AVR Project – ATmega8 based RPM Meter

Hello All,

Today I will show you how you can make a simple RPM Meter using AVR ATmega8. The RPM meter we will be making is a contact less type, i.e. it measures the RPM of a rotating object without actually making any contact with it. An IR reflectance sensor will be used to sense the speed. You have to attach a white reflective object (like a white paper sticker) at one point in the periphery of rotation . Then you need to place the reflectance sensor such that the white reflector comes just above it once per rotation. In this way the sensor will give one falling edge to the MCU per rotation, we will measure number of such pulse in one second to get the revolution per second, multiplying this with 60 we get RPM.

For this project I will use a ATmega8 MCU connected to a 16×2 LCD Module for showing the RPM.

Design of AVR based RPM Meter.

The sensor part is made up of TCRT5000 IR Reflectance sensor. It it wired as shown below. The sensor will give a LOW output whenever it detects a white reflective surface just above it. This output is feed to the INT0 pin of MCU. INT0 is a general purpose external interrupt source. It can be adjusted to interrupt the CPU on Rising, falling, low level or high level. In this project we configure it to interrupt on falling edge. When ever a falling edge (high to low transition) is detected on INT0 pin the CPU jumps to the ISR which handles the even. The ISR just increments a global variable count, in this way we keep track of number of revolution.

TIMER1, which is a 16 bit counter is used to generate an interrupt each second. On TIMER1 ISR we just copy the value of count to another global variable rps. And clear count to zero. The input to TIMER1 is taken by prescaler which is set at 1:1024, that means TIMER1 is clocked at 1/1024 of system clock. As our system clock is 1000000, timer frequency is 1000000/1024=976 Hz. To get exact 1 sec time base we use the comparator unit of timer, we set compare value to 976. So as soon as TIMER1 reaches 976 it is cleared to 0 (CTC mode) and an interrupt called output compare 1A (1 because it is timer1 and A because timer1 has 2 comparator A and B)

In the main loop of the program we just print RPM and RPS.

TCRT5000

Fig.: TCRT5000 reflectance sensor.

The above circuit made on a mini bread board.

IR Reflectance sensor

Fig.: TCRT5000 reflectance sensor.

 

Schematic of AVR based RPM Meter

RPM Meter Schematic

Fig.: Complete Schematic (Click to Enlarge)

AVR GCC code for RPM Meter.


#include <avr/io.h>
#include <avr/interrupt.h>

#include <util/delay.h>

#include "lcd.h"

volatile uint16_t count=0;    //Main revolution counter

volatile uint16_t rpm=0;   //Revolution per minute

volatile uint16_t rps=0;   //Revolution per second


void Wait()
{
   uint8_t i;
   for(i=0;i<2;i++)
   {
      _delay_loop_2(0);
   }
}


void main()
{
   LCDInit(LS_NONE);

   LCDWriteString("RPM Meter");
   LCDWriteStringXY(0,1,"- by avinash");

   Wait();
   Wait();
   Wait();
   Wait();

   //Init INT0
   MCUCR|=(1<<ISC01);   //Falling edge on INT0 triggers interrupt.

   GICR|=(1<<INT0);  //Enable INT0 interrupt

   //Timer1 is used as 1 sec time base
   //Timer Clock = 1/1024 of sys clock
   //Mode = CTC (Clear Timer On Compare)
   TCCR1B|=((1<<WGM12)|(1<<CS12)|(1<<CS10));

   //Compare value=976

   OCR1A=976;

   TIMSK|=(1<<OCIE1A);  //Output compare 1A interrupt enable

   //Enable interrupts globaly
   sei();

   //LED Port as output
   DDRB|=(1<<PB1);


   LCDClear();

   LCDWriteStringXY(0,0,"RPM =");
   LCDWriteStringXY(0,1,"RPS =");

   while(1)
   {
      LCDWriteIntXY(6,0,rpm,5);
      LCDWriteIntXY(6,1,rps,5);

      if(PIND & (1<<PD2))
      {
         PORTB|=(1<<PB1);
      }
      else

      {
         PORTB&=(~(1<<PB1));
      }

      Wait();
   }

}

ISR(INT0_vect)
{
   //CPU Jumps here automatically when INT0 pin detect a falling edge
   count++;
}

ISR(TIMER1_COMPA_vect)
{
   //CPU Jumps here every 1 sec exactly!
   rps=count;
   rpm=rps*60;
   count=0;
}


The above code can be compiled using avr-gcc (WinAVR distro) and AVR Studio. Details about downloading, installing and using the software is described in the following tutorial.

The code depends on the LCD Library for displaying textual/numeric data on a standard 16×2 LCD Module. The file "lcd.c" must be copied to the project folder and added to the project using AVR Studio. See LCD Tutorial for more info. Compatible lcd.c and lcd.h files are provided at the bottom of this article.

