low noise signal processor that detects heart pulse rate signal. Its operating voltage is from 1.8v to 3.3v.

The MAX30100 is used in different industrial and medical equipment such as fitness measurement devices, medical devices, and different wearable instruments. In today's post, we will have a look at its working, pinout, protocol, features, etc. I will also share some links where I have interfaced it with other microcontrollers. If you have any questions about it please ask in the comments, and I will resolve your problems. So, let's get started with a basic Introduction to MAX30100.

Where To Buy?
No.	Components	Distributor	Link To Buy
1	MAX30100	Amazon	Buy Now

Introduction to MAX30100

• MAX30100 is a heart pulse rate monitor sensor. This sensor consists of two Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), (one emits infrared light and the other emits red light) modifiable optics, low noise signal processor that detects heart pulse rate signal.
• This module can be configured by software registers, and its output data is stored in sixteen FIFOs on this module.
• This sensor communicates with the other microcontroller by the I2C interface. The pulse measurement system in this module has Ambient light cancellation, 16-bit ADC, and a time filter.
• It has an I2C digital interface to communicate with a host microcontroller. MAX30100 has ambient light cancellation, 16-bit ADC and a time filter.
• This module uses low power which makes it useable for battery-operated systems. It operates on the voltage range of 1.8 to 3.3V.
• As earlier we discussed that it has two Light Emitting Diodes, one emits red light with a wavelength of (650nm) and the other emits infrared with a wavelength of (950nm).
• As this device is used for measurement of heart pulse rate and oxygen concentration in blood, for these measurements wear this sensor on your finger or earlobe it can also put any part of the body which is not thick.
• When you wear it on your finger for measurement both infrared and red light pass through the tissues of a finger, absorption these lights can be measured by a photodiode.
•  Depending on the quantity of oxygen which you have in your blood the ratio of absorbed red light and infrared light will be different.
• By this ratio, we can easily calculate the oxygen level in your blood hemoglobin.

• Now we discuss the Pinout of MAX30100.

MAX30100 Pinout

• These are the main pinouts of MAX30100.

Pin#	Type	Parameters
Pin#1, 7, 8, 14	N.C	These pinouts are not used for any purpose. All these are open pinouts.
Pin#2	SCL	This pin is used for I2C clock for input.
Pin#3	SDA	This is I2C bidirectional data sending pinout.
Pin#4	PGND	This is pin is used for power ground of drivers of light emitting diodes.
Pin#5	IR_DRV	This pin is used for cathode of infrared led to connect with the LED drivers point. You can
Pin#6	R_DRV	This pin is for the cathode of red LE to connect with its driver point. This can also be suspended in a circuit.
Pin#9	R_LED+	This pin is for red led to connect with the supply voltage. By this pin, it is connected with the infrared led.
Pin#10	IR_LED+	This pin helps to connect the anode of infrared led to the input voltage. It is connected with the red led by internally.
Pin#11	Vdd	This is input supply pinout for this module, you can connect this with the ground for better performance.
Pin#12	GND	It is an analog Ground pin.
Pin#13	INT	It is Active-Low break off pinout.

For better understanding lets see the pinout diagram.

Features of MAX30100

• These are some features of MAX30100.
  •  This sensor is available in the simplest circuitry for heartbeat measurements.
  • This module consists of two led infrared and red, a photodiode for light sensing, and, has an analog front end.
  • The dimensions of this module are 5.6mm x 2.8mm x 1.2mm with the fourteen pinouts which are available in optically improved closed packages.
  • It provides low power battery solutions for handheld electronic devices. We can program It in an easy way and suitable for low power components.
  • Its high signal to noise ratio (SNR) gives high motion production flexibility.
  • This sensor provides the confined light annulment, higher rate capacity, and fast-moving output data.

    MAX30100 Arduino Interfacing

• Now we discuss its Arduino interfacing by giving an example of a project, which described below. Let's discuss this project with detail.

