https://github.com/bocaletto-luca/arduino-frequency-scanner
Advanced Arduino Frequency Scanner This project upgrades the basic pulse‐counting scanner into a high‐resolution, wide‐range instrument using Arduino’s Timer1 Input Capture. You’ll get instant period readings, automatic smoothing, dynamic range up to several MHz, and a clean I²C LCD interface.
https://github.com/bocaletto-luca/arduino-frequency-scanner
arduino bocaletto-luca frequency frequency-scanner openhardware opensource scanner scanner-app standalone
Last synced: 16 days ago
JSON representation
Advanced Arduino Frequency Scanner This project upgrades the basic pulse‐counting scanner into a high‐resolution, wide‐range instrument using Arduino’s Timer1 Input Capture. You’ll get instant period readings, automatic smoothing, dynamic range up to several MHz, and a clean I²C LCD interface.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/bocaletto-luca/arduino-frequency-scanner
- Owner: bocaletto-luca
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2025-06-12T23:03:12.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-06-12T23:04:57.000Z (4 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-06-13T00:19:45.905Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: arduino, bocaletto-luca, frequency, frequency-scanner, openhardware, opensource, scanner, scanner-app, standalone
- Language: C++
- Homepage: https://bocaletto-luca.github.io/
- Size: 18.6 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Advanced Arduino Frequency Scanner
#### Author: Bocaletto Luca
This project upgrades the basic pulse‐counting scanner into a **high‐resolution, wide‐range** instrument using Arduino’s Timer1 Input Capture. You’ll get instant period readings, automatic smoothing, dynamic range up to several MHz, and a clean I²C LCD interface.
---
## 1. Key Features
- **Direct Period Measurement** via Timer1 Input Capture on ICP1 (digital pin 8)
- **Wide Dynamic Range** (from a few Hz up to 2 MHz+ with prescaler options)
- **Exponential Moving Average** for stable readout
- **I²C 16×2 LCD Display** for real‐time feedback
- **Optional Serial Logging** for PC/SD‐card integration
---
## 2. Components
- Arduino UNO (16 MHz)
- Schmitt‐trigger comparator (e.g. LM311/LM393) + BNC connector
- 16×2 I²C LCD (PCF8574 module)
- Pull-up resistor for comparator output (10 kΩ)
- Breadboard, jumpers, 5 V supply (USB or external)
- (Optional) SD-card module + Real‐Time Clock for timestamped logs
---
## 3. Hardware Wiring
Signal In ──► [Comparator] ──► TTL Output ──► Arduino Pin 8 (ICP1)
│
VCC (5 V)
│
GND
Arduino A4 (SDA) ──► LCD SDA
Arduino A5 (SCL) ──► LCD SCL
Arduino 5 V ──► LCD VCC
Arduino GND ──► LCD GND
> **Tip:** Add a small RC filter (10 kΩ + 100 pF) ahead of the comparator to clean jittery inputs.
---
## 4. How It Works
1. **Comparator** shapes any analog or RF source into clean TTL pulses.
2. **Timer1** runs at F_CPU/8 (2 MHz → 0.5 µs tick) and captures the timer value on each rising edge (ICP1 ISR).
3. **Period Calculation**: ISR computes Δticks between consecutive edges → period (µs) → frequency (Hz).
4. **Smoothing**: an exponential moving average (α = 0.1) filters out noise while preserving responsiveness.
5. **Display**: Shows both raw and smoothed frequency on the LCD.
---
## 5. Calibration & Verification
- **Low‐frequency test**: verify down to <10 Hz by observing stable updates.
- **High‐frequency test**: feed a 1 MHz signal; confirm correct readout up to ~2 MHz.
- **Smoothing α**: adjust 0 < α < 1 to trade off noise vs. response time.
- **Optional**: add an auto‐prescaler selector to switch Timer1 prescalers for extreme ranges.
---
## 6. Next‐Step Extensions
- **Serial/SD Logging**: timestamped CSV output for trend analysis.
- **Automatic Range Switching**: detect Δticks out of bounds and change prescaler on the fly.
- **Graphical Touch Display**: show history or simple FFT spectrum.
- **Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Module**: remote monitoring via smartphone or web dashboard.
- **Peak-Hold & Min/Max**: capture transient spikes or dips over a user‐set interval.