Content

Featured

VINT Upgrades

Second generation VINT devices have increased communication speeds, longer Phidget cables, and improved electrical immunity. Learn more here.

Fri Aug 25 2023

Featured

Raspberry Pi and Python

Learn how to use Phidgets with the Raspberry Pi and Python.

raspberry pi

VINT Communication Speed Guide

Second generation VINT devices have increased communication speeds. Learn more here.

Tue Apr 16 2024

What Is an IMU?

IMUs, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and sensor fusion.

Linear Encoder Guide

Get started with your Linear Encoder here.

Wed Jan 31 2024

Linear Encoders - Demonstration & Mounting Guide

Learn more about the Linear Encoders offered by Phidgets Inc.

Wed Jan 31 2024

Video

linear encoder

Draw-Wire Sensor Guide

What is a draw-wire sensor? Learn what a draw-wire sensor is, how they work, and how you can use them with Phidgets.

Fri Jan 26 2024

Spatial Guide

Phidget Spatials combine data from accelerometers, magneometers, and gyroscopes into one sensor. This guide explains how the sensors are combined using AHRS, what you can do with this data.

Accelerometer Guide

Discover the basics of accelerometers with this guide. Learn what accelerometers measure, what the measurements mean, how to choose an accelerometer, and more.

Tue Jan 16 2024

accelerometer

Gyroscope Guide

What are gyroscopes and how can their data be used? Learn about gyro drift and how to reduce its effect.

Mon Jan 15 2024

gyroscope

Load Cell Guide

What is a load cell? Learn what a load cell is, how they work, and how you can use them with Phidgets.

Thu Dec 07 2023

Calibrating Load Cells

A step-by-step guide showing you how to calibrate a load cell with Phidgets.

Tue Nov 07 2023

Linear Potentiometer Guide

Get started with your Linear Potentiometer

Mon Nov 06 2023

What is VINT?

VINT stands for Versatile Interface and it is the system that all modern Phidgets use to communicate.

Fri Sep 01 2023

Cable Length Calculator Guide

Second generation VINT devices can now extend up to 50 meters from a VINT Hub. Learn more here.

Fri Aug 25 2023

Send an Email From the Phidget SBC4 With Python

Send an email from your Phidget SBC4 with Python.

Thu Aug 10 2023

Home Automation With Phidgets

Get started with home automation and Phidgets!

Stepper Motor and Controller Guide

Learn about stepper motors and stepper motor controllers in this guide, including how stepper motors work, how to choose a stepper motor, types of stepper motors, and more.

stepper motor

MURVV Robot with JavaScript

Use the Phidget JavaScript libraries to control a rover.

Magnetometer Guide

How do you use the data from a magnetometer or compass? Learn how to calibrate the magnetometer and calculate a heading from the axis data.

magnetometer

Allan Deviation Guide

Allan deviation lets you view noise within a signal over time. This guide explores the basics of Allan deviation as it relates to accelerometers and other sensors.

Encoder Guide

Encoders measure the movement of mechanical parts. This guide discusses how encoders work, encoder interfaces, types of encoders, and more.

encoder

IR Remote Control Guide

Programmable Infrared (IR) remotes can learn to mimic IR signals from your remote-controlled home appliances. Check out this guide for more information.

infrared

Mechanical Relay Guide

Mechanical relays can switch a power or signal line by physically moving metal contacts with an electromagnet. Learn more here.

relay

Solid State Relay Guide

Interested in learning about solid state relays? This guide explains the basics: what solid state relays are, how solid state relays work, how to choose a solid state relay and more.

relay

T-Slot Guide

Modular T-Slot is a strong, lightweight material that can be connected in many ways to make structures for mounting your linear or rotary system.

mechanical

Thermocouple Guide

Thermocouples let you measure a wide temperature range. This guide explains the basics: how thermocouples work, how to choose a thermocouple, how to connect a thermocouple and more.

Servo Motor and Controller Guide

Learn about servo motors and servo motor controllers in this guide, including: how servo motors work, how to choose a servo motor, types of servo motors, and more.

Tue Jul 11 2023

servo motor

Analog Input Guide

Analog sensors generally output a voltage between 0 and 5 Volts DC. This guide will get you up to speed on how to use this type of sensor in your next project.

USB Webcam Guide

The Phidget SBC can be upgraded with a webcam, making it useful for surveillance or computer vision.

