Arduino LC Meter Shield

A short distraction from the Signal Generator project to make an LC Meter Shield!

It has been a considerable time since I posted.  Blogging does not come naturally for me and I often prefer to just do things rather than write about them.  I still haven't finished the Signal Generator although to be honest it is close....I am lacking motivation.  I have pushed that project down a route which is no longer palatable... 

Instead I have decided I will write about a small project that I made recently which works well and was great fun (for me) to make and build.  I always need test equipment....it's a strange thing with Engineers...they need toys to make bigger toys!

In order to measure Capacitance and Inductance a piece of test equipment is often used called an LC Meter.  This is a device which measures the amount of Henries an inductor has (Henries is the unit of inductance) or the amount of Farads in a capacitor (Farads is the unit of capacitance).

Inductor - an electronic component that stores energy for a short period of time by generating a magnetic field - normally made by making a coil of wire around a former.  Sometimes special cores are used to improve the inductor's frequency response.  Inductors are sometimes called chokes!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductors

Capacitor - an electronic component that stores energy for a short period of time by producing an electrostatic field on two metal plates.  The size of the plates and the distance between the plates changes the amount the of capacitance the component will have.  The dielectric material between the plates also has an effect of the amount of capacitance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor

I needed a way of verifying that the electronic components I bought or made are within the specifications I require!  Component manufacturers print the nominal level of what the inductor or capacitor is but this varies considerably between batches and is often considerably off.  Every good engineer needs a way of checking that parts are what they say they are...

There are plenty of hobbyist projects available on making an LC meter.  This is my interpretation.  If you do a search in google for 'LC meter circuit' several pages will be sourced immediatly.

I was directly inspired by Kerry Wong's blog post -

Kerry Wong's Blog about an LC Meter

There was also an article in Everyday Practical Electronics issue in March 2010 using a PIC Microcontroller.

I decided to make an LC Meter which uses the arduino shield form factor and is easy to make and use.  I'm hoping people will like it and use it...although most electronics hobbyists I know nowadays are all digital and no analogue - ho hum!

Most LC meter instruments use a free running oscillator at a known frequency.  When the user inserts the component in question in parallel with the oscilllator  the frequency changes. By comparing the new frequency with the old frequency and using some mathematics the value for the component can be obtained.

So....how do we make an oscillator?  There are several methods and I have discussed this in previous blog posts.  This project uses a comparator to make a square wave oscillator.  The circuit is below:

The oscillator section is made up of the 100uH inductor and the 4.7nF Capacitor.  These two components decide the frequency of oscillation.  All the other components are to make the oscillator work and to provide a method of making measurements.

The formula for calculating the frequency of oscillation and the other formulae used in the project are below:

lets calculate the frequency of our oscillator:

L = 100 uH or 100 * 10^-6 H
C = 4.7 nF or 4.7 * 10^-9 F
PI = 3.142..

Therefore F = 1 / 6.284 * SQRT (100*10^-6 * 4.7*10^-9)

F = 232.121 kHz

lets say 232 kHz.

So our oscillator will free run at 232 kHz using the above inductor and capacitor.  If we then introduce another component into the oscillation this frequency will change and we can use the original frequency and information about the oscillator components to calculate what value the new component has.

Here is a short simulation video showing how the measurement stage works:

Now that we have a method of measuring the components we need a way of controlling the circuit and displaying the information.

To this end I am going to use the popular arduino platform because its a great piece of hardware for rapid prototyping!  Here is the rest of the circuit:

The circuit is fairly boiler plate electronics.  The frequency of the oscillator is measured by the arduino on pin 5.  The firmware uses a special arduino frequency counter library - more on this later.  The type of measurement is controlled by a switch selecting which type of component is being measured and then we also have two buttons for displaying the current frequency of oscillation or measurement function (which controls a relay) and a calibration / zero button.  We finally have an 16x2 LCD display being controlled by the arduino to display the information.

Once I had prototyped the circuit and checked it worked - briefly I laid out a PCB and etched a circuit board.  Here is the layout:

Top Layer with component placement

PCB Bottom Layer

I then etched and drilled the PCB and populated it with components.  I was so excited I plugged it onto my arduino and tried to get it working straight away...It didn't but that's not surprising.  If a project works first time nobody learns anything!  Sometimes though I do wish projects would work first time - particularly at work!

