Implementing Moisture Sensor using VSDSquadron Mini

Overview

The project demonstrates the implementation of a moisture sensor using the VSDSquadron Mini, a RISC-V based development kit. The core concept revolves around detecting moisture presence using a sensor. When moisture is detected, an LED indicator is activated to signal the presence of moisture, and vice versa, it remains off in the absence of moisture. This project leverages the capabilities of the VSDSquadron Mini, including its GPIO ports and on-board programming features, to create an efficient and compact moisture detection system.

Components Required to Build Moisture Sensor

VSDSquadron Mini
LED
Moisture Sensor
Breadboard
Jumper Wires
PlatformIO
VS Code for software development

Circuit Connection for Moisture Sensor

1. LED Connection

Positive end (Anode) connected to GPIO Pin 6 of VSDSquadron Mini.

2. Moisture Sensor Connection

VCC of the moisture sensor to VCC on VSDSquadron Mini.
Output to GPIO Pin 0 of VSDSquadron Mini.
GND to ground.

How to Program

1. Environment Setup

Install PlatformIO and VS Code for software development and project compilation.

2. Include Necessary Libraries

#include <ch32v00x.h>

#include <debug.h>

3. GPIO Configuration

void GPIO_Config(void) 
{

GPIO_InitTypeDef GPIO_InitStructure = {0};

RCC_APB2PeriphClockCmd(RCC_APB2Periph_GPIOD, ENABLE);

// Configure LED pin as output

GPIO_InitStructure.GPIO_Pin = GPIO_Pin_6;

GPIO_InitStructure.GPIO_Mode = GPIO_Mode_Out_PP;

GPIO_InitStructure.GPIO_Speed = GPIO_Speed_50MHz;

GPIO_Init(GPIOD, &GPIO_InitStructure);

// Add more configurations as needed

}

4. Main Logic

int main(void) {

uint8_t moistureStatus = 0;

// System initialization code here

GPIO_Config();

while(1) {

moistureStatus = GPIO_ReadInputDataBit(GPIOD, GPIO_Pin_0);

if(moistureStatus == 0) {

GPIO_WriteBit(GPIOD, GPIO_Pin_6, RESET);

} else {

GPIO_WriteBit(GPIOD, GPIO_Pin_6, SET);

}

}

}

Working

The project operates on a simple yet effective mechanism where the moisture sensor continuously monitors the soil or a surface for moisture. Upon detecting moisture, the sensor’s output pin goes high, and the connected GPIO pin on the VSDSquadron Mini reads this change. Depending on the moisture status, the system either activates or deactivates an LED, providing a visual indication of the moisture level detected.

Code

The provided code snippets in the “How to Program” section form the basis of the project’s firmware. These snippets include initialization of the development board’s peripherals, configuration of the GPIO pins, and the main operational loop that continually checks the moisture sensor’s output and controls the LED accordingly.