Published March 6, 2019 © MIT

Ambient Light Sensing with XinaBox, Zerynth and Ubidots

Learn how to measure the ambient light level with XinaBox xChip SL06 (APDS-9960) remotely using Ubidots and Zerynth.

BeginnerFull instructions provided15 minutes552

Ambient Light Sensing with XinaBox, Zerynth and Ubidots

Things used in this project

Hardware components

XinaBox CW02

XinaBox IP01

XinaBox SL06

(Optional) USB Extension Cable

XinaBox XC10

Software apps and online services

Zerynth Studio

Ubidots

Story

The xChipCW02 (ESP-WROOM-32 Wifi and Bluetooth module) allows users to send data from XinaBox’s modular xChips to the cloud, and control device according to the obtained data.

The xChipSL06 uses APDS-9960 Gesture, Proximity, Ambient Light and Color sensor allows user to build smart appliance controlling. In this project we will explore Light Sensing functionality to detect change in ambient light. We have made a short project tutorial on Remote hand Gesture sensing with Ubidots and Zerynth and Remote Proximity sensing with Ubidots and Zerynth using the same xChip SL06.

By the end of this guide, you will able to publish 10-bit Ambient Light level values to the Ubidots using XinaBox.

Requirements

● 1x CW02 – WiFi and Bluetooth core (ESP-WROOM-32)

● 1x SL06 - Gesture( APDS-9960)

● 1x IP01 - USB Programming Interface (FT232R)

● 1x XC10 - 10-Pack xBUS Connectors

● Zerynth Studio

● Ubidots account

Step-by-Step

1.Hardware Setup

2.Setting up the ZerynthStudio

3.Verify andUplink the code

4.Summary

1. HardwareSetup

Connect CW02, SL06 and IP01 together using the XC10 xBUS connectors. You may connect it as shown in the image below. Please see this guide on how to assemble xChips generally.

Then connect your device and PC throughthe IP01’s USB.

2. Setting upthe Zerynth Studio

1. Download and Install Zerynth Studio r.2.2.0.

IMPORTANTNOTE: If you are not familiar with Zerynth Studio, please refer to the link: Downloading and Installing Zerynth Studio.

2. With the Zerynth Installed, Connect, Register and Virtualize your Device

3. Select XinaBox CW02 (ESP32) from the Device dropdown:

3. Verify and Uplink the Code

Make sure that the device is Connected, Registered and Virtualized.

Verify and uplink the code:

The SL06 Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) gives ALS level value of 4 when flashlight is away, and it increases gradually as flash gets closer.

4. Summary

In this tutorial, we have learned how to measure remotely Ambient Light Sensing levels anywhere on Ubidots. With XinaBox and Ubidots you can now monitor the fridge light! The tutorial is simple and can take up-to 10-15 minutes.

import streams
from wireless import wifi
from xinabox.sl06 import sl06

streams.serial()

# SL06 instance
SL06 = sl06.SL06(I2C0)

# choose a wifi chip supporting secure sockets
from espressif.esp32net import esp32wifi as wifi_driver
wifi_driver.auto_init()

# import ubidots iot module
from ubidots.iot import iot

# configure SL06
SL06.init()

# enable SL06 for light sensing
SL06.enableLightSensor()

print('connecting to wifi...')
 
#Connect to the specified Wi-Fi device
while not wifi.is_linked():
    try:
    # FOR THIS EXAMPLE TO WORK, "SSID" AND "PASSWORD" MUST BE SET
    # TO MATCH YOUR ACTUAL NETWORK CONFIGURATION
      wifi.link("SSID",wifi.WIFI_WPA2,"PASSWORD")
      print("Link Established")
    except Exception as e:
      print("ooops, something wrong while linking :(", e)
      print(".")
    sleep(1000)
 
print('connecting to mqtt broker...')
try:
    #Enter your DEVICE-NAME and Unique Ubidots TOKEN
    device = iot.Device('DEVICE-NAME','business','TOKEN)
    device.mqtt.connect()
    print("Connected to mqtt broker")
except Exception as e:
    print("ooops, something went wrong :(", e)
    while True:
       sleep(1000)
 
device.mqtt.loop()

while True:
    light = SL06.getAmbientLight()  # read the the ambient light level
    print('Ambient Light Level: ', light)
    device.publish({"value":light},variable="als")
    sleep(2000)

Credits

KalbeAbbas

25 projects • 20 followers

An enthusiastic and dedicated Electronic engineer graduated from SSUET Karachi, Pakistan. Loves to discover Embedded electronics projects.

Contact

Thanks to XinaBox.

Comments

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Ambient Light Sensing with XinaBox, Zerynth and Ubidots

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Requirements

Step-by-Step

1. HardwareSetup

2. Setting upthe Zerynth Studio

3. Verify and Uplink the Code

4. Summary

Code

main.py

helpers.py

Credits

KalbeAbbas

Comments

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Ambient Light Sensing with XinaBox, Zerynth and Ubidots

Ambient Light Sensing with XinaBox, Zerynth and Ubidots

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Requirements

Step-by-Step

1. HardwareSetup

2. Setting upthe Zerynth Studio

3. Verify and Uplink the Code

4. Summary

Code

main.py

helpers.py

Credits

KalbeAbbas

Comments

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