1104 User Guide

Getting Started

Welcome to the 1104 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:

• 1104 - Vibration Sensor
• Any Phidget with a Voltage Ratio Input port, here are some compatible products. We will be using the VINT Hub for this guide.
• USB cable and computer
• Phidget cable

Next, you will need to connect the pieces:

1. Connect the vibration sensor to the 1018 with the Phidget cable.
2. Connect the 1018 to your computer with the USB cable.

Now that you have everything together, let's start using the 1104!

Using the 1104

Phidget Control Panel

In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1104, we will connect it to the 1018, 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:

• Getting started with Windows
• Getting started with macOS

Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the 1104.

First Look

After plugging in the 1104 into the 1018, and the 1018 into your computer, open the Phidget Control Panel. You will see something like this:

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 If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date.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:

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 1104 from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The Sensor Value will now return a value between -1 and 1.

Technical Details

Piezoelectric Transducer

This sensor buffers a piezoelectric transducer. As the transducer is displaced from the mechanical neutral axis, bending creates strain within the piezoelectric element and generates voltages. If the assembly is supported by its mounting points and left to vibrate “in free space” the device will behave as a form of vibration sensor. The sensing element should not be treated as a flexible switch, and is not intended to be bent.

A voltage of 2.5V roughly corresponds to 0g acceleration. Acceleration will deflect the sensing element up or down, causing the voltage to swing either way. This sensor is not meant to measure precise acceleration and vibration - use it to detect an acceleration impulse, or the presence of vibrations.

Phidget Cable

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.