Mon Jul 10 2023

4-20mA Sensor Interface Guide

Learn the basics about 4-20mA sensors with this guide. This includes: how they work, advantages and disadvantages, and when to consider using these sensors.

4-20mA

DC Motor and Controller Guide

This guide explains the basics of DC motors and DC motor controllers. Learn how DC motors work, how to control them, and more.

Digital Input Guide

A digital input is a device that can read the state of a digital signal. Digital signals are either high or low (1 or 0). Check out this guide for more information.

digital input

Digital Output Guide

A digital signal is either high or low (1 or 0). Digital output devices can generate a high or low signal, which drives other electronics. Read this guide for more information.

digital output

GPS Guide

GPS sensors use satellite signals to pinpoint your location on the globe. Check this guide out to learn the basics about GPS.

GPS

LCD Character Display Guide

LCD displays are a great way to display information to users. This guide covers the basics of text LCDs and graphic LCDs.

LCD

LED Guide

Interested in controlling LEDs with Phidgets? Check out this guide for information about how to control LEDs, what interfaces to use, and more.

LED

PH/ORP Sensor Guide

Learn about pH and ORP in this guide, including: how pH/ORP probes work, how to interface with pH/ORP probes, how to care for probes, and more.

pH/ORP

Rotary Motion Guide

Rotary systems involve rotating mechanical parts such as motors, sprockets, and pulleys. Learn the basics about rotary motion here.

mechanical

Voltage Input Guide

A voltage input is a device that measure an analog signal between 0 and 5 volts DC. Check out this guide for more information.

voltage input

Open Collector Digital Output Guide

Open collector digital outputs behave like a solid-state relay that switches a line to ground. Learn more here.

digital output

Voltage Ratio Input Guide

A voltage ratio input is used to read analog signals that range from 0 to 5 volts DC. Check out this guide for more information.

voltage ratio input

Voltage Output Guide

A voltage output is a device that can generate an analog voltage. Learn more about voltage outputs in this guide.

voltage output

Water Leak Detector

Create a water leak detector with Phidgets and a Raspberry Pi.

Linear Motion Guide

Linear systems involve mechanical parts sliding along a track, often driven by ball screws, chain, or belts. Learn the basics about linear motion here.

Wed Jun 07 2023

Load Cell Basics

Learn what a load cell is, how they work, and how you can use them to measure weight.

Mon Apr 17 2023

Video

Load Cell Calibration

Learn how to calibrate a load cell with Phidgets.

Thu Mar 23 2023

Video

Load Cell Correction

Squeezing every last bit of accuracy out of your load cells

Control Your Phidgets From Anywhere

Host a website on your Raspberry Pi to access your Phidgets!

Integrating Phidgets with FileMaker

A quick guide showing how easy it is to get Phidgets up and running in business apps using 24U Software's FileMaker plugin.

Thu Feb 06 2020

temperature

Phidgets Weather Display

Use the LCD1100 to display the local time and weather!

Long Range Wi-Fi

We tested how far you can push the range of Wi-Fi signals with commercially available components.

Mon Apr 08 2019

Using Phidgets with Unity

A demonstration of how to import the Phidget libraries into a Unity project and use a Phidget device to control in game behaviour.

Thu Mar 14 2019

unity

Logging with Multiple Phidgets

Opening and recording data from several Phidget devices into a spreadsheet.

Tue Jan 08 2019

programming principles

Dynamic Backlight with Phidgets

Making an adaptive backlight for your computer screen.

Hex Walker First Steps

Because who doesn't want a walking robot?

Wed Apr 11 2018

servo motor

Brewing with Phidgets #1 - Brew Kettle

Using Phidgets to control and monitor an electric brew kettle.

Sorting Coloured Beads

Using Phidgets with OpenCV to sort 22,000 Perler beads by colour.

Addressing Many Phidgets

Getting your project running with many channels to deal with.

Tue Jan 30 2018

programming principles

voltage input

light

Remote Temperature Monitoring

Create a remote temperature monitoring system using Phidgets.

Fri Jan 12 2018

temperature

Phidget Smoker Project #3: Bradley Smoker VINT Converison

Continuing the Phidget Smoker Project, we replaced the Raspberry PI with a PhidgetSBC4, and updated the control algorithm to provide a more consistent smoking temperature.

Getting Started with Armbian

Armbian on the PhidgetSBC4

Fri Dec 15 2017

Making a Chain Counter

Our shipping department wanted an easy way to measure lengths of chain for customer orders.

