Smoke sensor with micro:bit

Learn to use a smoke sensor with micro:bit

Written By: Cherie Tan

Introduction

This is the MQ-2 smoke sensor module. It is sensitive to flammable gases such as LPG, propane, and methane.

In this guide, we will learn to connect it to the micro:bit and program it to sound an alarm, if it goes above the threshold level. When it is below the threshold level, a heart icon will be displayed instead.

Complete this guide to understand the basics on how to connect and program a smoke sensor with the micro:bit.

Step 1 The Module

• Let's take a look at the smoke sensor module! It has four pins:

  AO: Analog Output

  DO: Digital Output

  GND: In electronics, we define a point in a circuit to be a kind of zero volts or 0V reference point, on which to base all other voltage measurements. This point is called ground or GND.

  3.3V : While 'VCC' stands for Voltage Common Collector, we'll connect the VCC pin to 3.3V on the micro:bit

• Voltage is the difference in potential between two points. As it is difficult to talk about voltage without a reference point, we need another point to compare it to.

Step 2 Connect module to breadboard

Step 3 Connect + to VCC

Step 4 Connect GND to GND

Step 5 Connect P5 to DO

Step 6 Connect P1 to AO

Step 7 Connect + to VCC (Buzzer module)

Step 8 Connect P0 to I/O

Step 9 Connect GND to GND

Step 10 Connect + to 3.3V

Step 11 MakeCode

let threshold = 0
let sensorVal = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    sensorVal = pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P1)
    threshold = 800
    if (sensorVal > threshold) {
        music.playTone(262, music.beat(BeatFraction.Whole))
        basic.showIcon(IconNames.Sad)
    } else {
        basic.showIcon(IconNames.Heart)
    }
})

• We will get started with programming it using the MakeCode editor.
• Click on the 'New Project' button

• Copy and paste this code into the Javascript interface

• Although a threshold level has been set, this does not mean the device has been calibrated! Calibration is a safety procedure that ensures the detectors are measuring the correct level of flammable gas. But playing around with flammable gases is not something you should try at home, so we will not cover calibration today.

Step 12 Upload the code

• Connect the micro:bit to the computer using a microUSB cable

• Download the code by clicking on the 'Download' button in MakeCode editor

• Find the downloaded hex file in your Downloads folder

• Drag and drop it into the MICRO:BIT drive

• The micro:bit will blink as the code is being uploaded. Once it is done uploading, it will stop blinking.