Load Cell 4 Click

How does it work?

Load Cell 4 Click is based on the ZSC31014, a CMOS integrated circuit for highly accurate amplification and analog-to-digital conversion of differential and half-bridge input signals from Renesas. The ZSC31014 has a fully differential chopper-stabilized preamplifier with 8 programmable gain settings (1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 192) through a 14-bit ADC. The resolution of the output depends on the input span and the analog gain setting. The system clock of the ZSC31014 can operate at 1MHz (lower power, better noise performance) or at 4MHz (faster sample rates). Internal DSP core uses coefficients stored in EEPROM to precisely calibrate/condition the amplified differential input signal. Temperature can be measured from an internal temperature sensor, which can be calibrated to compensate for the temperature effects of the sensor bridge.

After the Power-On Reset function, the ZSC31014 wakes, and if it receives the Start_CM command during the command window, it goes into Command Mode. This Mode is primarily used in the calibration environment, and during Command Mode, the device executes commands sent by the I2C master. The ZSC31014 remains in Command Mode until it receives the Start_NOM command, which starts the Normal Operation Mode. Operation after the Power-On sequence depends on whether the part is programmed in Sleep Mode or Update Mode. In Sleep Mode, the ZSC31014 waits for commands from the master before taking measurements, while in Update Mode, data is taken at a fixed, selectable rate.

Load Cell 4 Click communicates with MCU using the standard I2C 2-Wire interface with a clock frequency from 100 up to 400 kHz. The INT pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, used as an interrupt, rises when new output data is ready and falls when the next I2C communication occurs. It is most useful if the part is configured in Sleep Mode to indicate to the system that a new conversion is ready. Besides, this Click board™ also possesses an Enable pin labeled as EN, routed to the CS pin of the mikroBUS™ socket, which serves to turn the ZSC31014’s power supply on/off.

This Click board™ is designed to operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. It allows for both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the I2C communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library that contains functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

Specifications

Pinout diagram

This table shows how the pinout on Load Cell 4 Click corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).

Notes	Pin					Pin	Notes
	NC	1	AN	PWM	16	NC
	NC	2	RST	INT	15	INT	Interrupt
Enable	EN	3	CS	RX	14	NC
	NC	4	SCK	TX	13	NC
	NC	5	MISO	SCL	12	SCL	I2C Clock
	NC	6	MOSI	SDA	11	SDA	I2C Data
Power Supply	3.3V	7	3.3V	5V	10	5V	Power Supply
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

Load Cell 4 Click electrical specifications

Software Support

We provide a library for the Load Cell 4 Click on our LibStock page, as well as a demo application (example), developed using MikroElektronika compilers. The demo can run on all the main MikroElektronika development boards.

Library Description

The library covers all the necessary functions to control Load Cell 4 Click board™. Library performs a standard I2C interface communication.

Package can be downloaded/installed directly from NECTO Studio Package Manager(recommended way), downloaded from our LibStock™ or found on mikroE github account.

Key functions:

• void loadcell4_tare ( loadcell4_data_t *cell_data ) – Tare the scales function.
• uint8_t loadcell4_calibration ( uint16_t cal_val, loadcell4_data_t *cell_data ) – Calibration function.
• float loadcell4_get_weight ( loadcell4_data_t *cell_data ) – Get weight function.

Examples description

The application is composed of three sections :

• System Initialization – Initializes I2C, set INT pin as input, set CS pin as output and start to write log.
• Application Initialization – Initializes I2C driver and performs the power on. Sets tare the scale, calibrate scale and start measurements.
• Application Task – This is an example that demonstrates the use of the Load Cell 4 Click board™. The Load Cell 4 Click board™ can be used to measure weight, shows the measurement of scales in grams [ g ]. Results are being sent to the Usart Terminal where you can track their changes. All data logs write on USB uart changes for every 4 sec.

void application_task ( )
{
    weight_val = loadcell4_get_weight( &cell_data );

    log_display( weight_val );

    Delay_ms( 100 );
}

Additional Functions :

• void log_display ( float display_val ) – Function displays readings as floating point value with two decimal places.

The full application code, and ready to use projects can be found on our LibStock page.

Other mikroE Libraries used in the example:

• I2C
• UART
• Conversions

Additional notes and informations

Depending on the development board you are using, you may need USB UART click, USB UART 2 click or RS232 click to connect to your PC, for development systems with no UART to USB interface available on the board. The terminal available in all MikroElektronika compilers, or any other terminal application of your choice, can be used to read the message.

mikroSDK

This Click board™ is supported with mikroSDK – MikroElektronika Software Development Kit. To ensure proper operation of mikroSDK compliant Click board™ demo applications, mikroSDK should be downloaded from the LibStock and installed for the compiler you are using.

For more information about mikroSDK, visit the official page.