1. EMS1EP Lecture 6 Digital Inputs
Dr. Robert Ross

2. Overview (what you should learn today)
Hardware: Connecting switches to the Arduino
Revision of setting pin directions
Using digitalRead()
Debouncing Switches

3. Hardware – inputs to an Arduino
Lots of things can be inputs into the Arduino
Many of these are analog sensors (pressure, acceleration, pressure, temperature, ect.)
In this lecture we will be looking at digital inputs – specifically switches
Switches allow humans to interact with microcontrollers and allow them do control things

4. Hardware – Switch Inputs
Switches are connected to a pin configured as a digital input
A pull-up resistor used to ensure switch is not floating (when it is not pressed)
This resistor should be between 10K and 100K
(small enough to pull-up the voltage but large enough not to waste too much current when the button is pressed)

5. Switch connection to the LArduino
R = 10K
Switch connected to a digital input

6. Setting up pins
Before using the digital pins we need to set them up as either inputs or outputs
This is called setting the direction of the pins (input direction or output direction)
To do this we use the pinMode() function

7. pinMode() function Syntax:
pinMode(<pin_number>, <direction>)
Normally some pins will be assigned at the top of your code
e.g.
int LED1Pin = 10;
int switchPin = 11;
These assignments are used for the pin number
Direction should be OUTPUT or INPUT
pinMode(LED1Pin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(switchPin, INPUT);

8. digitalRead()
Once pins have been set as inputs the digitalRead() function can be used to see if there is a low (0V) or high (5V) voltage on the pins
Syntax:
int digitalRead(<Pin_Number>);
e.g.
int pinValue;
//Check if voltage on pin is high or low
pinValue = digitalRead(sw1Pin);
If(low == pinValue){
//do something – switch is pressed }
else{
//do something – switch not pressed

9. Class Quiz A switch is connected to pin 7 An LED is connected to pin 9
Use pinMode() to setup the pins as inputs and outputs
If the switch is pressed (LOW voltage) turn the LED on (set pin LOW). Otherwise turn the LED off

10. A problem with switches
Switches are mechanical devices – two pieces of metal touching each other
When the switch is pressed these switches will often bounce up and down a few times
This bouncing can be a real is a real problem if it is important how many times the switch has been pressed
Switch pressed
Bouncing
Contacts settled

11. Switch bounce
Switch pressed
Bouncing
Contacts settled

12. Solving debouncing
There are several different ways switches can be ‘debounced’ (removing the bounce)
Hardware solution: Capacitors with a Schmitt trigger can be used to remove the bounce
Software solution: Use the switch to start a small delay then check the switch input – after this it should be debounced
For Arduinos an easy function is provided: Bounce()
Documentation:
If you are using it at home you need to copy this folder into your libraries folder on your home PC

13. Bounce() This library makes debouncing really easy to do
Functions to detect rising and falling edge
Use Bounce(<Pin>,<debounceInterval>) to setup pin (5ms should be plenty for the debounce interval)
When buttons are pressed falling edge generated – so use fallingEdge() function
Use update() before reading risingEdge() or fallingEdge() to update the result

14. Bounce() example #include <Bounce.h> int sw_input = 7;
Bounce debounce1 = Bounce(sw_input, 5); //Button to be debounced
void setup() {
pinMode(sw_input, INPUT);
Serial.begin(9600); }
void loop()
debounce1.update(); //Sample button value
if(HIGH == debounce1.fallingEdge()){ //If button has been pressed
Serial.println(“Button Pressed”); //Send message

15. Class Quiz A switch is connected to pin 7 A LED is connected to pin 13
Draw a circuit sketch of this circuit
Write code using pinMode() to setup the pins
Use the bounce function to toggle the LED on and off each time the button is pressed (if button is pressed 3 times the LED should go on-off-on)
If the button is held down the LED should keep the same value

16. Summary (What you learnt in this session)
Switches are interfaced to the Arduino with a pull-up resistor
digitalRead() is used to check the voltage on a single pin
If the number of presses of a switch is important debouncing is required – use bounce()