“Let’s have a look at how you could start measuring angles using the TLE5012Kit2Go
Introduction
Greetings fellow makers! When thinking about any fancy project, you might almost certainly require some input. This input could potentially be a button, a microphone, a switch or even some fancy sensor like a radar. But what if there was something else. Maybe we could try to look at this from a different angle (Badum TSSS), AHA! What if you could use angle as input. As the title of this protip suggests, today we will be exploring using the TLE5012KIT2GO, which is an angle sensing solution packed in one PCB. (PSST it has a temperature sensor as well ;) )
The goal throughout this protip is that you:
- Understand what an angle sensor brings to the table, what it is and how to use it
- Understand how to program the TLE5012Kit2GO so that you could use it in your next project
Why consider an angle sensor in your project?
The potential applications for an angle sensor in your project are limitless; it’s like opening a new dimension for input. Take for example a project I worked on involving a critical gear rotation controlled by a motor, which was directly influenced by the angle sensor’s readings.
But let’s simplify things. Suppose you’re prototyping, needing mechanical input for functionality testing. Traditional options like buttons or switches may spring to mind, providing straightforward binary input - ‘on’ or ‘off’, ‘yes’ or ‘no’. But what if you need something more nuanced?
Enter the precision angle sensor, a device offering far more than a binary choice. It’s like a 360-degree turntable of choices, transforming your project into a dynamic, interactive and detailed conversation. So let’s explore the possibilities this tool offers.
Features
This beautiful piece of circuitry consists of two main characters:
- An XMC 1100 Microcontroller (so you could use this for implementing your logic as well)
- the TLX5012B Sensor
Of course as you could see in the photo there are other components involved, but all the other components are essentially working in the shadows for these two MVPs to operate correctly
There are four derivatives for the Sensor:
- TLE5012B E1000 version: automotive predefined variant with SSC and IIF communication protocols
- TLE5012B E5000 version: automotive predefined variant with SSC and PWM communication protocols
- TLE5012B E9000 version: automotive predefined variant with SSC and SPC communication protocols
- TLI5012B E1000 version: industrial predefined variant with SSC and IIF communication protocols
Note: If you just started your maker career you will most probably stick to SSC, and that’s exactly what we will be using through out this protip!
And as we’re at it, let’s talk a bit about the specs:
- 360° magnetic angle sensor
- Integrated GMR technology (We’ll talk more about that below)
- On chip signal processing with angle calculation
- 42µs update rate at 15bit angular resolution
- Multiple digital interfaces
- Supply voltage 3.3 or 5.0V
- -40°C to 150°C”