After compiling the code, burn it to the MCU using an AVR Programmer. The Fuse bits must be set as follows.

  • HIGH=D9
  • LOW=E1

Please note that the above is default for ATmega8, so if you purchased a new chip then you do not need to change them. But if you have purchased xBoard MINI v2.0 then you need to write the above fuse bytes, as xBoard MINI v2.0 used different configuration.

Testing the RPM meter.

After powering on the system adjust variable resistor RV1 until the LCD start showing up some text. Then bring the reflective surface above the sensor and adjust RV2 until LED D1 start glowing. Once LED start glowing move the reflective surface away from the sensor, the LED should turn off. Now the system is ready to measure the RPM.

I have used a small 12v motor to test, I have attached a small fan onto the motor.

Fig.: A small motor with Fan.

One of the blade of the Fan has a white paper sticker.

Fig.: Reflector on Blade

I have use xBoard MINI v2.0 as the development board. So I don’t have to wire up the entire circuit. The power supply, LCD and MCU core (and much more) are pre-built.

AVR RPM Meter

Fig.: RPM Meter Built using xBoard MINI v2.0

Downloads

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By
Avinash Gupta
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48 thoughts on “AVR Project – ATmega8 based RPM Meter

  • By Victor Borah - Reply

    Fantastic, Just the thing I needed to understand, I must go through the code thoroughly, Thanks Avinash, Keep it up !

  • By Uttam Dutta - Reply

    Mr. Avinash,
    Thank you for providing another exciting tutorial/project.
    May I ask you one question, what is the need of using “tcrt500” instead of using simple IR proximity pair.
    and what is the significance of fuse bit low = E1, High= D9
    regards,

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @Uttam Dutta

      The reasons are as follows
      * The pair are of excellent match.
      * Optimal Angle bent and sturdy hold of the plastic case.
      * Built in Plastic separator in between (forget cardboard or paper they can ruin the design)
      * Same cost as of IR Pair!

  • By fana akbarkan - Reply

    Hello, Nice project…
    thank you for sharing..

    _naste

  • By PUNEET KUmar SINGH - Reply

    E1 means 1 mhz mcu speed(via internal crystal)
    E2= 2 mhz
    E3= 4 mhz
    E4= 8 mhz
    E5 extenal crystal (e.g max 16 mhz)
    and D9 = port c’s 4 pin disable (JTAG)
    do it 99 for enable all pins …now mcu is redly to full use
    (all data according to atmega 16/32 for others read data sheets)

  • By topls64 - Reply

    I’m going to build this to measure the rpms of the spindle on my cnc machine. The schematic does not show any type of oscillator. Does the circuit use the atmega8’s internal oscillator, or is it missing from the schematic?

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @topls64
      The circuit uses internal RC oscillator of ATmega8 to reduce cost and clutter!

  • By topls64 - Reply

    Outstanding! I’ll let you know how the build goes. Cheers!

  • By mahenrda - Reply

    what is the crystal(value) used here.
    is it any problem if i use 16mhz crystal, will the program need to change

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @mahendra

      16Mhz

  • By suphan - Reply

    hi,
    can you tell me what software did you used for the circuit simulation?

  • By lee eng - Reply

    hello sir….can i buy all the things needed for this project at extreme electronic….can it work???exactly how many days this thing will take to ship to malaysia….please reply asap…tq

  • By ttttkk - Reply

    hi, thank you for the tutorial. But i still can’t get the TCRT5000 working, I use arduino and wire the components as above, I even tried your other tutorial about 2 single ir led emitter / receiver, but still no success. I use analogwrite command to show the result, both keep give me something between 41 – 52…
    Can you help me with this?

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @TTTTKK

      I don’t like Arduino so cannot help you. Its much easier if you can do the experiment exactly as described.

      Failure at initial stages can be very serious, you can lose interest in the subject.

  • By snehal - Reply

    sir,
    can i do this project using atmega16 ?
    if so, should i change c program?

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @Snehal,

      Do u have shortage of problems in ur life ? Thats why u wanna add one ? Ur asking question like a kid! 🙁 I don’t think u can do so easily. Nor do I have ne free time to help u.

  • By Abhinav - Reply

    Hi Avinash,
    First of all Thank you very much for this project!
    But I have following difficulties:

    1. LED D1 does not glow in any condition for any value
    of RV2. It only glows when the PD2 terminal is left
    open and LCD shows RPM value if it is connected to
    VCC for no of times. Please help what to do?
    2. Exactly what sort of reflecting surface is required
    for ‘tcrt5000’ … do not know whether it is creating
    a problem!

