The Engineering Projects

Up Down Counter using Arduino & 7-Segment Display

Hello geeks, welcome to our new project. In this project, we are going to make a very interesting project which is an Up-Down counter. Most of us who have an electronics background or studied digital electronics must know the counter. Counter is a simple device which counts numbers. As per the digital electronics, there are two types of counter, the Up counter which counts in increasing order and another is Down counter which counts in decreasing order. And every counter has a reset limit, on which the counter resets to its initial value and starts the counting again. The limit of every counter depends on the bits of counter. For example, we have a 8 bit Up counter which means it will count upto 255 and afterwards it will reset and will start again counting from zero.

Where To Buy?
No.	Components	Distributor	Link To Buy
1	7-Segment Display	Amazon	Buy Now
2	Arduino Uno	Amazon	Buy Now

Software to install

In this project, we will need two softwares first is the Arduino IDE which is used for Arduino programming. As we are going to make this project in simulation, we will use Proteus simulation software. Proteus is a simulation software for electronics projects. In this software, we can run the real time simulation of electronics circuits and debug them without damaging any real components.

And it is a good practice to make any circuit in the simulation first if we do that for the first time.

And Proteus has a very large database for electronics components but it lacks some new component libraries, for that we have to install some libraries for those components. In this, we have to install a library for the Arduino UNO module.

We should first download the Arduino UNO library.

Components required

We will need the following components for this project

• Arduino UNO
• 7 Segment LED display
• Two push buttons
• 2 Resistors

Components details

Arduino UNO

• Arduino UNO is an open source development board developed by Arduino.
• It uses the ATmega328 microcontroller made by ATMEL.
• ATmega328 has an 8 bit RISC based processor core with 32Kb flash memory.
• Arduino UNO has 14 digital input/output pins and 6 analog input/output pins.
• It has 1 UART, 1 SPI and 1 I2C communication peripheral on board.
• It has a 10 bit ADC which can give value from 0 to 1023.
• Operating voltage of ATmega IC is 5 volts but on the Arduino board, using the DC power jack, we can connect upto 9-12 voltage power supply.
• We can power Arduino UNO using the DC power jack or Vin on the Arduino UNO module.
• Here, we used the Arduino UNO as the main controller which works as a counter here and displays the same on the 7 segment LED display.

7 Segment LED display

• It is an LED display module, in which there are seven LEDs arranged in the rectangular form on which we can display single digit numbers from 0-9 and some alphabets as well.
• It has two types, one is common ground and another is common Vcc.
• There are 7 different pins for each LEDs and one common pin, this pin can be common ground or common Vcc depending upon type of the display.
• The pins on the display are noted as a,b,c,d,e,f,g.
• Common ground is also known as Common cathode, and common Vcc is also known as Common anode .
• In Common cathode type display, the LEDs will glow when LEDs pins are connected to logic HIGH.
• In Common anode type display, the LEDs will glow when the LEDs pins are connected to logic LOW.
• As they are simple LEDs so while using them in the circuit, it is mandatory to use some protection resistors with each of them if we are using Common ground type display and single resistor with the Common Vcc pin if we are using the Common Vcc type display.
• For the counter, we will follow the truth table of display for showing the numbers.

Push buttons

• In this we have used a simple momentary push button for setting the counter in UP counting or in DOWN counting.
• There are two pins in the push button.
• As we will use the push buttons in active low condition which means one side will be connected to ground and other terminal will be connected to the Arduino.
• So when we press the push button, it will close the circuit and set the pin.
• While using any push button, it is mandatory to use a pull-up or pull-down resistor with it, otherwise there will be some glitches in the operation.
• Because when the button is released, the circuit will be open and if there is no pull-up or pull-down connected to the other pin of the push button, then that pin will be in floating state and will give any random voltage, which will create an issue.
• Here, in this project we have used the pull-up resistor so that when the push button is released, the pin state will be in logic HIGH state.

Project overview

As we know counters are simple electronic circuits which count some values and after reaching the maximum value they will reset. In this project, we will make an Up-Down counter which means our counter will count from 0-9 and again after 9-0.

We will use the 7 segment display for showing the counter values. In this project, we have used the common ground type of LED display. And two push buttons to start the counter in up counting or in down counting. When we press the UP push button, then the Arduino will activate the pins as per the up counting and LED will display numbers from 0-9 and when we press the DOWN push button then the Arduino will activate the pin as per the down counting and LED will display numbers from 9-0.

To control the LEDs, Arduino will set the pins as HIGH and LOW as per the truth table for the common ground display.

Arduino will set the pins and LED will display the numbers.

Circuit diagram and working

Now we know the working of our counter so let’s make the circuit for the same:

• Open the new project in the Proteus and import all the required components in the workspace.

