Interfacing a SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor with Arduino

Introduction

The SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor is a versatile and reliable sensor that can be used in a variety of applications, from robotics to automation systems. This sensor provides precise measurements of the distance between objects and the sensor, making it an essential component for any project that requires distance sensing.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of interfacing the “SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor” with an Arduino microcontroller. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to set up and use this sensor in your own projects.

What is the SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor?

The SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor is an infrared (IR) sensor that is used to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. The sensor emits an infrared beam towards the object, which is then reflected back to the sensor. The distance between the sensor and the object is calculated based on the time it takes for the infrared beam to travel to the object and back. The SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor has a detection range of 10cm to 80cm, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, such as robotics, automation, and object detection systems.

Hardware Components

To interface a SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor with Arduino, you’ll need the following hardware components to get started:

Components	Value	Qty
Arduino UNO	–	1
USB Cable Type A to B	–	1
DC Power for Arduino	–	1
SHARP IR Sensor	GP2Y0A21YK0F	1
Breadboard	–	1
Jumper Wires	–	1

SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor Pinout

Pin Name	Pin Description
VCC	+5v pin
GND	Ground pin
Vo	Voltage Output pin

SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor Circuit

Make connections according to the circuit diagram given below.

Wiring / Connections

Arduino	SHARP IR Sensor
5V	VCC
GND	GND
A0	VOUT

Installing Arduino IDE

First, you need to install Arduino IDE Software from its official website Arduino. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on “How to install Arduino IDE“.

Installing Libraries

Before you start uploading a code, download and unzip the following libraries at /Program Files(x86)/Arduino/Libraries (default), in order to use the sensor with the Arduino board. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on “How to Add Libraries in Arduino IDE“.

• SharpIR.h

Code

Now copy the following code and upload it to Arduino IDE Software.

// Include the library:
#include <SharpIR.h>

// Define model and input pin:
#define IRPin A0
#define model 1080

// Create variable to store the distance:
int distance_cm;

/* Model :
  GP2Y0A02YK0F --> 20150
  GP2Y0A21YK0F --> 1080
  GP2Y0A710K0F --> 100500
  GP2YA41SK0F --> 430
*/

// Create a new instance of the SharpIR class:
SharpIR mySensor = SharpIR(IRPin, model);

void setup() {
  // Begin serial communication at a baudrate of 9600:
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // Get a distance measurement and store it as distance_cm:
  distance_cm = mySensor.distance();

  // Print the measured distance to the serial monitor:
  Serial.print("Mean distance: ");
  Serial.print(distance_cm);
  Serial.println(" cm");

  delay(1000);
}

Code Explanation

This code is used to interface the SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor with an Arduino microcontroller. The code first includes the SharpIR library, which is required for working with the sensor. The sensor model number and input pin are defined using preprocessor directives.

A new instance of the SharpIR class is then created with the IR pin and sensor model as parameters. The setup function is used to begin serial communication at a baud rate of 9600.

The main loop of the code reads the distance measurement from the sensor using the distance() function provided by the SharpIR library. The distance is then printed to the serial monitor using the Serial.print() and Serial.println() functions. A delay of 1000 milliseconds is added at the end of the loop to allow for a brief pause before the next distance measurement is taken.

Overall, this code allows for the SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor to be easily integrated into an Arduino project, and provides a simple way to obtain accurate distance measurements.

Applications

Here are some applications where the SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor can be used:

• Obstacle Detection and avoidance in Robotics
• Proximity sensing for automation systems
• Distance measurement for liquid-level sensing
• Position sensing for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Object detection for security systems
• Hand gesture recognition and tracking
• Distance measurement for smart home automation systems
• Position tracking for virtual and augmented reality applications
• Navigation and collision avoidance for autonomous vehicles
• Distance sensing for agriculture and farming equipment.

Conclusion

Interfacing the SHARP GP2Y0A21YK0F IR Distance Sensor with an Arduino is a straightforward process that opens up a wide range of possibilities for distance sensing applications.