Project Component

• These are components which we will use for this project.
  • Arduino Nano.
  • Small Breadboard.
  • Wires.
  • The Bluetooth Module HC-06.
  • Sensor MAX30100.
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED).
  • Two resistors of 4.7k Ohm.
• First of all, we connect all these components with each other for working of MAX30100, given diagram shows us a better understanding of connections this circuit.
• First connect all pinouts of MAX30100 with the wires, connect female part of a jumper with sensor and left male part open for Arduino interfacing. For the wiring connection, you can see a given picture.
• After connecting MAX30100 with wires and jumpers we will also connect HC-06 with wires. Let's discuss this process.
• All data received by this Bluetooth device we send to Arduino by serial communication.
• This Bluetooth mode is like the Bluetooth which sends data to ten meters range. The HC-06 works like a slave device, which means it allows other devices to connect to make the connection with it.
• This Bluetooth module has four pinouts which are supply pin (Vcc), ground (GND),  receiver (RX) and transmitter (TX).
• After all these connections we will set all these components on a breadboard and connect them with each other.
• Let's discuss these connections step by step with detail.
• First step:  Connect the Arduino with the breadboard.
• Second step: After interfacing of Arduino on a breadboard, connect the Bluetooth device with Arduino in a given sequence of wires.
  •  TX1 pin of Arduino connects with the Bluetooth pin RX.
  •  Connect RX0 pinout of Arduino with the TX pin of the Bluetooth module.
  • Connect the ground of HC-o6 with the ground Arduino.
  • Connect Vcc pin of Bluetooth with the Arduino 5V pinout.
• Third step: This step we connect MAX30100 with Arduino. Connection discusses incoming lines.
  • Connect Vin pinout of MAX30100 sensor with the Arduino pinout of five volts. (As we did in with the Bluetooth).
  • Connect A5 pinout of Arduino with the SDA pin of the MAX30100.
  • A2 pinout of Arduino connects with the INT pin of MAX30100.
  • Ground pinout of MAX30100 connects with the ground pin of Arduino.
  • After this assemble one resistor in the breadboard and connect one end of the resistor with  5V pinout and another point of the resistor with A5 pinout.
  •  Take another resistor and connect it with the 5v pin and A5 pinout.
• Fourth step: Afterall this interfacing we will connect an led to show reading s of the sensor.
  • First, connect the small point of light emitting diode with the ground pin and connect the other part of the light emitting diode with the D2 pinout.

Applications of MAX30100

• These are some applications of MAX30100.
  • It is used in handheld devices.
  • It is used in devices related to fitness measurement.
  • It use as main componnet in medical measurment devices.

So, that was all about MAX30100, if you want to know something more about it as in comments I will explain to you more about it. Take care until the next tutorial.

Introduction to MPR121

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at detailed Introduction to MPR121. MPR121 is a touch sensor controller, its working is like the capacitor's working principle. This module has twelve electrodes points, it communicates via I2C protocol. When any objects come closer to an electrode point, we can observe the presence of an object by variation in capacitance of an electrode. It's working voltage should be between 2.5 to 3.6 VDC. MPR121 is used in different industrial projects and electronic devices such as mobile phone and remote control systems. In today's post, we will have a look at its working, pinout, protocol, applications, etc. I will also share some links where I have interfaced it with other microcontrollers. If you have any question about it please ask it in comments I will resolve your problems. So, let's get started with a basic Introduction to MRP121.

Introduction to MPR121

• MPR121 is a touch sensor controller, its working is like the capacitor's working principle. This module has twelve electrodes points, it communicates via I2C protocol.
• This module has the capability to drive LEDs and GPIO on 4 to 11 electrodes pins,  this feature provides freedom to set-up different projects.

• This sensor consumes very low current, it draws only around 29uA current after 16 milliseconds.
• Instead of traditional buttons, this board has four holes which used as an input system.
• The level changer of 3.3v to 5v is surfaced on this chip which provides the facility of 3.3v and 5v I2C interfacing with other microcontrollers.
• On the back side of this module, there are four jumpers which are closed to each other by default.
• The jumper of address pin connects the Add pin to a ground of chip, which indicates that default I2C address of this chip is 0x5A.
• If you want to change the address of the MPR121 chip, first of all, you should open the jumper. Jumpers are also connected with SCL, SDA and interrupt pin.
• The VERG pinout of this module is connected with a ground by a 0.1uF capacitor, which indicates that you can not operate the MPR12 at low supply voltage mode (1.71-2.75VDC) until you modify the board.
•  The dimensions of this module are 3cm x 2cm.