The problems were minor and have been fixed in the layout so if I decide to make another version it will work first time - Here is a link to the Eagle files and other associated information:

Google Drive link to LC Meter Eagle project - LM339 version

Once I had checked that the oscillator was working with an oscilloscope I got on with writing the source code.  I'm not the best programmer in the world so I used a lot of other people's work to get this circuit to work as intended.  Kudos to Kerry Wong and his version of this project!

The reason this project is viable is because of the frequency counter library made and maintained by Peter Welter-Platz

http://interface.khm.de/index.php/lab/experiments/arduino-frequency-counter-library/

Updated Library for use with the latest Arduino IDE:

http://interface.khm.de/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/FreqCounter_1_12.zip

Updated Library for the reading the Button presses:

Its a great library and it makes it very easy for people to measure frequency of signals with their arduino.  Basically I believe the library works by comparing the frequency to be measured with one of the internal microcontroller timers.  The result is then stored and available for interrogation.

http://downloads.arduino.cc/libraries/github.com/madleech/Button-1.0.0.zip

In order to get the code to compile you will need to download the latest versions of these libraries and install them using the Arduino IDE.

Here is the code...it's not perfect but it does work:

/*
  Langster's LC Meter Code - 09-06-2019
  Uses the LCD library, Frequency Library 
  Button libary and various other bits and pieces

  Updated the code for use with updated libraries etc.
  
  V2.0 
  
  This code borrows from Kerry Wongs LC Meter
  code!
  
  To Calibrate press both the Frequency and 
  Calibrate buttons together!
  
  To measure frequency press the frequency
  button
  
  Enjoy!
   
 */

// Include the Frequency counter library
#include <FreqCounter.h>

// Include the Button Library
#include <Button.h>

//part of the switch position check
enum meterMode {
    L,
    C,
    F
};

unsigned long indFreq = 23896;   //rough frequency from oscilloscope measurements
unsigned long capFreq = 23885;   //rough frequency from oscilloscope measurements

long measureComponentFreq = 0;   //variable to store component measurement frequency

float cMeasured;                 //Th measured capacitance
double lMeasured;                //The measured inductance

float cMeasuredZero;             //The zero factor for capacitance
double lMeasuredZero;            //The zero factor for inductance

//Some temporary variables for calculations

long temp1;
long temp2;
double temp3;

const float Cth = 4.7 * 1e-9;    //measured 4.7nF - calibration capacitor value
const float Lth = 91.14 * 1e-6;  //measured 91.14uH - calibration inductor value

int i=0;                         // count variable
int switchState;                 // variable for storing the state of the switch

unsigned long frq;               //The frequency measurement
long capFreqArray[10];           //An array for storing frequencies
long indFreqArray[10];           //An array for storing frequencies

long frqAverage = 0;             //An variable for averaging
long average = 0;                

const int frequencyButtonPin = 16;     // the number of the pushbutton pin
const int calibrateButtonPin = 15;     // the number of the pushbutton pin
const int relayPin = 14;               // the number of the relay pin
const int componentSelectPin = 2;      // the number of the component select pin
const float pi2=6.283185307;

Button calibrationButton = Button(15);  //Calibration button on pin 15 or A1
Button frequencyButton = Button(16);    //Frequency button on pin 16 or A2

meterMode currentMode;                  //check which mode the switch is in

// include the LCD display library:
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7);

//Check the switch position

void checkLCMode() {  
    
    switchState = digitalRead(componentSelectPin);
    
    if (switchState==LOW) {
        currentMode = L;
        lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
        lcd.print("Mode: L    ");
        measureInductance();
        
    } else {
        currentMode = C;
        lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
        lcd.print("Mode: C    ");
        measureCapacitance();
    }

}

//setup the arduino

void setup() {
  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: 
  lcd.begin(16, 2);

  pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
  
  pinMode(calibrateButtonPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(frequencyButtonPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(componentSelectPin, INPUT);
  
  digitalWrite(componentSelectPin, HIGH);
  
  Serial.begin(57600);        // connect to the serial port
  digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH); 

  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print(" ** LC Meter ** ");
  
  //measureCalibrationCapacitance();
  //measureCalibrationInductance();
    
  delay(2000); 
  
  lcd.clear();
   
}  

void loop()
{
  //check if calibration is required
  
  if(calibrationButton.pressed() && frequencyButton.pressed())
  {
    switchState = digitalRead(componentSelectPin);
    
    if (switchState==LOW) 
      {
          currentMode = L;
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          lcd.print("Short Terminals");
          lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
          lcd.print("Press Cal Button");
          
          if(calibrationButton.pressed())
            {
              measureCalibrationInductance();
            }
  
