Arduino Nano - Ultrasonic Sensor - OLED

This tutorial instructs you how to use Arduino Nano obtain the distance from an ultrasonic sensor and show it on an OLED display.

Hardware Preparation

1×Arduino Nano
1×USB A to Mini-B USB cable
1×SSD1306 I2C OLED Display 128x64
1×Ultrasonic Sensor
1×Breadboard
1×Jumper Wires
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Expansion Board for Arduino Nano
1×(Recommended) Breakout Expansion Board for Arduino Nano

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1×DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)
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Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables.

Overview of OLED and Ultrasonic Sensor

If you are unfamiliar with OLED and Ultrasonic Sensor (including pinout, functionality, and programming), the following tutorials can provide you with the necessary information:

Wiring Diagram

The wiring diagram between Arduino Nano and Ultrasonic Sensor OLED

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Nano Code - Ultrasonic Sensor - OLED

/* * This Arduino Nano code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano/arduino-nano-ultrasonic-sensor-oled */ #include <Wire.h> #include <Adafruit_GFX.h> #include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h> #define TRIG_PIN 12 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to TRIG pin of ultrasonic sensor #define ECHO_PIN 11 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to ECHO pin of ultrasonic sensor #define OLED_WIDTH 128 // OLED display width, in pixels #define OLED_HEIGHT 64 // OLED display height, in pixels Adafruit_SSD1306 oled(OLED_WIDTH, OLED_HEIGHT, &Wire, -1); // create SSD1306 display object connected to I2C String distance_str; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // initialize OLED display with address 0x3C for 128x64 if (!oled.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)) { Serial.println(F("SSD1306 allocation failed")); while (true); } delay(2000); // wait for initializing oled.clearDisplay(); // clear display oled.setTextSize(2); // text size oled.setTextColor(WHITE); // text color oled.setCursor(0, 10); // position to display distance_str.reserve(10); // to avoid fragmenting memory when using String } void loop() { // Produce a 10-microsecond pulse to the TRIG pin. digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, HIGH); delayMicroseconds(10); digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW); // Measure the pulse duration from the ECHO pin long duration_us = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH); // calculate the distance float distance_cm = 0.017 * duration_us; // print the value to Serial Monitor Serial.print("distance: "); Serial.print(distance_cm); Serial.println(" cm"); distance_str = String(distance_cm, 2); // two decimal places distance_str += " cm"; Serial.println(distance_str); // print the temperature in Celsius to Serial Monitor oled_display_center(distance_str); // display temperature on OLED } void oled_display_center(String text) { int16_t x1; int16_t y1; uint16_t width; uint16_t height; oled.getTextBounds(text, 0, 0, &x1, &y1, &width, &height); // center the display both horizontally and vertically oled.clearDisplay(); // clear display oled.setCursor((OLED_WIDTH - width) / 2, (OLED_HEIGHT - height) / 2); oled.println(text); // text to display oled.display(); }

Detailed Instructions

  • Click to the Libraries icon on the left bar of the Arduino IDE.
  • Search for “SSD1306” and locate the SSD1306 library provided by Adafruit.
  • Press the Install button to complete the installation.
Arduino Nano OLED library
  • You will be prompted to install additional library dependencies.
  • To install them all at once, click the Install All button.
Arduino Nano Adafruit GFX sensor library
  • Copy the code and open it with the Arduino IDE.
  • Click the Upload button on the Arduino IDE to compile and upload the code to the Arduino Nano.
  • Move your hand in front of the sensor.
  • Check the result on the OLED and the Serial Monitor.

※ NOTE THAT:

This code will horizontally and vertically center the text on an OLED display. For more information, please refer to How to vertical/horizontal center on OLED.

Video Tutorial

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