  • By Avinash - Reply

    @Abhinav,
    If u make it exactly 100% as described above using 100% the same parts then only I can help.

    • By Abhinav - Reply

      It is working now! I tried later I found that the low battery was the problem!
      Thanks.
      It is really working 🙂

  • By Rakib - Reply

    Thank u for ur excellent tutorial . i am really fan of extreme electronics. boss i want to know something. how can i reset the mcu after taking reading 1st time? i mean how to execute it again for 2nd time reading? another question. i have v0 term in my lcd module. is v0 and vEE will do same work?

  • By Naeem - Reply

    hello sir!
    i havent found the tcrt5000 sensor from any of the nearby shops. do u know any other common sensor that can be used?

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @Naeem,

      Please don’t ask silly questions ! here I am talking about TCRT5000 and you are diverting the topic !

    • By Binesh Ellupurayil Balachandran - Reply

      @Naeem: Just buil any of the proximity sensor usign IR leds. its cheaper too…

  • By rajkumar - Reply

    i using CodeVisionAVR Evaluation V2.04.5b
    (atmega8 ic)

    this is not executed in my software please help me because its my final year project

  • By Avinash - Reply

    @Raj,

    Can I ask you why you are using CodeVisionAVR ? If its written clearly that it is compiled using WinAVR + AVR Studio?

    What do you mean by not executed in my software! Please at-least use clear programming vocabulary !!!

  • By Himeel - Reply

    Hey i want to built this for my automobile project…
    Can anyone tell me what is the limit of this tachometer?
    Means it can measure upto how much RPM??

  • By Dragos - Reply

    If i am using a ATMEGA8L-8PU (8 MHZ internal clock), is there anything i must change in the code ?

    Thank you.

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @Dragos,

      Yes you have to change many things. And it will be a lot trouble for you.

    • By Binesh Ellupurayil Balachandran - Reply

      just Change OCR1A value from 976 to 976*8

  • By Ashish - Reply

    Hi Avinash,

    First of all thanks for this excellent website. I have over the years learnt a lot from your website. However, I have a one comment on this design. Why not use the counter module to let the HW count the transitions on the Input pin. Since there is an 8-bit counter, using a suitable timer setting, you can measure very high RPM values and are not limited to the ISR handling capability!
    I can share an implementation we had made a few years ago 🙂

  • By segera davies - Reply

    Hi,
    I have used proteus to simulate the project and it is working.But my quiz is-what is the maximum RPM value it can measure.i have tried to measure 90000RPM it can not display 90000.but just displays +,i etc

  • By madhu - Reply

    hi
    can you give me an other alternative for using sensor instead of using TCRT5000 reflectance sensor.

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @Madhu, NO alternatives.

    • By Binesh Ellupurayil Balachandran - Reply

      Yes, You can use any retro reflective sensor of y our choice. The only thing you may have to change in any case would be the resistors.

  • By Nirdosh Singh - Reply

    The above code gives the output in the multiple of 60(eg., if there is one revolution per second, then the output will be 60 rpm and if 2 rps, then the o/p will be 120 rpm). is it possible to get the continuous variation (like 1,2,…..,60) as we can see in our bikes..i would be very thankful if you can help me with this…regards Nirdosh

    • By Binesh Ellupurayil Balachandran - Reply

      Contact with more details o fyour requirement to binesheb@gmail.com. I can help you

  • By purnomoabdurahman - Reply

    please,
    how if i use atmega 16,,
    how about configuration

    • By Avinash - Reply

      @purnomoabdurahman

      Use it as is with ATmega8

    • By Binesh Ellupurayil Balachandran - Reply
  • By Shubhashish Paul - Reply

    vary nice

  • By abdul hannan - Reply

    hello ………………… can u please tell me the software that have include tcrt5000 in its library i want to see the simulation results ……………….. i can search in proteus and in orcade bt could’t find that module ……………………
    thanks

  • By abdul hannan - Reply

    one more thing i also want to know will this method be applicable to calculate 7000 rev/ min rpm

  • By Abhishek Paul - Reply

    Nicely explained Avinash…understood the concepts. i wanted to know if the same can be one by polling. I have used CTC timer mode, but while incrementing the counter of IR sensor, the output doesn’t come out proper

  • By Abhishek Paul - Reply

    I wanted to ask if the same can be done by polling using CTC timer mode…

  • By Fahmi - Reply

    I want to send RPM with serial comunication USART ,, but i think USART confict with timer/counter,,

    am i corect ?

  • By Pallavi Onkarrao Wankhade - Reply

    please give the detail about circuit component.

  • By Pallavi Onkarrao Wankhade - Reply

    please give the detail about circuit component and more theory.

  • By Atanas - Reply

    posible change lcd 16×2 to 8×2

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