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PWM Testing for iTCLab Kit

The document provides an overview of the PWM_Testing program designed for the iTCLab Kit, which utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control the heating element's temperature. It details the kit's specifications, including its upper temperature limit of 60 degrees Celsius, and outlines the necessary equipment and settings for running the PWM_Testing program. Additionally, it includes example code for controlling LED brightness using PWM, demonstrating the kit's functionality in a practical IoT learning context.

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Basuki Rahmat
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3 views8 pages

PWM Testing for iTCLab Kit

The document provides an overview of the PWM_Testing program designed for the iTCLab Kit, which utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control the heating element's temperature. It details the kit's specifications, including its upper temperature limit of 60 degrees Celsius, and outlines the necessary equipment and settings for running the PWM_Testing program. Additionally, it includes example code for controlling LED brightness using PWM, demonstrating the kit's functionality in a practical IoT learning context.

Uploaded by

Basuki Rahmat
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

[Link]

net/itclab
[Link]
[Link]
PWM Testing
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Basuki Rahmat, [Link], MT, ITS-AI, et al
Intelligent Control, Robotics and Automation Systems Research Group
Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jawa Timur, Indonesia
[Link], [Link]
[Link]

PWM Testing
PWM_Testing is a simple program for testing Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the iTCLab
Kit. This PWM setting will later be used to increase and decrease the heat on the iTCLab heater.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a modulation technique that changes the pulse width with
a constant frequency and amplitude value. PWM can be considered as the opposite of ADC
(Analog to Digital Converter) which converts Analog signals to Digital, PWM is used to
generate analog signals from Digital devices (iTCLab Kit).

The PWM signal will remain ON for a certain period of time and then stop or OFF for the rest
of the period. What makes PWM special and more useful is that we can determine how long
the ON condition should last by controlling the duty cycle of the PWM.
About these iTCLab kits :
iTCLab - Internet-Based Temperatue Control Lab. Temperature control kit for feedback control
applications with ESP32 microcontroller, LEDs, two heaters, and two temperature sensors. The
heating power output is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature setpoint. Thermal
energy from the heater is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation to the
temperature sensor. Heat is also transferred from the device to the environment.

More about iTCLab:


• Inspired by BYU (Brigham Young University) TCLab Product. A private university in Provo,
Utah, United States.
• Miniature Control System in Our Pocket.
• Practical IoT Learning Package.
• Introduction to IoT Systems.
• IoT Programming.
• Practice of IoT-Based Control Systems.
• Can be used to learn System Dynamics and Control Systems.
• Can be used to learn Arduino and Python Programming.
• Can be used to learn Machine Learning Programming.
• And others.

The fundamental difference between iTCLab and BYU's TCLab product is the replacement of the
Arduino Uno microcontroller with the ESP32. By using the ESP32, iTCLab has the ability to connect to
the Internet of Things (IoT).

iTCLab Upper Temperature Limit Description:


The upper temperature limit of the iTCLab Kit is 60 degrees Celsius. Therefore, when experimenting
with this Kit, this Upper Temperature Limit must not be exceeded. Violation of this provision could
cause damage (burning) to the components.

Although the upper limit is 60 degrees Celsius, it is still sufficient for experimenting with this Kit. And
it is sufficient to see the performance of a control method. For example, control using Proportional
Integral and Derivative (PID). Or to see the effect of tuning the PID parameters using the Machine
Learning method. An illustration of the capabilities of this iTCLab Kit can be seen from the illustration
of the performance of the BYU TCLab, as seen in the following simulation.
Figure 1. BYU TCLab Kit performance overview

Coding Upper Temperature Limit


It is necessary to set a limit so that the iTCLab Kit always operates in a safe area. It must
not exceed the upper limit of 60 degrees Celsius. The following is an example of an Arduino
program script that must be added every time you experiment with this Kit. In the Loop, it
is added that if it reaches the specified upper limit (it can be lowered slightly, for example
55 degrees Celsius), then the heater must be turned off.

void loop() {
// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
cektemp();
if (cel > upper_temperature_limit){
Q1off();
ledon();
}
else {
Q1on();
ledoff();
}
if (cel1 > upper_temperature_limit){
Q2off();
ledon();
}
else {
Q2on();
ledoff();
}
delay (100);
}
PWM Testing Program
PWM_Testing is a simple program for testing Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the iTCLab
Kit. This PWM setting will later be used to increase and decrease the heat on the iTCLab heater.
In this simple PWM Testing program example, the result of the PWM setting is shown by
turning on the LED from dim to bright, and from bright to dim. Repeatedly.

Required Equipment:
• iTCLab Kit
• PWM_Testing.ino Program
• PWM_Testing.pdf Tutorial

Required Settings:
File Settings - Preferences:
The iTCLab Kit uses an ESP32 microcontroller. Please copy and paste the following address
in the File - Preferences section:
Address: [Link]

Figure 2. File Settings – Preferences

Board Settings for DOIT ESP32 DEVKIT V1


ESP32 Microcontroller Board Settings, in the Menu Tools - Board - Boards Manager. Please select DOIT
ESP32 DEVKIT V1.
Figure 3. Selecting the DOIT ESP32 DEVKIT V1 Board

iTCLab Port Selection:


Please select the port that corresponds to the iTCLab Kit when it is connected to the computer (laptop).

