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×(Optional) 9V Power Adapter for Arduino Nano
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Adapter 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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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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