      } 
    
    if (switchState==HIGH) 
  
      {
          currentMode = C;
          lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
          lcd.print("Clear Terminals");
          lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
          lcd.print("Press Cal Button");
          
          if(calibrationButton.pressed())
            {
              measureCalibrationCapacitance();
            }
      }
      
  }
  
  //check if frequency measurement is required
  
  if(frequencyButton.pressed())
      {
        measureFrequency();
        digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);
      }

checkLCMode();    //check switch position
  
  
}

//Measure the frequency

void measureFrequency()
{

    digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
  
    FreqCounter::f_comp=10;   // Cal Value / Calibrate with professional Freq Counter
    FreqCounter::start(100);  // 100 ms Gate Time
    while (FreqCounter::f_ready == 0) 
    frq=FreqCounter::f_freq;   
    
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("Frequency ");
    
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("F: ");
    lcd.print(frq);
    lcd.print("      ");
     
    delay(4000);
    
}

//Calibrate for inductance measurements

void measureCalibrationInductance(){

    for (int i=0; i<100; i++)
        
        {
          FreqCounter::f_comp=10;   // Cal Value / Calibrate with professional Freq Counter
          FreqCounter::start(100);  // 100 ms Gate Time
          while (FreqCounter::f_ready == 0) 
          frq=FreqCounter::f_freq;
          indFreq=frq;
          
          temp1 = sq(indFreq);
          temp2 = sq(measureComponentFreq);
          temp3 = float(temp1)/float(temp2);
          lMeasured = Lth*(temp3-1);
          lMeasuredZero = lMeasured;
          i++;
          
        }
      
      lcd.setCursor(0, 0); 
      lcd.print("Calibration     ");
      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
      lcd.print("Complete        ");
      delay(4000);
      
      lcd.clear();
    
}

//Measure the inductance

void measureInductance()

{
      FreqCounter::f_comp=10;   // Cal Value / Calibrate with professional Freq Counter
      FreqCounter::start(100);  // 100 ms Gate Time
      while (FreqCounter::f_ready == 0) 
      frq=FreqCounter::f_freq;
      measureComponentFreq=frq;
      
      delay(200);
      
      calcIndData();

}



//Calculate and Display the Inductance

void calcIndData(){
    
    temp1 = sq(indFreq);
    temp2 = sq(measureComponentFreq);
    temp3 = float(temp1)/float(temp2);
    lMeasured = Lth*(temp3-1) - lMeasuredZero;
    
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("L: ");    
        
     if (lMeasured >= 1e-9 && lMeasured < 1e-6) 
            {
                lMeasured = lMeasured * 1e9; // nano
                lcd.print(lMeasured);
                lcd.print(" ");
                lcd.print("nH");
                lcd.print("        ");
            } 
            
            if (lMeasured > 1e-6 && lMeasured < 1e-3) 
         
            {
                lMeasured = lMeasured * 1e6; // micro
                lcd.print(lMeasured);
                lcd.print(" ");
                lcd.print("uH");
                lcd.print("        ");
            }
            
            
            if (lMeasured > 1e-3) 
            
            {
                lMeasured = lMeasured * 1e3; // milli
                lcd.print(lMeasured);
                lcd.print(" ");
                lcd.print("mH");
                lcd.print("        ");
            }
  
}  

//Measure the Calibration Capacitance

void measureCalibrationCapacitance()
{
  for (int i=0; i<100; i++)
        {
          FreqCounter::f_comp=10;   // Cal Value / Calibrate with professional Freq Counter
          FreqCounter::start(100);  // 100 ms Gate Time
          while (FreqCounter::f_ready == 0) 
          frq=FreqCounter::f_freq;
          capFreq=frq;
          
          temp1 = sq(capFreq);
          temp2 = sq(measureComponentFreq);
          temp3 = float(temp1)/float(temp2);
          cMeasured = Cth *(temp3-1);
          cMeasuredZero = cMeasured;
          i++;
        }
     
     lcd.setCursor(0, 0); 
     lcd.print("Calibration     ");
     lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
     lcd.print("Complete        ");
     delay(4000);
     
     lcd.clear();
     