Figure 4. iTCLab Port Selection

Upload speed setting

Please select the upload speed, at 115200.


Figure 5. Upload speed setting

Here is the PWM_Testing.ino coding script:

Program : PWM_Testing

/***************************************************************************
* Program : PWM_Testing
* By : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Basuki Rahmat, [Link], MT, ITS-AI, et al
* Pro. Team : [Link], [Link]
* R. Group : Intelligent Control, Robotics and Automation Systems Research Group
* Univ. : Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jawa Timur
* Country : Indonesia
**************************************************************************/

// the number of the LED pin


const int ledPin = 26;

// setting PWM properties


const int freq = 5000;
const int ledChannel = 0;
const int resolution = 8;

void setup(){
// configure LED PWM functionalitites
ledcSetup(ledChannel, freq, resolution);
// attach the channel to the GPIO to be controlled
ledcAttachPin(ledPin, ledChannel);
}

void loop(){
// increase the LED brightness
for(int dutyCycle = 0; dutyCycle <= 255; dutyCycle++){
// changing the LED brightness with PWM
ledcWrite(ledChannel, dutyCycle);
delay(20);
}

// decrease the LED brightness


for(int dutyCycle = 255; dutyCycle >= 0; dutyCycle--){
// changing the LED brightness with PWM
ledcWrite(ledChannel, dutyCycle);
delay(20);
}
}

Please upload the code above to the iTCLab Kit, wait until the process is finished. After it
has been successfully uploaded. Please check the result by looking at the brightness change
of the iTCLab LED Kit. The LED added to the iTCLab Kit, not the LED on the ESP32
microcontroller.

Figure 6. Brightness change of the iTCLab Kit LED according to the PWM duty cycle

Common questions

Powered by AI

Improper coding practices can lead to overheating, miscommunication with sensors, or incorrect PWM implementation, affecting device performance and safety. These risks can be mitigated by adhering to coding standards that include setting temperature limits, verifying sensor input accuracy, and correctly configuring PWM parameters. Proper testing and validation of code before experimentation can further reduce such risks .

The duty cycle control in PWM is significant because it determines the duration the signal remains 'ON' in each cycle, directly impacting power delivery to the heater. Effective control of the duty cycle allows precise temperature regulation in the iTCLab heater, enabling smooth adjustments in heating levels crucial for accurate and consistent thermal management during experiments .

Adjusting the upload speed to 115200 is crucial for ensuring that the code is efficiently uploaded to the ESP32 microcontroller. This setting optimizes the data transfer rate, reducing upload time and minimizing errors in code transmission, thus facilitating a smoother programming and experimentation process with the iTCLab Kit .

The ESP32 microcontroller enables the iTCLab Kit to connect to IoT, vastly improving its capability for remote control and monitoring. This feature enhances learning experiences through practical IoT applications and expands the kit's functionality beyond local control systems, thereby facilitating experiments and projects that require connectivity and real-time data exchange .

To set up PWM properties, you need to define constants for the LED pin (26), frequency (5000 Hz), channel (0), and resolution (8 bits). During setup, configure LED PWM functionalities using ledcSetup with these parameters, and attach the channel to the GPIO to be controlled using ledcAttachPin. These steps ensure precise control over the LED's brightness .

PWM is used in the iTCLab Kit to generate analog signals from digital devices by altering the pulse width with a constant frequency and amplitude, which allows precise control over the amount of heat produced by the heater. The duration of the 'ON' period of the PWM signal determines how much power is supplied to the heater, thereby controlling the increase and decrease of heat to maintain the desired temperature .

To prevent overheating in the iTCLab Kit, it is essential to set a maximum temperature limit of 60 degrees Celsius through program scripts. If temperatures reach this limit, the heaters must be turned off immediately to avoid component damage. This protocol ensures that experiments are conducted safely and prevents potential hardware failure, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the kit .

The PWM_Testing program demonstrates the effects of Pulse Width Modulation by varying the brightness of an LED. As the duty cycle changes, the LED transitions from dim to bright and back, reflecting how PWM adjusts power output in practical applications like heating in the iTCLab Kit. This visual demonstration helps learners understand PWM's impact on system dynamics .

The iTCLab Kit serves as a practical learning tool for understanding IoT and control systems by providing hands-on experience with system dynamics, feedback control mechanisms, and temperature regulation experiments. It enables programming exercises in Arduino and Python and fosters skills in machine learning by experimenting with PID control and tuning parameters. The kit's IoT connectivity further prepares students for real-world applications in modern, networked control environments .

The iTCLab Kit uses an ESP32 microcontroller instead of the Arduino Uno used in the BYU TCLab Product, allowing it to connect to the Internet of Things (IoT). This connectivity facilitates remote monitoring and control, offering expanded learning opportunities in IoT systems, Arduino and Python programming, and machine learning applications .

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