Phidgets Connectors - Revision history

Mparadis at 21:47, 11 July 2023

2023-07-11T21:47:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:47, 11 July 2023
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			{{#seo:\|description=Phidgets VINT ports and analog ports use the same 3-pin connector. This page runs through the details of both types and their differences.}}
	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__
	[[Category:Overview]]		[[Category:Overview]]

Mparadis at 20:29, 5 May 2017

2017-05-05T20:29:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 5 May 2017
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	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__
			[[Category:Overview]]
	Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block, for example, is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices, despite having an identical appearance.		Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block, for example, is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices, despite having an identical appearance.

Mparadis: /* Physical Connectors */

2017-04-12T20:57:50Z

Physical Connectors

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 12 April 2017
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	== Physical Connectors ==		== Physical Connectors ==
	~~''Italic text''~~
	{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"		{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"
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Mparadis at 20:57, 12 April 2017

2017-04-12T20:57:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 12 April 2017
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	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__

			Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block, for example, is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices, despite having an identical appearance.

			This page exists to describe the differences between these two ports, as well as the software objects behind them.

	== Physical Connectors ==		== Physical Connectors ==
			''Italic text''
	{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"		{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"
	\|- valign="top"		\|- valign="top"

Mparadis: /* Physical Connectors */

2017-04-12T20:57:20Z

Physical Connectors

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 12 April 2017
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	== Physical Connectors ==		== Physical Connectors ==

	Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block, for example, is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices, despite having an identical appearance.

	~~This page exists to describe the differences between these two ports, as well as the software objects behind them.~~

	{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"		{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"

Mparadis: /* Physical Connectors */

2017-04-12T20:57:01Z

Physical Connectors

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 12 April 2017
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	== Physical Connectors ==		== Physical Connectors ==

	Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices. This page exists to describe the differences between these two ports, as well as the software objects behind them.		Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block, for example, is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices, despite having an identical appearance.

			This page exists to describe the differences between these two ports, as well as the software objects behind them.

	{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"		{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"
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	\|}		\|}

			You can determine whether a Phidget has VINT ports or Analog Inputs by reading the product description on that Phidget's page on our website.

	== Software Objects ==		== Software Objects ==

Mparadis: /* Physical Connectors */

2017-04-12T20:52:21Z

Physical Connectors

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:52, 12 April 2017
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	=== Phidgets Analog Input ===		=== Phidgets Analog Input ===

	[[Image:analog_input_port.jpg\|~~280px~~\|link=]]		[[Image:analog_input_port.jpg\|335px\|link=]]

	Phidgets Analog Inputs are designed to connect to simple sensors that report their data in the form of a 0-5V analog signal. There are two types of sensors that fall under this category: '''Ratiometric''' and '''Non-Ratiometric'''. Each Analog Input channel can be opened with either the [[#VoltageRatioInput\|VoltageRatioInput]] object or the [[#VoltageInput\|VoltageInput]] object, thus supporting these two different types of sensors.		Phidgets Analog Inputs are designed to connect to simple sensors that report their data in the form of a 0-5V analog signal. There are two types of sensors that fall under this category: '''Ratiometric''' and '''Non-Ratiometric'''. Each Analog Input channel can be opened with either the [[#VoltageRatioInput\|VoltageRatioInput]] object or the [[#VoltageInput\|VoltageInput]] object, thus supporting these two different types of sensors.

Mparadis: /* Software Objects */

2017-04-12T20:23:28Z

Software Objects

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:23, 12 April 2017
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	[[Image:DigitalInputAL_Example.jpg\|450px\|right\|link=]]		[[Image:DigitalInputAL_Example.jpg\|450px\|right\|link=]]

			The '''DigitalInput''' software object is used to interface with switches or sensors with a boolean (yes-or-no) output. When you open a VINT port in DigitalInput mode, the white wire on the Phidget cable is used as the digital input, while the red and black wires remain as +5V power and ground, respectively.
			<br clear="all">

	=== DigitalOutput ===		=== DigitalOutput ===

	[[Image:DigitalOutput_Example.jpg\|450px\|right\|link=]]		[[Image:DigitalOutput_Example.jpg\|450px\|right\|link=]]

			The '''DigitalOutput''' software object is used with LEDs and other small, low-power electronics. A VINT port in DigitalOutput mode can provide 3.3V when active and 0V when inactive. The white wire on the Phidget cable is the digital output, and the red and black wires remain as +5V power and ground, respectively.

