Intermediate
30 min

Achieve accurate and real-time positioning of objects in three-dimensional space with MLX90380 and ATmega328

Magnetism mapped: 3D Hall sensor, your spatial intelligence

3D Hall 6 Click with Arduino UNO Rev3

Published Feb 14, 2024

Click board™

3D Hall 6 Click

Dev Board

Arduino UNO Rev3

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

ATmega328

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

Arduino UNO is a versatile microcontroller board built around the ATmega328P chip. It offers extensive connectivity options for various projects, featuring 14 digital input/output pins, six of which are PWM-capable, along with six analog inputs. Its core components include a 16MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an

ICSP header, and a reset button, providing everything necessary to power and program the board. The Uno is ready to go, whether connected to a computer via USB or powered by an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. As the first USB Arduino board, it serves as the benchmark for the Arduino platform, with "Uno" symbolizing its status as the

first in a series. This name choice, meaning "one" in Italian, commemorates the launch of Arduino Software (IDE) 1.0. Initially introduced alongside version 1.0 of the Arduino Software (IDE), the Uno has since become the foundational model for subsequent Arduino releases, embodying the platform's evolution.

Arduino UNO Rev3 double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

AVR

MCU Memory (KB)

32

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

32

RAM (Bytes)

2048

You complete me!

Accessories

Click Shield for Arduino UNO has two proprietary mikroBUS™ sockets, allowing all the Click board™ devices to be interfaced with the Arduino UNO board without effort. The Arduino Uno, a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P, provides an affordable and flexible way for users to try out new concepts and build prototypes with the ATmega328P microcontroller from various combinations of performance, power consumption, and features. The Arduino Uno has 14 digital input/output pins (of which six can be used as PWM outputs), six analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and reset button. Most of the ATmega328P microcontroller pins are brought to the IO pins on the left and right edge of the board, which are then connected to two existing mikroBUS™ sockets. This Click Shield also has several switches that perform functions such as selecting the logic levels of analog signals on mikroBUS™ sockets and selecting logic voltage levels of the mikroBUS™ sockets themselves. Besides, the user is offered the possibility of using any Click board™ with the help of existing bidirectional level-shifting voltage translators, regardless of whether the Click board™ operates at a 3.3V or 5V logic voltage level. Once you connect the Arduino UNO board with our Click Shield for Arduino UNO, you can access hundreds of Click boards™, working with 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
NC
NC
RST
SPI Chip Enable
PB2
CS
SPI Clock
PB5
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PB4
MISO
SPI Data IN
PB3
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

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Arduino UNO Rev3 as your development board.

Click Shield for Arduino UNO front image hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 front image hardware assembly
Barometer 13 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Arduino UNO Rev3 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 image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Arduino UNO MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output via Debug Mode

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

2. After the programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions within the IDE becomes visible. Clicking the green "PLAY" button starts reading the results achieved with the Click board™. The achieved results are displayed in the Application Output tab.

DEBUG_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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