Play an MP3 from your Phidget SBC

In this article, you will learn how to play an MP3 from your Phidget SBC.

Wed Nov 08 2017

DIN Rail Guide

Learn about the wide variety of components that will fit on DIN rail and how it can be used with Phidgets boards.

Tue Nov 07 2017

mechanical

Hack Your Halloween with Phidgets

Modify your Halloween decorations using Phidgets!

Pet Food Supply Monitor Using Load Cells and Phidgets - Part 1

Get a text when your pet is out of food or water and log your pet's weight over time

Pet Food Supply Monitor Using Load Cells and Phidgets - Part 2

Get a text when your pet is out of food or water and log your pet's weight over time

Using libcurl To Send Email from an SBC

Setting up libcurl to send emails from an SBC

Mon Sep 25 2017

Automate your blinds with Phidgets

A quick introduction to automated blinds.

Mon Apr 17 2017

servo motor

Lock up with Phidgets

For people who are sick of keys!

Phidgets Smart Sprinker Controller with iOS - Part 2

Automate your lawn watering using Phidgets and iOS

Phidgets Smart Sprinkler Controller with iOS - Part 1

Automate your lawn watering using Phidgets and iOS

Current Sense Resistors

A guide to measuring small currents with use of current sense resistors and the VCP1002 Small Voltage Sensor.

Thu Mar 09 2017

Using Transducers Without The 1144

This guide serves to explain the wiring setup in situations where you want to use a 12V power supply instead of the 1144

Sat Jan 28 2017

electrical principles

voltage input

Phidget Smoker Project #2: Dual Element Bradley Smoker (SmokerPI)

This project is a continuation from the Phidget Smoker Project #1. We replaced the PC with a Raspberry PI, and built an enclosure for the hardware. We also installed a second burner in the Bradley smoker to help it keep up with the strenous Phidget smoking demands.

Phidget Smoker Project #1: Control a Bradley Digital Smoker using Phidgets

This project demonstrates the use of the Phidget JavaScript libraries for node.js to control a Bradley digital smoker. The smoker was modified with an external thermocouple attached to a Phidget 1051_2, and the power to the heating element was interrupted with a Phidget 1014_2 relay. A Linux PC running the Phidget network server and node.js was connected to the 1014 and 1051, and a custom node.js program controlled the smokers temperature.

Encoder Velocity: A Common Miscalculation

When working with Phidget Encoders, a tempting method to calculate their velocity is to simply divide the number of pulses (or edges) by the elapsed time given by an event. However, problems arise with this method when the encoder starts and stops, or moves slowly enough that it’s hard to tell the difference.

Tue Apr 12 2016

encoder

Specialized Sensor Series #3 – RFID

At Phidgets, we try to make a wide variety of sensors available to our customers. If we can’t make the sensor ourselves, we try to find a manufacturer so we can sell a third-party sensor to fill the gap. However, some types of sensors have such a niche market that it doesn’t make sense to sell them at a (relatively) small store like Phidgets. The purpose of this series of blog posts is to highlight a specific class of unique sensors and walk through what options are out there and which ones will work with your Phidgets devices.

Mon Mar 02 2015

RFID

Specialized Sensor Series #2 – Water Quality Sensors

Specialized Sensor Series #1 – Flow Sensors

How the RoboDose uses Phidgets to Safely Deliver Medication

Earlier this year, a group of high school students from Walker Career Center in Indianapolis competed in Phoenix Contact's Nanoline contest. They call themselves the Nano Consultants, and their vision was to build a device that would dispense proper dosages of medications to patients prone to forgetting their medication. They call it the RoboDose.

Five Creative Ways to use RFID

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is a useful and affordable way to create interaction. The Phidgets RFID reader offers solutions in near-field applications, allowing tags to be detected within a few centimeters.

Tue Oct 21 2014

RFID

How to Give Your Phidgets a Custom Label

At first glance, the device label property looks simple and maybe even dismissible. If you noticed it at all, you may have even wondered why it’s there, but be assured, there are some really neat things that you can do with it. You can hold device-specific flags, differentiate between multiple Phidgets by giving them meaningful names, or give them custom serial numbers.

