Products for USB Sensing and Control Canada flag
Products for USB Sensing and Control

sales inquiries

quotes, distributor information, purchase orders
sales@phidgets.com

technical inquiries

support, advice, warranty, returns, misshipment
support@phidgets.com

website inquiries

corrections or suggestions
web@phidgets.com

Address

Unit 1 - 6115 4 St SE
Calgary AB  T2H 2H9
Canada

PHIDGETS Inc.

Unit 1 - 6115 4 St SE
Calgary AB  T2H 2H9
Canada
+1 403 282-7335

Voltage Divider

ID: 1121_0 NRND

This adapter lets you interface with all sorts of non-Phidgets resistance sensors, just dial in the resistance you want.

$7.00

Quantity Available: 1000+

Qty Price
5 $6.65
10 $6.30
25 $5.60
50 $4.90
100 $4.55
50+...

The 1121 provides an interface to non-Phidgets resistance sensors such as: Force-Sensing Resistors (FSR), light sensors, thermistors (heat sensors), and bend sensors.

The Voltage Divider eliminates the need to connect a resistor to an analog input by providing a high precision potentiometer. You can adjust the resistance by turning the trim pot on the side of the resistor.

Features

  • Quickly interface variable resistance sensors
  • Adjustable from 1 to 21 kOhms
  • Connects to a Phidgets VINT port or voltage input

Comes packaged with

Functional

Interlink Force-Sensitive Resistors

This adapter can be used to interface one Interlink FSR. Here's a complete list of all the different varieties we sell:

Product Sensor Properties Physical Properties
Part Number Price Force Min Force Max Sensing Area
3103_0
Interlink Electronics 0.2″ Circular 20N FSR
$6.50 1 N 20 N 19.6 mm²
3104_0
Interlink Electronics 0.5″ Circular 20N FSR
$7.50 1 N 20 N 126.7 mm²
3105_0
Interlink Electronics 1.5″ Square 20N FSR
$10.00 1 N 20 N 14.5 cm²

Interface Boards and Hubs

This adapter can be read by any Phidget with an Analog Input or VINT Hub port. It will connect to either one using the included Phidget cable. VINT Hub ports can behave just like Analog Inputs, but have the added flexibility of being able to be used as digital inputs, digital outputs, or ports to communicate with VINT devices. For more information about VINT, see the VINT Overview page.

Product Voltage Inputs
Part Number Price Number of Voltage Inputs Voltage Input Resolution (bits)
1010_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 Mini-Format
$80.00 8 10 bit
1011_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 2/2/2
$50.00 2 10 bit
1018_2B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8 10 bit
1018_3B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8
1019_1B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 w/6 Port Hub
$110.00 8 10 bit
1203_2B
PhidgetTextLCD 20X2 : White : Integrated PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$70.00 8 10 bit
DAQ1000_0
8x Voltage Input Phidget
$20.00 8 12 bit
HUB0000_1
VINT Hub Phidget
$30.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0001_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$35.00 6 (Shared) * 15 bit
HUB0002_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$40.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0007_0
1-Port VINT Hub Phidget
$24.00 1 (Shared) ** 16 bit
HUB5000_0
Wireless VINT Hub
$60.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit
SBC3003_0
PhidgetSBC4
$120.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit

Phidget Cables

This adapter comes with its own Phidget cable to connect it to an InterfaceKit or Hub, but if you need extras we have a full list down below. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system.

Product Physical Properties
Part Number Price Cable Length
3002_0
Phidget Cable 60cm
$2.00 600 mm
3003_0
Phidget Cable 10cm
$1.50 100 mm
3004_0
Phidget Cable 350cm
$3.00 3.5 m
3038_0
Phidget Cable 120cm
$2.25 1.2 m
3039_0
Phidget Cable 180cm
$2.75 1.8 m
CBL4104_0
Phidget Cable 30cm
$1.75 300 mm
CBL4105_0
Phidget Cable 90cm
$2.00 900 mm
CBL4106_0
Phidget Cable 150cm
$2.50 1.5 m
KIT4030_0
Phidget Cable Kit
$10.00 80 mm


Getting Started

Welcome to the 1121 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:


Next, you will need to connect the pieces:

1121 0 Connecting The Hardware.jpg
  1. Connect the 1121 to the HUB0000 with the Phidget cable.
  2. Connect a variable resistance sensor to the terminal block on the 1121. Polarity doesn't matter.
  3. Connect the HUB0000 to your computer with the USB cable.


