10 |
.:(TMP36 Temperature Sensor):. |

What’s the next phenomena we will measure with our Arduino? Temperature. To do this we’ll use a rather complicated IC (integrated circuit) hidden in a package identical to our P2N2222AG transistors. It has three pins ground, signal and +5 volts, and is easy to use. It outputs 10 millivolts per degree centigrade on the signal pin (to allow measuring temperatures below freezing there is a 500 mV offset eg. 25° C = 750 mV, 0° C = 500mV). To convert this from the digital value to degrees we will use some of the Arduino’s maths abilities. Then to display it we’ll use one of the IDE’s rather powerful features, the debug window. We’ll output the value over a serial connection to display on the screen. Let’s get to it.
One extra note, this circuit uses the Arduino IDE’s serial monitor. To open this, first upload the program then click the button which looks like a square with an antennae.
The TMP36 Datasheet:
http://ardx.org/TMP36
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CIRC-10 Breadboard Sheet x1 |
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2 Pin Header x4 |
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TMP36 Temperature Sensor x1 |
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Wire |
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.:download:.
breadboard layout sheet
http://ardx.org/BBLS10
.:view:.
assembly video
http://ardx.org/VIDE10

Download the Code from (http://ardx.org/CIRC10)
/* ———————————————————
* | Arduino Experimentation Kit Example Code |
* | CIRC-10 .: Temperature :. (TMP36 Temperature Sensor) |
* ———————————————————
*
* A simple program to output the current temperature to the IDE’s debug window
*
* For more details on this circuit: http://tinyurl.com/c89tvd
*/
//TMP36 Pin Variables
int temperaturePin = 0; //the analog pin the TMP36′s Vout (sense) pin is connected to
//the resolution is 10 mV / degree centigrade
//(500 mV offset) to make negative temperatures an option
/*
* setup() – this function runs once when you turn your Arduino on
* We initialize the serial connection with the computer
*/
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600); //Start the serial connection with the copmuter
//to view the result open the serial monitor
//last button beneath the file bar (looks like a box with an antenae)
}
void loop() // run over and over again
{
float temperature = getVoltage(temperaturePin); //getting the voltage reading from the temperature sensor
temperature = (temperature – .5) * 100; //converting from 10 mv per degree wit 500 mV offset
//to degrees ((volatge – 500mV) times 100)
Serial.println(temperature); //printing the result
delay(1000); //waiting a second
}
/*
* getVoltage() – returns the voltage on the analog input defined by
* pin
*/
float getVoltage(int pin){
return (analogRead(pin) * .004882814); //converting from a 0 to 1023 digital range
// to 0 to 5 volts (each 1 reading equals ~ 5 millivolts
}
This program has no outward indication it is working. To see the results you must open the Arduino IDE’s serial monitor (instructions above)
This happens because the serial monitor is receiving data at a different speed than expected. To fix this, click the pull-down box that reads “*** baud” and change it to “9600 baud”
Try pinching the sensor with your fingers to heat it up or pressing a bag of ice against it to cool it down.
Outputting voltage:
This is a simple matter of changing one line. Our sensor outputs 10mv per degree centigrade so to get voltage we simply display the result of getVoltage().
delete the line temperature = (temperature – .5) * 100;
Outputting degrees Fahrenheit:
Again this is a simple change requiring only math. to go degrees C —-> degrees F we use the formula.
( F = C * 1.8) + 32 )
add the line
temperature = (((temperature – .5) * 100)*1.8) + 32;
before Serial.println(temperature);
More informative output:
Lets add a message to the serial output to make what is appearing in the Serial Monitor more informative. To do this first revert to the original code then change:
Serial.println(temperature); —-> Serial.print(temperature);
Serial.println(” degrees centigrade”);
The change to the first line means when we next output it will appear on the same line, then we add the informative text and a new line.
Changing the serial speed:
If you ever wish to output a lot of data over the serial line time is of the essence. We are currently transmitting at 9600 baud but much faster speeds are possible. To change this change the line:
Serial.begin(9600); —-> Serial.begin(115200);
Upload the sketch turn on the serial monitor, then change the speed from 9600 baud to 115200 baud in the pull down menu. You are now transmitting data 12 times faster.



[...] Of course I could repeat all they say here and claim its my own, but as I learned it from using my ARDX kit, it is logical to point you to the source: http://www.oomlout.com/a/products/ardx/circ-10 [...]
Hi! I am using this circuit and programming as part of a sensor suite I want to eventually mount inside a little greenhouse to remotely monitor the conditions and have it twitter them and post to pachube.com. I have a prototype setup now and it works great, except that sometimes the readings go up and down so much.
I wonder if you maybe know what may cause such strange readings? For some time it will stay around 20 degrees (which it is), then a spike to, say, 100. I cannot explain these, and hope you can give a tip.
The historic temperature graph of my prototype can be seen here:
http://www.pachube.com/feeds/6952/datastreams/0/history.png
Kind regards,
Arno Jansen
(from: http://www.sindono.com/2010/04/22/reading-temperature-from-a-temperature-sensor/ )
Hi Arno;
Happy to hear that the circuit is (sometimes
) working. I’m afraid the sporadic readings look like a bit of a mystery to us but we’d love to hear if you find out the cause.