Intermediate
30 min

Achieve accurate and real-time positioning of objects in three-dimensional space with MLX90380 and STM32F303RC

Magnetism mapped: 3D Hall sensor, your spatial intelligence

3D Hall 6 Click with Fusion for ARM v8

Published Sep 16, 2023

Click board™

3D Hall 6 Click

Dev Board

Fusion for ARM v8

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

STM32F303RC

Harness the power of 3D magnetic sensors to fortify your home's security, ensuring peace of mind with real-time intrusion detection and comprehensive surveillance.

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

3D Hall 6 Click is based on the MLX90380, a monolithic contactless sensor IC sensitive to the flux density applied orthogonally and parallel to the IC surface, from Melexis. This sensor relies on a Hall effect to accurately sense magnetic field changes on three perpendicular axes. The internal magnetic field sensing elements are multiplexed and connected to a pre-amplifier and then to a sine and cosine analog outputs. All of the analog outptts are routed to the MCP3204 - onboard 4-channel 12-Bit A/D converter with SPI interface, from Microchip. The magnetic sensor has a very low pin count. However, in order to allow reading of the 4 analog inputs on the single Click board™, 3D Hall 6 click have onboard 4-channel, 12-Bit A/D converter, with SPI interface. Thus, the communication interface procedure relies on

reading the appropriate registers of the MCP3204. The MLX90380 contactless sensor also features a powerful programming engine, which allows the sensitivity and filter bandwidth to be programmed to optimally use the ADC input range of the ADC. However, because 3D Hall 6 click have onboard A/D converter, the output voltage of the MLX90380 is matched with the input range of the MCP3204, so the user don’t need to do any additional setting. High-speed dual analog outputs allow the MLX90380 to deliver accurate sine/cosine signals when used with a rotating permanent magnet. The sensor provides raw data output, based on a strength of the magnetic field. The measurement is affected by many factors: slight manufacturing differences between ICs affect the readings, even the slight differences

between Hall plates within the same IC might affect the accuracy, although the IC contains highly matched sensing elements. Also, the altitude might affect the readings, as well as temperature changes. The 3D Hall 6 software library contains simplified functions that allow straight-forward readings to be performed, reducing the steps needed for a proper initialization and configuration of the device. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

3D Hall 6 Click top side image
3D Hall 6 Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Fusion for ARM v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports a wide range of microcontrollers, such as different ARM® Cortex®-M based MCUs regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer over WiFi. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, Fusion for ARM v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under any

circumstances at any time. Each part of the Fusion for ARM v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module offers many valuable programming/debugging options, including support for JTAG, SWD, and SWO Trace (Single Wire Output)), and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides, it also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Communication options such as USB-UART, USB HOST/DEVICE, CAN (on the MCU card, if supported), and Ethernet is also included. In addition, it also has the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, a standardized socket for the MCU card (SiBRAIN standard), and two display options for the TFT board line of products and character-based LCD. Fusion for ARM v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

Fusion for ARM v8 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Type

8th Generation

Architecture

ARM Cortex-M4

MCU Memory (KB)

256

Silicon Vendor

STMicroelectronics

Pin count

64

RAM (Bytes)

49152

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
SPI Chip Enable
PB9
CS
SPI Clock
PA5
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PA6
MISO
SPI Data IN
PA7
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
NC
NC
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

3D Hall 6 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Fusion for PIC v8 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Fusion for ARM v8 as your development board.

Fusion for PIC v8 front image hardware assembly
Buck 22 Click front image hardware assembly
SiBRAIN for PIC32MZ1024EFK144 front image hardware assembly
v8 SiBRAIN MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto image step 7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output via UART Mode

1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "FLASH" button initiates the build process, and programs it on the created setup.

2. After the programming is completed, click on the Tools icon in the upper-right panel, and select the UART Terminal.

3. After opening the UART Terminal tab, first check the baud rate setting in the Options menu (default is 115200). If this parameter is correct, activate the terminal by clicking the "CONNECT" button.

4. Now terminal status changes from Disconnected to Connected in green, and the data is displayed in the Received data field.