• Now let’s connect the push buttons with Arduino, for the push button we will use Arduino UNO’s digital pins D11 and D12.
• Connect the one side of the push buttons with the Vcc and another side with the Arduino UNO and on that side we will connect the pull-down resistors.
• Connect the pull down resistors with the Ground.

• Now, connect the pins of the 7 segment display with the Arduino UNO.
• Connect the pins of the LED display in the same order as A-2, B-3, C-4, D-6, E-7, F-8, G-9 and DP -5. Otherwise it will show the wrong data on the display.

Arduino Code for Up-Down counter

Now we will start writing the code of the Up-Down counter. The code of this project will be divided into three major parts. In the first part, we will declare all the required variables and pins. In the second part, we will set the modes of pins and set the initial states to pins and do the required configuration if needed and the last part we will write our main functionality of our project which we want to run continually.

• So let’s declare all the required variables. First of all, declare the variables for pins of the seven segment display and Up counter push button and down counter push button.

• Now declare all the required variables which we will use in this code.

• Now we declared all the required variables and pins so let’s start with the void setup function.

Void setup()

• It is one of the most important functions in the Arduino code structure. Without this, our code will not compile successfully and will show the error.
• In this, we will set the pin mode of each pin and set them to their initial values.
• This function only runs once every time when we restart the code so that we will write the part of code which we want to run only
• We will set the pinmode of seven segment LEDs to output mode as we want to control the LEDs from them.
• And set the pinmode of push buttons as input as we want to read their state in the application.
• For debugging purposes initialise the serial monitor also.

• After this, we will write the void loop function.

Void loop()

• This is also one of the most important functions as per the structure of the Arduino code, we can not write the code without using this function.
• In this function, we will write the code which we want to run in the continuous loop, so we will write our main application code in this section.
• As per the application of our code first of all, we will read the Up and Down counter push button states and when the state changes we will trigger the counter.
• Write the condition for the Up counter button, when the button is pressed then the state of the button changes and we will check the state of the push button. If it is HIGH then we will start incrementing the counter variable and using the “changeNumber()”, we will display the numbers on the seven segment LED display.

• Similarly, for the down counter push button, when the push button is pressed then the state changes and when the state of the button is high then we will start decrementing the counter variable and display the number on the seven segment display using the “changeNumber()” function

Void changeNumber(int buttonpress)

• This is a user defined function.
• We will use this function to display the number on the seven segment LED display.
• This function will set the state of the LED’s pins as per the number we want to display.
• It takes an argument as the number and with the help of switch-case, it will set the state of pins as per respective number.
• The state of pins is decided by the truth table of the seven segment LED display mentioned in the above image of the truth table.

Result and test

After the circuit and the coding part, we are all set to run the simulation:

• To run the simulation, we have to add the hex file of our application code.
• We have to generate the hex file from the Arduino IDE.
• To generate the hex file , goto “Sketch >> Export compiled binary” after that it will compile our application code and the hex file will be generated and will be saved in the same folder of the project.
• Now include that to the Arduino UNO module in the simulation.
• To add the hex file, click on the Arduino UNO module, then a window will be opened, from there browse to the location of the hex file and add that.
• Now run the simulation.
• At the start the LED display will show ‘0’.

• So, when we press the Up push button, then the counter variable will be incremented by one on every press and when we push the Down push button, then the counter variable will be decremented by one on every push and the same will be displayed on the Seven segment LED display.

Conclusion

I hope we have covered all the points related to this project. I think it will be a useful project for learning purposes and gives an understanding about working of counters. Please let us know in the comment section if you have faced any issues while making this project.

Thanks for reading this article. See you in the next project.

Interfacing of Seven Segment with Arduino in Proteus

Hello friends, today we are gonna have a look on how to interface Seven Segment with Arduino in Proteus. In my last post, I have posted an Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display, which is designed by our team and is quite basic in functionality. So, if you haven't checked that post then first of all check that one and download the Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display as I am gonna use that library in today's post. Moreover, in order to run this library you are also gonna need to download Arduino Library for Proteus, using this library you will be able to use Arduino board in Proteus so also read that post and download this library and install it in your Proteus.

Again I am mentioning that its the first library designed by our team so its in basic stages, it has few functions and will only display the numeric on the seven segment display which is normally required. I am planning on adding more examples in the library for future use, which will increase the functionality. Anyways that's a future talk, let's start today's post.

What is Seven Segment Display?

Let's first have a look at what is Seven Segment Display. Seven Segment display is nothing but an electronic device used for displaying the numeric data. It's a complex form of LED matrix and is normally used in clocks, LCD displays, calculators etc where there's a need to display the numeric data. It has total seven leds in it which you can also count from above image and by turning these LEDs ON or OFF we can display any numeric on it. For example, have a look at the below image. In this image I have shown numeric 0 on seven segment. Now in order to do so, I just simply turn OFF the centered LED and turn ON all the corner LEDs and it becomes 0.

