Sensors and OOP - PS70 Project

Project Overview

This project combines two different sensor implementations using object-oriented programming principles. First, I created and programmed a capacitive sensor that responds to applied force, providing visual feedback through LED lights and audio feedback through a buzzer. As force is applied, the LED changes color, and if too much force is detected, the system beeps and shows a red warning light. Second, I implemented an MPU6050 gyroscope sensor that monitors rotational motion and orientation, providing real-time data for motion analysis. This implementation will be crucial for the final smart headgear project, where precise motion tracking is essential for impact detection and analysis.

Capacitive Sensor Project

Capacitive Sensor Demonstration

Sensor Design

Created a capacitive sensor that measures applied force and converts it into electrical signals.

Visual Feedback

Implemented LED color changes based on force levels:

Normal force: Green light
Increased force: Yellow light
Excessive force: Red light with buzzer

Programming

Developed the code to:

Read sensor values
Process force measurements
Control LED colors
Trigger buzzer for warnings

MPU6050 Gyroscope Project

Sensor Implementation

Implemented the MPU6050 gyroscope sensor using object-oriented programming principles to create a reusable and maintainable codebase.

Motion Tracking

The system monitors:

Rotational movement on all axes
Acceleration data in three dimensions
Temperature readings for calibration

Data Processing

Developed real-time data processing capabilities:

Motion threshold detection
Impact force calculation
Orientation tracking

Results

MPU6050 Gyroscope sensor implementation

Arduino Code

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_MPU6050.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>

class MotionSensor {
private:
    Adafruit_MPU6050 mpu;
    const int ledPin = 13;
    float threshold = 2.0; // Motion threshold in m/s^2
    
public:
    MotionSensor() {
        pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
    }
    
    bool begin() {
        if (!mpu.begin()) {
            return false;
        }
        mpu.setAccelerometerRange(MPU6050_RANGE_8_G);
        mpu.setGyroRange(MPU6050_RANGE_500_DEG);
        mpu.setFilterBandwidth(MPU6050_BAND_21_HZ);
        return true;
    }
    
    void update() {
        sensors_event_t a, g, temp;
        mpu.getEvent(&a, &g, &temp);
        
        // Calculate total acceleration
        float totalAccel = sqrt(a.acceleration.x * a.acceleration.x +
                              a.acceleration.y * a.acceleration.y +
                              a.acceleration.z * a.acceleration.z);
        
        // Update LED based on motion
        digitalWrite(ledPin, totalAccel > threshold);
        
        // Print data for calibration
        Serial.print("Acceleration X: ");
        Serial.print(a.acceleration.x);
        Serial.print(", Y: ");
        Serial.print(a.acceleration.y);
        Serial.print(", Z: ");
        Serial.print(a.acceleration.z);
        Serial.print(" m/s^2");
        Serial.println();
    }
};

MotionSensor sensor;

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    while (!Serial) delay(10);
    
    if (!sensor.begin()) {
        Serial.println("Failed to find MPU6050 chip");
        while (1) {
            delay(10);
        }
    }
    Serial.println("MPU6050 Found!");
}

void loop() {
    sensor.update();
    delay(100); // Small delay for readability
}

Circuit Schematic

MPU6050 connection schematic with Arduino

Wiring Instructions

VCC → 5V
GND → GND
SCL → A5
SDA → A4
LED → Pin 13

Sensor Calibration & Data Visualization

Real-time Data Processing

The MPU6050 sensor data is processed and sent to Firebase in real-time, where it's visualized through a custom web interface. The system includes:

Live impact force monitoring
Real-time gyroscope readings
Impact distribution analysis
Session statistics and metrics

Live Data Dashboard

Smart Strike Monitoring System

The data from the MPU6050 sensor is processed and displayed in real-time on our custom dashboard. The system provides:

Impact force measurements in G-force
Gyroscope orientation data
Impact rate and distribution analysis
Session statistics and safety controls

Live Dashboard Preview

Live monitoring dashboard for impact analysis