Openscale with ATmega328P FT231 HX711 Sparkfun

OpenScale with ATmega328P FT231 HX711 Sparkfun - OpenScale with ATmega328P FT231 HX711 Sparkfun, OpenScale is an open-source platform for creating custom weight measurement systems. It allows users to easily interface with load cells and other sensors using a microcontroller, such as the ATmega328P. Additionally, it can be used with other devices such as the FT231 and HX711 to enhance its functionality.

How OpenScale Works?

OpenScale uses a load cell, which is a type of sensor that can measure weight, as its primary input device. The load cell is connected to the ATmega328P microcontroller, which is responsible for reading the signals from the load cell and converting them into a usable weight measurement. The ATmega328P also communicates with other devices, such as the FT231 and HX711, to enhance the functionality of the system.

The Role of the ATmega328P

The ATmega328P is a popular microcontroller that is used in a variety of applications, including OpenScale. It acts as the "brain" of the system and is responsible for controlling the various components of the system. It reads the signals from the load cell and converts them into a usable weight measurement, and also communicates with other devices such as the FT231 and HX711 to enhance the functionality of the system.

The Role of the FT231 and HX711

The FT231 and HX711 are additional devices that can be used in conjunction with the OpenScale system to enhance its functionality. The FT231 is a USB-to-serial converter, which allows the OpenScale system to communicate with a computer or other device. The HX711 is a load cell amplifier and ADC converter, which can be used to improve the accuracy and resolution of the weight measurements.

The SparkFun OpenScale is a simple-to-use, open-source solution for measuring weight and temperature. It has the ability to read multiple types of load cells and offers a simple-to-use serial menu to configure calibration value, sample rate, time stamp, and units of precision.

Simply attach a four-wire or five-wire load cell of any capacity, plug the OpenScale into a USB port, open a terminal window at 9,600bps, and you’ll immediately see mass readings. The SparkFun OpenScale will enable you to turn a load cell or four load sensors in a Wheatstone bridge configuration into the DIY weigh scale for your application.

The OpenScale was designed for projects and applications where the load was static (like the beehive in front of SparkFun HQ) or where constant readings are needed without user intervention (for example, on a conveyor belt system). A load cell with an equipped OpenScale can remain in place for months without needing user interaction!

On board the SparkFun OpenScale is the ATmega328P microcontroller, for addressing your communications needs and transferring your data to a serial terminal or to a data logger such as the OpenLog, an FT231 with mini USB, for USB to serial connection; the HX711, a 24-bit ADC for weigh scales; and the TMP102, for recording the ambient temperature of your system. The OpenScale communicates at a TTL level of 9,600bps 8-N-1 by default and possesses a baud rate configurable from 1,200bps to 1,000,000bps.

QUICK SPECS:

• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Operating Ampage: 80-100mA
• Power Cycling above 500ms
• Selectable 10SPS or 80SPS Output Data Rate
• Local & External Temperature Sensors
• Fixed & Adjustable Gain

QUICK LINKS:

• Schematic
• Eagle Files
• Hookup Guide
• Library
• Particle Sketch
• GitHub