UART_Application_Output

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for 3D Hall 6 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • c3dhall6_set_reference_values - This function sets reference values for voltage and angle calculations

  • c3dhall6_get_adc_value - This function reads ADC value on selected channel

  • c3dhall6_get_volt - This function reads ADC value on selected channel and converts that value to Volts or miliVolts - depending on reference voltage setting.

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief 3dHall6 Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * This application measure the intensity of the magnetic field across three perpendicular axes.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes device.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 *  Executes one or more 'c3dhall6_log_xxx_task' functions
 *  
 *  Additional Functions :
 *
 *  - c3dhall6_log_adc_task() - performs and logs adc measurements on all channels
 *  - c3dhall6_log_volt_task() - performs and logs voltage measurements on all channels
 *  - c3dhall6_log_angleRad_task() - performs and logs angle measurements in radians on each die
 *  - c3dhall6_log_angleDeg_task() - performs and logs angle measurements in degrees on each die
 * 
 * \author MikroE Team
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "c3dhall6.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static c3dhall6_t c3dhall6;
static log_t logger;

// ------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

static void c3dhall6_log_adc_task( )
{
    uint16_t ch0_adc_value;
    uint16_t ch1_adc_value;
    uint16_t ch2_adc_value;
    uint16_t ch3_adc_value;

    c3dhall6_get_adc_value( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_0, &ch0_adc_value );
    c3dhall6_get_adc_value( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_1, &ch1_adc_value );
    c3dhall6_get_adc_value( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_2, &ch2_adc_value );
    c3dhall6_get_adc_value( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_3, &ch3_adc_value );
    
    log_printf( &logger, "ADC on CH0 : %d \r\n", ch0_adc_value );
    log_printf( &logger, "ADC on CH1 : %d \r\n", ch1_adc_value );
    log_printf( &logger, "ADC on CH2 : %d \r\n", ch2_adc_value );
    log_printf( &logger, "ADC on CH3 : %d \r\n", ch3_adc_value );
}

void c3dhall6_log_volt_task( )
{
    float ch0_voltage;
    float ch1_voltage;
    float ch2_voltage;
    float ch3_voltage;

    c3dhall6_get_volt( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_0, &ch0_voltage );
    c3dhall6_get_volt( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_1, &ch1_voltage );
    c3dhall6_get_volt( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_2, &ch2_voltage );
    c3dhall6_get_volt( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_CHANNEL_3, &ch3_voltage );
   
    log_printf( &logger, "Voltage on CH0 : %f V \r\n", ch0_voltage );
    log_printf( &logger, "Voltage on CH1 : %f V \r\n", ch1_voltage );
    log_printf( &logger, "Voltage on CH2 : %f V \r\n", ch2_voltage );
    log_printf( &logger, "Voltage on CH3 : %f V \r\n", ch3_voltage );
}

void c3dhall6_log_angle_rad_task( )
{
    float die_a_angle;
    float die_b_angle;

    c3dhall6_get_angle_rad( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_DIE_A, &die_a_angle );
    c3dhall6_get_angle_rad( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_DIE_B, &die_b_angle );

    log_printf( &logger, "DIE A Angle value :  %f rad \r\n", die_a_angle );
    log_printf( &logger, "DIE B Angle value :  %f rad \r\n", die_b_angle );    
}

void c3dhall6_log_angle_deg_task( )
{
    float die_a_angle;
    float die_b_angle;
    char degree_unit[2] = { 176, 0 };

    c3dhall6_get_angle_deg( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_DIE_A, &die_a_angle );
    c3dhall6_get_angle_deg( &c3dhall6, C3DHALL6_DIE_B, &die_b_angle );

    log_printf( &logger, "DIE A Angle value :  %f %c \r\n", die_a_angle, degree_unit );
    log_printf( &logger, "DIE B Angle value :  %f %c \r\n", die_b_angle, degree_unit ); 
    
}

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    c3dhall6_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );


    //  Click initialization.

    c3dhall6_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    C3DHALL6_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    c3dhall6_init( &c3dhall6, &cfg );

    Delay_ms( 300 );
    c3dhall6_set_reference_values( &c3dhall6, 3.3, 2048.0, 2048.0, 2048.0, 2048.0 );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    c3dhall6_log_angle_deg_task( );
    Delay_ms( 1000 );
}

void main ( void )
{
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; )
    {
        application_task( );
    }
}


// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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