Now, we discuss the pinouts of MPR121.

MPR121 Pinout & Description

There are main twenty pinouts of MPR121 which are described below.

Pin#	Type	Parameters
Pin#1	IRQ	It is Open Collector Interrupt Output Pin, active low.
Pin#2	SCL	It is I2C Clock pinout.
Pin#3	SDA	It is I2C Data pin.
Pin#4	ADDR	It is I2C Address Select Input Pin. Connect the ADDR pin to the VSS, VDD, SDA or SCL line, the resulting I2C addresses are 0x5A, 0x5B, 0x5C and 0x5D respectively.
Pin#5	VREG	It is Internal Regulator Node. Connect a 0.1 µF bypass cap to VSS.
Pin#6	VSS	Ground.
Pin#7	REXT	It is an External Resistor. Connect a 75 kO 1% resistor to VSS to set internal reference current.
Pin#8	ELE0	It is Electrode 0 pinout.
Pin#9	ELE1	It is Electrode 1 pinout
Pin#10	ELE2	It is Electrode 2 pinout.
Pin#11	ELE3	It is Electrode 3 pinout.
Pin#12	ELE4	It is Electrode 4 pinout.
Pin#13	ELE5	It is Electrode 5 pinout.
Pin#14	ELE6	It is Electrode 6 pinout.
Pin#15	ELE7	It is Electrode 7 pinout.
Pin#16	ELE8	It is Electrode 8 pinout.
Pin#17	ELE9	It is Electrode 9 pinout.
Pin#18	ELE10	It is Electrode 10 pinout.
Pin#19	ELE11	It is Electrode 11 pinout.
Pin#20	Vdd	Connect a 0.1 µF bypass cap to VSS.

For further understanding let's see the pinout diagram.

Features of MPR121

• These are some features of MPR121 which are described below.
• Its operating voltage is 1.71V to 3.6V
• Its operating current is 29uA at 16ms sampling interval.
• Its scan stop mode current is 3uA.
• There are twelve electrodes sensing inputs on this module in which 8 are multifunctional for LED driving and GPIO.
• For electrode inputs, it has integrated auto calibration.
• It can configure charge current and charge time for each electrode.
• It's every electrode has separate touch and release trip thresholds, which provides hysteresis and release trip thresholds for each electrode.
• It has an I2C interface, which has IRQ interrupt output to informs electrodes for condition changes.
• The dimensions of 3 mm x 3 mm x 0.65 mm 20  with the lead QFN package.
• It's operating temperature is range is -40°C to +85° C.

  MPR121 Capacitance Measurement & Touching Sensing

• The capacitance measurement part of MPR121 is consists of a sensing electrode pad which is connected with the sensing inputs of MPR121. MPR121 used the I2C bus and interrupt output for communication with the processor of a host device.
•  There are 13 sensing channels, in which 12 channels have physical inputs electrodes and one multiplexer, and the 13th channel is used for proximity detection.
• From a given diagram, we can see that multiplexer is fixed at the front end, due to this all thirteen channel can be measured in sequence within time. After capacitance measurement, this sensor gets filtered noise by which we can observe touch or release button status.
• Except for the measurement of touch sensing, MPR121 is also used in industries for capacitive measurement applications.
• You can send up to ten-bit data ( which indicates a high level of the noise elimination) for capacitance measurement outputs like measurement of water level, displacement measurement, and change of medium content measurement.
• The measurement of capacitance on each channel is the capacitance to the ground which is the sum of background parasitic capacitance to ground (Cb) and a finger touched induced capacitance (Cx).
• The ground is in common ground when the module is not in an active state when the device is connected with batteries this ground is referred to MPR121 ground.
• MPR121 used DC current for measurement of capacitance. For measurement of capacitance every channel first charged and then discharged to ground, this process you can see in a given diagram.
• We can read values of all channels one by one when one channel is charged or discharged, other channels are connected to ground.
• A quantity of charge can be varied by changing the value of current and charge. After charging of electrode, the value of peak voltage can be measured by 10-bit ADC.  These output voltages are inversely proportional to the value of capacitance on all the channels.