}


//Measure the capacitance

void measureCapacitance(){
    
      FreqCounter::f_comp=10;   // Cal Value / Calibrate with professional Freq Counter
      FreqCounter::start(100);  // 100 ms Gate Time
      while (FreqCounter::f_ready == 0) 
      frq=FreqCounter::f_freq;
      measureComponentFreq=frq;
      
      delay(200);
      
      calcCapData();
    
}

//Calculate and display the capacitance
  
void calcCapData(){
    
    temp1 = sq(capFreq);
    temp2 = sq(measureComponentFreq);
    
    temp3 = float(temp1)/float(temp2);
    cMeasured = Cth*(temp3-1)-cMeasuredZero;
    
    Serial.print("Capacitor Oscillator Frequency: ");
    Serial.print(capFreq);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Component Oscillator Frequency: ");
    Serial.print(measureComponentFreq);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Cap Osc Squared: ");
    Serial.print(temp1);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Msr Osc Squared: ");
    Serial.print(temp2);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Division       : ");
    Serial.print(temp3);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Component Value: ");
    Serial.print(cMeasured);
    Serial.println();
    
       
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("C: ");
        
     if (cMeasured < 1e-9) 
            {
                cMeasured = cMeasured * 1e12; // pico
                lcd.print(cMeasured);
                lcd.print(" ");
                lcd.print("pF");
                lcd.print("       ");
            } 
            
     if (cMeasured >= 1e-9 && cMeasured < 1e-6) 
            
            {
                cMeasured = cMeasured * 1e9; // n
                lcd.print(cMeasured);
                lcd.print(" ");
                lcd.print("nF");
                lcd.print("       ");
            }  
            
      if (cMeasured > 1e-6)      
            {
                lcd.print("Out of Range");
                lcd.print("        ");
            } 
    
} 

It's long and it isn't pretty but it should be fairly simple to understand.  The program sets up the libraries, variables and the buttons and LCD display.  It then looks at which position the user component select switch is in and then performs the required measurement.  If the user presses the frequency button the current frequency of the oscillator is displayed.  If the user presses and holds both buttons and then follows the on screen instructions the unit calibrates.  In order to calibrate the L mode the input terminals have to be shorted together.  For capacitance mode the terminals must be open and not connected to anything.

Here is a video of the completed unit running on my arduino Uno in use.

There are things about the LC meter that I would do differently - there always are!  I would prefer the device to have a larger measurement range - Inductors are ok but the capacitance range of up to 1 µF is not helpful.  I often like to measure electrolytic capacitors and this unit can't do that.  In order to achieve that I need to implement a frequency divider circuit on the measurement frequency pin so that I can then use a smaller measurement capacitor which increases the range.  I would also like to add another relay which automatically shorts the measurement terminals so that when calibrating the inductor range the user doesn't have to short the terminals.  All told though this came out very well! 

Update: I got some valuable feedback from a reader who asked if it would be possible to implement the analogue section using a dual comparator.  It is possible and I have selected the LM393 dual comparator to do this.  Here is the full schematic:

I hope this helps people make their own versions of the circuit!  Here is a link to the LM311 Eagle Files:

LC Meter - LM311 Version Eagle Files

Further Updates:

I have had some feedback from quite a few people regarding this post...my most popular project yet! I have decided to help out by giving the bill of materials:

All of the part numbers are for Farnell Electronics.  I suggest people shop around for various parts as they can be found cheaper elsewhere - particularly the 16x2 LCD display and the Arduino.

Here is some 3D renders of the circuit I made using Eagle and Sketchup! I also made a case which can be 3D printed.

Update - A lot of people have been building this project (which is great!) but are sometimes struggling to check things are working as intended. If you have access to an oscilloscope you can measure the oscillation frequency by connecting the oscilloscope probe ground lead to any 0V reference on the circuit (I use the ground plane normally) and then connect the probe tip to pin 2 of the LM339 or pin 3 of an LM311.  Ensure that the measurement terminals are open (nothing is connected to them and the unit is in capacitance mode.  If the same 100 uH inductor and 4.7 nF capacitor have been used it should be possible to see the following waveform:

LC Meter Oscillator on Pin 2 with terminals open

If you want you can then short the terminals together and change the select switch and you should see exactly the same waveform!

The oscilloscope was set to 5 volts / division on the Y axis and the time base was set to 2 micro-seconds per division for the X axis.  The trigger level was set to 1 Volt and the channel was set to measure a DC signal.  Good Luck!