Light Illuminance Station (Arduino and MS Excel data logging)

EASY ARDUINO DATA LOGGING

Reported by: Norfazilah Binti Mohamad Yusuf

Lecturers’ name: Dr. Ikhwan Hadi Yaacob

Definition -  Data Logging

•The process of using a computer to collect data through sensors, analyze the data and save and output the results of the collection and analysis. Data logging also implies the control of how the computer collects and analyzes the data.

•Data logging is commonly used in scientific experiments and in monitoring systems where there is the need to collect information faster than a human can possibly collect the information and in cases where accuracy is essential. 

Tutorial on how to install the PLX-DAQ

                         Tutorial on utilising PLX-DAQ and MS Excel for data logging

                                        Tutorial on plotting graph for the data log.

Discussion:

•Arduino supply maximum 5V thus the sensor could not collect the data at the voltage more than 5V.

•Tint film is used to reduce the illuminance of light; reducing the voltage of the sensor in order to collect more data especially at 11.am to 2.30 pm

•Illuminance of light does not affect on certain parameter such as air movement, humidity, temperature of surrounding thus this type of sensor alone would not make a perfect weather station.

Arduino codes:

unsigned long int milli_time;    //variable to hold the time
float voltage1;         //variable to hold the voltage form A0
float voltage2;
float voltage3;
float voltage4;
float voltage5;
float voltage6;
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(128000);               //Fastest baudrate
  Serial.println("CLEARDATA");        //This string is defined as a 
                                      // commmand for the Excel VBA 
                                      // to clear all the rows and columns
  Serial.println("LABEL,Computer Time,Time (Milli Sec.),V1,V2,V3,V4,V5,V6");  
                                      //LABEL command creates label for 
                                      // columns in the first row with bold font
}
void loop() {
  milli_time = millis();
  voltage1 = 5.0 * analogRead(A0) / 1024.0;
  voltage2 = 5.0 * analogRead(A1) / 1024.0;
  voltage3 = 5.0 * analogRead(A2) / 1024.0;
  voltage4 = 5.0 * analogRead(A3) / 1024.0;
  voltage5 = 5.0 * analogRead(A4) / 1024.0;
  voltage6 = 5.0 * analogRead(A5) / 1024.0;
  Serial.print("DATA,TIME,");
  Serial.print(milli_time);
  Serial.print(voltage1);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.print(voltage2);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.print(voltage3);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.print(voltage4);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.print(voltage5);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.println(voltage6);
  
    
  delay (1000); //Take samples every 432 sec or every 7.2 minutes,

}