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Applications MPR121

• These are some applications of MPR121.
  • It is used in PC Peripherals.
  • It is used in MP3 Players.
  • It is used in Remote Controls.
  • It used in Mobile Phones.
  • It is used for Lighting Controls.

So friends that were all about MPR121, if you have any questions about please ask in comments. Take care until the next tutorial.

Introduction of MLX90614

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at detailed Introduction to MLX90614. MLX90614 is a temperature measurement device works on infrared radiations. It is the best choice for such applications where we can not easily reach to measure temperature because it provides non-contact measurement of temperature. It has Infra Red radiation receptive thermopile and ASSP (Acoustics Speech and Signal Processing) on same TO-39 cascading. This temperature measuring device is surfaced with the digital Pulse width Modulation and System Managing Bus. It is used in different industries to measure and control the temperature of moving components of machines and it also used to remove the fog on the window of vehicles. In today's post, we will have a look at its structure, pinout, features, applications, etc. I will also share some links where I have interfaced it with other microcontrollers. You can also ask about it in comments, I will guide you more about it. So, let's get started with a basic Introduction to MLX90614.

Introduction to MLX90614

• MLX90614 is a temperature measurement device works on infrared radiations. It is the best option for such applications where we can not easily reach to measure temperature because it provides non-contact measurement of temperature.

• It has an amplifier of squat noise, Analog to Digital (ADC) converter of 17- bits and potent DSP component, all these components provides the elevated exactness and high decree of this thermometer.
• During its fabrication, it is mounted with the 10 bit Pulse width modulation (PWM) which constantly sends out the calculated temperature in the assortment of -20 to 120 °C  by providing yield resolution of 0.14 °C.
• It consists of two boards (chips) one is infrared radiation detector and other is ASSP which is a signal conditioner, it is for the processing of infrared sensor output. It is available in TO-39 enclosing.
• The pinout of Pulse width Modulation can also be used as a thermal type of relay, which provides us less expensive completion in temperature observant applications such as boiling and freezing.
• This device has two input supply choices one is 5V and other is the 3V battery. We can supply 5 volts by exterior supply.

MLX90614 Pinout & Description

• These are the main pinout of MLX90614.

Pin#	Type	Parameters
Pin#1	VSS	It is a ground pin.
Pin#2	SCL	It is Serial Clock input for a protocol of two wire. At this pin, there is a Zener diode of 5.7V to connect it with other Bipolar transistors.
Pin#3	PWM / SDA	It is digital input and output pin, the measured value of temperature can get by this pinout.
Pin#4	VDD	It is an external power supply.

For further information, let's see the pinout diagram.

Features of MLX90614

• These are some features of MLX90614.
  • It is accessible in lesser size and less costly.
  • It can be effortlessly incorporated.
  • It is obtainable in large no of temperature range such as -40 to 125 °C is used for temperature instruments and -70 to 380 °C for measurement of the different object's temperature.
  • It delivers high exactness on different temperature choices such as 0 to 50 °C.
  • It has a resolution value of 0.02°C.
  • It works on 3v and 5V temperature range.
  • It exists in single and twice over varieties.
  • For the evaluation of temperature on consistent basis System Management Bus control Pulse Width Modulation.
  • It can transform for such devices which works on 8 to 16V temperature.
  • This module also has a mode for energy saving.
  • It is offered in different suites according to the working atmosphere and applications.
  • It can easily adaptable from one state to another.

Working of MLX90614

• Now we discuss its internal working operation with detailed.
• It has a state machine in it's cascading which examine and govern the measured value of temperature after this procedure sends these values to output pin through pulse width modulation.
• ASSP of this sensor adds in with the two infrared sensors. The yield of this sensor can intensify with the chopper amplifier. This output signal then strained by FIR and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters to reduce the noise of the signal.
• The IIR filter value is the anticipated output we can get it from exterior RAM.
• On this unit there are three different cells one is for a temperature sensor and other for two infrared sensors.
• For better understanding, it's working let's see its circuit diagram.

