Let's Create a Digital Angle Meter Using a Microcontroller

Posted on: 11/16/2023

In this blog, we will introduce the procedure for creating a ‘Digital Angle Meter’ using the RL78/G15 Fast Prototyping Board (FPB). The RL78 microcontroller provides an affordable and easy-to-use development environment. If you haven’t set up the development environment yet, please refer to the blog post below for guidance.
Start Developing with the RL78 – Essential for Microcomputer Beginners – Part 1

Specifications

The ‘Digital Angle Meter’ we are creating this time converts angular velocity data from the gyroscope sensor (BMX055) into angles and displays it on the LCD display (ACM1602NI-FLW-FBW-M01). Both the gyroscope sensor and the LCD are controlled via I2C communication.

Below, we have posted images of the system in action.

1. I set up a slope with a 30° angle. (Fig. 1)

2. First, please establish an arbitrary reference plane. (Fig. 2)

3. By tilting from there, you can measure the angle. (Fig. 3)
*To confirm the angle, press the ‘Angle Confirmation Button’.

4. After the angle is confirmed, the displayed value will not change even if you move the meter. (Fig. 4).
*To measure again, press the ‘Reset Button’.

Hardware Design

Let me introduce the components used in the hardware design.

FPB (RL78/G15 20-pin)
E2 Emulator Lite
Gyroscope Sensor (BMX055)
LCD Display (ACM1602NI-FLW-FBW-M01)
Tactile Switches × 4
Universal Boards × 2

I implemented the following circuit on the universal board. (Fig.5)

Digital Angle Meter Circuit Diagram on RL78/G15 Fast Prototyping Board — Fig. 5

Here is the completed hardware. (Fig. 6 & 7)

Digital angle meter hardware angle confirmation button and reset button — Fig. 6

Digital angle meter hardware universal board and FPB — Fig. 7

Software Design

Let’s start by preparing the development tools to create the program. I have chosen CS+, which is beginner-friendly. Please install the development tools following the next blog post.

Integrated Development Environment Blog: Start Developing with the RL78 – Essential for Microcomputer Beginners – Part 1

Open CS+ and click on the area highlighted in the red box in the image below (Fig. 8) to launch the Code Generation Tool (Smart Configurator). By using Smart Configurator, you can easily generate initialization functions for various peripheral functions. Be sure to take advantage of this tool.

Launch Smart Configurator from CS+ — Fig. 8

For instructions on how to use Smart Configurator, please refer to the user guide provided below.

User guide: RL78 Smart Configurator User Guide: CS+ Edition

Let’s now proceed to run the program that I have created.
Please download the program from here.

By using the RL78 FPB, you can easily enjoy electronic projects. If you are interested in electronics, be sure to check out the related blog posts below.

Source: https://www.slw-ele.com/lets-create-a-digital-angle-meter-using-a-microcontroller.html