How does Seven Segment Work?

Now, let's have look at how it works. So, we have seen that Seven Segment is named seven segment because it has total seven LEDs on it so now what we need to do is to control these seven LEDs, also named as segments, and then we can display any character on it. There are two types of seven segments available in the market and named as:

• Common Cathode
• Common Anode

They both work exactly the same and has only a slight difference. They both has total seven pins and each pin is used to control each led and they have an extra pin which is named as Common Pin. In Common Cathode you have to GND this Common Pin, while in common Anode, you have to give +5V to this Common Pin. Have a look at this below image, we have labelled leds with respect to the pins.

Interfacing of Seven Segment with Arduino in Proteus

• Now we know all about Seven Segment Display and know how it works so let's interface Seven Segment with Arduino in Proteus.
• Now, I am assuming that you have installed the Arduino Library for Proteus and have also installed the Arduino Library for Seven Segment display.
• So, now open your Arduino Software and go to File>Examples>SevenSegment>Counting.
• Open this example, in this example I have added a counter which will start counting from 0 to 9 and once it reached 9 then it will start counting again.
• If you can't find this example then you must be making some mistake in installing the library, anyways the code is shown below.

Note:

• In order to run this example you will need two libraries, the inks are given below to download:
  • Arduino Library for Proteus
  • Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display

/* Counting This Arduino example is for Seven Segent display. It will start the counter from 0 and will end up at 9 and will start again from 0. This example code is in the public domain. Created by Syed Zain Nasir at 14 March 2015. You can get the explanation and latest version of this library at: http://www.TheEngineeringProjects.com/ */ #include "SevenSegment.h" SevenSegment tep = SevenSegment(0,1,2,3,4,5,6); char arr [10] = {'0','1','2','3','4','5','6','7','8','9'}; int index; void setup(){ index = 0; } void loop(){ tep.display(arr[index++]); delay(1000); if(index == 11) index = 0; }

• Now open you Proteus Software and design the circuit in it as shown in below figure, I have also attached the file for download at the end.

• Now compile the code and gt the hex file and upload it in your Arduino Properties.
• Now Run the Proteus software, and you will see the seven segment display will start counting, a glimpse of it is shown in the below figure:

• Below is attached the Proteus file and the hex file for the counting example which you simply start and run but again I suggest that you should design it by yourself so that you get something out of it.

Download Proteus Simulation of Seven Segment with Arduino

• One last thing, any kind of contribution to this library from the readers is highly appreciated, design your projects and share codes with us and we will post them on our blog for other readers to get knowledge as knowledge is all about sharing.

That's all for today, hope it will help you in some way. Take care and have fun. :)

Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display

In today's post, I am gonna share a new Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display. In my recent project, I got a chance to work on seven segment displays, I have worked on them using PIC microcontroller but haven't got a chance to use them with Arduino. So, now as usual when I started working on them, I started searching for Arduino Library but I kind of got disappointed after getting quite heavy libraries for seven segments, and after a lot of search I thought of designing my own Arduino library for seven segment display, which I am gonna share in this post. :)

It's not very advanced library as we know seven segment displays are not too complex, so its quite simple and using it you can quite easily display any numerical digit on the seven segment display. Moreover, I have also included an example with the library which will start the counter from zero on seven segment display and keep on incrementing till 9 and after that it will start again from zero. Moreover, I have also posted the example about Interfacing of Seven Segment Display with Arduino in Proteus using this library, it will help you in better understanding of How this library works. You can download the working Proteus Simulation as well as hex file from that post.

Download Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display

• As I stated earlier, its a very simple Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display and it will only print the numeric on seven segment display, but I will work on it in future and will update it by adding more features in it.
• So, first of all click the below button to download the Arduino library for seven segment display.

Download Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display

• After downloading the library, place it in the libraries folder of your Arduino software.
• Now close your Arduino software and open it again.
• Go to File and then Examples and you will find SevenSegment in it and it will have an example which is named as Counting.

Functions in Arduino Library for Seven Segment Display

• I have added quite few function in it which are very basic and are very easy to use.
• The first function I have used is:

SevenSegment(int a,int b,int c,int d,int e,int f,int g);

• In this function, you need to give the pins of Arduino with which you are attaching your seven segment display. It will called as shown below:

SevenSegment tep = SevenSegment(0,1,2,3,4,5,6);

•  Now tep is our seven segment object and we are gonna use it in rest of the example.
• The next function used in this arduino library for seven segment display is:

display(char c);

• This function will display the numeric on seven segment display which you will provide it.
• Moreover, it will automatically clear the screen before displaying any new character on the seven segment.
• It is called in the example as shown below:

tep.display('1');

That's all for today, in this next post you can download the example of how to Interface Seven Segment Display Using Arduino in Proteus, it will help you in understanding of this library in detail.