Applications of MLX90614

• These are some applications of MLX90614.
  • It is used to measure the temperature of such equipment’s where a man cannot reach.
  • It is used for mobile air conditioners governor systems.
  • It is used in different buildings and industries to measure temperature.
  • It is used automobiles to confiscate the fog of windbreak.
  • It controls the temperature of no static part of machinery in industries.
  • It controls the temperature of photocopy machines and printers.
  • It also exists in home appliances to measure and control their temperature.
  • It used in medical tools.
  • It also measures body temperature.

So, friends, it was all about  MLX90614, if you have any question about it ask in comments. Thanks for reading. Take care until the next tutorial.

Introduction to BME280

Hello friends! Hope you’re well. In today’s tutorial, we’ll cover a detailed Introduction to BME280. BME280 is a digital environmental pressure, humidity, and temperature sensor mainly designed for mobile applications. This module comes with extremely compact metal-lid LGA packages. It has low power consumption (consumes only 5µA during idle and less than 1mA during measurements) and small dimensions that make it a perfect fit for battery-driven devices such as GPS, mobiles, and smartwatches. The BME280 working protocols are I2C and SPI which consist of separate pinouts. The module contains a built-in LM6260 regulator, allowing you to effortlessly use it with a 3.3V or 5V logic microcontroller or Raspberry Pi.

BME280 is used in a range of industrial projects and electronic devices and provides high performance in all applications where pressure and humidity measurement is required. From gaming controls to weather monitoring to altitude measurement, this module serves the purpose of all with high precision and accuracy. The device comes with many filtering and sampling options that can be customized to make it compatible with the scores of applications.

In today’s post, we will have a look at its pinout, features, specifications, modes, applications, etc. I will also share the information where I have interfaced with other microcontroller.

Let’s get started with an introduction to Introduction to BME280.

Where To Buy?
No.	Components	Distributor	Link To Buy
1	BME280	Amazon	Buy Now

Introduction to BME280

• BME280 is a digital device designed to sense pressure, humidity, and temperature. This module consists of extremely concise metal casing.
• This device is used to measure humidity, temperature, and pressure with high accuracy and high linearity in an 8-pin metal-lid 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.93 mm³ LGA package.
• BM230 is developed for low current consumption (3.6 µA), high EMC robustness and long-term stability.
• This device can perfectly work with Bosch Sensortec BMP280 digital pressure sensor.
• As it provides high performance in humidity and pressure measurement, it is used in advanced and emerging applications such as home automation, indoor navigation, health care, GPS, and a low TCO.
• The BME280 humidity sensing part provides a fast response time for context-awareness applications and high accuracy over a wide temperature range. This device can measure humidity with the range of 0 to 100% maintaining an accuracy of ±3%. Know that the maximum measurable humidity of the module reduces at high or low temperatures.
• Its pressure sensing part is an absolute barometric pressure sensor having high accuracy, resolution, and drastically lower noise than the Bosch Sensortec BMP280. Know that the pressure and altitude are related to each other, the reason this device is also used as an altimeter with ±1 meter accuracy. Plus, it can measure pressure ranging from 300 to 1100 hPa maintaining an accuracy of ±1.0 hPa. To maintain 100% accuracy, a temperature range from 0 to 65°C is required.

• Its temperature sensing part has been optimized for the lowest noise and high resolution.
• This sensor is available in both I2C and SPI interfaces and it can be supplied with 1.71 to 3.6 V for sensor supply Vdd and 1.2 to 3.6 V for the interface supply Vddio.
• Whenever the sensor is disabled, current consumption drops to 0.1µA.
• It supports a full suite of operating modes that optimize the device for power consumption, filter performance, and resolution.

BME280 Pinout

BME280 environmental sensor comes with 10 pins but more often only 6 pins are employed at a single time. The pin description of each pin is described below.

The following figure shows the pinout diagram of this module.

BME280 Datasheet

If you want to incorporate this module into your relevant project, make sure you thoroughly look at the datasheet of BME280. The characteristics of the device are listed in this datasheet. Click the link below to check the datasheet of BME280.

 

BME280 Arduino Interfacing

In this section, we’ll explain An Arduino Weather Station project with the BME280 sensor.

The components used in this setting include:

• • • An Arduino Mega
    • A BME280 sensor
    • An LCD shield for Arduino
    • A power bank
    • Wires

Here, we are using Arduino Mega but Arduino UNO can also be used.