Now that you have everything together, let's start using the 1121!

Using the 1121

Phidget Control Panel

In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1121, we will connect it to the HUB0000, and then run an example using the Phidget Control Panel on a Windows machine.


The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines. If you would like to follow along, first take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:


Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the 1121.

First Look

After plugging in the 1121 into the HUB0000, and the HUB0000 into your computer, open the Phidget Control Panel. You will see something like this:

HUB0000 Panel.jpg


The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:

  • Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.
  • Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.
  • Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.


The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.

Voltage Ratio Input

Double-click on a Voltage Ratio Input object in order to run the example:

1018 Sensors VoltageRatioInput.png


General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

  • Modify the change trigger and/or data interval value by dragging the sliders. For more information on these settings, see the data interval/change trigger page.
  • Select the 1121 from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The Sensor Value will now return a value between 0 and 1.


Technical Details

Configuring the Voltage Divider

Why is adjusting the resistance important? The Voltage Input can measure a voltage between 0 and 1.0 voltage ratio (i.e. 0V to 5V if you have a 5V supply). When using variable resistance devices a voltage divider is commonly used to measure the changing resistance. The two resistors in the divider form a voltage, based on the ratio between them. This voltage is then measured by the Voltage Input. To optimize the voltage divider to meet your needs, you have to adjust the fixed resistance to match the characteristics of your chosen sensor. To adjust the resistance on the 1121, simply turn the screw on the potentiometer clockwise to decrease the resistance and counterclockwise to increase it. You'll see a change in resistance of about 900Ω to 1000Ω per revolution. First, adjust the resistance for no stimuli on your sensor and then apply the maximum possible stimuli and make sure that sensor's voltage stays within a range that gives you acceptable resolution. At the extremes (voltage ratio less than 0.005 or greater than 0.95), a very large change in stimuli (and therefore change in the resistance) produces only a small change in voltage. Keep adjusting until you get a range you are happy with.


1121 0 Schematic.jpg

Non-Phidgets Sensors

Type Website Search Term Example
Light Sensor Digikey photocell PDV-P9003-1
Force Sensor Digikey force sensor IESP-12
Force Sensor Trossen Robotics Force Sensing FSRs n/a
Thermistor Digikey Thermistor Radial Choose a thermistor with a resistance in the range 10K ohms.

Phidget Cable

Analoginput.jpg

The Phidget Cable is a 3-pin, 0.100 inch pitch locking connector. Pictured here is a plug with the connections labelled. The connectors are commonly available - refer to the Analog Input Primer for manufacturer part numbers.

What to do Next

  • Programming Languages - Find your preferred programming language here and learn how to write your own code with Phidgets!
  • Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.


Product Specifications

Sensor Properties
Sensor Type Resistance
Controlled By VoltageRatio Input
Sensor Output Type Ratiometric
Resistance Min 1 kΩ
Resistance Max 21 kΩ
Optimal Measurement Resistance Min (@ 1kΩ) 100 Ω
Optimal Measurement Resistance Max (@ 1kΩ) 10 kΩ
Optimal Measurement Resistance Min (@ 21kΩ) 2 kΩ
Optimal Measurement Resistance Max (@ 21kΩ) 200 kΩ
Electrical Properties
Current Consumption Max 5 mA
Supply Voltage Min 3 V DC
Supply Voltage Max 5.3 V DC
Physical Properties
Recommended Wire Size 12 - 24 AWG
Operating Temperature Min -40 °C
Operating Temperature Max 105 °C
Customs Information
Canadian HS Export Code 8473.30.00
American HTS Import Code 8473.30.51.00
Country of Origin CN (China)

Documents

Product History

Date Board Revision Device Version Comment
August 2007 0 N/A Product Release

This device doesn't have an API of its own. It is controlled by opening a VoltageRatioInput channel on the Phidget that it's connected to. For a list of compatible Phidgets with VoltageRatio Inputs, see the Connection & Compatibility tab.

You can find details for the VoltageRatioInput API on the API tab for the Phidget that this adapter connects to.

Code Samples



Example Options


Downloads

				Make your selections to display sample code.
					

Here are all of the boards that can divide voltage down:

Product Sensor Properties
Part Number Price Resistance Min Resistance Max
1121_0
Voltage Divider
$7.00 1 kΩ 21 kΩ
1134_0
Switchable Voltage Divider
$15.00 172 Ω 1 MΩ