Mon Sep 08 2014

programming principles

Weatherproofing Phidgets

There are many instances where Phidgets might get stuck outdoors: weather stations, RC vehicles (quadcopters, underwater vehicles, robots, etc), outdoor installations, and applications we haven't imagined yet. Some specific examples of Phidgets in the outdoors are a giant drum machine, a sky temperature scanner and precision agricultural monitors

Tue Sep 02 2014

How to Log to USB Flash Drives from the SBC

There are quite a few users making their Phidget SBCs do data acquisition, and perhaps this is the plan you have for yours. Depending on how much data you want to collect, and because of limited space on the SBC itself, you’ll probably end up using something like a USB drive to store your data logs. It’s really easy to set up, but there are a couple gotchas that you might want to consider before writing your program, so let’s go over them and talk about the basics of logging to the USB flash drive from the SBC.

Mon Aug 18 2014

How Phidgets Make Museums More Interesting

While many people prototype their designs with Phidgets, there are a lot of people making one-time installations to work with Phidgets on a long-term basis. These people make museum exhibits, as well as interactive art installations (like Eos Lightmedia). Phidgets help the creation of exhibits that move people from being passive observers to engaged participants in learning.

How to Set Up Multiple RFID Readers in Close Range

Using multiple radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers in a relatively confined space can be a tricky proposition. We tell our customers that if they want to have multiple readers in their application that they should space them at least 1 meter apart. That is quite a significant distance, and in some cases, it isn’t practical.

Tue Aug 05 2014

RFID

How to Run Sensor Cables Through USB Cables

You might have noticed that sensor cables don’t come in a convenient round shape, which you sometimes need. A relatively easy solution is to grab a length of USB cable and solder the sensor cable wires onto the USB wires, and here are some easy instructions to get it working:

Tue Jul 22 2014

cables

How to Make a Phidgets-powered Night Light

Use Phidgets to control a night light. In this project a pressure sensitive rug is attached to the SBC digital inputs to turn the LED light on and off. When the light is triggered, the SBC polls a temperature sensor and the lights takes on a colour based on the temperature outside. As the temperature changes, so does the colour displayed by the light. An IR distance sensor allows you to simply reach over and turn the light on (to white light) or off, so you don’t have to step on the rug all the time for light.

How To Avoid Grounding a Thermocouple

If you’ve never seen a thermocouple before, you might think it’s just a cable with some wires inside. Well, it is, in way, but it’s really a tool for measuring extreme temperatures far outside the range of many other types of temperature sensors. A thermocouple has two different conductors that produce a voltage. The voltage is proportional to the temperature difference between either end of the pair of conductor

Mon Jun 02 2014

thermocouple

Exploring the Many Methods of Object Detection

There are a lot of different types of sensors out there that can be used to detect the presence of an object or obstacle. Figuring out which one is right for your application can be a bit difficult, and is highly dependent on the requirements of the application. Sensors vary in their method of detection, and each has distinct strengths and weaknesses:

How To Calibrate Phidgets Sensors

When using certain sensors and devices, you'll need to do some calibration to ensure accurate measurements. For some sensors, you'll probably want to do your own calibration but some Phidgets sensors will have calibration values written on the back of the board (like the light sensors)

Tue May 20 2014

Falcon Robotics: Full STEAM Ahead!

The quality of education, especially the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (frequently abbreviated as STEAM) are regularly raised topics in American politics and media. It's in the context of concerns about the United States education system that the Falcon Robotics program becomes so inspiring.

Mon May 19 2014

Steppers with Encoders: When Open-loop Control Is Not Enough

With the increasing popularity of DIY projects such as quadcopters, CNC tables and 3D printers, many people are faced with the decision of which type of motor to use in their project. For applications that require precise control of the position of the motor, the common choices are DC motors with encoders, servo motors, and stepper motors.

Interactive Garden Project

It begins as a grand idea. A flowering archway welcomes you onto a curving pathway. Fields of grass alight around your ankles, towering trees sing above your head and benches respond to your pressure, colouring a digital sky complete with a custom soundtrack. The landscape would take up a mere 1000 square feet.

Sun Apr 27 2014

An application guide on DC Motors - PID Control

Since DC motors can ordinarily only be told how fast to go you need to program a control system. First, you need a motor that has a feedback device such as an encoder.

Tue Oct 29 2013

Linear Actuator - PID Control

Since DC motors can ordinarily only be told how fast to go you need to program a control system. First, you need a motor that has a feedback device such as a potentiometer

Fri Jul 05 2013

Linear Actuator - Velocity Control

Since DC motors can ordinarily only be told how fast to go you need to program a control system. First, you need a motor that has a feedback device such as a potentiometer

Fri Jul 05 2013