• First, we connect LCD to Arduino. After this, we connect the Vin pin of a sensor with the Arduino 5v output pin. Next, we connect the GND pin of a sensor to the SCL pin of Arduino and the SDA pin of a sensor to the SDA pin of Arduino.

• Know that the module runs at 3.3V. If you’re using an SPI interface, level shifting is required to avoid any damage, however, if you’re running the I2C interface which is a preferred interface to apply, no level shifting is required since it is an open-drain interface carrying 10K pull-up resistors, providing Vcc 3.3V.
• That’s all connected, if we load the code and power up the project we can see the reading from the sensor on the screen. For better understanding let's see a diagram of this project below.

BME280 Features

BME280 comes with the following features:

• Get this device in a metal lid LGA package with dimensions of 2.5x 2.5x 0.93 mm³
• The Interface protocols are I²C and SPI
• Supply Voltage is 1.71 to 3.6 V
• The temperature range is -40 to +85°C
• Humidity range is 0-100% real humidity
• The pressure range is 300-1100 hPa
• The humidity sensor and pressure sensor can be independently enabled/disabled
• This module is Register and performance compatible with Bosch Sensortec BMP280 digital pressure sensor
• It is RoHS compliant, halogen-free, MSL1
• It gets a more precise temperature, atmospheric pressure values, humidity, and approximate altitude data fast
• It is Grove compatible and easy to use
• It has a highly abstracted library for building projects quickly

BME280 Modes

This module comes with three modes named:

• Sleep mode
• Forced mode
• Normal mode

The sleep mode is by default selected when the sensor gets activated. In this mode, no measurements take place and the sensor stays at the lowest power consumption. Plus, all registers can be accessed and you can read the chip-ID and compensation coefficients.

In the forced mode only one measurement takes place. The sensor goes back to the default sleep mode after the measurement is performed. The data registers store the measurement results before the forced mode is selected again for the next measurement. The forced mode is a good fit for the applications that need host-based synchronization and a low sampling rate.

The normal mode consists of automated continuous cycling between the inactive standby period and the active measurement period. Know that the sleep mode current is slightly lower than the standby period current. When you enable the normal mode, the determined measurement results can be gathered from information stored in data registers.

The timing diagram of normal mode is shown below:

BME280 Specifications

In this section, we’ll cover the specifications of BME280 so you can get a hold of what this device projects in terms of electrical, pressure, temperature, and humidity specifications.

A few things to consider before you look out at those specifications:

• All values mentioned in the tables are valid with the full voltage range.
• And min/max values are provided with the temperature range with full accuracy.
• The typical state machine timings and currents values are discovered at 25 °C.
• The state machine min/max values are available with 0 to 65 °C temperature range.

BME280 Electrical Specifications

The following table shows the general electrical specifications.

Parameter	Symbol	Condition	Min	Typ	Max	Unit
Supply Voltage Internal Domains	VDD	Ripple max. 50 mVpp	1.71	1.8	3.6	V
Supply Voltage I/O Domain	VDDIO		1.2	1.8	3.6	V
Sleep Current	IDDSL			0.1	0.3	µA
Standby Current	IDDSB			0.2	0.5	µA
Current during humidity measurement	IDDH	Max value at 85 °C		340		µA
Current during pressure measurement	IDDP	Max value at - 40 °C		714		µA
Current during temperature measurement	IDDT	Max value at 85 °C		350		µA
Startup time	Tstartup	Time to first communication after both VDD > 1.58 V and VDDIO > 0.65 V			2	ms
Power supply Rejection Ratio	PSRR	Full VDD range			± 0.01 ± 5	% RH/V Pa/V
Standby time accuracy	tstandby			±5	±25	%

Humidity Parameter Specifications

The following table shows the humidity parameter specifications.