Mparadis at 15:38, 12 April 2017

2017-04-12T15:38:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:38, 12 April 2017
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	== Physical Connectors ==		== Physical Connectors ==

			Phidget boards employ a variety of connectors. The classic green terminal block is a straightforward way to connect loose wires for purposes like digital outputs or power inputs. The 3-wire black molex connector, however, is found on two very different ports on Phidgets devices. This page exists to describe the differences between these two ports, as well as the software objects behind them.

	{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"		{\|style="color: black; width: 100%; text-align:left; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" cellpadding="10"

Mparadis: /* Software Objects */

2017-04-10T21:10:50Z

Software Objects

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 10 April 2017
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	'''Ratiometric''' sensors output a signal that is proportional to the amount of voltage used to power them. For example, a 0-100°C ratiometric temperature sensor that is powered by a 4.5V supply will output a voltage signal proportional to that 4.5V. So if it's measuring 50°C, which is half of it's full measurement range, it would output 2.25V (half of 4.5V). If the power supply to this sensor changes even slightly, that 2.25V signal will also change slightly. Thus, in order to read a ratiometric sensor properly, you must constantly compare the voltage signal reported by the sensor to the voltage of the power supply that's powering the sensor.		'''Ratiometric''' sensors output a signal that is proportional to the amount of voltage used to power them. For example, a 0-100°C ratiometric temperature sensor that is powered by a 4.5V supply will output a voltage signal proportional to that 4.5V. So if it's measuring 50°C, which is half of it's full measurement range, it would output 2.25V (half of 4.5V). If the power supply to this sensor changes even slightly, that 2.25V signal will also change slightly. Thus, in order to read a ratiometric sensor properly, you must constantly compare the voltage signal reported by the sensor to the voltage of the power supply that's powering the sensor.

	In the case of a Phidgets Analog Input or VINT Hub Port, opening the device in '''VoltageRatioInput''' mode will automatically handle this, and provide you with a voltage ratio which ranges from 0 to 1 V/V (volts per volt). '0' denotes that the sensor is sending back a signal that is 0% of the voltage it's being provided, and '1' denotes that the sensor is sending back a signal that is 100% of the voltage it's being provided. In the temperature sensor example described earlier, the VoltageRatioInput object will report a ratio of 0.5 V/V, since 2.25V is half of 4.5V.		In the case of a Phidgets Analog Input or VINT Hub Port, opening the device in '''VoltageRatioInput''' mode will automatically handle this, and provide you with a voltage ratio which ranges from 0 to 1 V/V (volts per volt). '0' denotes that the sensor is sending back a signal that is 0% of the voltage it's being provided, and '1' denotes that the sensor is sending back a signal that is 100% of the voltage it's being provided. In the temperature sensor example described earlier, the VoltageRatioInput object will report a ratio of 0.5 V/V, since 2.25V is half of 4.5V. You can use this ratio in combination with a formula from the sensor's datasheet or User Guide in order to convert it into the proper units.

			For any sensors sold at Phidgets, you can set the {{Code\|SensorType}} property to have this conversion done automatically, since the libraries are loaded with all of the equations. Have a look at the {{Code\|SensorType}} enumeration in the {{Phidget22API}} for a complete list of sensors that this can be done with.

	=== VoltageInput ===		=== VoltageInput ===
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	'''Non-Ratiometric''' sensors, on the other hand, don't care about how much voltage is being supplied to them, as long as it's within the specified range required to power them. This is because the sensor has a built-in regulator to ensure that it's getting a more-or-less steady supply.		'''Non-Ratiometric''' sensors, on the other hand, don't care about how much voltage is being supplied to them, as long as it's within the specified range required to power them. This is because the sensor has a built-in regulator to ensure that it's getting a more-or-less steady supply.

			To interface a non-ratiometric sensor, you can open your Phidgets Analog Input or VINT Hub port in '''VoltageInput''' mode, and you'll simply get data from the sensor in the form of a 0-5 volt value. Again, you can convert this voltage into a useful value using the equation found in the sensor's datasheet or User Guide.

			For any sensors sold at Phidgets, you can set the {{Code\|SensorType}} property to have this conversion done automatically, since the libraries are loaded with all of the equations. Have a look at the {{Code\|SensorType}} enumeration in the {{Phidget22API}} for a complete list of sensors that this can be done with.

	=== DigitalInput ===		=== DigitalInput ===