Parameter	Symbol	Condition	Min	Typ	Max	Unit
Operating Range	RH	For temperatures < 0 °C and > 60 °C	-40 0	25	85 100	°C % RH
Supply Current	IDD.H	1 Hz forced mode, humidity and temperature		1.8	2.8	µA
Absolute accuracy tolerance	AH	20...80 % RH, 25 °C, including hysteresis		± 3		% RH
Hysteresis	HH	10-90-10 %RH 25 °C		± 1		% RH
NonLinearity	NLH	10-90 % RH, 25 °C		1		% RH
Response time to Complete 63%	T63%	90-0 or 0-90 % RH, 25 °C		1		s
Resolution	RH			0.008		% RH
Noise in humidity	NH	Highest oversampling		.02		% RH
Long term stability	Hstab	10...90 % RH, 25 °C		0.5		% RH/year

Pressure Sensor Specifications

The following table shows the pressure sensor specifications.

Parameter	Symbol	Condition	Min	Typ	Max	Unit
Operating Temp. Range	TA	Operational   Full accuracy	-40 0	25	+85 +65	°C
Operating pressure range	P	Full accuracy	300		1100	hPa
Supply Current	IDDLP	1 Hz forced mode, pressure and temperature, lowest power		2.8	4.2	µA
Temperature coefficient of offset	TCOP	25... 65 °C, 900 hPa		± 1.5 ± 12.6		Pa/K cm/K
Absolute accuracy pressure	Apex   AP,full   AP	300 . . 1100 hPa -20 . . . 0 °C   300 . . 1100 hPa 0 . . . 65 °C   1100 . . 1250 hPa 25 . . . 40 °C		± 1.7   ± 1   ± 1.5		hPa hPa hPa
Relative accuracy pressure VDD = 3.3V	Arel	700 ... 900hPa 25 . . . 40 °C		± .12		hPa
Resolution of pressure output data	RP	Highest Oversampling		0.18		Pa
Noise in pressure	NP, fullBW   NP, filtered	Full bandwidth, highest oversampling Reduced bandwidth, highest oversampling		1.3 11 .2 1.7		Pa cm Pa cm
Solder drift		Minimum solder height 50µm	-0.5		+2	hPa
Long term stability	Pstab	Per year		±1		hPa
Possible sampling rate	fsample_P	Lowest Sampling	157	182		Hz

Temperature Sensor Specifications

The following table shows the temperature sensor specifications.

Parameter	Symbol	Condition	Min	Typ	Max	Unit
Operating Temp. Range	T	Operational   Full accuracy	-40 0	25	+85 +65	°C
Supply Current	IDD, T	1 Hz forced mode, Temp. measurement only		1	1100	µA
	AT,25	25 °C		± 0.5		°C
Absolute Accuracy Temperature	AT,full   Aext   Aext	0 ... 65 °C   -20 ... 0 °C   -40 ... -20 °C		± 1   ± 1.25   ± 1.5		°C
Output Resolution	RT	API output resolution		0.01		°C
RMS noise	NT	Lowest Oversampling		0.005		°C

BME280 Absolute Maximum Ratings

It is important to note that these ratings are available over complete temperature range.

The following table shows the absolute maximum ratings of BME280.

Parameter	Condition	Min	Max	Unit
Voltage at any supply pin	VDD and VDDIO pin	-0.3	4.25	V
Voltage at any interface pin		-0.3	VDDIO + 0.3	V
Storage Temp.	= 65% RH	-45	+85	°C
Pressure		0	20,000	hPa
ESD	HBM, at any pin   CDM   Machine Model		± 2   ± 500   ± 200	KV V V
Condensation	No power supplied	allowed	allowed

BME280 Applications

Due to its SPI and I2C compatibility, the BME280 sensor is employed in a range of applications especially weather monitoring and health monitoring. The applications it can be used for include:

• Skin detection, room change detection
• Health monitoring/well-being
• Warning regarding dehydration or heat stroke
• Measurement of lung volume and airflow
• Home automation control
• Control heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC)
• Internet of things
• GPS enhancement (e.g. time-to-first-fix improvement, dead reckoning, slope detection)
• Indoor navigation (change of floor detection, elevator detection)
• Outdoor navigation, leisure, and sports applications
• Weather forecast
• Vertical velocity indication (rise/sink speed)

That was all about the Introduction to BME280. If your mind is brimmed with questions regarding this device, you can ask me in the section below. I’d love to assist you the best way I can. Feel free to share your feedback and suggestions about the content we share, so we keep improving our content and deliver exact as per your needs and expectations. Thank you for reading the article.